(no subject)

[novapsyche]

I did some detective work on my computer and found files that weren't indispensible. In fact, there were things actually entitled "emalware". I relabeled them, shut down the computer, rebooted. It's running much faster and quieter now.

However, when I look at what programs are running when I'm not on the internet, Explorer still shows up. Which means there's still something on this machine, somewhere, that needs to go.

Comments

[bonerici.livejournal.com]

explorer does stuff like the start menu and folders. kill it from the task manager (it's fine to kill it) and you'll see what I mean.

[johanna-hypatia.livejournal.com]

I want to get you to do my computer like that! It has been running slow.

[vaxjedi]

Do you mean explorer.exe or iexplore.exe?

The former is the process that handles your desktop, folder browsing, Start button, etc.

The latter is Internet Explorer. Of course, a lot of legitimate programs use IE for all sorts of things, so you can see it in the background even when you are not web browsing.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Okay. This explains some things.

I'm using Windows 98, so I don't really have a Task Manager. (I know the machine needs a better OS. It's not my machine; I just use it.)

[jojomojo.livejournal.com]

Try running AdAware or Spybot Search & Destroy?

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

It's free, and a much easier way to go than trying to get rid of malware by hand :)

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

I have both of those, and neither of them touched it.

[bonerici.livejournal.com]

explorer in windows 98 is still your desktop manager, actually in 98, it is the entire graphical interface, the gui for windows 98, not just the task that manages the menus and folders.

stop using IE

[magicmaiden.livejournal.com]

Just switch to firefox for your browser....it eleminates all sorts of things and is safer (or was) than IE.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

See my reply to vaxjedi above.