Computer running slow, can I fix the taskbar?

December 17, 2009

I recently bought my first laptop used from a friend of mine who really tricked it out. He is very knowledgable but we use the computer for different things.The computer is so slow to load, and it is mostly due to our wireless internet service. I get it free so I’m not complaining. But I want to boost my performance with what is in my control.

My taskbar (down by the clock) shows 10 icons all the time. I have been told that this bogs up the computer. Trouble is, I don’t know what I need, and what I can shut off, perhaps even remove from the computer. I figured out how to hide them when they are inactive, but I’m not sure that hiding makes any difference in the processing speed if they are all working in the background. After I figure out which ones I want to come on automatically, and which to activate as needed myself, I would like to change the settings so they don’t keep coming back on and slowing things down. What should I do? Thanks for your help!
Southernbelle, you are my geek in shining armor. I appreciate your quick and thorough answer, I did what you said and things are much speedier. For the other techies in the house, I’m sure I will have other questions about the unchecks and reactivating certain ones. For now, however, the question is closed and southernbelle will get 10 well deserved points. Thanks again!
Southernbelle, you are my geek in shining armor. I appreciate your quick and thorough answer, I did what you said and things are much speedier. For the other techies in the house, I’m sure I will have other questions about the unchecks and reactivating certain ones. For now, however, the question is closed and southernbelle will get 10 well deserved points. Thanks again!

Windows Security Not Detecting McAfee?

December 7, 2009

I recently cleaned my registry using "TweakNow" and now Windows Vista Security is not detecting McAfee. Everything is functioning as normal, but the little red icon in my taskbar reminding me that I somehow lack a virus scanner is annoying me. Any suggestions? I tried restoring the things TweakNow removed, but Vista still isn’t detecting McAfee.

What is a free program (not trial) that will remove the WinFixer Popups and also the Blackberry Virus?

October 10, 2009

I have those annoying WinFixer Popups, and i want to get rid of them, along with some other popups (bad ones), and i also want to rid myself of the Blackberrry virus, which i am continually told has breached my computer. Windows Security center has told me that my computer has been breached and private information is being sent. It offers downloads like WinAntiVirus PRO. Are these really to remove viruses, or are they themselves just pieces of more spyware. I also believe i have a virus, because when i run Adaware SE,it always runs into one critical file in the first 60 or so seconds, and then my computer will basically go into classic mode, with a whitish colored taskbar at the bottom, and finally the computer will shut down. i cannot remove the virus with Adaware, since it shuts my computer down first. please give me some advice, especially if it solves both antivirus and popup issues, and please do not suggest Google Toolbar for popups, as i dont think it’ll be able to remove these.

I’m having a problem with my latop?

October 6, 2009

Well, I had a problem and then I fixed it, but lots of my settings are lost. I always used to have a little thing on my screen show up when I changed the volume using the button on my computer. That no longer shows up. Also, on the taskbar, I used to have a battery meter on the right, just left of the icons next to the time. I would like to get these two things back. My computer is an IBM thinkpad T30 and I’ll give you some details on the problem I had earlier.

I got a bsod when windows tried to load, with the error c0000218 which said that the file c:\windows\system32\config\software could not be found, so I replaced it with the file at c:\windows\repair\software and the computer could then load, but my settings were lost here.
I just remembered something else which actually probably caused the problem. When I was desparately looking for solutions, I went into windows recovery mode and tried the command "fixboot" which said it would create new boot instructions or something like that… It didn’t colve my problem though. I think it might have caused these new ones. Is there any way to go back to the old settings??
one more little detail to add

Here’s the IBM downloads page for my computer. What on here might help me?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-42358#PA