Looking much better.
Manually clear cache
- Open an Explorer folder window (for example, double-click My Computer).
- From the Explorer menu select Tools | Folder Options | View. Make sure that you have checked the box next to "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files".
- Start Internet Explorer and click Tools | Internet Options | General tab | Settings | View Files.
- IE should have opened up a folder window, typically viewing a folder with the name of C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files. Put your cursor in the Address area of the folder window and add the name \content.ie5 to the name, so in our example the Address bar would now read c:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\content.ie5.
- You should see a series of folders with random eight-character names like ADOZMZS1. Delete each of these randomly named folders. You may get an error that some files are in use, this is normal if you are currently at a web site since those files are in the cache. Hold down the Shift key when deleting the files so they do not go to the Recycle Bin.
Download and Run ATF Cleaner
Download
ATF Cleaner by Atribune to your desktop.
Double-click
ATF Cleaner.exe to open it.
Under Main choose:
Windows Temp
Current User Temp
All Users Temp
Cookies
Temporary Internet Files
Prefetch
Java Cache
*The other boxes are optional*
Then click the
Empty Selected button.
Firefox or Opera:
Click
Firefox or
Opera at the top and choose:
Select All
Click the
Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click
NO at the prompt.
Click
Exit on the
Main menu to close the program.
Uninstall Combofix
* Click
START then
RUN
* Now type
Combofix /u in the runbox
* Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /u
* Then hit
Enter.
* The above procedure will:
* Delete the following:
* ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
* Reset the clock settings.
* Hide file extensions, if required.
* Hide System/Hidden files, if required.
* Set a new, clean Restore Point.
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Cleanup using OTMoveit2 by OldTimer
Now we can clear out the rest of the programs we've been using to clean up your computer, they are not suitable for general malware removal and could cause damage if launched accidentally.
Download OTMoveIt2 by OldTimer
OTMoveIt2.exe and place it on your desktop.
1. Double click
OTMoveIt2.exe to launch it.
If using Vista Right-Click OTMoveIt and choose Run As Administrator
2. Click on the
CleanUp! button.
3. OTMoveIt2 will download a list from the Internet, if your firewall or other defensive programs alerts you, allow it access.
4. Click
YES at the next prompt (list downloaded, Do you want to begin cleanup process?)
* When finished exit out of OTMoveIt2
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I recommend you keep
1 anti virus program
1 firewall
Combo of Anti-Spyware (Spybot S&D and MBAM, or your choice)
For Spybot you can download the latest version from
HERE.
keep them updated.
You can also turn on tea timer in Spybot:
- Click on Mode at the top and make sure that Advanced is checked
- Expand the Tools tab in the left pane
- Single click on the Resident Icon also in the left pane
- check Resident "TeaTimer" (Protection of over-all system settings) Active
- Close spybot
Also under Tools you can double-click
System Startup in the right pane and disable programs from running at startup. This will free up system resources. For example if you don't use MSN Messenger everytime you run your computer you can disable it, then when you want to use it you can launch it through Start -> all programs, or make a shortcut on the desktop for it. That way it doesn't use resources when you aren't using it.
Don't disable any entries in green though.
And just to be sure
Set correct settings for files
- Click Start > My Computer > Tools menu (at top of page) > Folder Options > View tab.
- Under "Hidden files and folders" if necessary select Do not show hidden files and folders.
- If unchecked please check Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
- If necessary check "Display content of system folders"
- If necessary Uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
- Click OK
clear system restore points
This is a good time to clear your existing system restore points and establish a new clean restore point:
- Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
- Select Create a restore point, and Ok it.
- Next, go to Start > Run and type in cleanmgr
- Select the More options tab
- Choose the option to clean up system restore and OK it.
This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.
