Need Suggestions From Computer Gurus

[Steve K (IA)]

I'm still using XP Pro.  My computer starts gumming up within 5 - 10 minutes of start up.  I then run Super Anti Spyware and will get 500 plus tracking cookies.  Then run Malewarebytes and will get less that 20 problems.  No use in running Ad-Aware Pro, it never produces anything ( I'm not renewing).  I also have SpyBot S&D which get some good results.  After this, I re-start and am good to go again for a short while.

Also it appears my problems might be related to FireFox or maybe AOL.  Been using AOL since day one (20 + years) and no problems until recently.

This is getting pretty annoying.

Is this happening because of no support for XP?

If so, what OS should I be looking for?  I have Win 7 on a laptop, not too thrilled with it.

TIA

[dreamaker]

 I have noticed a pattern, I am not certain about it, but I think our computers gets overwhelmed with unwanted data. These streaming Ad's just kills my computers, I checked my Task Manager, in the Performance window and it shows as much as 85% CPU usage to run the Ads. I shut off the Ads and it goes down to 15-20% usage. If you noticed now when you go to any page you get bombarded with Ads before you can get what you are looking for.  Keep bombarding the Ads and people keep buying new computer because they think they are out dated.  I am just guessing from what I see.

[Mgbringo]

I will tell you what works for me. My credentials: retired 3 years ago after 42 years in IT.

XP and AOL is your biggest issue. Especially XP. Get rid of it as quickly as you can. It is much too old.

I switched both my PCs to Windows 10 running Microsoft Defender, comes with Windows 10, and have had zero problems with adware, malware, or viruses.   Dont worry about adware and malware protection in this configuration. Windows Defender will take care of all of it for you.

There will be a learning curve with Windows 10 but it is very nice in my opinion once you get comfortable with it. Skip Windows 8 at all costs but it is better than XP.

I also use MSN for my e-mail account and have done that for at least 10 years. I have never had a virus that didnt get isolated and deleted.

I used Windows 7 with Explorer and Microsoft anti-virus prior and never had any problems there either.

I did try Chrome for a short time as an experiment and it caused me problems. I removed it quickly.

I may sound like a Microsoft employee but I am not. I worked in a large healthcare organization with 15,000 employees. Learned a lot about properly configured PCs and what can happen if you are not protected.

Let me know if you have any questions.   FYI we are almost neighbors, I am north of Minneapolis.

[Robert]

I still use XP pro for one of my business computers and it works fine. But you never mentioned what anti virus software you are using. On XP it makes a difference and I would get rid of most of the programs you have and use Ccleaner and a good anti virus software. The virus protection and malware protection that comes from Microsoft is not adequate to do the job. A good anti virus software will scan for problems like Trojans and malware and its one program rather than many different ones. The more programs like that the more chance for problems. For XP its the kiss principle the registry can get mucked up pretty easy.

[CajunRider]

Kill the "Flash Player" on your browser (easy to do in Firefox).  That will save a LOT of memory and processor. 

Bottom line however, XP support is gone.  Microsoft no longer updates it to keep the spy-ware and mal-ware at bay.  In the end, you are forced to upgrade. 

The bad thing is that you don't need a new computer... you really need an OS that won't get hacked by those ads so easily.  Unfortunately, a new OS may or may not run well on your hardware.  Microsoft does not put old drivers in their new OS.  Getting Win 7 to run may be difficult. 

It's all a way to force you into spending money... computers are "disposable", instead of upgrade-able the way they were 15 years ago. 

[dreamaker]

Try this, first in case you are thinking of upgrading OS.  This is win7 upgrade advisor program, it goes through your system and checks hardware and drivers to see if it can be upgraded to Win7 and maybe 10. I used to check all my computers.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=20

[vanagon40]

. . .  I would get rid of most of the programs you have and use Ccleaner and a good anti virus software. . . .

I agree.  I'm thinking most of your "defense" is not designed as anti-virus software.  Do some more research and find a good free or cheap anti-virus software.  Avast, AVG, etc.  I did switch from XP about a year ago, but I still use inexpensive anti-virus software (Webroot).

But, as you note, it is probably time for a new, supported, Operating System.