Very slow computer

[PattiChati]

I have run Ccleaner and Quick CleanXP and they have gotten rid of histories, cache, etc. They do it automatically, so I don't pay attention. I then ran Ad aware, spybot, ewido suite and disk defrag. The spyware said no problems and the disk defrag said I didn't have to even run it, but I did. I went and deleted the weather channel and roboform, just to get rid of things I really didn't need.
On the ccleaner when I ran the issues - the registry things - the stuff that was on there that I deleted was unused dll, missing shortcuts and stuff to do with active x. That is all that is ever on there. I've run sfc /scannow and chkdsk.
Right this very minute my computer is running okay. I was able to get to this webpage quite fast - but in another 5 minutes things will go awry.
I don't remember exactly what the Active X message is, and right now I cannot get it to do it. Something about the page won't look right, but it does. I just keep getting that box popping up.
Some web pages won't load because they say my security settings won't allow it.
Well, that is about all I can remember. If I think of more that I think would be useful to you, I will let you know.
I know a year or so ago I had some problems and I did a thorough cleaning that someone told me to do and things worked good. But I don't remember having problems with Active X and goofy screens before, just slowness.
Thanks SO MUCH for your help and I will not do anything hastily again until I hear from you.
Thanks

[PattiChati]

One of the error messages I get is:
Not Found
The requested URL was not found on this server.

I never used to get this.
I also just went to open my bulk folder of mail and it said it would not open, check my internet lan settings with that of my provider???????
This is all very new to me.

[PattiChati]

Well, another thing that has just started happening. I get this message on the top of websites: This page has been automatically translated.
View Original Web Page
I don't know if I changed something or not to get this.
I sure hope you can help. I hate to call in a tech, they are so expensive. You guys have really helped before. I pray you can do it again. I guess nothing that is happening is horrible, just weird and different and annoying.

[PattiChati]

Okay, I got the error message when trying to open mail:
"Your current Security Settings prohibit running Active X controls on this page. As a result the page may not display correctly."
Thanks again.

[PattiChati]

Hi - was wondering if you read my posts to see what I actually did to my computer. Have you had a chance to figure out what I might be able to do to rectify the problems? It is driving me nuts the way this computer is acting.
Thanks so much.

[jholland1964]

Hi Patti,
Have been away from here with my own computer troubles so this is the first I have seen your posts...
Couple of things here, personally I would recommend, quit cleaning the registry so often.
Another thing; your "error message"

Not Found
The requested URL was not found on this server.

Is this on a site that you visit regularly or is the site someplace new for you?

Your current Security Settings prohibit running Active X controls on this page

This means you probably have your ActiveX disabled.

This page has been automatically translated.
View Original Web Page

If you are using Internet Explorer go to Tools, Internet Options, General Tab, Languages. See what language is set as the default language. This may have been changed some way. I have no way of knowing where you are located but set it for your native language. If it IS set for your native language then this means you are visiting foreign sites and the pages are being translated for you.

[PattiChati]

Hi and thanks for answering.
My language is set as English, but it hasn't been doing that the last day - so go figure!!!!
I am using Slimbrower which incorporates IE. I know I checked Active X before and it was all enabled. But right now I cannot figure out how to get to it.
The URL error message is on various sites, one of them being yours over the last weekend.
The Active X shows up whenver I open IE and hit on "mail"
I get mixed opinions on whether to use a Registry cleaner. That if you install and uninstall programs, it can leave a lot of junk behind.
Have any idea why my computer is so slow. Just this morning opening up my mail took 15 seconds. Then things might move around okay and then slow down to a crawl. I am on cable modem and it shows an upload speed of over 10000 sometimes. I have .99 gb of ram.
I just know that I did something or added something that caused this. It used to run beautfiully for quite a while.
Can you also suggest what the best browser is? I tried Firefox, but I didn't like the toolbars. Slimbrowser, which I use now, has very user friendly toolbars with automatic tabbing which is great, since I jump from site to site.
Thanks so much and will await your reply.
I have replied on newsgroups before and they might answer once, but then don't get back to you, so wasn't sure how this site worked.
I really apprecite your help and hope you can help me.
Thanks,
Patti

[jholland1964]

Ok Patti,
Notice in one of your posts above you state that with CCleaner you have removed "stuff to do with active x"....what "stuff" to do with ActiveX?
This makes me suspicious since this is what you seem to be having problems with right now.
You also say this happens when pressing the "mail" button. What mail program do you use or are you using a web based mail or Outlook Express or Outlook?

You also say "I have run Ccleaner and Quick CleanXP...They do it automatically, so I don't pay attention."
I would never recommend not paying attention...yes, the programs are good, BUT any program can make a mistake and remove something that you truly need. ALWAYS set the program to NOT remove automatically but to show you first what can be removed and then YOU decide what to remove, don't let the program do it on it's own.

Stop running all those cleaners daily for one thing. I use AdAwareSE, Spybot S & D weekly, that is all, once a week and I do it manually not automatically. And I look at everything found before removing. The only program I have set to run and update automatically is my anti-virus program. I occasionally run CCleaner, manually, not very often. Generally I clean things up by using the built in DiskCleanup...weekly only and again manually. By running those constantly and automatically, and you must have them set to remove all, you are removing some of the cookies that you NEED. Not all cookies are bad some you need to make it easy to get back into a website. Sounds to me as if you have changed some sort of setting in your browsers, firewall, anti-spy programs or all of the above that have actually disabled your internet viewing and access to some extent.
If you have any of these scanners/cleaners set to either run automatically or run in the background all the time, turn that part off...with the exception of your anti-virus program, leave it running.

Also, what firewall are you running?

Did you update your Java as PP noted being out of date in his first post to you?

ActiveX errors are most usually caused by certain browser settings and misconfigured system files. To fix the problem, please adjust the settings in Internet Explorer by following the steps below:

1. Click the 'Tools' menu at the top of your browser, and select 'Internet Options.'
2. Click the 'Security' tab at the top of the dialogue box, and set 'Medium' as the 'Security level for this zone.'
3. Click 'Custom Level' button and ensure that the following are set to 'Enabled':
   • Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
   • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting
   • Scripting
4. Click 'OK' after these settings are enabled.
5. Click 'OK' again to save your changes.

Also while in Security click on Restricted Sites and scroll through the list to see what sites are listed there. You may have put one in there by accident. Some are already listed there automatically but you can also Restrict sites yourself.

If your browser was already set correctly, it's likely that you have a misconfigured system file. Here's how to reset the system file to the default settings:

1. Click the 'Start' button in Windows.
2. Select 'Run.'
3. Enter 'regsvr32 msxml3.dll' in the 'Open:' field, and click 'OK.'

As for browsers, I prefer Firefox and use it exclusively except for Program Updates. I used to use Slimbrowser also but had some sort of problem with it though now cannot recall what, it has been too long ago. For the moment, I would advise against trying multiple browsers until we get this security issue settled. Work with it for now via Internet Explorer and see if we can get it corrected, as it is needed anyway for any Windows updates required.

[PhilliePhan]

Hi Patti, Judy;

Sorry I couldn't get back sooner - Site was down over the weekend and have been deluged with work this week.

Looks like some good suggestions, Judy. We should simplify things as much as possible to narrrow down possible culprits.

-- It might be a good idea to revisit the HJT log. There were some items that needed to be fixed (general cleanup) that I ignored because they wouldn't contribute to the problem.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = :0
Let's fix this entry with HJT.
Do you use a proxy, Patti?

- We may need to look at the registry in more depth. I imagine a number of keys are cattywampus as a result of the reg cleaners...

Will try to check back soon. Best Luck, guys!

PP

[PattiChati]

I ususally have very little turned on at startup, but I will go back and try to see what I had on. Also, how do you turn browsers off and what do you mean about relocating HiJackThis to a folder of it's own.
Hey, is this fun working with someone who is so "not knowledgeable" about the workings of a computer, even though I am on it almost all day every day!!!
One thing I noticed today is the websites open faster than my yahoo mail page and my mail. When I go to delete an email, it takes several seconds, yet when I clicked the link on my email to this site, it happened immediately. That makes no sense to me.
Thanks