Home PC problem

[John Marwood]

I have a home PC with Windows ( i know i know )

I also have up to date Norton Internet Security

Recently I have been logging onto the net and the clock at the bottom right of the screen has moved to six hours ahead

Also when I open up a new page it takes a few seconds to open up and flickers as it does so. Sometimes the font I am using on a webpage changes to another font

Am I normal?

( dont answer that one! )

Answer this one pretty please..

Is my PC likely to A. Have a virus not picked up by Norton ?or B be being hacked ? or C its just windows why not try another web browser?


ta

 

[zakkwylde87]

No idea.... sorry.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Tried a simple system restore to a point in time just before the problem began??

START - ALL PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - SYSTEM TOOLS - SYSTEM RESTORE and choose to restore your computer to an earlier point in time. Pick a date before the problem started and see if that sorts it out.

 

[db]

I have a home PC with Windows ( i know i know )

not sure what you mean by this.. if you have a PC, windows is your only choice, and as long as it is XP or Windows 7 it's a perfectly good operating system..

I also have up to date Norton Internet Security

there's your problem.. norton is crap, the only thing it's good for is slowing your computer down and breaking your internet.. get rid of it, if you can.. you don't need any "internet securtity" software (zonealarm, mcafee, etc.).. install a decent virus checker, such as avira antivir or AVG free and that is all you need.. make sure you install one of these after you have completely removed all symantec/norton software from your system..

Recently I have been logging onto the net and the clock at the bottom right of the screen has moved to six hours ahead

not sure what could be causing this.. i doubt your system clock is actually wrong, as you would notice this as soon as you powered the computer on.. does the clock change in front of your eyes after windows loads? does it always happen right away, or does it only change when you do something in particular (e.g. open internet explorer)?

 

[shoes]

what does 'logging onto the net' entail? Do you have a permenant connection or do you have to tell the computer you want to connect (and possibly enter a password?) before you can use the internet?

One possibility is your timezone is set incorrectly and your PC is automatically synchronising with a web-based system to correct your clock. To check this double left click on the clock itself and then in the box which appears check to see if the timezone that it thinks you're in is GMT. It should be a drop down box.

Your flickering and laggy page load up is almost certainly Norton, I have seen this bahaviour on many client machines, all of which had norton, mcaffee or AOL's antivitus software on. Removing said software and replacing it with AntiVir (other great free ones are also available) for free.

With regard to picking up a virus, Norton isn't bad at it but it's not abnormal for somethign to slip past any antivirus. Your symptoms are unlikely though IMO.

Action plan:

1. Open up the clock options as described above and check timezone.
2. Disable Norton (perhaps someone else can offer advice on this, I ususally just uninstall it!)
3. Install a free but decent antivirus system, I can recomment AVG or antivir personally.
4. Install either Firefox (although I hate it these days it works fine for some people) or my current favourite Google Chrome or another browser of your choice.

Failing that WMR's suggestion of a system restore would definitely be my next port of call before tendering a complete rebuild to our resident PC gurus.

 

[John Marwood]

Gentleman, I thank you

What I meant to say instead of Windows was Internet Explorer ( i dont do computers very well )

However, I have now uninstalled the Norton software and the problem of flickering appears solved

The clock was already on GMT but still showed several hours ahead and I have reset the actual time to UK time

So, I shall see how I fair, and if the problem arises again I shall try the system restore

Footnote

I have a broadband connection and do not need to enter a password

I will have a look at Google chrome when I have a moment of concentration

The clock has changed several times over the last few days and I will be keeping an eye on it

Thanks again,

Abacus Man

 

[shoes]

Glad to hear you're making progress!

If you're happy and familiar with Internet Explorer I would recommend you stick with it. Not only is it fast, stable and intuitive but its also more than you would need anyway unless you start to use plugins and what have you, which I imagine you don't lol

The question about the internet connection was because as I read you post it came across as "clock fine, connect to net, clock shifts six hours out".

How old is the PC out of interest? If the clock is playing silly buggers then possibly the battery inside it (flat watch type battery, no idea what they're actually called) has run down and is having trouble maintaining time. Any one of the resident geeks could assess / replace this if necessary for you, i'm sure.

If you have uninstalled Norton alltogether then I would highly recommend installing another free AV program, running without protection is unwise (adopt a similar policy when visiting amsterdam).

Keep the abacus well oiled!

 

[dylanf]

Glad to hear you're making progress!
If you're happy and familiar with Internet Explorer I would recommend you stick with it. Not only is it fast, stable and intuitive but its also more than you would need anyway unless you start to use plugins and what have you, which I imagine you don't lol

Internet explorer is the reason why norton and all the other security companies make so much money. Its terribly insecure with loads of vulnerabilities.

Everybody should ditch it and use a browser that isnt going to invite badware onto their computers. And anybody who says its good should be shot.

 

[shoes]

Glad to hear you're making progress!
If you're happy and familiar with Internet Explorer I would recommend you stick with it. Not only is it fast, stable and intuitive but its also more than you would need anyway unless you start to use plugins and what have you, which I imagine you don't lol

Internet explorer is the reason why norton and all the other security companies make so much money. Its terribly insecure with loads of vulnerabilities.

Everybody should ditch it and use a browser that isnt going to invite badware onto their computers. And anybody who says its good should be shot.

I disagree I have absolutely no problem with IE8 at all, its stable, fast and works well for what I need it for. Admitadly its not as good as chrome but its way way better than FF currently is.

For a domestic user who's needs are simple then IE8 all the way.

As far as Norton et al making money, i'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the way they manipulate the media. Its Internet Explorer's fault, fo sho'

 

[wmrcomputers]

Even microsoft must be realising their web browser is far from the best... a Windows 7 update today makes a window open up saying that it has un-pinned Internet Explorer from the taskbar and gives you a choice of several others including chrome & firefox, with a simple link to install them. SHOCK!!!

As for the NORTON issue's, I agree with everyone else it's crap! Ok, so it does as good-a-job as any at stopping viruses but it uses up some SERIOUS system speed as time goes on.
One of my many recent conversations...

Customer - I've just bought Norton 360 from PC world, could you please install it for me?
Me - No.
Customer - I'm sorry???
Me - No offence, but you will then be holding me liable for your PC running crap within a few months and
expect it sorting for free. Use AVG free.
Customer - But PC World told me that AVG doesn't stop all viruses
Me - Did you ask them if Norton does?
Customer - I think I'm catching your drift!
Me - Expensive small frisby??
Customer - Haha! Thanks for your help.

 

[shoes]

Aye I stopped supporting such things years ago too, before 360 was even on the scene.

I pity the fool who takes on such a liability lol

EDIT: Oh yeah thats some legal mumbo-jumbo about fair marketing blah blah blah i read something to the effect of they have had to offer you the choice which includes removing shortcuts to internet exploder and also windows live mail client too i believe.

Pandering to the lowest common denominator I suppose - safari?

 

[dylanf]

Most anti virus programs do not stop todays ball aches. My favourite is "Internet Security 2010".

It gets on your machine and completely loves it up. And guess how it manages to get on your machine, fooling users. Which is quite easy to do in Internet Explorer.

The reason the Windows 7 update came down is due to European legislation.

 

[gdavies]

Even microsoft must be realising their web browser is far from the best... a Windows 7 update today makes a window open up saying that it has un-pinned Internet Explorer from the taskbar and gives you a choice of several others including chrome & firefox, with a simple link to install them. SHOCK!!!

As for the NORTON issue's, I agree with everyone else it's crap! Ok, so it does as good-a-job as any at stopping viruses but it uses up some SERIOUS system speed as time goes on.
One of my many recent conversations...

Customer - I've just bought Norton 360 from PC world, could you please install it for me?
Me - No.
Customer - I'm sorry???
Me - No offence, but you will then be holding me liable for your PC running crap within a few months and
expect it sorting for free. Use AVG free.
Customer - But PC World told me that AVG doesn't stop all viruses
Me - Did you ask them if Norton does?
Customer - I think I'm catching your drift!
Me - Expensive small frisby??
Customer - Haha! Thanks for your help.

I full on agree with WMR I would NEVER tell anyone yo put on norton or macfee either, I have written test code to act as virus and those too take up shed loads of resources but never pick up anything yet something along the lines of AVG would

 

[dylanf]

I full on agree with WMR I would NEVER tell anyone yo put on norton or macfee either, I have written test code to act as virus and those too take up shed loads of resources but never pick up anything yet something along the lines of AVG would

Tell us more. What did you write the code in. Was it performing some low level functions? Im quite interested in this.

 

[gdavies]

dylanf if you ever get into coding you will know a keygen will not throw yp a lse positive if it is written the right way etc, The coding in which i wrote took part of a dll file which windows boxes would see as vital, i made a vnc hookup but compressed it to retains its size alot of hassle for nothing really but norton an macfee do not see it and now i no longer have the code nore the program because if i truly need then i rewrite it

 

[dylanf]

I am a programmer. Its my day job.

 

[wmrcomputers]

@dylanf - I think Internet Security 2010 is actually a fake anti-virus product which purely tries to "steal" your credit card details. It's easily removed with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware though just using a quick scan (safe mode usually necessary)

Glad everyone seems to have the same opinion about Norton products though - I shiver when I hear the word. I think it gives people a good feeling about security because of it's mass advertising and it's nice "HEY I'M A GREEN TICK - EVERYTHING IS SAFE" type of system - but I don't rate it at all on actual ability to know what it's talking about

 

[shoes]

WMR I think thats what Dylan was driving at - it looks genuine but its not and IE8 doesn't do much to protect you from that. Can't really make an comment myself, i seem to get these requests no matter what browser i use, however I have never clicked on one, let alone twice in different browsers, so the level of protection offered is unknown to me.

If Dylan is right though then yes, this is a problem with IE8 but I always recommend anyone of any experience level, when using the internet, to only make deliberate actions. By that I mean signing into things you specifically called the page up for, downloading things you went an looked for, not clicking on things which landed in your lap (e.g. Internet Security 2010) and so on. Basic interwebs skillz, init.

Either way if FF/Chrome etc. do offer more protection against these things Dylan, I will fall on my sword, as you're right, the users that these kind of things target are those who are actually likely to click on them. My knowledge of such things is poor, but from personal use I cannot fault IE8 for usability, speed, stability and functionality, so it still gets my thumbs up.

Just my £0.02 anyway

 

[gdavies]

@dylanf - I think Internet Security 2010 is actually a fake anti-virus product which purely tries to "steal" your credit card details. It's easily removed with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware though just using a quick scan (safe mode usually necessary)

Glad everyone seems to have the same opinion about Norton products though - I shiver when I hear the word. I think it gives people a good feeling about security because of it's mass advertising and it's nice "HEY I'M A GREEN TICK - EVERYTHING IS SAFE" type of system - but I don't rate it at all on actual ability to know what it's talking about

comodo firewall system seem to have the hey i am a geek kind of alert to software installation but full on agree with internet security 2010 is a full on virus/adware or proper nasty kind of geezer that pinches your coffee in starbucks, people who miss out on it well good luck cause i have had my fill of fixing it. Hence why i say WMR can have windows I will stick to MAC, Linux, BSD or what ever media server you have lol. WMR if you wanna play on my mac dude pop round its about time you learned

 

[gdavies]

WMR I think thats what Dylan was driving at - it looks genuine but its not and IE8 doesn't do much to protect you from that. Can't really make an comment myself, i seem to get these requests no matter what browser i use, however I have never clicked on one, let alone twice in different browsers, so the level of protection offered is unknown to me.

If Dylan is right though then yes, this is a problem with IE8 but I always recommend anyone of any experience level, when using the internet, to only make deliberate actions. By that I mean signing into things you specifically called the page up for, downloading things you went an looked for, not clicking on things which landed in your lap (e.g. Internet Security 2010) and so on. Basic interwebs skillz, init.

Either way if FF/Chrome etc. do offer more protection against these things Dylan, I will fall on my sword, as you're right, the users that these kind of things target are those who are actually likely to click on them. My knowledge of such things is poor, but from personal use I cannot fault IE8 for usability, speed, stability and functionality, so it still gets my thumbs up.

Just my £0.02 anyway

again this is a 2p worth of actions speak louder than words personally if your running windows if you click ebay but a window pops up saying this donkey could handle you, or anything random like viagra is for you, or blah blah blah - no this i not the crazies website from here but something untold etc, press and hold alt + f4 that window should go, if it is in a tab then press and hold ctrl+w then away it goes once they do go let go by the way.