Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free Version Update Problem

[rabrittain]

It is Wednesday, 03/03/2010, ~0400 UTC (Tuesday, 03/02/2010, ~2000 pst). I am writing to you from somewhere near Tacoma, WA. Over 1 and 1/2 hours ago I started the update process for Ad-Aware Free version on one of my computers. It has not completed. I have the connection status window open. I am watching the performance graph on Windows Task Manager. It is literally like trying to watch grass grow. Is anyone else having a similar problem?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

i haven't used this in a long time.. have you considered switching to malwarebytes anti malware?

 

[rabrittain]

Thanks for replying, Chiefcrowe.

I don't know anything about that software, but you're a Senior Member, and if you say it's good, then I'll try it.

I'm a cruncher, and normally, I don't wander far from the "Distributed Computing" topic.

The machine is dual boot: Windows XP Pro (32 bit) and Windows XP64. Most of the time it runs in 32 bit mode. However there is a PrimeGrid race this month that requires a 64 bit OS, so I thought that I would run XP64 this whole month and see how it does. I thought yesterday that I might have a virus/spyware problem yesterday. After watching it for a day, I realize that I have an overheating/stability issure.

It's been running a little too hot in 32 bit mode for the last couple of months. XP64 runs for a while - then everything locks up - no keyboard/mouse action - ctrl-alt-del doesn't even work. It is necessary to power off with the switch and then boot up again. I defragged the drive -- not much help.

The thermal insulating material is generic white paste, and it's almost 4 years old - time to clean the cpu and the heatsink and reapply with ICD7.

Thanks again for your interest, and I will try that software that you recommended.

 

[lxskllr]

I second Malwarebytes for a scanner. I haven't used Adaware in years. It never did much other than update, and find harmless tracking cookies. Speaking of which, set your browsers to block 3rd party cookies, that keep some of the crap out. For your heat issues, try cleaning your heatsinks before you start pulling everything apart. Getting rid of some dust might be enough to bring your temps down.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Good idea about cleaning out the dust. you may have to reapply the thermal paste though or perhaps better ventilate the computer area.

and yes, ad aware used to be one of the best programs but they have fallen behind. I think most people consider Malwarebytes antimalware and Superantispyware to be some of the best spyware removers these days.

 

[rabrittain]

Thanks for responding, lxskllr!

I periodically vacuum my computer cases out, but I pulled the HSF and found lots of dust on the underside of the fins. I cleaned the heatsink and the cpu with isopropyl alcohol and reconfigured with ICD7 - overheating problem solved.

 

[rabrittain]

I downloaded and installed Anti-Malware. I like it pretty good. I performed a quick scan, and the software found a display hijacker.

The computer is much more stable after cleaning the HSF.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[Chiefcrowe]

you're welcome. I'd also recommend updating it and running a full scan in safe mode since it found something.

I downloaded and installed Anti-Malware. I like it pretty good. I performed a quick scan, and the software found a display hijacker.

The computer is much more stable after cleaning the HSF.

Thanks for the help!!