I need computer help?

Question

I just reinstalled vista and now my computer is sucking. Firefox wont run, it wont let me download java or aim or anything else, and I have no sound, i turned off the firewall but its still being crappy. Help please.

Answer 1

Did you re-install (repair or go for a recovery?? If you went for recovery, then make sure that you do not have any attachments(USB devices, printers) etc. Here are the steps:

0) Take out all the extra H/W that your computer did not come with, Printers, USB peripherals, etc.

1) Format & recover the system. To format, either use the windows CD that came with the computer (boot with the CD in the drive, it should be picked up by default) or when booting when you see your computer logo, start tapping F10 This should take you to a recovery menu. If you have updated your system regularly & have the latest Service Packs, you may get a message ike the version of windows on the system is newer than what you are trying to install. Go ahead & install anyways.

2) Install a good AV BEFORE you plug internet in.

3) Update AV the FIRST thing when you go online.

4) Enable windows Updates so that your computer has all the available patches. In fact I'd say after updating AV, go to windowsupdates.Microsoft.com & get ALL the updates.

5) Now get a good Firewall if you have a always on internet connection.

6) Get some good Anti Spyware/Malware too, Spybot "Search & Destroy" & "Ad-Aware" are what I use, they are good & they come free. Also get something like McAfee's Siteadvisor, which warns you which sites are known sites for sending spyware/malware/spammers.