some computer help

[Scottie72]

I am in need of some basic computer help/maintenance.

I have noticed that my mouse will all of a sudden jump from one place on the screen to another. I suspect that the computer is becoming bogged down with processes running in the background. I then go to my task list and see a whole list of basically crap that is there. I then try to end those rouge process to which I get the response that the program is no longer running.

I want to know how can I easily get rid of programs that I or my partner might of downloaded that might be causing this back up. I have already gone to the add/remove programs in the control pannel and have removed a few. I am just not too sure what would be safe to remove or not.. I do not want to end up removing a program that uses a file in a program that I do in fact need.

Does anyone have any suggestions:

List here or email me with the info thanks in advance.

[Booberdawg]

1. I wouldn't cancel processes running in the task manager

If your mouse is jumping around it's probably just a problem with your mouse. Take the rolling ball out of it - clean it with rubbing alchohol, and see if that helps. If not, you may just need a new mouse.

You should always be safe removing programs in the add/remove programs panel.

on edit: unless you know what you are doing - killing processes in the task manager is a bad idea. The only time you might do that is if a program freezes up and you can't back out of it, then you could go to taks manager and find it there and kill it that way and not have to reboot to get rid of it.

[Booberdawg]

5. PS - when you clean off the mouse

be sure to clean off the gunk that collects on the little wheels inside the mouse unit too.

[TrogL]

2. I wish it were that simple

If you're doing ctrl-alt-delete, running Task Master and looking at "processes", almost all of these need to be there. If you're looking at applications and see stuff that you don't remember running, that's a whole different story.

Click Start, Programs, Startup and see if there's anything there you don't recognize. If you've found something, post it and I'll tell you how to remove it.

[trotsky]

3. Couple of tips

First, what OS are you running? (Windows 98? 2000? ME? XP?)

Second, regardless of the OS, there are two programs that will help you clean up unwanted processes and programs.

One is Lavasoft's AdAware. (http://www.lavasoft.com) They have a free version available which works just great.

The other is Spybot Search & Destroy. (http://security.kolla.de) That one also has an "immunization" feature to keep your machine from getting filled with adware in the future.

[Turbineguy]

4. Spybot S&D is very good (methinks)

in addition, check out Spyware Blaster.

[Scottie72]

6. Thanks for the replies so far..

unfortunately I am not at my home comp right now. I'll have to remember and try them when I go home tonight.

[dreissig]

7. Get a Digital Mouse

I have not had any mouse problems since I bought a digital mouse. No herky-jerky response, no cleaning out dust and gunk, none of the above. Digital mice aren't expensive. I will never have a mechanical mouse again - they are primitive.