Savemybutt Premium Classes
NOW OPEN!
Savemybutt Recommended Utilities
- Savemybutt Weekly Utilities Instructions Version 3 (Step-By-Step) (PDF File)
(Right-Click and choose “Save As” or “Save Link As“) - Savemybutt Remote Support Utility
- Malwarebyte Spyware/Adware remover
- Spybot Search And Destroy 1.62
- Spyware Blaster 4.3
- Ccleaner
- Advanced Windows Care v2
- Free Registry Repair
- Revo Uninstaller
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Free Version of Avast Anti-Virus
- Register The Free Version Of Avast
Other Misc Tools and Tips
- How to remove Antivirus 2008/2009 Malware (Follow the instructions on this site)
- Link To McAfee Stinger
- Foxit Reader (Adobe Reader Replacement)
- CW Shredder
- Hijackthis (NOT FOR THE NOVICE)
- Hijackthis – How to post a log
- Auslogics Free Disk Defragmenter
- Belarc Advisor v7.2
- Winsockfix
- Setting up DSL Connection.
Removal Tools
just great,thanks for computer help.
Hi Mike, listen to you on wgn every chance I get. great show and informative.
I only have 1 problem. I can’t download pictures from my motorola v3 razr phone. I need to get the drivers for it, but is it ok to download from internet or seek a different way. I don’t have a cd for it and I was advised not to download because of viruses with these type of downloads, Thanks, Ed
Ok i installed the REVO uninstaller -uninstalled my version of spybot which really never allowed me to update it. i tried to reinstall it but when I get the update parts it tells me ERROR CODE USER 5 unable to install definitions. and the operation aborted. I am never given the option or can’t right click to become an adminstrator. now at this point when i click on search and destroy the error message: You need to install the detection definitions first”
help.
To DAVID SANCHEZ:
I have been using the instructions located here to remove most forms of fake Anti Virus software:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-security-master-av
I’ve used this method, or a variation of it, for the past six months or so, and have been successful every time. It takes a little patience, but doesn’t everything worthwhile?
To Mike D:
I like the new site design.
Karl A. Krogmann
Aging Uber Geek
For Anthony T:
480 MB of RAM is not that much. It’s usable, but 1 GB or better is recommended for anything from Windows XP and up. Remove as many startup programs as possible (Use SysInternal’s AutoRuns utility to do this.) Clean out the Windows Registry. Use Control Panel -> Add / Remove programs to remove unnecessary software.
The best bet, however, is this: Use the OEM system restore disks to return the machine to its original factory image, remove all crap software (like Norton, AOL installs, “free” software, like Microsoft Office Trial versions.) Then hook the thing up to the internet and install the latest Avast! Free edition, run all applicable Windows updates and patches, install Flash, Java runtime, Firefox and Google Chrome, and have a great day. Oh… and double the RAM to 1 GB.
If you’re using the machine for the internet only, try installing Ubuntu Linux. It’s fast, it’s free, it’s secure, and it’s not Microsoft. I’ve been using Linux in one form or another for more than ten years and love it. I’m viewing this page and writing this response on a nine year old Compaq 733 Mhz mini tower with 512 MB RAM and have no speed or performance issues whatsoever. It runs Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop.
Karl A. Krogmann
Aging Uber Geek
I have a Compaq HP with Windows XP with 480 Mb of ram.(that does seem like a lot) I am in the process of working though the savemybutt weekly utilities but wonder if there is anything else I can do to improve performance. I just want my programs to load fast to eel like if I need need to send quick email or do anything quickly on my computer I should be able to.
Please note my family uses this machine for surfing the web, iTunes and some game playing. The games that are played are typically older games and are rentals or from the library so they are installed and uninstalled as needed.
Thank you to anyone that can help.
And an even bigger thank you to Mike. savemybutt.com rocks!
HOW DO U BLOCK UNWANTED E MAILS IM GETTING 10 A DAY
I currently use spybot search & destroy but cannot get rid of Security Master AV. Do you have a solution?
Hi-I downloaded Microsoft Security Esssentials as recommended but have a few questions about it. Which scan should be done-full or quick? If I don’t have my computer on all the time am I able to do a scheduled scan or not? If not do I have to do a scan manually every day when I turn it on? Update every day as well? Thank You.
If you are using Windows XP then use Avast.
Mike
Ccleaner cleans out the cookies. Your password is save in a cookie. You can either tell your browser to save the password, which is not a cookie, or uncheck the box on the left in Ccleaner for cookies. It won’t clean up your cookies any more. Which can sometimes be a security risk.
I use the password system in Firefox to manage my passwords.
Mike
After I do my weekly cleanup utilities the password on one of our accounts deletes itself it seems it is the only one. What might cause this? This is frustrating.
Thanks to all for the great help!
Avast works decently with my 5 y/o Sony Vaio Desktop running XP. Should I switch to Microsoft Security Essentials?
(My old laptop is running AVG-Free…going to switch it to either Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials.)
Cheers,
Rich L. from Jersey…
Hi Mike:
Aww, that really bites about the forum.
It was SOOOO helpful.
Thanks a TON for the response!!
**I tried Winsockfix. Twice. IP address is still 0.0.0.0.
**I also tried resetting with netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt. IP address is still 0.0.0.0.
Device manager suggests NIC enabled/working properly. Is there some similar method to identify whether drivers are working properly?
I started searching for NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller for XP Pro (sp3) driver online. Downloaded from CNET and went digging around “System Information” on broken PC:
**The state of IP-related drivers is “stopped” (but “status” = OK) for ipfilterdriver, ipinip, nwlknflt, and nwlnkfwd. Is this okay?
**The state of NVIDIA drivers is “running” for nvnetbus and nvenetfd.
I haven’t a clue how to interpret any of this…is there a good source where I can go to translate network-ese into English?
Thanks,
Anne
Yep, the forum is gone. A forum is usually where people with knowledge help those that don’t. People helping people. It is unfortunate, but there the number of people helping and answering questions dwindled to about 2. They were not able to keep up, as volunteers, and I was getting huge quantities of email complaining about it. Soooo… It was easier to turn them off.
Download the Winsockfix program from my site. Run it, ignore any errors, and see if that fixes the network issue. Then try the drivers if it does not.
All versions of Windows come with the ability to update itself if it is turned on, which it is by default. You can check the setting in the Control Panel by clicking on the link/icon for Windows Update. There is nothing to download.
I want you to think about what you asked about the Smart Web Printing. The key word is printing. Hmmm… That tells me that the issue is caused by the printer or the printer software.
Instead of trying to track the error it is much simpler to just re-install the printer software. Or, you can see if there is an entry in the in the Add/Remove section of the Control Panel and just remove Web Printing if you don’t use it. Your choice.
Mike
Where did the old forum go?? I haven’t needed it in a long time, but it was my most trusted source of fantastic PC assistance–could always find a post with solutions!
My IP address on PC disappeared (ipconfig shows 0.0.0.0!!) about a week ago. I’ve checked modem/ethernet cord/NIC (all functional–I can get online with laptop). I’ve run AV/anti-malware and done several system restores, but no luck. Anyone have any suggestions what else I can do (short of buying new PC)?
Thanks!
Anne
Seen other comments here about Norton and Avast. I uninstalled Norton and installed Avast. Problem is I now get a window everytime I do something stating trying to install smart web printing. Have to hit about 3 windows to get rid of as they say no path to install. Anyone know how to correct this?
I was listening to WGN amd you were on, and they said somthing about an automatic updater for PC, I did not chatch the name or where to download? Help Please, and thank you.
Hi Vic,
The link is working fine. I suggest you try another browser and download it again. If that does not work, you might
have other issues with your computer.
I tried to download the Revo uninstaller but it gives me the “The webpage cannot be found” error. Please advise how to down load this.
Thanks,
For Mike D.
While you’re at it. Remove Ad-Aware since you no longer recommend that either.
When people see software on your site that conflicts with what you say on the radio (or what is located in a different area of the site) they get confused.
For Mike D.
If you remove AVG from your “setting up a DSL connection” list it will relieve some of the confusion.
Hi Pam and Rich L and everyone else, too.
Just to set the story straight.
We do not recommend AVG. Especially on older or under powered computers because it is a resource hog.
We still recommend Avast, but for Windows XP users. For Vista and Windows 7 we recommend Microsoft Security Essentials.
I hope that helps.
Mike
Reply to Rich L. You can listen to Website Wednesday Night the same way I do–via streamlink at http://www.wgnradio.com at 12:00 am Central Daylight Saving Time. Avast is no longer recommended simply because it takes up too much space.
Mike, I have been listening to Yourself and the rest of the Cybersquad on wgn for about 9 years now. Anyway, I am getting returned emails that i have not sent. So far, probably 80 or 90, and aol is threatening to close my account. I have run malwarebites, and avast but they both show no infections. Any ideas how to get rid of this problem? Thanks for any info. Bob G.
To: Rich L.
Yeah, Mike has a great site here and his weekly spot on WGN overnights with Steve and Johnnie is one of the more informative radio shows you will hear. I’ve been doing this stuff for more than twenty years, and I always pick up something good on the Wednesday night/Thursday morning radio show.
As for your Anti-Virus question: I’m not sure what Mike would say, but I would stick with the Avast! and AVG products as long as you’re not having problems with system resources. The only problems I’ve seen with Avast! or AVG has been on older machines lacking memory and/or processor horsepower to run them along with whatever programs you need.
I have –quite literally– used AVG or Avast! on close to a thousand computers since 2002, or so. I wouldn’t keep installing it if I thought it was crap.
Microsoft Security Essentials seems to be coming along, but I’ve not used it enough to form an opinion.
Cheers,
Karl A. Krogmann
Aging Uber Geek
Greetings…
Friend of mine turned me on to your site a year ago and it is simply amazing! Kudos for all you do!
Now to my question…
Do you have any recommendations for an anti-virus program? I use Avast on my desktop and AVG Free on my laptop; are there any better ones out there?
THANKS!
Rich L. from…
…New Jersey.
Mike D
it says that spyware blaster can not be found error 404.. whatever that means i hope it doesnt affect me in the long run.. but i have the rest of them and i ran them lat night and this morning and i want to thank you for your help this is the first time me and my computer could breath freely..
im forever in your debt
avie
Hi Avie Woods,
Are you following my step-by-step guide? It’s the first item on the list of downloads.
If not, look at it and download it. Then follow it religously!
Nowhere on my instructions does it mention Registry Booster. My instructions tell you to use Free Registry Repair (which is free).
As for Malwarebytes, it is FREE. You don’t have to pay for it.
You downloaded the wrong thing. More then likely clicked on an ad for Registry Booster somewhere.
Take Registry Booster off of your computer. Remove it.
And from here on in, you only need the items listed on my instructions. If you see a product or download for something else, don’t use it.
Mike
ok i got registry booster and before that my comp would freeze and slow whenever i played a game and everytime i would clear out my cache and run a scan.. my comp would still do the samethin mcafee never found anything niether did malware bytes.. registry found over 300 problems but inorder to fix them all i have to buy it.. samethin goes with everything else that says it works.. and yet my comp is still actin up.. do you have anything that will actually work without needing a credit card??
I did download advances windows care. As my computer had to reboot it was running a scan during the reboot is this normal? I wasnt sure so I bypassed it and took the program out.
u guys are the best never mis a show on wednesdays and learn new things every time GRACIAS.
Been listening to your weekly overnights with Steve and Johnnie for the past couple of years, and I never fail to pick up some new bit of information. Keep up the good work.
Peace,
Karl A. Krogmann
During the Spybot Search and Destroy there are some items that cannot be eliminated because I am not of “administrator” status. What does this mean and how do I get to be an administrator?
Please help clarify the CCleaner site… As a complete novice, I might be missing something. In Mike’s instructions, I clike on the download CCleaner and I arrive @ filehippo.com. I did not see the “run Cleaner button”in the lower right corner. I did see two choices that will take you to another site. And both discuss registry cleaning, which is later on the todo list!
Pleas Help…I finally have the time to sit and clean/speed up this computer…but now I’m the “slow” one!!
Thanks
Reesy
Hi Rich … You might be surprised at how far you can receive WGN Radio 720 … but even if you’re out of range (or out of country), you can listen on the internet. If there’s a Cubs game playing though, you won’t be able to connect until after it’s over
Based on a previos post. Is it safe to load advanced windows care?
I have loaded everything else.
I downloaded Avast because I don’t like Norton
I see on here that some say It’s no longer recommended.
I don’t see a reason
Hi Holly,
I did some research, and have not found any FREE anti-virus programs for an Apple Mac computer.
There are a number that make a paid anti-virus for Mac however. Norton, McAfee, and PC Tools make them.
Sorry I could not be more help.
Mike
I need a good free mac computer anti-virus
I need a good fre anti virus for my mac computer
I just downloaded Avast and got rid of Nortons. If Avast is not recomended now, what anti virus should I use?
Thank you for the help savemybutt. this website helped me alot.
Spyware blaster 4.3 is now available
I’m not from the Chicago area so unfortunately I’m not able to see your show…
however…
I’m a BIG fan of this site. VERY HELPFUL!
Question…
Why is Avast no longer recommended?
Thank,
Rich