Computer Problems

[Nine Toes]

I'm having a few problems with my computer, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice.

I love computers and I love programming, but I'm still, after all these years, not the most computer savvy person in the world.  I mean, I'm not stupid, I know these problems mean something's wrong, but I just don't know what...

1.  This happened today:
I have dial-up.  When close all of my browsers, the computer asks me if I want to disconnect.  I click "yes" and it's supposed to disconnect the computer from the internet.  But today, instead of disconnecting, it stayed connected, and all of the sudden browsers started popping open all over the screen... before I knew it, I had more than 100 browsers open on the screen... I couldn't do anything else because it was just like one browser after another.  (we'll see if that happens again after I'm done on here right now...)

2.  A peculiar thing that happened a while ago...
I had MSWorks open, and I was typing a story.  I highlighted my story to change the font, but as I was looking for the font I wanted, my house phone rang... suddenly, my highlighted text disappeared, and in it's place was "RING".  I was like, "What the...".  So the phone rang again and another "RING" popped up on the screen.  By the time the phone stopped ringing, the screen read "RINGRINGRINGRING".  I was totally dumbfounded.  So I picked up the house phone, and I called my home number... sure enough it happened again... the phone rang four times, and the screen now read "RINGRINGRINGRINGRINGRINGRINGRING".

Does anyone know why my computer is doing these things?  And, does anyone know what I can do about them?

On my computer, I have Norton Virus Scan.  It's registered and everything, so we get virus updates via the internet.  My mom thinks they both might be the effect of a virus, trojan, or a wyrm.  But wouldn't our virus scanner detect them?

Another thing, slightly different:  I have problems with my computer freezing, etc.  My cousin and my aunt tell me that Windows 98 is known for being full of bugs.  I don't know if there's any truth in that, but I have Windows 98 on my computer, and it seems like the only likely explaination for all these little problems I have that don't seem to have any cause. (like freezing up when it sits idle for a while).

I guess maybe it's time I invested in Windows XP and downloaded ZoneAlarm.

[LGM]

Well.. Your first problem sounds like some spyware.. most likely a process running..

Get Adware.. www.lavasoft.com i think..

As for the second one, that sounds like a virus.. Might be some weird one that Norton doesn't care about.. Do some research on some Security forums or sth.

Yes.. Windows 98 is buggy.. I hope you have SE.. If not, run Windows Update! http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

If all else fails, back up everything you want to keep, and reformat with XP or 2000

[TheYak]

Since there are many types of modems out there, it can be difficult to pin-point exact problems.  However, your modem not properly disconnecting and pop-ups displaying might be symptoms of spyware.  If the modem's not disconnecting properly then it's probably either 1) spyware not allowing it to or 2) modem's not properly configured, buggy drivers, etc.  If you've got spyware stuff checking for a connection and contacting sites, your modem may just be waiting to disconnect until that activity ceases.  Chances are good that if you run something like AdAware or SpyBot Search & Destroy, that particular problem will go away.  

As to the semi-creepy "Ring" thing . . . seven days.  Sorry, had to.  It could be a viral (or spyware) symptom but it's more likely that it's due to MS Office trying to be OLE-friendly and allowing input from the modem for possible software-fax use.  For instance, if you were using a telnet program (like Qmodem, Procomm, Hyperterm) and your phone rang while you were off-line, they would display the word "Ring."  It does this to give you a chance to accept the call in case it's a fax or data connection.  Having done away with my modem some time ago, I can't give specific advice.  However, a nice spyware & virus scan wouldn't hurt for either problem.  If the scans find nothing, I wouldn't worry about the 2nd problem except  for it being an annoyance.

[LGM]

For the second problem.. Use MS Office instead of Works.. lol

Works is like the ME of Windows.

[AGA]

As people have said, check for viruses (make sure your definitions are totally up to date) and spyware. I would recommend upgrading to Windows 2000 even if you weren't experiencing problems  though, it's far better than Windows 98, and less crappy than XP. If you can get hold of it, use it...