Well, i'm not saying you dont have broadband, just that download speeds like that are the kind you expect from a dialup connection.

Might be a good idea to tell your dad so he can check the broadband is working properly.

i'm not sure it is a problem with his broadband connection, more like a hell of a lot of spyware playing havoc.

maybe persist with downloaded avg anti-virus as spinner suggested and then update it and run a full system scan.

other than that try clearing up as much free hard drive space as possible by uninstalling large unused programs (such as norton anti-virus).

also run a quick defragmentation of your hard drive.

Defragmentation instructions:
as far as i am aware you are running windows xp and so...

-select start
-programs
-accessories
-system tools
-disk defragmentor

then just run a defrag on your C: drive.

hope this helps

Well, the problem is, I can't get rid of norton. If I get rid of this, I can't get onto the internet.

You can get rid of norton, you just need to uninstall it! I did with my norton, I'm now running AVG and all works fine!

But if I get rid of it, I cant get on the internet. Its been the same for the past 4-5 months.

By the way, what is a defragmentation?

When you store file on your hard disk, it doesnt always store them in one piece, especially large files.

Gathering these pieces up to make a complete file again for you, or your computer, to use takes time.

"defragmenting" (taking the fragmented files and putting them back together again) can in some cases help to speed your system up. Its a good idea to run the defragmenter at least once a year, maybe twice if you frequently use large files.

Hope that helps there.

I cannot see why uninstalling Norton could affect your internet access, unless it is a standard part of the Sky Broadband package.

These "all in one" installers seem nice and simple but are nothing more than trojans for Norton to supply their adware.

Have you tried removing Norton from the control panel/add remove progams?

(as opposed to the "uninstall" link in the norton start menu entry)

Or maybe ever ring your broadband distributer and telling them you no longer need norton! Give them hell, tell em you're leaving and they soon back down!

sean_paul what exactly happened when you uninstalled norton?

there have been previously many problems with symantec and uninstalling their products and therefore they created this specialised uninstaller:

however before running this program please can you make sure your internet is up and running.

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/misc/consumer/Rnav2003.exe

When you're done, I suggest getting the free version of AVG antivirus.

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

(Edit - sorry forgot to tell you to copy and paste the url into the address bar for it to run)

Edited at 13:36 Sat 18/08/07 (BST)

I want to try, you can get it back by system restore can't you, just in case it doesn't make my computer any faster or such.

no you cant, it will permanently delete norton. At the moment sean_paul norton isn't up to date on your system and so is fairly pointless.

do you know how to delete it using the add/remove feature in the control panel?

Yes, but I'm not really the owner of this computer and if I do something wrong I will be in big trouble.

wait are you on an administrator account on your computer?

my advice would be to talk to the owner and explain that norton anti-virus at the moment is useless on your computer as it isnt getting updated and so new viruses wont be detected. Then explain that you either need to uninstall it and download avg anti-virus for free, or renew your subscription.

Well the problem is, I know what my Dad will say. He will probably say "just wait for the computer guy to come round" but every week its "I will come round next week" and I don't want to wait anymore.

Also did I mention that anything to do with java closes when I click on it.

java problem...

you need to update java, get a up to date anti-virus and generally spank your computer into action.

By the way, about this, I have 20.0 GB space free.

Spinner, please can you cap this, we are getting somebody else to fix our computer and he is coming round tommorow.

Thanks for everything, you are on my I Owe You list

But seriously thanks.

Guys I got permission to uninstall norton . But the time on the download of AVG anti virus only went down to 7 hrs 10 mins.