WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS?!?!?!

don't be. i feel the same way when i look in the mirror.

Maddy, just a lay person tech thought about computers and viruses:
My son's computer had some sort of weird virus. It wouldn't open the cd drawer. It knocked out his current paid-for antivirus. Since he could go online, I quickly went to the AVAST site www.avast.com and downloaded the free version. It found two trojans. Maybe try that?

I'm only just seeing this thread now, and I'm really glad it all worked out for you Maddy! Can't wait to read it.

You opened up an attachment?


I've always been afraid to do that.


I hope you get it off.


Lesson # 1. Don't open up attachments unless it's from a really close friend.

#2 Don't down load unless you trust the company. (I did this once) I still hear popping noises)

A friend of mine restored hers for a hundred bucks. good luck.

maddythemad said:

I have a Yahoo account, but my computer is so old it can't load it.

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This is very odd, enough that I have to wonder if you've drawn a conclusion that's not valid.

See, we can't get rid of computers that work. We still have a computer from about, oh, 1988 or so, a match for one at the Computer Museum. It displays only four colors: black, white, hot pink, and cyan green. That'll give you a feel for its age.

Last summer we got it out in a fit of nostalgia and played a few games on it. (Games on 5 1/4 inch floppies.) Then we put it online, just to see. Yahoo email looked different, but it opened and let us send and receive.

I suspect the computer's age probably isn't the problem. If you've operated it online without protecting it from spyware, viruses, malware, etc., that's probably why it can't manage email through yahoo.

Here's a website that will help you clean it up and keep it safe in the future. Edited to add: the linked website includes links to free protective software as well as some you have to buy. I'm pretty sure there's at least one free type for every sort of protection (spyware, firewall, ad blocking, etc.). The guy's highly regarded.

Maryn, hoping this helps

maddythemad said:

I have very little hope that Miss Snark will like it, but hopefully you will.

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If it's the one about how to frame your boyfriend, I already do.

maddythemad said:

Thanks for the info, Maryn! William, I was only kidding. I know I kept changing my mind every 5 seconds last night. Terri, I didn't open the attatchment. My mother did. (All her fault! All her fault!) And moth, thank you. I have very little hope that Miss Snark will like it, but hopefully you will.

Anyone else submit to the CoM? What are your numbers?

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Thanks, mom! Never trust a mom at a computer...wait, I'm a mom. Never mind.

If you need anything emailed I'm your girl! Just PM it to me and I'll do it for ya, anytime anywhere. K?

Glad to hear it worked out!

maddy, we had the same thing happen to our computer at one point--I think we got a new keyboard and everything was better.

ETA: Wait, nvm--just remembered the keyboard was doing that because I dropped a mug of tea on it.