Problems with my computer (4 questions)

baldomero13 · 07-04-12 at 06:57 PM

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this.

1.) How can I make my computer louder than it already is? It's already 100% but sometimes videos at youtube isn't loud enough for me and some movies I downloaded. It goes for both headphones and Speakers (My speakers are hooked up to my TV which is then hooked up to my computer via HDMI)

***My motherboard:

Code: Select All

http://www.amazon.com/Socket-CrossFireX-Motherboard-M4A88TD-M-USB3/dp/B003M5GREI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341451153&sr=8-1&keywords=m4a88td-m+usb3

***

2.) My ram randomly increases? Most of the time, its stable at around 20%~30%.This is me playing League of Legends while also playing a tv show at 720p on my TV which its connected to. The problem is, when I leave it out for awhile without using it, it jumps to 60~70%? What gives?

*** My Ram: 12gb of Kingston HyperX (2x4gb and 2x2gb) DDR3

Code: Select All

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037TO5C0/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

***

3.) Is there a way where my computer could play the sound on both my headphones(Connected directly to computer) and my TV(Connected via HDMI from the video card)? Every time I want to watch something on my TV and sit down on my couch, I always have to change the output to the HDMI Output from my Speaker(computer) Output, Kinda gets tiring after doing it for a year or so.

Lastly but most annoying problem I have:

4.) When searching the web (Google Chrome and Firefox) I get this huge wall of random symbol text?? I have to refresh maybe 4~5 times so it can reload the page right. It's very random because one day, that same website works normally (usually amazon) then the next day it just goes to hell. Sometimes it doesn't even load.
***

Code: Select All

http://imgur.com/a/o4IuQ

***
If more pictures needed, tell me, but that is how it basically is. Sometimes half the page loads fine, then the other half full of that weird text.

My complete Specs if it helps:
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955
Motherboard: ASUStek M4A88TD-M/USB3
RAM: 12GB DDR3 Kingston HyperX
Video Card: ATI 5770 Radeon HD 1GB
Harddrive: 1TB, I remember the brand.

----------------------------
I tried my best to explain but if there's anything unclear, please ask so I can help clarify.

Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS.

sixty661 · 07-04-12 at 08:46 PM

Have u ran a virus scan on your computer lately?

baldomero13 · 07-04-12 at 09:22 PM

Yes, I've even scanned again after your post :) I also have malwarebyte pro if that counts.

**PhenomIIX4** · 07-04-12 at 09:37 PM

1. Buy a sound card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium or Asus Xonar and plug your speakers into that. You should the PCI-Express x1 version of either sound card, so you can put it into the top slot. If you have a dual slot graphics card, you want to keep the slot below it free to keep temperatures down.

2. It could be your Anti-virus scanning in the background or Windows automatically updating. Your system might be defragging. You could have spyware and adware in the background.

3. Yes, you use your TV as a monitor with a DVI cable with your headphones plugged into your PC. Maybe it could be done with a HDMI cable, but I never tried it, so someone else might be able to answer this.

4. It could be the following:
- Someone is stealing your wi-fi internet because you didn't set a password.
- Someone in your family is downloading.
- You have ad-ware and spyware.
- Downloading windows updates in the background.
- Your Gigabit ethernet port is faulty. Buying an "add-on" card will fix this.

**PhoenixBSD** · 07-04-12 at 09:41 PM

If you haven't done this already, right click on your Speaker icon on the task bar (I'm assuming you're using Windoze 7 or XP) and click the Mixer volume levels there. Sometimes an individual Application volume level may be set too low and cranking up the main volume level can't override it sufficiently.

Hope this helps...

**Journalz** · 07-04-12 at 10:33 PM

Why do you run your ram in that configuration?

1. Try using speakers and headphones on another PC to make sure the low volume is due to the PC and not the speakers, and headphones. If its your PC (time to get a sound card look at posts above this, or reinstall sound drivers).

2. You have a weird RAM configuration at 4 sticks (2 are 4GB and 2 are 2 GB), pick the 2X4GB and stick with that dual channel.

3. I don't quite understand what do you mean here. Please elaborate or clarify what you mean. By watching TV are you saying you are exporting video from your PC to the TV, or using cable/dish? HDMI is designed to carry both AUDIO & VIDEO signals. Your PC onboard sound is designed to go str8 to HDMI as soon as your switch video to HDMI. You can change this by getting a sound card and rerouting the sound to the video card (via a SPDIF connector) This way if you connect speakers to your sound card, or headphones, both your TV and your speakers will play sound. (you can mute your TV if you just want your speakers to play sound).

4. Many reasons.. just look above this post. Code isn't being compiled, usually do to strange internet problems.. (too slow, too busy, too much traffic). Or your network controller is on the fritz.

baldomero13 · 07-04-12 at 11:04 PM

To PhenomIIX4

For number 1, alright thanks! Just another question, what else are the benefits from having a sound card other than louder volume.

For number 2, that could be the problem, AVG is set to run when little resources is being used, but is the ram suppose to remain that high until I restart the computer?
about 6 hours later, it went from 65% to 48%, both where I'm only using my Browser. Maybe it'll go down as I go.

For number 3, I think I wasn't clear enough and I apologize or maybe I mis-read or could not understand what you said. I have a Dual Screen, my TV + Computer Monitor. If I want sound to come out of my TV, I have to go to control panel -> sound -> and make HDMI output the default.

For number 4, My wifi is password protected. Could someone downloading be the problem? Sometimes I download too but it doesn't always show up like that, its very random. As for the adware or spyware, I've been scanning with both avg and malwarebyte and it doesn't seem to be picking up anything, and if it is one, it must be a very weak one as it doesn't really do anything else other than randomly stop or weirdly load a page. Other than that, everything is pretty much normal, I don't see anything weird.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

To Journalz

I don't know... I didn't think it would cause problem. When I first built this computer, I thought 4gb was enough for me, but it was constantly high, so I bought this 2x4gb at 50$ which I thought was cheap.

For number 2, will that really help for sure?
For number 3, same as my previous response, I meant to say its a dual screen, and I run windows media player and I drag it to my TV and play TV shows there, I just hate how I have to change the output from speakers to hdmi.

For number 4, what can I do to find the problem? My Internet is Cox cable, I have the preferred plan that has 22mbs downstream and 2.5mbs upstream if that helps. My setup with my network is Modem -> Wireless router -> Ethernet Cable -> Computer. (I sometimes get packet loss, but I'll contact my ISP for that unless you guys think its the wireless router then maybe I'll get a new on at amazon).

Thanks for the response!

To PhoenixBSD

Thanks, I've used that already :) Mostly just to mute games.

Draknyte1 · 07-04-12 at 11:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by baldomero13

For number 2, that could be the problem, AVG is set to run when little resources is being used, but is the ram suppose to remain that high until I restart the computer?
about 6 hours later, it went from 65% to 48%, both where I'm only using my Browser. Maybe it'll go down as I go.

When the RAM activity spikes, check in task manager to see what's using more memory.
You'll find it may just be your anti-virus doing it's daily scan.

Quote: Originally Posted by baldomero13

For number 3, same as my previous response, I meant to say its a dual screen, and I run windows media player and I drag it to my TV and play TV shows there, I just hate how I have to change the output from speakers to hdmi.

When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones.

baldomero13 · 07-04-12 at 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Draknyte1

When the RAM activity spikes, check in task manager to see what's using more memory.
You'll find it may just be your anti-virus doing it's daily scan.

When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones.

Thanks! Just ordered the Asus Xonar DG for 23$

Cancelled because bottom post said I can't? I'm confused

CROSS THAT ALL OUT, I FOUND A SOLUTION

Code: Select All

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-sound/is-it-possible-to-have-speakers-and-hdmi-play-at/4563a5f8-4be4-4463-b312-eff594a9ae49

But I was hoping that the Windows Media Player Audio would only play on the HDMI, then I could just mute it on the speaker then listen to Youtube without it playing on the TV too... Any clue guys?

Quote:

When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones.

Exactly like how Draknyte1 answered is how I would like to have it. With the link I added, it only plays on both, but I cannot mute one or the other so I can only hear certain things if that makes sense. Can sound cards really do this?

**PhenomIIX4** · 07-04-12 at 11:34 PM

1) Having a sound card is like having a movie theater or concert/club in your room except you're the only one there. Music sounds awesome but once you go back to integrated HD audio, it sounds like shit (well to me it does) and is very noticeable. It also balances out the sound in movies. For example, I always had this problem with the integrated HD audio when an actor is speaking, I could barely hear them while anything in the background was too loud. Turning up the volume only made things worst.

2) Since you have 12 GB of ram, it shouldn't bother you. You can check whats consuming your ram with task manager. Right click on the task bar and "start task manager" then go to "process."

3) The answer is no for sound coming out of your TV and headphones at the same time. You can only do one or the other.

4) It could be a faulty Ethernet port which can only be fixed by adding a Ethernet network card. I'm having this minor nuisance at the moment. I'm surfing the web and all a sudden 5 of tabs stop loading either I wait it out (~2 to 5 minutes) or I unplug the Ethernet cable for 15 seconds and plug it back into the rear IO port behind my PC. It's a temporarly fix that works only when surfing the web but doesn't work in games because I'll get disconnected and log out.

BartmanLACA · 07-05-12 at 04:57 AM

Additionally, try clicking on the Start Button, in the search bar type MSCONFIG, and hit Enter, click YES when you get the User Access Control message (if you get one), then when you get the dialogue box click on the STARTUP tab, carefully go down the list and uncheck programs that you don't use (be aware of system applications that MUST run in order to use Windows such as Winlogn, Audio Manager etc). This will reduce the number of running applications and programs that start up when Windows does. Click APPLY when you are done and then OKAY, you will have to reboot your computer at this point, so click on Exit with Restart and let the system reboot. See if that helps with the amount of Ram your system is using randomly and also free up memory and CPU resources to help with performance. A good rule of thumb I use is to disable programs like drop box, or Yahoo messenger, and other system apps that you can start when you need them. If you want all that stuff to start be prepared for your system to dedicate system resources to operate them all the time.

As for your browser issues be sure you have the current Java Engine, and Adobe Shockwave and Adobe Flash player installed. Also double check in your browser settings and empty any Temporary Internet Files (or in Chrome Browsing Data) files that have accumulated. And you might consider resetting the options/settings for each browser back to defaults, cookies and other Direct X and other settings may have been altered and are blocking or affecting the way website information is being displayed from different sites. These are just personal suggestions on my part, but I hope they help.

**blaxroze** · 07-05-12 at 05:19 AM

Here is a cheap way for better audio. Search for SRS Audio Sandbox, make sure you get the correct version for your windows.

**yeldarbn** · 07-05-12 at 06:31 AM

This is probably a stupid point, But, Go into your sound control panel, And click on the 'communications' tab...

Under where it says "When windows detects communication activity" make sure the 'Do Nothing' circle is marked.

Then repeat a situation where your sound is 'normally' too low, And see if that fixes it.

Windows 7 has a bizarre system for 'detecting communication' where even a random app can be seen as 'communicating' by the OS.

As for your last point, What can SOMETIMES happen, Is some undetectable malware or adware, Can auto-redirect you to a download, That the OS doesn't recognise, So your browser loads it as a webpage, Resulting in a wall of gibberish.

My first recommendation is to try NOD32...Use it once to sweep your computer and then get rid of it.

baldomero13 · 07-06-12 at 02:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MrPjax

Run Combofix on it to kill the malware.

***Is PC tools Internet Security (which I think is combofix, I googled it and got this) fine to go along with my AVG Internet Security Pro and Malwarebyte Pro?Or should I only have one?*** Pc tools detected 500 threats but all were pretty low on the risk, my AVG or malwarebyte never picked up on this?

Number 4 problem seems to persist even after the scan and deleting with those things PC tools picked up. It seems to happen more often on amazon.com than anywhere else?

First, I get all that weird text...

Second it says "This page is not available"
Error 330 (net::ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED): Unknown error

Then it loads back up fine after restarting that many times.
I did notice a significant slowness of the webpages to load up, as if it just freezes, but that hourglass shows up. That has never happened before I think, where it just seems it not want to load. Although it does load after a while...

Quote:

My first recommendation is to try NOD32...Use it once to sweep your computer and then get rid of it.

I tried it, did not find anything, thanks though!

------------------------------------------------

Update, for number 2, the ram lowered it self slowly back to 24% more or less from 65% after a few hours. I think we could check that off the list! I believe it is the Antivirus scanning leaving the ram like that. Thanks for the help!

However, I still need definite answers for the other questions. Thanks for reading all this.

07-04-12 at 11:04 PM	#7
baldomero13 Novice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 160	To PhenomIIX4 For number 1, alright thanks! Just another question, what else are the benefits from having a sound card other than louder volume. For number 2, that could be the problem, AVG is set to run when little resources is being used, but is the ram suppose to remain that high until I restart the computer? about 6 hours later, it went from 65% to 48%, both where I'm only using my Browser. Maybe it'll go down as I go. For number 3, I think I wasn't clear enough and I apologize or maybe I mis-read or could not understand what you said. I have a Dual Screen, my TV + Computer Monitor. If I want sound to come out of my TV, I have to go to control panel -> sound -> and make HDMI output the default. For number 4, My wifi is password protected. Could someone downloading be the problem? Sometimes I download too but it doesn't always show up like that, its very random. As for the adware or spyware, I've been scanning with both avg and malwarebyte and it doesn't seem to be picking up anything, and if it is one, it must be a very weak one as it doesn't really do anything else other than randomly stop or weirdly load a page. Other than that, everything is pretty much normal, I don't see anything weird. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! To Journalz I don't know... I didn't think it would cause problem. When I first built this computer, I thought 4gb was enough for me, but it was constantly high, so I bought this 2x4gb at 50$ which I thought was cheap. For number 2, will that really help for sure? For number 3, same as my previous response, I meant to say its a dual screen, and I run windows media player and I drag it to my TV and play TV shows there, I just hate how I have to change the output from speakers to hdmi. For number 4, what can I do to find the problem? My Internet is Cox cable, I have the preferred plan that has 22mbs downstream and 2.5mbs upstream if that helps. My setup with my network is Modem -> Wireless router -> Ethernet Cable -> Computer. (I sometimes get packet loss, but I'll contact my ISP for that unless you guys think its the wireless router then maybe I'll get a new on at amazon). Thanks for the response! To PhoenixBSD Thanks, I've used that already :) Mostly just to mute games. Last edited by baldomero13; 07-04-12 at 11:18 PM.

07-04-12 at 11:32 PM	#9
baldomero13 Novice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 160	Quote: Originally Posted by Draknyte1 When the RAM activity spikes, check in task manager to see what's using more memory. You'll find it may just be your anti-virus doing it's daily scan. When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones. Thanks! Just ordered the Asus Xonar DG for 23$ Cancelled because bottom post said I can't? I'm confused CROSS THAT ALL OUT, I FOUND A SOLUTION Code: Select All http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-sound/is-it-possible-to-have-speakers-and-hdmi-play-at/4563a5f8-4be4-4463-b312-eff594a9ae49 But I was hoping that the Windows Media Player Audio would only play on the HDMI, then I could just mute it on the speaker then listen to Youtube without it playing on the TV too... Any clue guys? Quote: When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones. Exactly like how Draknyte1 answered is how I would like to have it. With the link I added, it only plays on both, but I cannot mute one or the other so I can only hear certain things if that makes sense. Can sound cards really do this? Last edited by baldomero13; 07-04-12 at 11:57 PM.

07-06-12 at 02:01 AM	#14
baldomero13 Novice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 160	Quote: Originally Posted by MrPjax Run Combofix on it to kill the malware. *Is PC tools Internet Security (which I think is combofix, I googled it and got this) fine to go along with my AVG Internet Security Pro and Malwarebyte Pro?Or should I only have one?* Pc tools detected 500 threats but all were pretty low on the risk, my AVG or malwarebyte never picked up on this? Number 4 problem seems to persist even after the scan and deleting with those things PC tools picked up. It seems to happen more often on amazon.com than anywhere else? First, I get all that weird text... Second it says "This page is not available" Error 330 (net::ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED): Unknown error Then it loads back up fine after restarting that many times. I did notice a significant slowness of the webpages to load up, as if it just freezes, but that hourglass shows up. That has never happened before I think, where it just seems it not want to load. Although it does load after a while... Quote: My first recommendation is to try NOD32...Use it once to sweep your computer and then get rid of it. I tried it, did not find anything, thanks though! ------------------------------------------------ Update, for number 2, the ram lowered it self slowly back to 24% more or less from 65% after a few hours. I think we could check that off the list! I believe it is the Antivirus scanning leaving the ram like that. Thanks for the help! However, I still need definite answers for the other questions. Thanks for reading all this. Last edited by baldomero13; 07-06-12 at 12:07 PM.

07-04-12 at 08:46 PM	#2
sixty661 Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 56	Have u ran a virus scan on your computer lately?

07-04-12 at 09:22 PM	#3
baldomero13 Novice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 160	Yes, I've even scanned again after your post :) I also have malwarebyte pro if that counts.

07-04-12 at 09:37 PM	#4
PhenomIIX4 2nd Gen. of Phenom II CPU Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socket AM2+ Posts: 3,640	1. Buy a sound card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium or Asus Xonar and plug your speakers into that. You should the PCI-Express x1 version of either sound card, so you can put it into the top slot. If you have a dual slot graphics card, you want to keep the slot below it free to keep temperatures down. 2. It could be your Anti-virus scanning in the background or Windows automatically updating. Your system might be defragging. You could have spyware and adware in the background. 3. Yes, you use your TV as a monitor with a DVI cable with your headphones plugged into your PC. Maybe it could be done with a HDMI cable, but I never tried it, so someone else might be able to answer this. 4. It could be the following: - Someone is stealing your wi-fi internet because you didn't set a password. - Someone in your family is downloading. - You have ad-ware and spyware. - Downloading windows updates in the background. - Your Gigabit ethernet port is faulty. Buying an "add-on" card will fix this.

07-04-12 at 09:41 PM	#5
PhoenixBSD Luminiferous Ether Sailor Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 1,701	If you haven't done this already, right click on your Speaker icon on the task bar (I'm assuming you're using Windoze 7 or XP) and click the Mixer volume levels there. Sometimes an individual Application volume level may be set too low and cranking up the main volume level can't override it sufficiently. Hope this helps...

07-04-12 at 10:33 PM	#6
Journalz Novice Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 104	Why do you run your ram in that configuration? 1. Try using speakers and headphones on another PC to make sure the low volume is due to the PC and not the speakers, and headphones. If its your PC (time to get a sound card look at posts above this, or reinstall sound drivers). 2. You have a weird RAM configuration at 4 sticks (2 are 4GB and 2 are 2 GB), pick the 2X4GB and stick with that dual channel. 3. I don't quite understand what do you mean here. Please elaborate or clarify what you mean. By watching TV are you saying you are exporting video from your PC to the TV, or using cable/dish? HDMI is designed to carry both AUDIO & VIDEO signals. Your PC onboard sound is designed to go str8 to HDMI as soon as your switch video to HDMI. You can change this by getting a sound card and rerouting the sound to the video card (via a SPDIF connector) This way if you connect speakers to your sound card, or headphones, both your TV and your speakers will play sound. (you can mute your TV if you just want your speakers to play sound). 4. Many reasons.. just look above this post. Code isn't being compiled, usually do to strange internet problems.. (too slow, too busy, too much traffic). Or your network controller is on the fritz.

07-04-12 at 11:20 PM	#8
Draknyte1 Novice Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts Posts: 169	Quote: Originally Posted by baldomero13 For number 2, that could be the problem, AVG is set to run when little resources is being used, but is the ram suppose to remain that high until I restart the computer? about 6 hours later, it went from 65% to 48%, both where I'm only using my Browser. Maybe it'll go down as I go. When the RAM activity spikes, check in task manager to see what's using more memory. You'll find it may just be your anti-virus doing it's daily scan. Quote: Originally Posted by baldomero13 For number 3, same as my previous response, I meant to say its a dual screen, and I run windows media player and I drag it to my TV and play TV shows there, I just hate how I have to change the output from speakers to hdmi. When using a sound card, you should be able to make it output to both at once, then all you'd have to do is Mute your tv whenever you're only using your headphones.

07-04-12 at 11:34 PM	#10
PhenomIIX4 2nd Gen. of Phenom II CPU Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socket AM2+ Posts: 3,640	1) Having a sound card is like having a movie theater or concert/club in your room except you're the only one there. Music sounds awesome but once you go back to integrated HD audio, it sounds like shit (well to me it does) and is very noticeable. It also balances out the sound in movies. For example, I always had this problem with the integrated HD audio when an actor is speaking, I could barely hear them while anything in the background was too loud. Turning up the volume only made things worst. 2) Since you have 12 GB of ram, it shouldn't bother you. You can check whats consuming your ram with task manager. Right click on the task bar and "start task manager" then go to "process." 3) The answer is no for sound coming out of your TV and headphones at the same time. You can only do one or the other. 4) It could be a faulty Ethernet port which can only be fixed by adding a Ethernet network card. I'm having this minor nuisance at the moment. I'm surfing the web and all a sudden 5 of tabs stop loading either I wait it out (~2 to 5 minutes) or I unplug the Ethernet cable for 15 seconds and plug it back into the rear IO port behind my PC. It's a temporarly fix that works only when surfing the web but doesn't work in games because I'll get disconnected and log out.

07-05-12 at 04:57 AM	#11
BartmanLACA Novice Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 163	Additionally, try clicking on the Start Button, in the search bar type MSCONFIG, and hit Enter, click YES when you get the User Access Control message (if you get one), then when you get the dialogue box click on the STARTUP tab, carefully go down the list and uncheck programs that you don't use (be aware of system applications that MUST run in order to use Windows such as Winlogn, Audio Manager etc). This will reduce the number of running applications and programs that start up when Windows does. Click APPLY when you are done and then OKAY, you will have to reboot your computer at this point, so click on Exit with Restart and let the system reboot. See if that helps with the amount of Ram your system is using randomly and also free up memory and CPU resources to help with performance. A good rule of thumb I use is to disable programs like drop box, or Yahoo messenger, and other system apps that you can start when you need them. If you want all that stuff to start be prepared for your system to dedicate system resources to operate them all the time. As for your browser issues be sure you have the current Java Engine, and Adobe Shockwave and Adobe Flash player installed. Also double check in your browser settings and empty any Temporary Internet Files (or in Chrome Browsing Data) files that have accumulated. And you might consider resetting the options/settings for each browser back to defaults, cookies and other Direct X and other settings may have been altered and are blocking or affecting the way website information is being displayed from different sites. These are just personal suggestions on my part, but I hope they help.

07-05-12 at 05:19 AM	#12
blaxroze Expert Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 959	Here is a cheap way for better audio. Search for SRS Audio Sandbox, make sure you get the correct version for your windows.

07-05-12 at 06:31 AM	#13
yeldarbn Derpity Derp Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 360	This is probably a stupid point, But, Go into your sound control panel, And click on the 'communications' tab... Under where it says "When windows detects communication activity" make sure the 'Do Nothing' circle is marked. Then repeat a situation where your sound is 'normally' too low, And see if that fixes it. Windows 7 has a bizarre system for 'detecting communication' where even a random app can be seen as 'communicating' by the OS. As for your last point, What can SOMETIMES happen, Is some undetectable malware or adware, Can auto-redirect you to a download, That the OS doesn't recognise, So your browser loads it as a webpage, Resulting in a wall of gibberish. My first recommendation is to try NOD32...Use it once to sweep your computer and then get rid of it.