computer programs slow after adobe upload

[Randy Reeves]

I have a Dell running Windows XP and have been very very happy with everything. this morning I clicked on a lap steel video. a new window popped open ; it was Adobe telling me I needed to upload the new Flash Player. I know mine was out dated. in fact, I avoided Adobe update alerts for a long time. I read somewhere that they often carry viruses and or are CPU intensive.
I succumbed this morning and uploaded the new Adobe Flash player.
I watched the video. it wasn't very good.
since uploading the Adobe update I have noticed that all functions on my computer are very sluggish.
prior to this morning my computer has always been peppy, for lack of a better word.
Q: did my updating put my computer in conflict? it feels like two programs fighting to run.
I am always thankful of the great advice from you guys.
BTW, my Norton balloon popup detected no virus. it was a clean file.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Did you obtain the Flash update from adobe.com?
If so, then that is not your problem. But, if you have been surfing the Internet with an older version of Flash, your PC might already be Pwned.

If your anti-malware protection is really good, then your slowdown may be due to a hung page or application. Reboot, update Norton, then scan for malware. If anything has gotten in past Mr. Norton, run System Restore to a time prior to the invasion.

You can test to see if your version of Flash is the latest, by visiting http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/. Note, you must update Flash from Internet Explorer, from Firefox/Opera and also via updates to Google Chrome. They each use a different flavor of Flash.

[Randy Reeves]

I performed a scan with Malware and Norton 360. no virus or nasties detected.
my error, it was Adobe Reader that was updated, from 6.01 to 6.02. checking my history of usage it says 'rarely used'. I don't think I ever use it.
the computer isn't bogging down today.
I defragemented. perhaps that cleaned up any dangling pages. I will keep an eye on things.
also, I better understand Adobe and why I have and or need it.
thanks for the helpful reply.
ps: real like Malware I bought from you. excellent.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I performed a scan with Malware and Norton 360. no virus or nasties detected.
my error, it was Adobe Reader that was updated, from 6.01 to 6.02. checking my history of usage it says 'rarely used'. I don't think I ever use it.
the computer isn't bogging down today.
I defragemented. perhaps that cleaned up any dangling pages. I will keep an eye on things.
also, I better understand Adobe and why I have and or need it.
thanks for the helpful reply.
ps: real like Malware I bought from you. excellent.

If you are using Adobe Reader 6.anything, it is very, very old and hopelessly insecure! Please go to www.adobe.com, find the button to download Adobe Reader, and get the new version 10.x. While you are at Adobe, get the current version of Flash Player.

You really should run a scan for all insecure plug-ins. Qualys now provides a free browser scanner that does not use Java to operate (as does the Secunia Online Software Inspector). It checks for the status of the most frequently installed and exploited browser versions and their plug-ins (like outdated browsers, Flash, Reader, Quicktime, Shockwave, Java...)

[Randy Reeves]

thanks Wiz. yes, the Adobe version I am apparently running is very outdated. Adobe 6 appears on the available list. I think I run the original that came with the computer. I am not sure now what the heck I loaded the other day.
the computer is running as usual right now.
thanks for the input. very grateful.

I should add...
I went into my computer and looked at all the add/remove files.
this is what is listed for Adobe;
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.2 update last used 10/24/2006
Adobe Atmosphere Player for Acrobat and Adobe Reader
Adobe Flash Player 10 plugin
Adobe Reader 6.0.1

that is the extent. I went to the Adobe .com site. didn't see downloads that you mentioned.
I understand Adobe allows me to read pdf files. I use Real player when I watch video clips I grab from this forum. I use RealPlayer for all the music samples too.
I feel I am missing something. and that's typical as I am such an analog dinosaur.

[Wiz Feinberg]

thanks Wiz. yes, the Adobe version I am apparently running is very outdated. Adobe 6 appears on the available list. I think I run the original that came with the computer. I am not sure now what the heck I loaded the other day.
the computer is running as usual right now.
thanks for the input. very grateful.

I should add...
I went into my computer and looked at all the add/remove files.
this is what is listed for Adobe;
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.2 update last used 10/24/2006
Adobe Atmosphere Player for Acrobat and Adobe Reader
Adobe Flash Player 10 plugin
Adobe Reader 6.0.1

that is the extent. I went to the Adobe .com site. didn't see downloads that you mentioned.
I understand Adobe allows me to read pdf files. I use Real player when I watch video clips I grab from this forum. I use RealPlayer for all the music samples too.
I feel I am missing something. and that's typical as I am such an analog dinosaur.

Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs (whatever). Locate everything you listed, except for Flash Player 10, and uninstall them. Reboot your computer.

When you get back into your desktop, go to Adobe and download Reader from here: http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-READER.

You can download the latest version of Flash, here: http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-FLASH.

Note, that if you use any other browser than Internet Explorer, you must download Reader and Flash from them also. In the case of Google's Chrome browser, the entire program is updated to a new version, just to accommodate Flash updates.

[Randy Reeves]

thanks Wiz. yes, the Adobe version I am apparently running is very outdated. Adobe 6 appears on the available list. I think I run the original that came with the computer. I am not sure now what the heck I loaded the other day.
the computer is running as usual right now.
thanks for the input. very grateful.

I should add...
I went into my computer and looked at all the add/remove files.
this is what is listed for Adobe;
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.2 update last used 10/24/2006
Adobe Atmosphere Player for Acrobat and Adobe Reader
Adobe Flash Player 10 plugin
Adobe Reader 6.0.1

that is the extent. I went to the Adobe .com site. didn't see downloads that you mentioned.
I understand Adobe allows me to read pdf files. I use Real player when I watch video clips I grab from this forum. I use RealPlayer for all the music samples too.
I feel I am missing something. and that's typical as I am such an analog dinosaur.

Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs (whatever). Locate everything you listed, except for Flash Player 10, and uninstall them. Reboot your computer.

When you get back into your desktop, go to Adobe and download Reader from here: http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-READER.

You can download the latest version of Flash, here: http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-FLASH.

Note, that if you use any other browser than Internet Explorer, you must download Reader and Flash from them also. In the case of Google's Chrome browser, the entire program is updated to a new version, just to accommodate Flash updates.

Wiz. excellent. I followed your instructions. very smooth operation. no troubles.
checking , I now show I have installed:
Adobe Download Manager.....size 0.41MB
Adobe Flash Player 10 plug in

there is no Adobe reader as far as I can see.
thanks. I'll let you know if I notice the computer running like it's old quick self.

[Randy Reeves]

the last word.
my computer is purring better than it's old self.
thanks for your help.