New laptop......

[alexa]

Hi

I brought a laptop from a friend of mine who owns a computer shop, it’s not that old, in fact it belonged to my friend. All is OK with it apart from the fact that sometimes, in fact often, it will open new browser windows (the same page that I’m looking at), new e-mail’s if I’m using Outlook Express or my favourites box on the left of the screen. Does anyone know why this is? I use a USB mouse, but the same thing will happen even when it’s unplugged. Why does it do this and how can I fix it?

Thanks for any advice

Alex.

[Alexis]

Could be malware. Try running Spybot and Ad-Aware (free downloads).

Does it do it with another browser?

[alexa]

I've got Bullguard anti virus software and that comes up blank. I only use OE but I could try Google Chrome?

Alex

[jesse]

Why does it do this and how can I fix it?

May be a virus infection or a defective keyboard.

If you want to find out: Use an external keyboard for testing purposes.

If it is a virus, the failure will stay while using an external keyboard.

If the failure vanishes, it's the keyboard hardware.

[Brendan]

I would encourage you to download Mozilla Firefox. It's much safer and faster than IE.

You could also download a free program such as "A Squared Free" to detect for malware. Antiviruses don't always pick them up.

[toimeme]

hum perhaps a key who 's blocked on keyboard, my laptop do the same when i accidently put coffee on keyboard.

sorry for my english, hope that make sens for you alexa.

[alexa]

Thanks for the replies guys, but I think that I have found out why it's doing this. I have been told that my laptop came with a remote control, so I tried pressing my tv rc when the computer is on the coffee table and as soon as the button was pressed another window opened. Not something that have heard of happening before.

Alex.

[Phantom]

Remote Controls / Wireless can be soooo much fun !!!!!

I went to look at a problem in a school once involving a room full of wireless mice..............20 of them all on running on the same frequency !!!

I don't think I need to tell you the rest....

Disabling the Remote Control / Infra Red in DEVICE MANAGER (if there isn't an on/off switch) would stop it, I reckon.

col

[alexa]

Thanks, I've looked in device manager, but don't know what I'm looking for, nothing about IR or RC listed. Any ideas?

Thanks

Alex.

Edited April 5, 2010 by alexa

[Tha_Reaper]

it should be under input devices or USB devices.

if it is under input devices (with HP laptops), you are generally screwed because disableing that will also disable the keyboard.

The only way to disable the IR then is by putting a piece of tape over the reciever (HP tech support actually recommends this :) ), or just destroy the piece of sh** (drill a hole in it).

Edited April 5, 2010 by Tha_Reaper

[Phantom]

Should be something like 'Infrared Receiver' under 'Universal Serial Bus controllers'.

You might be lucky and be able to uninstall the IR software in 'add/remove programs'.

col