computer problems

[kenw]

I was cruising the web on Saturday and thought I'd look for a site that said why Vinnie left OCC. I found one that said it had a vidio of Sr. but wanted me to update my program. Without thinking( I do that a lot) I said ok and all hell broke loose. Although I have Webroot Spysweeper and Norton Virus on the computer, when staring up I get a screen of green fields and blue sky, the real screen with icons comes on, then the screen comes on with the icons again in a dark blue screen. Athough my scans come out with no problems, I get popups telling me I "may have a virus and click here to correct". When I do its an add for software. I'm running XP. I'm wodering if anybody knows of some software that can help, or does the machine have to be taken down and everything reinstalled?

 

 

 

Thanks

Kenw

[Squeeze]

It sounsd like SpySheriff or some other Malware like this.

 

I'm sure it can be removed without renewing the whole Installation, but i think our resident Computer Cracks might step up to the Plate.

 

I've done that on my Office Machine once, it really wasn't Fun and took about a whole Day. But a new Installation would have cost me a Lot more Time.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

One word:

 

MAC.

 

 

[firewalker]

this is a simple spyware issue that usually can be resolved by making sure that your antivirus and spyware programs are updated then booting the computer into SAFEMODE and running the scans from there, many of the programs cannot be removed if they are currently running, the other option that you can try is doing a system restore back to a date before this all started, will not loose any data or settings that way just gets the main windows files back to normal. Let me know if you have any questions on this I do this type of clean-up all day long.

[Vance]

If you have the capability to go back to a previous date, when the machine was running good, you might try that. Some programs like Norton have a "Go Back" feature that comes up during restart.

[FreezyRider]

One word:

 

MAC.

 

 

 

Another, less costly word: Linux!

In particular, PCLinuxOS is great for Windows users. Very user friendly. And Free.

 

But, Ken...I've cleaned up a lot of these kinds of problems. Your easiest course would be to use the System Restore feature in XP to return to a previous good state. You can do this as long as System Restore has been configured to make "snapshots" of your system. By default, this will be enabled on a new installation.

To use System Restore, first close all programs.

Click Start.

Click All Programs

Click Accessories

Click System Tools

Click System Restore

 

Follow the Wizard to return your computer to a point in time that was before you had your "brain fart"

 

This procedure will not remove any data, only reset system files to a previous state. In the system restore utility, when it asks you to select a restore point, look at the little calendar that is displayed. Any date that is bolded contains a system restore point that you can use.

 

Good luck.

 

Joe

[SilvrT]

I'm not a religious person; however, I pray the day will come that either a MAC or a Linux user posts about some "issue" with their system so that I can say...

 

ONE WORD..... WINDOWS!

 

 

(and don't tell me nothing goes wrong with those systems... thousands might believe ya... but I won't)

 

[GigaWhiskey]

Yea, on a rare occasion things do happen to a MAC. But, you can reload the OS in 7 to 15 minutes and be running normal again. No two weeks to put it back the way it was AFTER you re-installed the OS to make it look close to what you had before on Windows.

 

NEway, try Lavasoft and Spybot. They have worked most of the time on any Windows machines I have had.

 

Norton might have a malware plug-in for the AV, I dunno. I know McAfee does.

 

Good luck!

[dray]

just go into your msconfig and under startup you will just shut everything off but your antivirus should take care of the problem

[Dano]

I'm not a religious person; however, I pray the day will come that either a MAC or a Linux user posts about some "issue" with their system so that I can say...

 

ONE WORD..... WINDOWS!

 

 

(and don't tell me nothing goes wrong with those systems... thousands might believe ya... but I won't)

 

 

I've said that to my daughter----twice!!!!! Macbook white has been rebuilt once and replaced once. And it's only 2 years old! 1st time dvd wouldn't run and it would eat disks, 2nd time hard drive crapped while she was having the new OS installed by a Mac "techie". WIndows might have its faults, but I've never had to replace my entire computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My opinion (not the only one!)

 

Dan

[DragonRider]

One is Adaware and its free and works good, the other is Stopzilla......I bought it and it takes care of all that crap that pops up from time to time..............

 

Ad-Aware 2007 - Reviews and free Ad-Aware 2007 downloads at Download.com

[BuddyRich]

Go into your help and search for System Restore. It should lead you thru it with the wizard. Try doing a system restore to a couple of days before your mistake.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I've said that to my daughter----twice!!!!! Macbook white has been rebuilt once and replaced once. And it's only 2 years old! 1st time dvd wouldn't run and it would eat disks, 2nd time hard drive crapped while she was having the new OS installed by a Mac "techie". WIndows might have its faults, but I've never had to replace my entire computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My opinion (not the only one!)

 

Dan

 

Youre comparing the MAC hardware to the Windows OS...apples and oranges, so to speak.

 

 

Actually, I was referring to the MAC Operating System....the hardware on ALL these computers is about the same. Failures occur. But the MAC OS is a bit more...robust...applications that lock up or get funky, wont cause the OS to crash...and malware, viruses and the like, have a harder time doing anything to the MAC OS. MAC OS uptimes can be measured in weeks, months, or years. Have any of you got a windows desktop machine that hasnt had to be rebooted this week, or in the last 2 days?

 

But yep...hard drives fail, DVDs fail, and video chips fail. Nature of the business.

[dray]

One is Adaware and its free and works good, the other is Stopzilla......I bought it and it takes care of all that crap that pops up from time to time..............

 

Ad-Aware 2007 - Reviews and free Ad-Aware 2007 downloads at Download.com

 

 

i like addaware but i found this works a lot better and its free too!

 

http://www.superantispyware.com/

[Squeeze]

Brian, my Windows NT Machine, installed 1998, had a Uptime for more than 3 Years. Last reboot was for installing a Program. Has had even more Uptime prior to that Installation. Never let me down, exept for one Time where the Power Supply Unit failed. This was ... 2001 when i remember right.

 

And to finish my Comments on the Mac Issue. If there would be Millions of Programers worldwide writeing Programs for MAC's, there would be ons System Crash after the other. The Flexibilty of different Hardware is causing a Lot of Trouble. But this a Problem Apple never wil have. They make legacy Computers with strictly limited Hardware, like they do Mp3 Players and Phones recently.

[SilvrT]

Have any of you got a windows desktop machine that hasnt had to be rebooted this week, or in the last 2 days?

 

 

How about 45 of them. Not once has any of them needed a reboot for almost 2 years. Until just recently when I installed a new multi-function printer by HP on my own machine...the software is conflicting with windows big time (err... I mean some other software on my machine) and I have HP's tech's trying to figgure it out.

 

As for the problems kenw is having, the simplest way to resolve his issue has been stated a few times... run System Restore and... guess what... it's faster than 7 to 15 mins as stated by GigaWhiskey to restore the MAC OS and your system is exactly as it was prior to the problem cropping up.

 

Having said the above, I am not trying to suggest that either a MAC or a Linux machine is inferior (or superior) but c'mon guys, each OS has it's own idiosyncracies and we can't all run out and replace our Windows boxes with a MAC or dump Windows for Linux .... it's just not that simple.

 

more --->

[midnightventure]

I think Microsoft finally did something right with Windows XP. I have three computers running it and they all do pretty good.

[StarFan]

Hi Kenw.

I run Norton Antivirus on all my computers. It is a little costly but after I started to use it I never have any problems with Spy programs, popups or viruses. Needs to be updated regularly (automatic by choice) and one has to renew the subscription yearly. In my books it is worth every penny. Sometimes it is better to spend a little and be on the safe side.

[1BigDog]

I have windows XP. When I ran Norton I had spyware and numerous viruses invade the PC. Even adaware didnt stop all of them. Finally 1 virus did a number on me and I had to wipe the hard drive and re-install everything.

 

Now, I hope you have the service pack 2 for windows and update when recommended. One other thing. ATT is my ISP provider and their security suite is second to none. Since using it I have had absolutely no spyware and/or virus issues. I also dont click on any ol link anymore.

 

My son-in-law swears by the MAC but he wont shell out the 2k to let his ol dad-in-law find out just how wonderful it really is...

[GigaWhiskey]

As for the problems kenw is having, the simplest way to resolve his issue has been stated a few times... run System Restore and... guess what... it's faster than 7 to 15 mins as stated by GigaWhiskey to restore the MAC OS and your system is exactly as it was prior to the problem cropping up.

ROFLMBO - System restores the the last time it was saved. Everything after is prolly gone. If the issue is buried in that restore date, you still got it. It takes a long time to re-install Windows from scratch. About an hour from an image, depending how much you have in that image.

 

Having said the above, I am not trying to suggest that either a MAC or a Linux machine is inferior (or superior) but c'mon guys, each OS has it's own idiosyncracies and we can't all run out and replace our Windows boxes with a MAC or dump Windows for Linux .... it's just not that simple.

 

You would be surprised, it can be that simple. I picked up a MAC for my kids and it cost me all off $75 and running OSX 10.3.

 

more --->

 

[dray]

if it is a virus doing a system restore will not get rid of it you may find its a temp. fix for a few minutes or hours but its not a fix what you have is spyware and you most likely will need to find it and do a manual remove or go into the msconfig and just shut it off from starting up

[Guest tx2sturgis]

How about 45 of them. Not once has any of them needed a reboot for almost 2 years. ...............but c'mon guys, each OS has it's own idiosyncracies and we can't all run out and replace our Windows boxes with a MAC or dump Windows for Linux .... it's just not that simple.

 

 

Those are 45 desktop machines being used everyday by individual users? Connected to the internet, loading software, surfing websites, listening to music, watching videos? And no reboots at all in 2 years? Not even shut off at night? 24 months of uptime on every single one? Hmmm...if so, thats like some kind of record.

 

And yes...I know that not everyone is willing or able to switch...I wouldnt want that anyway. I need target practice!

 

 

Seriously, Macs are nice because they are relatively rare as far as targets for internet attacks...not much pleasure for a hacker in writing malware that might hit 10,000 machines running graphics, when you can write a bug that will infect 100 million machines and wreck havoc on industry, banking, government, and the public at large.

 

[SilvrT]

Those are 45 desktop machines being used everyday by individual users? Connected to the internet, loading software, surfing websites, listening to music, watching videos? And no reboots at all in 2 years? Not even shut off at night? 24 months of uptime on every single one? Hmmm...if so, thats like some kind of record.

 

OK... I'll "fess up"...

First of all, I force all the "workstations" to shut down on Friday night...late...for the purposes of power saving. They stay on during the week due to automatic processes that take place during the late evening.

 

About 20 of the machines are not allowed to access the internet. About 18 more have restricted (limited) internet access in that thru the firewall, they can only get to certain websites. The balance have full access.

 

Nobody is allowed to load software without first checking with me; however, those who have full internet access can do all the surfing they want, watch vids or listen to music but being that this is a business and knowing who those users are, they do those things as it applies to their job so they probably don't hit on stuff that a home user would.

 

None of these computers have ever crashed in any way, shape, or form that requires a reboot. Except, as I stated, after the installation of that new HP multi-function printer.

 

On the other hand, and again, I'm "fessing up" here... my home PC gets used quite a bit by the "family"... it is 7 years old. It's had hardware issues that have caused it to crash and I've gotten the odd virus or spyware over those 7 years but nothing associated with Windows has caused it to crash. ..... until recently....it seems I have some kind of issue with the video card coz no matter what version of Adobe Flash player I install, anything on the 'net that runs in Flash totally locks the system up. Again tho, that I have narrowed down to a video card problem...again, not a Windows issue.

 

I don't know MACs at all...I have worked a bit with Linux boxes. I've seem Linux crash a few times... all in all tho, WinXP and other Microsoft software is pretty stable and if a person keeps them updated and regularly runs virus scans and does regular cleanups of spyware, etc...things should run fairly smoothly. It's all the other "CRAP" out there that people put onto their systems that isn't always 100% compatible with either windows itself or with some other "resident" application that oftentimes is a big cause of system crashes.

 

Getting back to System Restore... yes, it's true, System Restore won't eradicate some virus or spyware that got into your system; however, in most cases it will at least put your system back to a state that the virus or spyware is not "active" in memory. It will put things back to a state the system was in prior to the virus or spyware screwing it up...in most cases. The key here is to remember that even if you do a system restore, you still need to eradicate whatever might be "lurking" in your system...what I'm saying is...System Restore won't "do it all" for you but it will at least get you back to something you had before the virus or spyware made a mess of things. In any event, it's but ONE solution and oftentimes a good starting point to eradicating virus and spyware. And NO, you don't lose "everything" since the last time a resore point was taken....you will only lose whatever software, or settings changes you made because, system restore restores the registry settings that were in place prior to you installing things or changing settings NOT TO MENTION the registry settings prior to when the virus or spyware got put in there.

 

More about system restore here --> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx

 

 

OK.. enuf "fessing up" .... ain't this FUN BANTER?... and interesting to boot!

 

Over to YOU --->

[SilvrT]

You would be surprised, it can be that simple. I picked up a MAC for my kids and it cost me all off $75 and running OSX 10.3.

hmmmmm... wanna get 1000 more of those and send em to me... I think I might make enuf off the proceeds to retire!...

 

Seriously tho... not everyone gets that lucky...not eveyone has the wherewithall to Install Linux and then learn how to use it.

[SilvrT]

Tech support at HP just got back to me. Apparently Symantec A/V requires an "Exclusion" for certain files this HP product loads as without it, Symantec tends to cause a major "stall" when these particular files try to load. I excluded them and sure enuf, all works fine.

 

So, in that light... again... wasn't Windows crashing, it was Symantec stalling when the HP software is loading and in so doing, preventing anything else from loading such as my entire desktop and taskbar.

 

(personally, I don't like Symantec but the company paid big bucks for it before I came on board so gotta use it here)