RandyL

This is an extremely dangerous path you are going down. If you have to ask how to use this particular software then you are already in serious trouble. All the information you need is on their site. Start with the faqs. As we do not wish to be party to doing harm such as losing your data that we can not help you with getting it back any further advice on this software is not in our interests or the members interests. If you really think you need such software get something simple. But again advice on how to use it is up to you and the vendor in a matter such as this.

Thankyou bob. May everyones be merry and bright. And goku that is good one. :p

Compaq makes it quite easy to find the right ones firmex. At least I never used to have trouble with any model.

Hi everyone. A good debate all around. However I think we should close this thread at this time. The points have been made and the thread has served it's purpose to inform. We all know that we wouldn't want the thread to go into areas that are contrary to our policies. Thanks for your understanding.

As a spokesman for the UCWW (United Christmas Workers of the World) I wish to state that the Union intends to oppose this merger at every step. We see this as just another blatant excuse to further reduce the Union work force. Coming on the heels of a 50% reduction in the elf work force due to outsourcing of jobs to conglomerates like ToysRUs and Walmart we can not idly stand by while the corporations use excuses like a poor economy and globalisation to further diminish the Union work force. We also fully expect the WFHW (World Federation of Hanukkah Workers) to oppose this merger as they are currently negotiating a new contract and will view this as an unfair negotiating tactic meant to pressure them to concede to yet more cutbacks and givebacks. We will begin holding rallies and sit ins starting Dec. 24 at churches and Synagogues world wide to bring public attention to this matter. Large crowds are expected to attend at all locations.

Can you tell us the exact make, model and number of your computer?

Can you tell us more please maggy? Have you checked in Device manager for any problems? Can you tell us more about your computer? Desktop/laptop. Make/model/number.

Hi Mary; Have you looked in Device manager for any yellow or red exclamation marks. That would indicate a possible driver issue. Click on System in the Control Panel (Classic view). Click the hardware tab. Click Device manager. Click on the + by sound if need be. Can you tell us the exact make, model and number of your computer?

OK try this; Disable every single one of your protection programs temporarily. Go back to the steps and follow them in the order given. Since you have made no mention of the steps prior to ESET I can only assume they have not been run. This coupled with the fact that SAS and MB takes some time to run. These steps have to be followed exactly and in the proper order. Please print out the instructions. ESET is the last step. Run the SAS and MB scans first. Make sure you update them after installing and before scanning. Malware will attempt to block all attempts to scan and remove so these steps have to be followed exactly. Sometimes SAS and MB even have to be run in safemode. ESET is the final last scan. Not the first.

OK try this; Disable every single one of your protection programs temporarily. Go back to the steps and follow them in the order given. Since you have made no mention of the steps prior to ESET I can only assume they have not been run. This coupled with the fact that SAS and MB takes some time to run. These steps have to be followed exactly and in the proper order. Please print out the instructions. ESET is the last step. Run the SAS and MB scans first. Make sure you update them after installing and before scanning. Malware will attempt to block all attempts to scan and remove so these steps have to be followed exactly. Sometimes SAS and MB even have to be run in safemode. ESET is the final last scan. Not the first.

Deleting Outlook Express is not what you want to do. For one thing if he just got a computer it will likely have Vista which uses Windows Mail not OE. OK then. Mailwasher Pro is mainly meant to be used with an email client not web based mail. Changing the default email program to a different client is an option but he likely just has the one. Like any mail washer program some mails that are legit may get deleted. These programs are not 100% and have to be configured properly but they can be of some help. As for Gmail and Mailwasher Pro take a look at Can I use Gmail with MailWasher Pro? That is from the Setup & Accounts in Frequently Asked Questions I hope that gives you some insight bob.

Deleting Outlook Express is not what you want to do. For one thing if he just got a computer it will likely have Vista which uses Windows Mail not OE. OK then. Mailwasher Pro is mainly meant to be used with an email client not web based mail. Changing the default email program to a different client is an option but he likely just has the one. Like any mail washer program some mails that are legit may get deleted. These programs are not 100% and have to be configured properly but they can be of some help. As for Gmail and Mailwasher Pro take a look at Can I use Gmail with MailWasher Pro? That is from the Setup & Accounts in Frequently Asked Questions I hope that gives you some insight bob.

Please do not use registry cleaners. They have little value and can do a lot of harm if you don't know what you are doing. Since you had an infection and you use AVG chances are you're still infected so start with that assumption. Your computer could be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Required Cleanup StepsDisable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF) Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below) Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below) Clear out old System Restore points If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested. The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something. The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed. Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes. The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours. In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer. Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean. For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below. From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range" click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware. http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif ____________________________________________ STEP 1 Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode" On the left hand side, Click on Tools Then click on the Resident Icon in the List Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts. Restart your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 2 Follow these instructions carefully. Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware. You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main. For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored Then click on "Empty Selected". http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 3 Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files. You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next. You can leave the automated check for updates on. You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information. DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings. On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button. Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives. Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. __________________________________________________ STEP 4 Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes - (direct download) Accept all defaults for the installer Allow the program to update the definitions Click on the Quick Scan and click Next. If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 5 Run an online scan with ESET from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan. If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you must first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the popup context menu. Accept the terms and click "Start". Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications". Click "Start" to begin the scan. When completed restart your computer __________________________________________________ Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating. At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted. If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool. Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one. Please follow the instructions here How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

Please do not use registry cleaners. They have little value and can do a lot of harm if you don't know what you are doing. Since you had an infection and you use AVG chances are you're still infected so start with that assumption. Your computer could be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Required Cleanup StepsDisable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF) Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below) Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below) Clear out old System Restore points If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested. The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something. The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed. Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes. The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours. In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer. Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean. For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below. From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range" click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware. http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif ____________________________________________ STEP 1 Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode" On the left hand side, Click on Tools Then click on the Resident Icon in the List Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts. Restart your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 2 Follow these instructions carefully. Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware. You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main. For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored Then click on "Empty Selected". http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 3 Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files. You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next. You can leave the automated check for updates on. You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information. DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings. On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button. Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives. Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. __________________________________________________ STEP 4 Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes - (direct download) Accept all defaults for the installer Allow the program to update the definitions Click on the Quick Scan and click Next. If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 5 Run an online scan with ESET from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan. If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you must first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the popup context menu. Accept the terms and click "Start". Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications". Click "Start" to begin the scan. When completed restart your computer __________________________________________________ Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating. At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted. If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool. Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one. Please follow the instructions here How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

Try the easy fix. Do a System Restore to a point before the download. After that try the filefront link it seemed like it would work.

Try the easy fix. Do a System Restore to a point before the download. After that try the filefront link it seemed like it would work.

Did you download the 14 day trial from here? Dark Age of Camelot

Did you download the 14 day trial from here? Dark Age of Camelot

Third party software is an option gavin as I said. There are vista compatable softwares out there. I have checked but not tested them. Best of luck.

What is the make/model/number of the laptop? Different manufacturers have different options for restoring software. In the mean time I suggest that you create or purchase recovery disks.

What is the make/model/number of the laptop? Different manufacturers have different options for restoring software. In the mean time I suggest that you create or purchase recovery disks.

I'm not qualified to give an opinion here as I've only used Nero and Roxio. Should anyone wish to buy me any of these I would gladly check them out. :p

Your profile says Vista Ultimate. With Basic there is no option short of a third party program to password protect folders. Unlike XP you can't even compress a file and password protect it. And just like XP and XP Pro you would need a different version of Vista such as Ultimate to encrypt files. You could change your friends account to "Standard". This would block access. Sorry Gavin. I know that's not what you wanted to hear.

Is christmas just about getting expensive presents? I think this song sends a message to everyone. Little Drummer Boy-Youtube link.

Since you have the Ultimate version of Vista you have options that Home Premium or Basic does not. But beware if you can't logon to your account for any reason then you won't be able to retrieve your data. You should backup your encryption key to be safe but to be honest I don't know if that would help on a failed drive or not. Right click the folder>Properties>General tab>Advanced>Encrypt. Like I said be careful. You wouldn't want to not be able to open them in the future. Should you loose the key we can not help you with that matter.