RandyL

Welcome tom; Ask away and share your knowledge with us too.

:o Happy happy birthday Nickos. May you spend many more with us.

Hi gousbi; I don't know what's interfering with your HP and FireFox auto updates. It could well be one of your security applications. In my opinion though Auto HP Updates is buggy. In the mean time you could disable automatic updates. Nothing on my system is set to auto including HP updates. To disable HP auto updates open HP Update from All Programs and click Settings. Here you can choose your options. To get the updates manually go to the HP site and choose Drivers and Downloads for your model. This will give you the options to update that are not included in the Auto Updates.

A very enlightening discussion everyone. I'm taking all your ideas to heart. I'm always open to learning new tricks. I have to say Pete your methods and the programs use use (especially the specialized ones) are almost exactly like mine. I too open certain applications after cleaning. This help determine if the malware is really gone or re-installs. I also run all the scans one last time after I think it's gone for good. I've never had to try a linux method yet. I'll ask you how if I need to if you don't mind. A question for you seth. How do you slave a SATA? Do you just plug it in and scan it? I'm new to SATA.

Hi; I think Kelly has it right. There was an issue with Zone Alarm and a Microsoft update. Check out the Zone Alarm page on this. Downloading the newest version appears to be the best option.

Hi firsty; Is XP fully updated? Do you have all the Office updates? As for that "bit of spyware-usual stuff" spyware of any kind is not usual unless it's just tracking cookies. What scans have you run? AVG Free is not a good scanner.

You might need to go into your BIOS and set the boot order to boot from the CD-ROM first.

Hi russ; Look at this article and see if it might help.

I agree on all points. It's getting harder and it takes more time. Dave makes the best points. P2P-Click happy-Lack of protection-Free cool stuff and of course the bundled programs that come with it. In terms of cleaning massive infections it's expensive compared to backing up files and re-installing. Free music and movies cost a lot of money if a tech has to spend 12 hours cleaning and repairing the damage at $80 an hour. Even then the files may be lost. And this assumes you can even boot into Windows at all. And on another matter I won't even touch a machine anymore that had AOL on it. It's all just too much work compared to a re-install.

Note: If the image was made with the drive letter C then the OS will also have to be installed on C to re-image. I don't think you can rename the drive Windows is installed on if you want Windows to function.

Whether the drive is seperate or a partioned drive you would still need to install Windows to it first and yes the drive would have to have the same letter. After that you could image back your backup if the drive letters were the same. If it were otherwise your registry files would not point to it. No you cannot just copy Windows to a new drive without installing. It works that way for a reason. Microsoft made sure of that years ago. Hardware, OS, Validation etc all come to mind. Create your image. Setup your partion properly. Install Windows to it. Restore the image.

Pardon me for interrupting everyone but I was just wondering something. Can you create a new user and see if IE works on that?

A question well asked. I can't say for sure. When in explorer click file then export. If you can export the same way as it can be done in IE then save it to a file. Open IE and do the same with import and import the file.

Hi Dunnsdale; If I remember right I think I know the problem. MSN Messenger is indeed part of MSN Explorer. You cannot remove it and and still have MSN Explorer work. When you install Live Messenger it replaces MSN Messenger. Thus MSN Explorer is broke. There are very few people left who still use MSN Explorer and I think it's best if you move on too. It was a failure from the start and Microsoft figured that out fast. I suggest just moving on and forget it. Use IE7 or FireFox.

The software should have set the right port automatically. I have an AIO (All In One) network printer myself. My computer is not networked but it still assigned it to the virtual port. Look at the printer properties and the port settings. Here is a pic of mine. http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/port.jpg

Sorry Grey but we have temporarily suspended hjt support. However random popups are a sign you might be infected. Run these scans to check please. 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://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/printer-selection.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 1 Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed)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://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/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.

Direct download of the Setup Guide. (Right click and save) The Notes in post 8 would still apply. Also notice in the guide that you need to setup your printer first except do not connect it to your computer untill after you run the CD.

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted anything pc but we do get a lot of it. ConvertX to DVD can be used for illegal purposes so we have to question support on it or anything it can be used for. Just because it can be purchased and downloaded does not mean it's primary use is legal. Please be patient with me but I really do have to ask if you have installed SP3, The latest version of WMP which is 11 and have you upgraded to IE7 too? WMP11 can play many different formats. MPEG, AVI, DVD ETC. Don't take offence please but these are all pertinent questions to resolve your issue.

Can you install SP3 and WMP 11?

I don't understand pc: You said I reinstalled the drivers (had a disc with 50,000 drivers for XP ...lucky) What disk is that and why did you need it? The XP disk or your manufacturers disks should have all the needed drivers. You said i thought maybe a clean installation of XP was needed. I did this with the rescue disc (OEM had to reformat the disc) What are you talking about? Is this OEM disk for your model? Why did you have to format the disk and what did you use to format it? You said I burn a lot of dvds with ConvertX to dvd programme and when i play a downloaded dvd... Is this installation of Windows legal? Is the other software you are using to accomplish your tasks used for illegal purposes? Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help does not offer assistance for illegaly obtained software or for software that can be used for illegal purposes. Correct me if I'm wrong and supply the needed information please. Such as make/model of your pc. What exactly does it say on the disk. Etc.

You said you have other issues. It would help if you could explain please. As stated AOL bundles programs. If you are having problems it may be an AOL program such as their bundled Antivirus program conflicting with Eset. AOL is partnered with Mcafee. Either way it's hard to diagnose an issue unless we know what you are experiencing. A log is not a complete diagnostic. Please let us know so we can try to help.

Actually there are probably billions of suns in just the milkyway galaxy. Add to that billions of galaxys. 10 billion times 10 billion

Hi lacky; I assume you mean it's an Epson stylus CX4400. If so download the PDF file named Start Here from the. CX4400 download page. Or directly download the PDF file. (Right click and SaveAs) Carefully follow the instructions to setup and install the printer and software. Notes: If any software did install then uninstall it first. If the printer is listed in the Control Panel remove it. You can not install the printer by the Add Hardware Wizard. Turn off your Antivirus program before installation. Turn off power options especially the Screensaver before installing. Let us know how it goes lacky. Good luck.

Hi Kelly; See if Tweakui can do it. Ask Leo Article.

Networking your Xbox-AOL Article