BeeCeeBee

Hi bob12a. Please type or copy the url (address from the address bar) here so that we can have a look. I assume it has something to do with the post office but you need to be specific.

Hi Dunnhpk and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help! Hope the computer serves you well! New PCs always give rise to questions so as was said, ask away. :)

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_(computer) That is about as basic a definition of drivers as I can find quickly. When certain hardware starts to act up it is always a good idea to check the drivers. Of course sometimes printers just break. :)

Since we really do not want to beat this horse to death, this is where things stand. I firmly believe that this is an Acer program designed for it's laptops. As a result I would simply allow it. But I also need you to understand that Wolfey has considerably more experience then I do. If you allow this program it will be entered into your registry to run when you boot the compter. If you do not allow it apparently the eDatasecuity progam built into your computer will probably not function. Running the disinfection program can never hurt but it is really up to you what to do in this case. I'm afraid there is no better answer.

From what I gather SpySweeper in monitoring in real time and either did not recognize the program or saw it as a change. Much as a Spybot teatimer would do (just more familiar with that one.) If it recognized it as malware it probably would have identified it as such if that answers your question. But again I do not have SpySweeper so am being general. That is why it is good to double up on on antimalware (not antivirus) protection. Anyhow we have established that you are fine here. :)

Since the service is new have you actually checked with them to be sure they are providing your account with 8mb service?

I think we are on pretty safe ground here. I would suggest that you simply make sure the t is a d the next time you see the warning and allow the program to run. Please just put your other issues in a new thread and we will deal with them seperately.

It is easy to disable Avira and we will help you protect your data if it comes to that but while you have replied to DirtyPolo you do not appear to have completed the disinfection process. It is very doubtful that Avira is your problem. Please follow the process above and get back to us. There is no reason to believe that your hard drive is gone and therefore no reason to be worrying about your data quite yet.

Hi Marion and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help!! :) You let us know what your issues are and we will help sort them for you! Just post in the appropriate forum or if you need help doing that just shout!!

Since that post I am more and more certain that it is part of the Acer data security program named eDataSecurity. That assumes that the entry is edsloader.exe not loater as typed. :) Let me know what the AntiMalwarebytes scan tells you, if anyhing. As to the remainder of your post you need to be a bit (actually a lot) more specific and you know that we well get right to it.

Lets not get drastic just yet slitwrist! :) The fact that this is an XP system indicates that it is probably not brand new and has been without proper protection for some time. Best get it disinfected and see if things improve. Please pay attention to the following and follow the directions carefully and let us know how you make out. Your computer is most likely 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 Steps Disable 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. 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

I just looked back a bit and noticed that this procedure suggested by Wolfeymole was given to you just a short time ago although I am not sure that you completed it. I am not familiar with SpySweeper or it notification system but it may keep raising the same notice each time you boot until you make a decision. The reason I asked you if you have an Acer is that there is an .exe file by that name that appears to be part of Acer's data security software. If you do have an Acer and are not experiencing any difficulties then it is probably safe to allow it. On the other hand, if it is not, further investigation may be necessary. Malware can often attach to or create legitimate sounding files.

Welcome to FPCH Trevor! :) Ask away!!!

Is your computer an Acer, Jane?

I knew it would not be long be before you managed a stumper Jane!!:D I used to use Quickbooks a few years ago and know that if i changed my fiscal year I could also change reporting dates etc. Hopefully we will have some genuine Quicken users.

Glad it was solved Gavin :) but for your own protection it would be a good idea to follow Randy's advice and not get involved as a go between unless you plan on doing the work yourself.

One final thought before you do. While it would seem you are right that ctfmon.exe does not seem to be related. It does deal with alternative input and has some effect on keyboard settings (I Think :) ) Does restoring it help. It is pretty much harmless anyway.

I get the feeling that we are missing something here. Are you saying that the monitor would not react to a key stroke nor a mouse or mouse only. You said you presume that the keyboard only option would shut down and restart. Is that what has actually happened? The keyboard only option is there to require a keystroke and specifically not allow the mouse to restart the monitor.

This thread was started by Mara regarding an issue with a registry tool. Let me be very clear here. Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help does not engage in remote access as a forum tool. In the right hands it can be extremely useful but all of the issues of trust mentioned above should be considered. If one member has helped another in the past based on a personal relationship, etc. That is a private matter and not to be requested please. By the way, Dougie, thanks for that last sentence!!

Welcome Trish!:) Just feel free to post your concerns and we will be more than happy to give you a hand.

With regard to the links provided, they are genuine links to reputable sites but, correctly stated, are not endorsed by Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. We do have a list of recommended software and emphasise that we have no financial relationship with any of them. http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html None of this, however, identifies the problem raised in this thread and I suggest that posting solutions is, at best, premature.

Hi 1mouse. Since this is your first post (and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help) I will be gentle with you.:) While you may think your problem is the same it may turn out to be something else entirely. http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/dvd-cd-rom-drives-and-printer-scanner-issues/4964-hl-dt-st-dvdram-gsa-t20n-ata-not-work-please-help.html#post37465 This is a new thread so please give us all the information that you feel applies and we will do our best to help you. Otherwise what has happened is referred to as highjacking a thread and we don't allow that.

Hi Shemani, I have checked and this is your first post on Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. Obviously you must have been following along with threads started by others. No problem with that as sometimes that works out fine. Anyway, please be as precise as you can in answering DiryPolo's post so that we can give your problem the specific attention it deserves.

I don't know. On the other hand these toolbars have been known to lead to many little (and not so little) conflicts and problems. We will just have to see.

I don't know what that means Chris. It seems unlikely that there was an automatic system restore unless there is some bug that has ordered it. Windows does set restore points though. The easiest way to tell is to simply go to your system restore and check the dates in bold. See if there are any notes other then the basic system checkpoint.