Re: Something called 'Network Magic'...

[Mara]

Oh dear, I thought I'd killed my poor computer and worse, it would entirely be my own fault.

 

I went to what I thought was a reputable download site, downloaded a trial version of a photo editing program called 'Photo Finale 4'. Scanned it with my anti bug programs and the anti-malware one and all seemed well.

 

When installing, although the name showing on the installation box matched above, suddenly it changed to something called: 'Network Magic'. Installing wouldn't stop nor would my 'Esc' on keyboard end it either.

 

Computer instantly tried to connect to 'Network Magic' on net ... froze but finally got screen to close.

 

Used my trusty Revo Uninstaller ... took forever but most parts of it seem to have been uninstalled but not all ... and I was left with the below images on the desktop.

 

Computer wouldn't reboot or shut down ... turned it off manually and it still wouldn't shut down ... tried reaching Start>Restore Point and it was frozen ... kept retrying to shut computer off manually and it finally worked.

 

Waited 3 minutes and turned it back on but it wouldn't load my home page, etc and I still had the below images showing on my screen.

 

Finally Restore worked and all seems to be okay. But that said, may I please ask something.

 

What on earth is 'Network Magic' - a bug or something, I wonder?

 

And how does one stop a program from loading/installing if the normal 'cancel' button doesn't work, nor does the 'Esc' on the keyboard, please? (I honestly am as careful as possible when downloading and installing but obviously I messed up somewhere badly with this one - eep!).

Edited January 24, 2009 by Mara

[DSTM]

Hi Mara,When a process won't stop,Right Click in Task Bar >Left Click on Task Manager >Task Manager Box Appears > Highlight Problem Program >Click Box at Bottom, "End Process" That method normally works for me,Mara.

 

EDIT.2 other methods to bring up Task Manager are,

ALT+CTRL+DELETE.

CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

Hope this helps.

Edited January 15, 2009 by DSTM

[RandyL]

There is very little information on Photo Finale 4 other then what's found on download sites. The developers website is either down or does not exist anymore. http://www.trevoli.com/

 

The only reason I can think of for Pure Networks Network Magic to be bundled with this is that it's for file or printer sharing on a home network.

 

Either way I would never buy a program if the developer has no website for support or contact information. Just because a download is available on a reputable download sight does not mean it's any good. I'm not saying it's not good but the lack of any contact information disturbs me.

[DSTM]

I set a Restore point Mara,Downloaded Photo Finale 4 from Download.com.Scanned and installed all cleanly.No redirection to Network Magic.

Just wondering, why you got a redirection, to Network Magic.:confused:

I'm no expert but I would be running Scans.

Uninstalled cleanly with Revo,also.

My guess there are Free Programs,that will do what you want.:)

[DirtyPolo]

What does the program do that you would like Mara?

 

There are always, well most of the time, reputable, free programs :)

 

I.e for Office replacement there's Open Office, for Photoshop replacement there is GiMP, etc.

 

If you're not sure then don't worry, just ask here and I'm sure we can find you a safe alternative :)

 

But reading your's and DSTMs posts, it is weird how you got the network magic problem but he didn't... :S

 

 

Maybe he downloaded it from a different site to you or something.

[Mara]

I've written down the 'escape' advise, DSTM - and thanks so much as I must confess I have a few tense moments yesterday.

 

Did discover one thing, though ... when scanning any program prior to installing, they don't tell one if there is an additional 'bundled' program sitting inside somewhere. Drat and gentle smile.

 

And you're right, Randy - a program who's site/writer has vanished isn't going to be there for support later, unfortunately.

 

What I was trying to do was find a substitute program for my lovely old 'Corel Print House 4'. While I never used it for actually editing images, it was the loveliest thing ... it allowed me to create a 'blank' of any shape, size I wanted ... to import images/photos ... add text anywhere on the page ... and then either save/print page or sent it instantly to anyone in my email address book.

 

It worked perfectly (even though an old program) in my XP and although it still does everything else it did before, the moment I changed from my trusty Netscape Browser to FireFox - poof, no more sending via emails.

 

Even tried downloading Netscape once again for just this purpose, but nope, the 'send by email' section is no longer working.

 

Would love to find something similar - and easy to use, of course :), if possible.

 

- - - -

It's my fault, I think. DirtyPolo ... I normally restrict myself to a few sites only that offer free/shareware/purchased programs - and while I thought this one was going to be similar, hmmm.

 

Rather than condem the site, though, I sent a gentle message saying there appeared to be a 'ride along with' attached with their particular download of that photo program. Couldn't help but think there's a huge chance they are not aware of it - and this could be the reason our DSTM got a 'clean' version from the site he chose and I didn't from this particular download site.

[BeeCeeBee]

Going back to your initial problem Mara, by the time you realise that there may be a problem with a download it may already be to late.

 

While the path suggested by DSTM will work and is correct, it is by no means fast enough to stop the download from doing more damage.

 

Of course you can cut power to your PC but that is a sure way to damage your hard drive.

So here is just a bit of low tech advice.

 

If you have a wireless network switch turn it off. If you are using an ethernet remove the cable, if you are near your router turn it off or pull the plug on IT. Routers do not have hard drives.

 

As I said, the download may have already done it dirty deed but if not, speed is the key.

[Mara]

Oh dear, I'm sitting here mentally cringing just reading the words, " cut power to your PC but that is a sure way to damage your hard drive", as that's what I did yesterday - kept trying to use the manual shut-off button on the side of the computer tower - eep!

 

Re: "wireless network switch", "ethernet" and "routers" ... am going to have to confess a bit more of my computer ignorance here, beeceebee - gentle laugh - as hmmm.

 

I'm connected by Cable (using the same system our telephone runs on) so we have a quick connection, etc ... and there is a little box plugged in and sitting on my desk called, "DSL-3001 D-Link" (that has tiny green lights on it).

 

Is that little box any of the above you mentioned, I wonder?

[BeeCeeBee]

First, Mara, slap yourself on the wrist (not too hard) and say i will never pull the plug again.

A sure way to damage your hard drive was a bit of an overstatement but it really is a dangerous risk to take.

 

The box on your desk is your router and can be turned off, have its plug pulled or beaten with a hammer and not damage your PC. It is also safe to undo the cable from it to the pc. All any of these things do is just disconnect you from the internet.

 

No internet no download. As I said, low tech.

[Tootech]

If you need to shut off your PC for any reason, and you have no alternative you can press and hold the power button in for 4 seconds - that will do it.

 

Course, it's never recommended, but once in a while it is needed, and holding the power button in is a slightly more gentle way than pulling out the mains lead :)

[DSTM]

First, Mara, slap yourself on the wrist (not too hard) and say i will never pull the plug again.

A sure way to damage your hard drive was a bit of an overstatement but it really is a dangerous risk to take.

 

The box on your desk is your router and can be turned off, have its plug pulled or beaten with a hammer and not damage your PC. It is also safe to undo the cable from it to the pc. All any of these things do is just disconnect you from the internet.

 

No internet no download. As I said, low tech.

 

Going by Mara's "DSL-3001 DLINK"The part No, says mara has a modem, on her desk, and not a router.A router has a different part No.:confused:

 

I have a Netgear wired modem-Router, and would never get to it quick enough.

I tried the 4 second hold advice,and it works great.By far the quickest.

I have learnt so much from you Guys.

 

I have a Question, and sure Mara won't mind,please Guys.

When the Techy was here,he kept stopping the Computer, by swiching off the on/off switch, at the back of the Tower.

Was this safe practice,and could it have had an adverse affect, on the Hard Drive? Thanks.:)

[Dalo Harkin]

I tried the 4 second hold advice,and it works great.By far the quickest.

I have learnt so much from you Guys.

 

I have a Question, and sure Mara won't mind,please Guys.

When the Techy was here,he kept stopping the Computer, by swiching off the on/off switch, at the back of the Tower.

Was this safe practice,and could it have had an adverse affect, on the Hard Drive? Thanks.:)

 

The fastest way is the reset button on the front of the pc as opposed to the power button.

No Doug he should not be doing that - it may save him a few seconds here or there but it could be at your expense, programs running etc can be lost and the OS could get damaged

[DSTM]

Thanks Dalo,for clarifying that point. Much appreciated.:)

[Dalo Harkin]

No worries ;)

[BeeCeeBee]

This is what happens when threads go off on tangents. :confused:

The issue is not how fast to turn off a computer it is how fast to shut down the network connection to the internet.

 

If you shut down the PC it eliminates a number of options and if the download has made registry changes they may effect the machine when it reboots.

 

I still suggest that the best thing to do in these circumstances is to sever the network connection. That way you have the option of a system restore before any attempt to reboot

 

Tootech's comment to Mara was aimed at alternatives to a cold shut down and was appropriate at the time. It was not, however the point of Mara's query.

[DirtyPolo]

Agreed Barry.

 

To reply to Doug aswell, generally now routers and modem are as one :)

 

But even if it is just a modem on the desk, cutting the connection to it will have the same effect as cutting the connection to the router, it just cuts the connection in a different place :)

[Mara]

I've pulled my little black box closer to the front of the tower so I'll have faster access to it should disaster start to strike - either from a nasty hidden away within a program when installing or when one inadvertently hits one of the web pages that looks so innocent yet is created by a nasty and repulsive human. (Haven't had one of the latter happen since I started with trusty SiteHound, thankfully).

 

It's wonderful to learn so much and I thank all of you!

[BeeCeeBee]

Glad that is sorted now Mara. No more puling the plug. :eek:

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Mara, to also answer one of your questions "does any one know of a good photo handling program" or words similar to that, big grin, I found a real beauty that is freeware called Photofiltre, it is easy to use and has many good features, though not too sure about direct to E Mail linking. However as it is free and with no risk, there is no harm in giving it a look at is there?

you can download it from here-

http://www.photofiltre.com

When the page opens be sure to click the "English" link on the left, unless of course you are fluent in French, as it was created by a Frenchman.

Hope you find it useful, as you can start with a blank page to add other images etc, which is I believe what you wanted.

Nev.