OK, I am going to ask the Moderators to make this thread sticky as we seem to be answering the same questions day in and day out. And frankly no one seems to read the other 'sticky' Frequently Asked Questions at the top of this forum (*HINT* *HINT*)
So before anyone asks how to remove a virus or spyware that keeps coming back after they reboot the PC... please do the following:
2: UPDATE or Install your spyware removal programs
Get Spybot and AdAware (XP users may also want to try MS Antispyware - all three prgrams are currently free.
3: Download and install CCleaner which clears out old unnecessary junk and downloads that aren't required but could clog up your PC
4: Go into Safe Mode
(Reboot your PC, as it starts up keep pressing the F8 key until you get a menu for various start up options, Choose 'Safe Mode' and press the enter key. More info about Safe Mode here
5: When in Safe Mode, turn off 'SYSTEM RESTORE' if using Windows ME or Windows XP
To do this go to Control Panel, double click SYSTEM then click on SYSTEM RESTORE tab and tick the option to 'Turn OFF system restore on all drives' and click Apply and wait 30 seconds or so.
6: Run the CCleaner program and remove all junk files it finds
7: Now do a full Antivirus scan, then Spyware scans using at least Spybot SD and AdAware programs. You might as well go cook dinner while these scans take place as it takes an age!
8: Turn System Restore back ON - untick the option as described in section 5 and wait 30 seconds or so.
Reboot your PC, do another Antivirus scan and Spyware scans, then see if the problems have been cleared. If the problems persist please post your problem here, stating your Windows operating system, your antivirus program, firewall software, Spyware removal programs and the exact name(s) of the virus or spyware present on your PC.
Hello i just read your forum post, and i have problems with spyware, i tried your steps but its still coming back! the file is Windows Update.hta and is in the start menu. please help.
This may be of assistance to someone in the future...
I had inadvertently generated 989 duplicate files in my iTunes Music Library whilst going from iTunes 4.9 to 4.8, and could find no easy way to delete the duplicates from the library. I could show duplicates but not delete the ones with the ! symbol. My music collection stands at 17Gb currently but with all the duplicates it shot up to 23Gb so I couldn't synchronise my iPod.
Just for anyone on the forum who comes across this problem in the future, and wants to find out a way to delete the duplicated files from the iPod, and who uses Windows and not the Mac, try this...
Select every track in the Library, view the File Info, set the Comments to "CorrectFile" on all entries (or some other field you know isn't used in your music collection). This will take donkeys years... Then create a new smart playlist where comment is not equal to CorrectFile, filtering down to just all the files with ! symbols. Then simply select them all and press [shift]+[delete].
This is good for when you decide to reorganise the music directories on your PC and then realise your iTunes library is cabbaged.
Unfortunately, ratings - which I rely on heavily - are expunged the moment you hit [Shift]+[Delete], but at least you get a good opportunity to rediscover your music collection as you trawl through and re-rate everything.
Apparently Macs are blessed with something clever to use via AppleScript, the details of which can be located via a search engine, to perform much the same feat. Whether ratings are kept intact I cannot say.
That's all... hope it is of some use to someone somewhere. If there's a "better" method then please let me know...
One thing is...Please don't ask questions in the FAQ thread. Don't be afraid to post a new thread IF you have followed the steps above, and make sure you tell everyone that you have tried your best.
Leo
Just like to tell everyone about a new free security tool, which acts to prevent viruses & trojans and other pieces of spyware.
Its called Prevx (https://www.prevx.com/) have a read up sounds like it might be a useful tool.
Aye, I've used it for quite a while now and it's excellent. The Home version is free, the Pro version (which I have) isn't particularly expensive and well worth it. Wouldn't be without it now!
I know that Adaware and Spybot are good programs..
However, I have to say that now they've been around for so long spyware is getting round them both. They're becoming pretty pointless, in fact!!
Microsoft's Anti-Spyware seems to be one of the better ones at the moment, though for anyone who's PC is really badly gummed-up with spyware and adware, I've had to use Adaware, Spybot, MS Anti-Spyware, and PestPatrol to get anywhere (as well as rooting through the registry too).
I do believe switching your browser is a far better thing to do to start off with, and Firefox is far better than IE anyway! Oh, and something preventative (and free!) like a generic tool (more specifically, PrevX). Anyone who I've got switched over to Firefox and PrevX has yet to have another spyware or adware infestation.
Also, I'd advise people against using AVG and anything Norton for anti-virus solutions. I've known far too many people still become infected despite being up-to-date with Windows Updates and virus signatures with both those programs. AVG in particular has been, and still is, rubbish IMHO.
I've been a silly boy, and installed Kazza on my computer a couple of weeks ago, and surprise, surprise a few Trojan Horse viruses with it.
Unistalled it, ran a tool to get rid of all the rubbish, installed Adware & CCCLEANER, ran virus, spyware scan in safe mode, nothing picked up.
I'm still having numerious problems though. When I connect to the net page gets redirected to a very dodgy looking site, I'm also getting numerious windows error messages ie (WUAP.EXE HAS ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS NEEDS TO CLOSE), everything locks up, and the address doesn't work.
Is there any way round this, or am I better just wiping the disk, and starting all over again.
I've been a silly boy, and installed Kazza on my computer a couple of weeks ago, and surprise, surprise a few Trojan Horse viruses with it.
Unistalled it, ran a tool to get rid of all the rubbish, installed Adware & CCCLEANER, ran virus, spyware scan in safe mode, nothing picked up.
I'm still having numerious problems though. When I connect to the net page gets redirected to a very dodgy looking site, I'm also getting numerious windows error messages ie (WUAP.EXE HAS ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS NEEDS TO CLOSE), everything locks up, and the address doesn't work.
Is there any way round this, or am I better just wiping the disk, and starting all over again.
How do I convert {video file type #1} to {video file type #2}????
This comes up frequently in the form of, how do i convert my avi/mpg/3gp/divX/mov file into a DVD/VCD/mpeg/divX file so i can play it on my DVD player/phone/computer.
The answer, avoiding protracted discussion is to look at the How To... section on www.videohelp.com
I normally never post in these Computting forums, so here I go ...
I bought a new computer late June, and everything went fine with (well it still is) and I got the good surprise to see a AV was provided with it (Norton AV + Norton Internet Security) but a couple of days ago I got a notification telling me I had to renew my annual subscription ! I'm quite crossed because the computer is brand new and I have to pay already (40 odd Euros !)
Do I have an alternative solution ? It says I can ignore it, but I wont be up to date with the latest threats and updates ...
It's like buying a car, you pay for the car but services, fuel, tyres all cost extra.....you can either pay like every other new pc owner generally has to, to continue the subscription or look at post 52 above to see three alternative antivirus programs that are free.
Probably also need to include isntructions on how to turn off the "Automatic Restart" on system failure in Windows XP.
To turn off "Automatic Restart" on system failure follow these instructions.
Go in to Control Panel, then click on System.
Click on the Advanced Tab.
Under "Startup and Recovery" click "Settings".
Under "System Failure" deselect the "Automatic Restart" option.
Press OK until you are back to your desktop. Reboot if prompted.
When the machine crashes again, you will get a blue screen, known in the industry as a BSOD - Blue Screen Of Death.
At the top of the screen there will be an error message like "IRQ_IS_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" or something like that. Post back what it is. Most of the numbers are useless so don't bother with those.
A BSOD is when your computer wont start.
The majority of IRQL errors are Stop Errors that generate a system dump for you to send to Uncle Bill.
Just a fix for some iPOD Install issues which alot of people are looking for answers to!
It seems that instead of installing itunes v6 straight away, the user needs to install v5 and the v6 to get the iPOD to sync with iTunes, this has worked in 80% of cases, most others are due to faulty ipods.
LOL - I've always said that software AV and firewalls are like welcome mats (resource hungry ones as well!)..................proven yet again to be right
"SECURITY outfit Symantec has updated its Norton SystemWorks product to prevent crackers using one of its hidden files to store malware and Trojans.
Norton Protected Recycle Bin creates a hidden directory on Windows systems to help people restore modified or deleted files.
But the file is not scanned during any of Norton’s virus checks, nor can any files stored there be deleted. In otherwords it is the ideal place for a cracker to store malicious code."
LOL - I've always said that software AV and firewalls are like welcome mats (resource hungry ones as well!)..................proven yet again to be right
"SECURITY outfit Symantec has updated its Norton SystemWorks product to prevent crackers using one of its hidden files to store malware and Trojans.
Norton Protected Recycle Bin creates a hidden directory on Windows systems to help people restore modified or deleted files.
But the file is not scanned during any of Norton’s virus checks, nor can any files stored there be deleted. In otherwords it is the ideal place for a cracker to store malicious code."
You may consider it a welcome mat, but Symantic appear to have locked the door.
If you don't have a firewall and AV, then there maybe no welcome mat, but the door is left visibly open for all to enter.
Dream on - name one software firewall that has never had to be upgraded? (upgraded is a technical term for "another hole has been found in our crappy product")
We won't talk about default passwords or how it's not in any vendors interest to kill their own golden goose that lays million dollar fortunes based on fear eh?
I wonder who it will be next week upgrading.......
Personally, instead of living in a house with 65,536 doors (ports) wide open and HOPE that some flaky bit of firewall software will protect me, I'd much rather do the following:
Go to network connections and right click/properties on whatever adapter connects me to the net.
select tcp/ip then properties
then advanced and then the options tab
select properties and enable tcp/ip filtering and choose permit only in the tcp and udp sections.
I now have a machine physically connected to the net but a billion times more secure than with any software firewall because nothing goes in or out....including me...eeek!
Ok, well we'll soon sort that, I'll open ONLY what I need and not have 65,536 doors open all the time and HOPE to catch intruders coming in or trojans going out.
I'll add into the tcp ports:
21 for FTP
25 for SMTP
80 for HTTP (www)
110 for POP
That gets me online surfin and getting my mail etc, any programs that don't work I just find out what ports they use and add them into my list.
I don't use any software firewalls or anti virus and never have (I hate tsr programs running in the background all the dam time), never get any problems either and I'm never in fear. What's to fear if something nasty does get downloaded? If it's deaf and dumb because all the ports it may use are closed off to the outside world...who cares.
My customers (the above is a default setup) know to ring me if a program doesn't work and as I've already shown them how to add in the new ports it's dead easy for them and I get an easy life not having to be forever cleaning up machines full of crap. I also try and make sure that all machines are NAT'd behind a router and not directly connected - £30 for a cheap router is much better value than any software.
Honestly, doesn't it make more sense to open only the doors you use as opposed to having 65,000 openable ones which you then watch and hope to catch stuff?
I have never been able to figure out why in the personal pc market, network security is the opposite (ie leave everything open) to normal security (ie only open what you need).
I guess a billion dollar fear industry might have something to do with it....
It might be preferable to discuss this sort of thing in the general computing forum and not in this sticky thread so as to try and keep this thread as uncluttered as possible making it easier to find the useful information contained within...
After many questions on the forum here and the General Discussion forum I thought it would be a good idea to add something on free web hosting.
A few things to note first - you get what you pay for, in my opinion. There's good free hosts and there's bad ones. As you're not paying anything you may get adverts on your site, and you probably can't control what ads are served. Also, you may have a limited bandwidth which could stop your site from functioning if exceeded. There may be a limit on how quickly it comes back on too - always check the TOS to see what happens and how.
If you're now not too sure, I'll list some very cheap ones too.
Lastly for now - if you're just serving HTML pages your ISP may be a better option as they often give you more space/reliability/no adverts etc. I don't know many that support PHP/MySQL though. Also - if you're trying to do it anonymously, like 'mariahfan.freewebhost.com' using your ISP may not be a good idea, as they often include your ISP username. Check out your ISP for more details.
Navigate down to Hosting Offers and no doubt someone wants to hit a target, fill up the remaining few gig on a server etc. They'll often offer a few cheapo deals, and most accept PayPal - so you'll be able to use a Solo or Electron card.
I'd just add this though... you really do get what you pay for. If you're serious about your site, or want to do it as a hobby I'd consider getting a few quid set aside and buying the hosting and domain you want. This gives you so much more of a guarantee of service, the support, uptime etc.
Take a cheap .com domain ($9), a years cheap hosting ($30) and you're online with no adverts and a fairly quick and cool service. You can then download MyBB or Wordpress and start your forum or weblog in style.
(Hope this FAQ item is ok - I'm sure others will have hosts and domain guys to recommend.)
Are we allowed to post problems with bittorrent programs here, or is that not allowed? And if not can someone direct me to a good forum that will allow such things to be posted? Thanks.
Comments
So before anyone asks how to remove a virus or spyware that keeps coming back after they reboot the PC... please do the following:
1: UPDATE your antivirus software manually
(to get a free antivirus program click < HERE for AVG > or <HERE for CA > or < HERE for Avast > but only use ONE antivirus program.
2: UPDATE or Install your spyware removal programs
Get Spybot and AdAware (XP users may also want to try MS Antispyware - all three prgrams are currently free.
3: Download and install CCleaner which clears out old unnecessary junk and downloads that aren't required but could clog up your PC
4: Go into Safe Mode
(Reboot your PC, as it starts up keep pressing the F8 key until you get a menu for various start up options, Choose 'Safe Mode' and press the enter key. More info about Safe Mode here
5: When in Safe Mode, turn off 'SYSTEM RESTORE' if using Windows ME or Windows XP
To do this go to Control Panel, double click SYSTEM then click on SYSTEM RESTORE tab and tick the option to 'Turn OFF system restore on all drives' and click Apply and wait 30 seconds or so.
6: Run the CCleaner program and remove all junk files it finds
7: Now do a full Antivirus scan, then Spyware scans using at least Spybot SD and AdAware programs. You might as well go cook dinner while these scans take place as it takes an age!
8: Turn System Restore back ON - untick the option as described in section 5 and wait 30 seconds or so.
Reboot your PC, do another Antivirus scan and Spyware scans, then see if the problems have been cleared. If the problems persist please post your problem here, stating your Windows operating system, your antivirus program, firewall software, Spyware removal programs and the exact name(s) of the virus or spyware present on your PC.
Leo
I had inadvertently generated 989 duplicate files in my iTunes Music Library whilst going from iTunes 4.9 to 4.8, and could find no easy way to delete the duplicates from the library. I could show duplicates but not delete the ones with the ! symbol. My music collection stands at 17Gb currently but with all the duplicates it shot up to 23Gb so I couldn't synchronise my iPod.
Just for anyone on the forum who comes across this problem in the future, and wants to find out a way to delete the duplicated files from the iPod, and who uses Windows and not the Mac, try this...
Select every track in the Library, view the File Info, set the Comments to "CorrectFile" on all entries (or some other field you know isn't used in your music collection). This will take donkeys years... Then create a new smart playlist where comment is not equal to CorrectFile, filtering down to just all the files with ! symbols. Then simply select them all and press [shift]+[delete].
This is good for when you decide to reorganise the music directories on your PC and then realise your iTunes library is cabbaged.
Unfortunately, ratings - which I rely on heavily - are expunged the moment you hit [Shift]+[Delete], but at least you get a good opportunity to rediscover your music collection as you trawl through and re-rate everything.
Apparently Macs are blessed with something clever to use via AppleScript, the details of which can be located via a search engine, to perform much the same feat. Whether ratings are kept intact I cannot say.
That's all... hope it is of some use to someone somewhere. If there's a "better" method then please let me know...
Thanks
Leo
Aye, I've used it for quite a while now and it's excellent. The Home version is free, the Pro version (which I have) isn't particularly expensive and well worth it.
However, I have to say that now they've been around for so long spyware is getting round them both. They're becoming pretty pointless, in fact!!
Microsoft's Anti-Spyware seems to be one of the better ones at the moment, though for anyone who's PC is really badly gummed-up with spyware and adware, I've had to use Adaware, Spybot, MS Anti-Spyware, and PestPatrol to get anywhere (as well as rooting through the registry too).
I do believe switching your browser is a far better thing to do to start off with, and Firefox is far better than IE anyway! Oh, and something preventative (and free!) like a generic tool (more specifically, PrevX). Anyone who I've got switched over to Firefox and PrevX has yet to have another spyware or adware infestation.
Also, I'd advise people against using AVG and anything Norton for anti-virus solutions. I've known far too many people still become infected despite being up-to-date with Windows Updates and virus signatures with both those programs. AVG in particular has been, and still is, rubbish IMHO.
I've been a silly boy, and installed Kazza on my computer a couple of weeks ago, and surprise, surprise a few Trojan Horse viruses with it.
Unistalled it, ran a tool to get rid of all the rubbish, installed Adware & CCCLEANER, ran virus, spyware scan in safe mode, nothing picked up.
I'm still having numerious problems though. When I connect to the net page gets redirected to a very dodgy looking site, I'm also getting numerious windows error messages ie (WUAP.EXE HAS ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS NEEDS TO CLOSE), everything locks up, and the address doesn't work.
Is there any way round this, or am I better just wiping the disk, and starting all over again.
Have you tried Microsoft Anti-Spyware?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
did you follow the instructions in the post number 52 above these last few?
Yes I did follow instructions in post 52. I also loaded Microsoft Antispyware Beta 1, and this picked up 7 items.
Forgive me for sounding thick, but how do I reformat, and reload window's.
By the way i'm on XP Home.
This comes up frequently in the form of, how do i convert my avi/mpg/3gp/divX/mov file into a DVD/VCD/mpeg/divX file so i can play it on my DVD player/phone/computer.
The answer, avoiding protracted discussion is to look at the How To... section on www.videohelp.com
n
I bought a new computer late June, and everything went fine with (well it still is) and I got the good surprise to see a AV was provided with it (Norton AV + Norton Internet Security) but a couple of days ago I got a notification telling me I had to renew my annual subscription ! I'm quite crossed because the computer is brand new and I have to pay already (40 odd Euros !)
Do I have an alternative solution ? It says I can ignore it, but I wont be up to date with the latest threats and updates ...
A bit of advice would be most appreciated
Or click http://www.forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/showpost.php?p=4211530&postcount=52 which will save you scrolling back up.....
The majority of IRQL errors are Stop Errors that generate a system dump for you to send to Uncle Bill.
It seems that instead of installing itunes v6 straight away, the user needs to install v5 and the v6 to get the iPOD to sync with iTunes, this has worked in 80% of cases, most others are due to faulty ipods.
"SECURITY outfit Symantec has updated its Norton SystemWorks product to prevent crackers using one of its hidden files to store malware and Trojans.
Norton Protected Recycle Bin creates a hidden directory on Windows systems to help people restore modified or deleted files.
But the file is not scanned during any of Norton’s virus checks, nor can any files stored there be deleted. In otherwords it is the ideal place for a cracker to store malicious code."
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=28925
If you don't have a firewall and AV, then there maybe no welcome mat, but the door is left visibly open for all to enter.
Dream on - name one software firewall that has never had to be upgraded? (upgraded is a technical term for "another hole has been found in our crappy product")
We won't talk about default passwords or how it's not in any vendors interest to kill their own golden goose that lays million dollar fortunes based on fear eh?
I wonder who it will be next week upgrading.......
Personally, instead of living in a house with 65,536 doors (ports) wide open and HOPE that some flaky bit of firewall software will protect me, I'd much rather do the following:
Go to network connections and right click/properties on whatever adapter connects me to the net.
select tcp/ip then properties
then advanced and then the options tab
select properties and enable tcp/ip filtering and choose permit only in the tcp and udp sections.
I now have a machine physically connected to the net but a billion times more secure than with any software firewall because nothing goes in or out....including me...eeek!
Ok, well we'll soon sort that, I'll open ONLY what I need and not have 65,536 doors open all the time and HOPE to catch intruders coming in or trojans going out.
I'll add into the tcp ports:
21 for FTP
25 for SMTP
80 for HTTP (www)
110 for POP
That gets me online surfin and getting my mail etc, any programs that don't work I just find out what ports they use and add them into my list.
I don't use any software firewalls or anti virus and never have (I hate tsr programs running in the background all the dam time), never get any problems either and I'm never in fear. What's to fear if something nasty does get downloaded? If it's deaf and dumb because all the ports it may use are closed off to the outside world...who cares.
My customers (the above is a default setup) know to ring me if a program doesn't work and as I've already shown them how to add in the new ports it's dead easy for them and I get an easy life not having to be forever cleaning up machines full of crap. I also try and make sure that all machines are NAT'd behind a router and not directly connected - £30 for a cheap router is much better value than any software.
Honestly, doesn't it make more sense to open only the doors you use as opposed to having 65,000 openable ones which you then watch and hope to catch stuff?
I have never been able to figure out why in the personal pc market, network security is the opposite (ie leave everything open) to normal security (ie only open what you need).
I guess a billion dollar fear industry might have something to do with it....
After many questions on the forum here and the General Discussion forum I thought it would be a good idea to add something on free web hosting.
A few things to note first - you get what you pay for, in my opinion. There's good free hosts and there's bad ones. As you're not paying anything you may get adverts on your site, and you probably can't control what ads are served. Also, you may have a limited bandwidth which could stop your site from functioning if exceeded. There may be a limit on how quickly it comes back on too - always check the TOS to see what happens and how.
If you're now not too sure, I'll list some very cheap ones too.
Lastly for now - if you're just serving HTML pages your ISP may be a better option as they often give you more space/reliability/no adverts etc. I don't know many that support PHP/MySQL though. Also - if you're trying to do it anonymously, like 'mariahfan.freewebhost.com' using your ISP may not be a good idea, as they often include your ISP username. Check out your ISP for more details.
Free Web Hosts
Google - http://pages.google.com/
Geocities - http://geocities.yahoo.com/
Lycos/Tripod - http://www.tripod.lycos.co.uk/
Freewebs - http://members.freewebs.com/
I'm sure there's a whole bunch of others, but the ones above are the ones I see the most and see to be ok.
Free Domains
Freedomain.co.nr - http://www.freedomain.co.nr/
Free Forums
InvisionFree - You'll need to whack 'invision free' in Google.
phpbber - http://www.phpbber.com/
Cheap Web Hosts
34SP.com - http://www.34sp.com/
A Small Orange - http://www.asmallorange.com/
DataFlame - http://www.dataflame.co.uk/
UKWSD - http://ukwebsolutionsdirect.co.uk/
1&1 - http://order.1and1.co.uk/
From what I've seen 34SP.com are UK and good, ASO are US, cheap and pretty good, the others are recommended here time and time again.
Free Weblog Tools
If blogging is your thing - your only thing - then going with a free weblog is easier and looks cooler than trying to set something up on a free host.
Blogger - http://www.blogger.com/
Xanga - http://www.xanga.com/
Can't find something that fits your needs?
Maybe you should check out WebHostingTalk...
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/
Navigate down to Hosting Offers and no doubt someone wants to hit a target, fill up the remaining few gig on a server etc. They'll often offer a few cheapo deals, and most accept PayPal - so you'll be able to use a Solo or Electron card.
I'd just add this though... you really do get what you pay for. If you're serious about your site, or want to do it as a hobby I'd consider getting a few quid set aside and buying the hosting and domain you want. This gives you so much more of a guarantee of service, the support, uptime etc.
Take a cheap .com domain ($9), a years cheap hosting ($30) and you're online with no adverts and a fairly quick and cool service. You can then download MyBB or Wordpress and start your forum or weblog in style.
(Hope this FAQ item is ok - I'm sure others will have hosts and domain guys to recommend.)
Soraya.