Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware

[DL]

You need to be more explicit than that ie
Download, as in from the internet?
Install as from CD?
There must be an error msg

I have a friend who recently got a computer with XP on it. She cannot
download or install files. I feel sure there may be a setting that is
checked, but I can't find it.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much

the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our
goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a
specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We'll
continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer
expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts
and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we
hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be
preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users
in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional
from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years
of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for
many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable
Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users
over the past five years.Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new
situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication
skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in
the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times
when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation."on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site
(http://communities2.microsoft.com/home/chatroom.aspx?siteid=34000077).will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can
post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your
Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to
Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see
if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any
new posts were added while you have been reading. If you're more comfortable
using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.appreciated. We'll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert
Zone Community Columns Archive

 

[Andrew Murray]

To install applications she must be using the Administrator account,or her
user name must be set up as an "admin" profile.

 

[DL]

Not necessarily

To install applications she must be using the Administrator account,or her
user name must be set up as an "admin" profile.

 

[Abu Mahajii]

Could you tell me how to get rid of adware from my pc. Norton scan
tells me I have 9 threatning files but can't delete them.

To get rid of adware on your computer, simply go to www.lavasoft.com,
and download Ad-Aware SE Personal. This ad ware tool is very powerful
and comes highly recommended in the IT world. The home edition is
totally free, and will rid your computer of the ad ware that norton ios
picking up in the scan. Another thing as well is that Norton is not
that good when it comes to the virus and ad ware scans as I have a
subscription and found out that I had basically wasted my money. There
were numerous times when downloading that norton wouldnt pick up viruses
or ad ware that were present, either when initially downloading or after
the files or programs were downloaded. Another downfall of norton is
that even when downloading a file, and it managed to detect the
presence of a virus, let's say the virus was in a zipped file. Now
although it picked up the presence of a virus or adware, it will offer
the option of deleting, repairing, or quarantining. Once you choose an
option, it will tell you that it can not be repaired, moved, or deleted.
Thus I recommend Avast Home Edition, which is totally free, and as well
as Ad Aware SE, Avast is highly recognized and recommended in the IT
world as well. This tool will recognize and alert you even if a
virus/adware is detected within a zipped file, and is capable of either
deleting, or quarantining the element detected. Simply go to
www.avast.com, and go to the top of the page where it says "downloads"
and scroll down to "programs" and then click on that. The next page
will offer you the choice of locations and platforms on which you wish
to download (example; ms, linux...english, french ..etc) click the
appropriate and follow the prompts to install and run the program. When
given the option to do a scan upon restart, click yes, and it will
install, restart your computer, then do a full system scan. Also,
before installing Avast, uninstall the norton from your computer so
that Avast can be your default virus protection source capable of
protection your web access, email, p2p, and other things that it will
associate itself with, then after that, you can reinstall norton so
that it can be used as a firewall protector, or leave it off
altogether. If you leave norton on, and install Avast, Avast will tell
you that it has detected another virus protection program, and that
certain functions will be disabled off Avast and Avast is a better
protector.

 

[Malke]

Could you tell me how to get rid of adware from my pc. Norton scan
tells me I have 9 threatning files but can't delete them.

(snip)

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with either Sysclean or Multi_AV, plus Ewido. Do all
prep/finishing work and follow instructions to do all scans in Safe
Mode.

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the link above (not here, please).

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA).

Malke

 

[Guest]

I am trying to transfer a program (Microsoft Streets & Trips) to a flash
drive so as to install it on my other computer. Can you tell me the steps to
do this?

 

[Malke]

I am trying to transfer a program (Microsoft Streets & Trips) to a flash
drive so as to install it on my other computer. Can you tell me the steps
to do this?

You can't transfer a program like that. You'll need to have the
reinstallation media, probably a cd. Then install the program on your other
computer as usual.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hey I just came up with a new error? I was wanting to disable my services to
do an install, recommended by software provider, and when I went to disable
all then apply I got an access denied error. Here are my steps: start, run,
msconfig, service tab, Hide all Microsoft Services, then click the Disable
all tab. Click Apply. This is where I get the access denied error. Says
denied access while attempting to change service.

I don't know what change may have been made or even when a change could have
been made, for it has been a long while since I even used this command. I
have installed many updates, and who knows what else....?

Thanks,

Kevin,

 

[Gordon]

Hey I just came up with a new error?

So start a new thread, don't reply to a SPAM post with a separate question.

 

[Guest]

I Installed a Lexmark X1240 which came with same as above Laptop with Vista
Home Basic. 2 problems, printed a few times but now says unable to connect
with computer,this is when it is connected via USB cable and continually says
new hardware detected and reinstalls printer.Also tried to set up wireless
printing as this is printer connected to router, but says communication not
available printer cannot communicate with the computer. I even had my local
computer geeks try to make it happen and they could not. Can you help me?

I reviewed the discussions and could not find same question.
Thank you

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Is this thread going for the world's record? LOL

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...1cd6c?lnk=st&q=&rnum=1&hl=en#42697e7244c1cd6c

Aug 2 2004, 4:51 pm
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...hread/44780554166146bd/6e58129ffd3a07ba?hl=en

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

We do not like the Microsoft Outlook Express program for sending/receiving
emails. We would just like to send and receive through our charter.net
account and not deal with Outlook Express at all. It seems to be constantly
running and we cannot find where to turn it off. We do not want to delete
it, just simply not have it running. If it were off, our emails would come
through charter.net and stay there. That is what we want. Anything you can
do to help???? Thanks.

 

[Phil Weldon]

'Kim Calaman' wrote:
Outlook Express cannot access your email unless you have specifically set up
email account information in the program. If you delete this email account
information then Outlook Express will no longer be your email access
program. (Delete the account information by using, in the Outlook Express
'Toolbar' Tools -> Accounts -> Email TAB and delete the accounts.) This
sort of information should be readily available from your ISP customer
support.

I assume you wish to use the web based email interface provided by your ISP
to access your emailboxes and to send email. This can have pluses and
minuses, so consider carefully what you do. Outlook Express has the
advantage of being included as a part of Windows operating systems, but
there are better programs available, from free third-party to Microsoft
Outlook.

Outlook Express is also a newsreader that can access newsgroups. I see by
the header of your post that you are using the Microsoft web based newsgroup
interface. This DEFINITELY has minuses. Outlook Express allows access to
tens of thousands of Usenet newssgroups, including the microsoft.public.*
newssgroups, gives MUCH more convenient access. Also, it is not nearly as
broken (though there are several better newsreaders) as the Microsoft web
based interface, as wittness the seemingly irrelevant 'Chris Norred' message
at the bottom of your post, and the fact that your post, which seems to be
the top post of a thread, appears as a continued conversation to the
majority of regular participants in this newsgroup who do NOT and would NOT
use the Microsoft web based interface (no 'ideological' reason, it is just
clumsy and doesn't allow access to most newsgroups.)

Phil Weldon

| We do not like the Microsoft Outlook Express program for sending/receiving
| emails. We would just like to send and receive through our charter.net
| account and not deal with Outlook Express at all. It seems to be
constantly
| running and we cannot find where to turn it off. We do not want to delete
| it, just simply not have it running. If it were off, our emails would
come
| through charter.net and stay there. That is what we want. Anything you
can
| do to help???? Thanks.
| --
| KC
|
|
| "Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote:
|
| > Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by
the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our
goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a
specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We'll
continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer
expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts
and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we
hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be
preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.
| >
| > This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be
discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users
in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional
from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years
of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for
many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable
Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users
over the past five years.
| > A quote from Mr. Clayton:
| > "I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn.
Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new
situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication
skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in
the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times
when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation."
| >
| > Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted
on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site
(http://communities2.microsoft.com/home/chatroom.aspx?siteid=34000077).
| >
| > In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts
will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can
post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your
Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to
Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see
if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any
new posts were added while you have been reading. If you're more comfortable
using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.
| >
| > To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based
newsgroup reader:
| > 1. Click Reply.
| > 2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport.
| > 3. Edit the subject line if you like.
| > 4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box.
| > 5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what
you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post.
| > 6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread,
select the Notify me of replies check box.
| > 7. Click Send.
| >
| > This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are
appreciated. We'll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert
Zone Community Columns Archive
| > (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/archive.mspx).
| > Truly
| > Chris Norred
| > Editor
| > Windows XP Expert Zone Community
| > (e-mail address removed)
| >
| >
| >

 

[Gordon]

We do not like the Microsoft Outlook Express program for sending/receiving
emails. We would just like to send and receive through our charter.net
account and not deal with Outlook Express at all. It seems to be
constantly
running and we cannot find where to turn it off.

Does it start up on starting the machine? If not then you must either start
it manually, or through a "mail-to" link. Just don't start it initially....

 

[Unknown]

Go to control panel---internet options--programs tab. Set your e-mail
program there.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

We do not like the Microsoft Outlook Express program for sending/receiving
emails. We would just like to send and receive through our charter.net
account and not deal with Outlook Express at all.

That statement is very confusing. You *must* read E-mail in some
program; there is no other choice. You can't just read mail in your
E-mail account.

Perhaps what you mean is that you want to read your mail on the
charter.net web site; in that case the program you would use to read
the E-mail is your web browser--Internet Explorer, Firefox, or
whatever your preference is.

My view, and that of most experienced E-mail users, is that reading
E-mail on a web site is the slowest, clunkiest possible way to do it.
I'm grateful to have the facility available for when I'm traveling and
have to read mail in a public internet cafe, but when home, I always
use my E-mail client program, Outlook (not Outlook Express, which is a
different program).

My suggestion is that you give Outlook Express a more thorough try and
learn to use it and its features, rather than read mail on the web. I
think you will find that, once you get used to it, you will come to
greatly prefer it. Alternatively, there are *many* other E-mail
clients to choose from instead of Outlook Express--Outlook, Pegasus,
Eudora, etc.--and many of them are free, and *all* of them are better
than the alternative of reading mail on the web.

However, if you really want to read mail on the web, and Outlook
Express is always running, go to Start | Run, and type MSCONFIG. See
if Outlook Express is set to start automatically. If so uncheck it
there.

 

[Andrew Murray]

You can delete the email account in OE. Then it wouldn't retrieve the
emails, but you would be able to retain Outlook Express for news-reader mode
only for posting to groups such as microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics. To do
that, create a short cut, (right click Desktop > New > Shortcut then type
"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /outnews in the "Type the
location of the item" field, click OK.

The second thing is, it might be in the Start Up folder of your Start Menu
(therefore as you say, it seems to be alwasys starting/running on its own).

Items in the start up folder will start automatically. They are 'shortcuts'
to the actual executable program file, so you can simply select and delete
the shortcut.

The easy way to "turn it off" is to just exit the application - the "X" in
the top right or File > Exit.

If you do want to uninstall it, that's done through the Add/Remove Programs
(Windows components) from Control Panel.

Even with OE running, you can still retrieve the email through whatever
means you wish including the charter.net service.

 

[Guest]

Randomly one day, when I clicked the "ie" shortcut an error message appears
that says "Windows cannot acess the specified device, path, or file. You many
not have the appropriate permissions to acess the item." I say "Ok" and then
another message pops up saying "The item you selected is unavailable. This
item has been moved, removed, or renamed. Would you like me to remove it from
your list?" Then I started clicking any other file such as Microsoft Word or
any other program and the same thing happens. Why are none of my programs
running? How can I fix it? Thank you for your time.

 

[Unknown]

Have you tried 'system restore'?

 

[BELFHIPPY]

Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.

This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years.
A quote from Mr. Clayton:
“I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.â€

Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/home/chatroom.aspx?siteid=34000077).

In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.

To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader:
1. Click Reply.
2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport.
3. Edit the subject line if you like.
4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box.
5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post.
6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box.
7. Click Send.

This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community
(e-mail address removed)