i need help deleting programs

[Guest]

i need to uninstall search extender, home search assistant, and shopping
wizard, as it is causing my aim to crash. when i go to my control panel and
try, it doesnt do anything!!!! help!! please!!!!

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Manda

Be careful when you sign up for anything.. sometimes, you are signing up for
way more than you think..

Also, some programs, like Kazaa for instance, will always give you
problems.. even if you install the so-called spyware free versions, files
downloaded from these services can be devastating.. there are users of
these services that deliberately make infected files available to the
unwary.. others just do not realise that their systems are infecting those
of others in a covert manner..



Please try the processes below.. and do them in order.. none of the
processes are beyond the abilities of a newbie user.. it may seem like a lot
to do, but you have to be systematic in your approach..



OK.. start by turning OFF the System Restore function.. click on the Start
button.. right click on 'My Computer', then select Properties.. now select
the 'System Restore' tab..

Check the box "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all
drives".. now click on 'Apply'.. you will be asked if it is ok to lose all
restore points.. answer YES to this.. now click on 'OK'



Now to the removal process..



Run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee Stinger works for
people.. download and run it..



http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



Another alternative is ..



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp



Finish this process first..



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html



http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



.... and this link is for the latest Microsoft helping..



http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/



Time to turn ON System Restore.. this is obviously like turning it OFF, so
just reverse the procedure..



If you have any sense, you will now remove any programs that are known
carriers of all things bad.. some, like Patchou's MessengerPlus can be
installed such that the sponsor software does not get installed with it..
the sponsor software, if left, will re-infect your system immediately it is
run again.. use ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS to un-install and then re-install,
taking care to check the box that gives you the option of NOT accepting the
sponsor crap.. if a program installation process does not allow you to do
this, forget about it.. leave it well alone..



If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..



HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..



http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html



CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..



CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html



About:blank.. http://www.securiteam.com/securityreviews/5RP0L0UD5U.html or

http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml



For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..



http://www.pchell.com



Mark Hasting has put much work into this site.. it is an invaluable site,
both for reference and fix-its..



You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..

http://www.mcafee.com

http://www.symantec.com

http://www.zonealarm.com

http://www.kerio.com

http://www.gate.com

http://www.avast.com

http://www.grisoft.com



If you do not run a firewall and anti-virus solution, you are leaving
yourself open to attacks of all kinds.. these two types of program are your
first line of defence..



So by now, your system should be in reasonable shape.. you will have tools
'locked and loaded', ready for weekly use against those who seek to destroy
your pleasure.. incorporate these into a housekeeping policy that includes
running Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup, and you will be able to easily
maintain your system..



Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..



Good luck..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

i would personally use a program called hijackthis, it allows you to delete
any program at all that runs in the processes, be careful though make sure
you read the location and file name before you delete it.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

J-Dee

I covered that option, but there is no smoke without fire.. my procedures
help to root out other stuff that could be lurking and having an impact..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

sorry dint mean to offend, just another option for the user to try.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

J-Dee

No offence taken..

I would never suggest Hijackthis alone.. a newbie will make nothing of the
output in all probability, and finding somebody who can is not always that
easy.. I include it in my 'blurb' because it is a valid option in the fight
against spyware..

For the time that it takes, I consider that a systematic approach to removal
of spyware to be more efficient in the long run.. hit and miss procedures
more often lead to hit and miss results..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User