Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta

[D. Spencer Hines]

Downloaded It...

Installed It...On Windows XP SP2

Tweaked It...

Tried To Download Updates To Definitions...

It Froze...Solidly

Uninstalled It...

It's still pretty rough software -- perhaps it'll get better as it evolves.

DSH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You should post questions to the Microsoft AntiSpyware newsgroups where the
experts reside:
http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?ICP=spyware&sLCID=us

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Thank you.

But I don't have any *questions*, _per se_.

Microsoft AntiSpyware beta was mentioned here by several other posters as a
product they use or are experimenting with and I simply reported my
experience with the product as it currently exists.

I don't intend to waste anymore time on it until it is a stabler, more
reliable product -- but that is the nature of betas, to be buggy, unstable
and unreliable.

I wish the developers Godspeed, but they have a long way to go.

DSH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If you visited the newsgroup I suggested, you would find it is stable.
I have had no problems, much less stability issues.
Your experience is a rare exception.
Perhaps someone there could help determine the cause.
More than likely you had a bad install or possibly a pre-existing problem.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Nope.

Not relevant.

DSH

If you visited the newsgroup I suggested, you would find it is stable.
I have had no problems, much less stability issues.
Your experience is a rare exception.
Perhaps someone there could help determine the cause.
More than likely you had a bad install or possibly a pre-existing problem.

 

[John Doue]

Nope.

Not relevant.

DSH

Which version was it, the one which expired on 12-31? The only problem I
have had with Antispyware is upgrading from the aforementioned version
to the current one. That was a headache. But other than that, no problem
whatsoever. If this NG Jupiter mentioned does not help, I can only
recommend the usual steps in such a case: a thorough cleanup of the
registry and of the hd, deleting the temp files, running your AV and ...
retry. If you still have problems, try disabling your AV, any other
software running in the background and see if it helps. Good luck.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

No, this was the new one -- Build 1.0.701.

Thank you very much for your post. Yes, there are headaches involved, you
know, you had some.

I've already taken the "usual steps" you recommend below and cleaned
everything up. My system is running fine. When one identifies unreliable
software like this the best thing to do is to exterminate it quickly --
before additional problems occur.

I'm always amused by software manufacturers who try to put the Burden of
Proof on the user and say "Well, yours is an isolated case. You must not be
using the product right or you have conflicts with other software on your
computer."

A well-engineered piece of software is *supposed* to be thoroughly wrung out
and determined to be compatible with other standard programs that run on
Windows XP SP2.

I realize one can't expect that from a beta.

But this Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.701 is an alpha -- at best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

I recommend folks wait until the Microsoft software engineers do a *lot*
more work on it -- and not just use us as gullible, gratis guinea pigs.

Cheers,

DSH

 

[Steven Moore]

server namerivatenews.microsoft.com
this account requires me to log on
account namerivatenews\spyware
password:?

microsoft.private.security.spyware.announcements
microsoft.private.security.general
microsoft.private.security.onlinecommunity
microsoft.private.security.signatures

thats all i remember
steven m

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Yep...

So it's a closed and gated "community".

DSH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

No, it is wide open to any and all who want in.
You can access them through the web interface previously given to you or you
can use a newsreader with the UserID/Password on this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/newsgroups/default.mspx

 

[Dave]

That certainly hasn't been my experience with Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta. I
wish most other software was as trouble free as it has been for me.

 

[Gene K]

I agree. Mr Hines is one of the very few who has problems with the program.
I think he needs to buy either CounterSpy and/or WebRoot's SpySweeper.

 

[John Doue]

I agree. Mr Hines is one of the very few who has problems with the program.
I think he needs to buy either CounterSpy and/or WebRoot's SpySweeper.

I cannot be suspected of blindly supporting MS but in this case, I am
surprised at the problems the OP encounters. I suggest an uninstall and
reinstall, since the usual steps in this kind of situation have been
taken care of, as the OP says in an other answer.

 

[John Doue]

No, this was the new one -- Build 1.0.701.

Thank you very much for your post. Yes, there are headaches involved, you
know, you had some.

I've already taken the "usual steps" you recommend below and cleaned
everything up. My system is running fine. When one identifies unreliable
software like this the best thing to do is to exterminate it quickly --
before additional problems occur.

I'm always amused by software manufacturers who try to put the Burden of
Proof on the user and say "Well, yours is an isolated case. You must not be
using the product right or you have conflicts with other software on your
computer."

A well-engineered piece of software is *supposed* to be thoroughly wrung out
and determined to be compatible with other standard programs that run on
Windows XP SP2.

I realize one can't expect that from a beta.

But this Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.701 is an alpha -- at best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

I recommend folks wait until the Microsoft software engineers do a *lot*
more work on it -- and not just use us as gullible, gratis guinea pigs.

Cheers,

DSH

Anything special about your configuration? Have you tried uninstalling,
cleaning for left-overs and reinstalling? I am very surprised, as seem
to be other posters.

Best regards

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Thanks.

No, there is nothing special about my configuration.

I'm just happy to be rid of it and will wait until Microsoft has finished
the beta testing and publishes the software for real.

Then we'll have a "gamma" version. <g>

I just don't like playing guinea pig.

In the meantime, I'm well protected from Spyware by other means.

Cheers & Aloha,

DSH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Temporarily install another hard drive.
Install Windows XP with all updates on it as well as latest drivers.
Then install MSAS.
Does it still work?
Install your applications one at a time?
Does the issue return after one is installed?
Are there no problems after everything is installed?
If not, that points to corruption on your current installation.
If so, you know where the problem is.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Thanks...

But no sale.

I simply do not need the software on my box.

Game not worth the candle.

Please give your advice to Microsoft so THEY can weed the bugs out.

Cheers,

DSH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The advice to use another hard drive to verify the cause of problems on your
computer will not help Microsoft unless you determine the cause and report
that cause.
Until then, since most have no problems similar to yours, your issue may
never be resolved since you are unable to take action.
In that case, you will simply need to stay with other products or hope
someone with your configuration finds and reports the problem you quickly
dismiss.
A great many bugs are identified in Betas such as this, most by users like
you.
Apparently no one here can duplicate your situation so it is you or no one.
Since you are unable to identify the specific bug, it will probably go
unresolved as others can not duplicate.
Fortunately there are lots of options.
Multiple tools for spyware is recommended by most anyways.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Please see my previous post, which seems to have crossed in the mail with
this one of yours.

Thank you for your concern.

I'll just keep using the Anti-Spyware software I'm presently using -- and
I'm quite happy with it.

I'm very much a Microsoft lover -- not a hater.

I own MS stock and have been using Microsoft products since MS/DOS was a
baby.

Cheers,

DSH

 

[Gene K]

family and friends of more than a dozen and never heard of any problems.
Gene

That certainly hasn't been my experience with Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta.
I
wish most other software was as trouble free as it has been for me.




Gene K

Gene K