Error messages

[Charlie3110]

When I try to do a download on some sites I get an error message and asking
to to send a message or not to MS. Is this a fault with the IE or some form
of Malware blocker for my own good? Whatever I choose to send or not send it
then closes IE. Thanks

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please state your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3;
Vista SP1) when posting to this newsgroup.

There is a very good chance are that you are seeing the affects of a
hijackware infection.

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Rename MRT.EXE to, e.g., SCANNER.EXE before running the tool!

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

NB Vista users: Skip #2

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums.**

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 local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Charlie3110]

Thanks for this. I have run the malware remover and it have found nothing. I
have already ad-aware and spybot so hopefully they would find this sort of
thing. I would have been surprised if it had found something as I have just
had to format and reload Windows XP as it would not boot up and my repair
disc did nothing. My IE version is ......... well I cannot find the help to
see "about IE" that I expected to find. It might not be the latest as it
reloaded itself with the reload of XP so perhaps I should try to update it.
If you could point me in the right direction with a link then that would
help. Thanks again.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Why are you replying to yourself? Have you completed all three (3) steps in
my previous reply yet?

 

[Charlie3110]

Sorry didn't know I was. Probably because I am an old fart and know nothing
much about PC's that I am asking you for your help. Yes I did do all of the 3
steps you gave me and it found nothing. As I can download 99.9% of stuff I
did not suspect that too mcuh malware could have crept onto my machine
especially as I only reloaded XP on Tuesday after a mega crash. My problem
now seems to be that perhaps the IE that came with my XP disc is 5 years old
and it might be time to upgrade to a modern version if you could point me in
the right direction to do that please? All else now seems to have settled
down.
Thanks again for your patience.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[Please reply to this post and quote all of it. TYVM]

Please state your current, full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP2). If you
don't know it, right-click on My Computer, select Properties & tell me
what's displayed on the resulting General tab.

Please post the verbatim error message you're getting. Also tell us the
website from which you were "downloading" and what you were attempting to
"download" when you got the error message.

IN RE #3 of my first reply, please post a link to the forum thread where you
asked for assistance.

I only reloaded XP on Tuesday [31 Mar-09?] after a mega crash.

Tell us more about this "crash" and what you were doing when it happened.

Did you have an anti-virus application or security suite installed (with a
current subscription) and was the machine fully patched at Windows Update
when the crash occurred?

Did you do a Repair Install of WinXP or did you format & do a clean install?

Is the computer fully-patched at Windows Update now?

What anti-virus application or security suite is currently installed and is
your subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?