File mdata.dat not found

[Batts]

I recently performed a system restore on my mother's new PC which removed
such things as Real Player, QuickTime, Windows Media Player 9 and Sophos
Antivirus.

Since performing the restore, I am now getting the error message 'File
mdata.dat not found'

I clear the message down, then the computer seems to work fine with no
problems. Anybody out there clued up as to what this is, whether I should
worry about it and whether I can get rid of the error message?

The computer is running XP Home.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Be sure the antivirus software is up to date and run a virus scan on the
system.

Download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com

 

[Batts]

Thanks for the tip, but I haven't got as far as connecting it to the
internet yet. Everything installed on it has come from trusted sources and
has been running fine on my own PC for some time - it's really only since
performing the restore - sadly it will not let me restore it to the state it
was prior to the restore either.

Ad Aware looks interesting - might give it a go when she's online.

Mark

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Yes, that's often how these things get on to our systems, from trusted
sources. Real Player is noted for this sort of thing depending upon the
install that was done, the same can sometimes be true of QuickTime. On the
other hand, it might have been something left behind by Sophos which may
have left a setting somewhere but most of what I found on this issue pointed
to some sort of ad ware and this stuff is a part of a great many
installations today.

 

[Batts]

I don't know if it will solve the problem on my mothers computer - I won't
see that until the weekend, but I downloaded and tried Ad - Aware last night
on my own PC. Ha! - 201 items all deleted (quarantined just in case they
need putting back). Now on certain websites that used to have extra windows
pop up, they now do not. No problems apparent.

So a big thank you for the recommendation - whether it fixes my mother's PC
or not, I'm pleased to have it.

Mark

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome and good luck with your mother's computer.