Microsoft AntiSpyware beta

[Guest]

I recently downloaded Microsoft AntiSpyware beta onto XP. Afterwards my
computer went beserk. Both of my printers stopped working and I cannot
reinstall the drivers. (There is a "spooling" error message). Excel
will not open or read existing files. ( There is a message that "Excel is
experiencing difficulties and must shut down"). And the worst news is that
system restore is inoperative. All of the restore points have disappeared so
I can't undo the installation. If anyone can help me out I would be very
grateful. John F.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta program could not have
caused the problems you describe. Apparently, something else
caused the problems.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| I recently downloaded Microsoft AntiSpyware beta onto XP. Afterwards my
| computer went beserk. Both of my printers stopped working and I cannot
| reinstall the drivers. (There is a "spooling" error message). Excel
| will not open or read existing files. ( There is a message that "Excel is
| experiencing difficulties and must shut down"). And the worst news is that
| system restore is inoperative. All of the restore points have disappeared so
| I can't undo the installation. If anyone can help me out I would be very
| grateful. John F.

 

[FeMaster]

Can't provide help, but can give you advice...

NEVER install BETA software on a system that is important to you! It's
called BETA for a reason...
Lesson learned, hopefully... Hope you manage to get your system back up, or
at least manage to back-up your important information before you wipe and
reinstall your entire system...

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Unistall Microsoft AntiSpyware beta.

To change or remove a program
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...oddocs/en-us/win_addprog_remove_software.mspx

Add or Remove Programs overview
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...ddocs/en-us/win_addprog_window_component.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Thanks for writing. I did uninstall the program the next day but that did
not change anything. I would hope that the Microsoft AntiSpyware was not the
culprit and perhaps it was just a coincidence. My biggest concern is System
Restore. It wasn't there when I really needed it.

John F.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

This can't hurt. Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[jazz]

system restore is often touted as a backup when it actually isn't. You need
a good backup slution in case you need to reinstal. One that will offer a
bare metal install is prefered.

If the uuninstal didn't remove the log files, there should be a log of the
files and settings the spyware removal tool tampered with. I suggest
finding and reviewing that first. I doubt that the tool caused the problem
but it might be possible that somethign it removed did. The excell error
should have made an entry in the event viewer so look there also. The
printers/spool error should have somethign there too. I hope you get it
sorted out. somethign like this usually needs a reinstalll.

 

[Guest]

I did a full system scan with the latest Norton antivirus product. It found
nothing. Your comments about log files are interesting. Please let me know
where I can find these files.

This is an HP computer that came with XP installed. But it did not come
with any XP software on a CD. If anyone knows how I can reinstall XP without
a disc please let me know.

Thanks in advance. John F.