seems like alot

[Tom]

hi there my name is tom i have a dell computer and i
have windows xp and i use aol well earlier tonight i
downloaded this aol spyware protection and i used it it
said it would take a few minutes well afew turned into 45
or so and the last i looked at it b4 it finished it had
scanned 69000 files so i called aol they didnt know why
there could be that many files for it to scan and they
said to call microsoft but it would cost me to talk to
someone to be honest i aint got it it seems like alot
of files since i really dont have all that much on here
we crashed hard bout 3 weeks ago and it took my wife like
4 days to get it back up is there any way that i can
find out if i have lets say the same file listed like 50
times or something like that it is definatly not as fast
as it used to be any help would surely be appreciated i
live in texas central time zone and i work out of my
house e-mail would be great but if u would rather call
my number is 281 489 1651 thanx a ton for your time
tom

 

[David Candy]

I have 108,000 files.

 

[David Candy]

Clear your Temporary Internet Files or run disk cleanup before scanning drives.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

hi there my name is tom i have a dell computer and i
have windows xp and i use aol well earlier tonight i
downloaded this aol spyware protection and i used it it
said it would take a few minutes well afew turned into 45
or so and the last i looked at it b4 it finished it had
scanned 69000 files so i called aol they didnt know why
there could be that many files for it to scan and they
said to call microsoft but it would cost me to talk to
someone to be honest i aint got it it seems like alot
of files since i really dont have all that much on here
we crashed hard bout 3 weeks ago and it took my wife like
4 days to get it back up is there any way that i can
find out if i have lets say the same file listed like 50
times or something like that it is definatly not as fast
as it used to be any help would surely be appreciated i
live in texas central time zone and i work out of my
house e-mail would be great but if u would rather call
my number is 281 489 1651 thanx a ton for your time
tom

I was going to point out the 101 things that are wrong with this guy's post,
but he summed it up right at the beginning (I was going to say in the first
sentence, but it would appear he neglected to use any!) "My name is
tom...and I use aol..." 'Nuff said. Any corrections would be right over his
head.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Tom;

Your most pressing problem is that your computer is infected with AOL.

Bobby

 

[austinpctech]

hi there my name is tom i have a dell computer and i
have windows xp and i use aol well earlier tonight i
downloaded this aol spyware protection and i used it it
said it would take a few minutes well afew turned into 45
or so and the last i looked at it b4 it finished it had
scanned 69000 files so i called aol they didnt know why
there could be that many files for it to scan and they
said to call microsoft but it would cost me to talk to
someone to be honest i aint got it it seems like alot
of files since i really dont have all that much on here
we crashed hard bout 3 weeks ago and it took my wife like
4 days to get it back up is there any way that i can
find out if i have lets say the same file listed like 50
times or something like that it is definatly not as fast
as it used to be any help would surely be appreciated i
live in texas central time zone and i work out of my
house e-mail would be great but if u would rather call
my number is 281 489 1651 thanx a ton for your time
tom

Tom,

69,000 files is about average to below average. I scan home systems all the
time that are 100,000. I don't think you need to spend much time worry
about duplicate files on your system but rather getting the spyware off.

You know, I'm not much on people that point out everyone's writing style
issues and spelling mistakes, but I must tell you this. Reading your very
long one sentence combination of story and question is very difficult to
read and interpret.. Yes, on the net, you can certainly cut some corners,
but a little puncuation never hurt. It certainly will help those that you
are asking for help from.

Good Luck

 

[Lester Stiefel]

I was going to point out the 101 things that are wrong with this guy's post,
but he summed it up right at the beginning (I was going to say in the first
sentence, but it would appear he neglected to use any!) "My name is
tom...and I use aol..." 'Nuff said. Any corrections would be right over his
head.

What's wrong with AOL. Its simple for the beginner. Don't
knock it.


Next. Depending on how many programs are installed, One
could have as many as 300,000 files. And that ins't counting
extra data (word processing, budgeting etc) This can take a
long time to process.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Yes. it is simple for the beginner, but the average AOL user never
progresses past their dependency on the dummied down AOL interface. They
never learn to do or think for themselves as far as surfing the internet is
concerned. AOL replaces many system files with its garbage version of said
files. It has a proprietary interface that is incompatible with many if not
most of the sites out there. AOL is a good way to keep the newbie a newbie
and dependent on the AOL interface. AOL is not easy as a courtesy. It is
easy to keep its customers ignorant so that they don't know what they are
missing.

Bobby

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Lester

Are we discussing their software or their performance as an ISP?

Their software is a customised version of Internet Explorer with all the faults and weaknesses of the original and more of it's own. It replaces existing files with older versions of the same file. It has often in the past been based on a version of Internet Explorer earlier than the current version. Why buy a 2003 Ford if you can have a 2004 Ford for no extra? You get services and adverts you may not want.

Unless I am mistaken you can use AOL as your ISP without using their software. I wonder how the satisfaction levels of the two types of customer compare?

When someone decides they no longer wish to continue with AOL it can be extremely difficult to remove all traces!

As you can see their are a lot of reasons why a lot of discerning computer users do not hold AOL in great esteem. However, a lot of people use AOL (and other branded versions of Internet Explorer) so they obviously satisfy the requirements of a lot of people. Personally I think many are persuaded by convincing advertising and either never realise there are better options or live with the negative aspects highlighted above.

With this type of discussion it is difficult to be objective. Situations change but once a bad reputation is gained it is tends to stick. I have no idea of the extent to which the negative points remain true today. However, when a new version of Internet Explorer arrives I guess many of their new subscribers will encounter the same type of problems that have occurred previously. Existing customers will have to wait for the benefits of the new version of Internet Explorer. Many of the problems are cyclical i.e. they exist each time the AOL branded version is no longer based on the current Internet Explorer version.


~~~~~~


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tell the newsgroup how any
suggested solution worked for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

Amazing- I guess you were born knowing everything and anything relating to
computers.

I was going to point out the 101 things that are wrong with this guy's post,

 

[Chuck]

hi there my name is tom i have a dell computer and i
have windows xp and i use aol well earlier tonight i
downloaded this aol spyware protection and i used it it
said it would take a few minutes well afew turned into 45
or so and the last i looked at it b4 it finished it had
scanned 69000 files so i called aol they didnt know why
there could be that many files for it to scan and they
said to call microsoft but it would cost me to talk to
someone to be honest i aint got it it seems like alot
of files since i really dont have all that much on here
we crashed hard bout 3 weeks ago and it took my wife like
4 days to get it back up is there any way that i can
find out if i have lets say the same file listed like 50
times or something like that it is definatly not as fast
as it used to be any help would surely be appreciated i
live in texas central time zone and i work out of my
house e-mail would be great but if u would rather call
my number is ************ thanx a ton for your time
tom

Tom,

If you truly want to search for duplicate files (which could take a very long
time with 69,000 files!), try DupeLocater (free) from
<http://www.midnightblue.com/>. Run it when nothing else is running, and be
prepared to take a long time running it.

But if you're truly concerned with spyware, and actually resolving the problems,
continue.

Start by downloading each of the following free tools:
CWShredder <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearch (v1/v2) MiniRemoval
<http://www.safer-networking.org/minifiles.html>
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix and WinsockLSPFix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>
Stinger <http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>

Install and run Stinger.
<http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. Spybot S&D has an install routine - run it. The other
downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient folder.

Start by closing all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and running
CoolWebSearchSmartKiller, then CWShredder. Have the latter fix all.

Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.

Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>

Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following forums (and post it, or a link to your forum post, here):
<http://forums.net-integration.net/>
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
<http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
<http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
<http://www.wilderssecurity.com/>

If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.

And Tom, please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address
mining viruses. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a
bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

And NEVER post your voice phone number!!!

Also, as the other posters have pointed out (to the point of nausea), your post
lacks structure.

How to Compose a Good Newsgroup Post


How to Act Smart on Usenet


Getting Your Post Noticed - and Answered
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar27pmvp.asp

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[austinpctech]

Yes. it is simple for the beginner, but the average AOL user never
progresses past their dependency on the dummied down AOL interface. They
never learn to do or think for themselves as far as surfing the internet is
concerned. AOL replaces many system files with its garbage version of said
files. It has a proprietary interface that is incompatible with many if not
most of the sites out there. AOL is a good way to keep the newbie a newbie
and dependent on the AOL interface. AOL is not easy as a courtesy. It is
easy to keep its customers ignorant so that they don't know what they are
missing.

Bobby

Perfectly said!

 

[austinpctech]

Tom,

If you truly want to search for duplicate files (which could take a very long
time with 69,000 files!), try DupeLocater (free) from
<http://www.midnightblue.com/>. Run it when nothing else is running, and be
prepared to take a long time running it.

But if you're truly concerned with spyware, and actually resolving the problems,
continue.

Start by downloading each of the following free tools:
CWShredder <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearch (v1/v2) MiniRemoval
<http://www.safer-networking.org/minifiles.html>
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix and WinsockLSPFix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>
Stinger <http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>

Install and run Stinger.
<http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. Spybot S&D has an install routine - run it. The other
downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient folder.

Start by closing all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and running
CoolWebSearchSmartKiller, then CWShredder. Have the latter fix all.

Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.

Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>

Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following forums (and post it, or a link to your forum post, here):
<http://forums.net-integration.net/>
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
<http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
<http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
<http://www.wilderssecurity.com/>

If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.

And Tom, please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address
mining viruses. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a
bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

And NEVER post your voice phone number!!!

Also, as the other posters have pointed out (to the point of nausea), your post
lacks structure.

How to Compose a Good Newsgroup Post


How to Act Smart on Usenet


Getting Your Post Noticed - and Answered
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar27pmvp.asp

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Before you go nuts with the duplicate locator, be aware that there are
intentionaly many duplicated system files that you would want to preserve.

 

[David Candy]

Oh crap. The issue is one of style. AOL doesn't have any.

They don't wear orange for nothing.

 

[David Candy]

hi there my name is tom i have a dell computer and i

have windows xp

Dell Anonymous meets 1st sunday of the month at the chuch on the corner. Just admit you are powerless and believe Bill Gates can save you. Preach the message to others. However we ask that you restrict yourself to the primary problem here. XP Anonymous is not affiliated with Dell Anonymous.

 

[Chuck]

Before you go nuts with the duplicate locator, be aware that there are
intentionaly many duplicated system files that you would want to preserve.

Good point. DupeLocator is a tool which requires a lot of decisions, and only
shows a small display of duplicates at a time. It's extremely hard to identify
what should, and shouldn't be removed.

Limit your search to specific branches in the disk tree - and leave "C:\Windows"
out of the search, at least until you have used DL with experience.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Tarquin Mills]

In message <#[email protected]>

Dell Anonymous meets 1st sunday of the month at the chuch on the
corner. Just admit you are powerless and believe Bill Gates can save
you. Preach the message to others. However we ask that you restrict
yourself to the primary problem here. XP Anonymous is not affiliated
with Dell Anonymous.

Throw the Dell away, get an Iyonix from Castle Technology Limited
http://www.iyonix.com
The Iyonix use FlashROMs so you cannot corrupt the setup easily,
viruses are stopped and RISC OS has no spyware available for it
unlike Windows. Iyonixs are silent and low energy usage. Try RISC OS
on your Dell using Virtual Acorn http://www.virtualacorn.co.uk

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

What's wrong with AOL. Its simple for the beginner. Don't
knock it.

What's wrong with AOHELL...? You mean apart from the fact it alters Windows
files, screws up the registry, replaces IE files with its own, kills the
ICF, doesn't allow ICS and is so invasive it makes removal impossible...?
Absolutely nothing.

It isn't "simple for the beginner". It modifies files. Say the beginner had
a problem with a file that was modified by AOHELL's trojanic software. They
try to fix it, and end up with a bigger problem, so they try to solve that -
see where this is going?!

AOHELL is a disaster - they should be banned. It will take a format and
reinstall to remove all traces of the software.