P
PA Bear [MS MVP]
1. Try disabling the Communities "feechur" in Windows Mail.
2. Please do NOT edit the subject when replying to an ongoing thread.
2. Please do NOT edit the subject when replying to an ongoing thread.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
P
PA Bear
I interpreted your description of your friend's description of his
son's computer to mean that a valid, fully-functional & fully-updated
anti-virus application was not installed *when the comuter got
infected*.
You cannot successfully install an anti-virus or anti-spyware
application on an already-infected system.
son's computer to mean that a valid, fully-functional & fully-updated
anti-virus application was not installed *when the comuter got
infected*.
You cannot successfully install an anti-virus or anti-spyware
application on an already-infected system.
J
Jose
Figures that as soon as I whined, the rest of my posts would show up. Don't
see the one for Pa Bear yet, nor the post from Jose. Strange days indeed.
I doubt anybody is filtering posts and why would they just pick on
some people and nobody else?
I would recommend reading the Jose post following your message of SP3
installation experience.
D
Daave
Jose said:I doubt anybody is filtering posts and why would they just pick on
some people and nobody else?
There is no person filtering, but it is occuring (automatically). Simply
compare the Google Group versus the MS news server feed.
R
Ronin
1. After looking high and low for any mention of "Communities", I finally
bit my tongue and consulted Help. I am not subscribed to any "Communities"
and as I said, I see absolutely no mention of them in Windows Mail
whatsoever. Is there something else I should do?
2. I am not in the habit of changing subject lines, but I was intent upon
getting the best advice possible, including from you (heck, especially from
you), and not seeing them show up was more than a little frustrating. Not
something I was used to seeing here back when I was more active. Catching
your eye with an addendum to the subject seemed the best way to proceed. My
apologies.
--
Ronin
bit my tongue and consulted Help. I am not subscribed to any "Communities"
and as I said, I see absolutely no mention of them in Windows Mail
whatsoever. Is there something else I should do?
2. I am not in the habit of changing subject lines, but I was intent upon
getting the best advice possible, including from you (heck, especially from
you), and not seeing them show up was more than a little frustrating. Not
something I was used to seeing here back when I was more active. Catching
your eye with an addendum to the subject seemed the best way to proceed. My
apologies.
--
Ronin
PA Bear said:1. Try disabling the Communities "feechur" in Windows Mail.
2. Please do NOT edit the subject when replying to an ongoing thread.
For some reason, I can only post to this sub-thread. I can't post any
replies to Pa Bear or Daave, and some guy named Jose posted a reply that
also doesn't show up here (directly subscribed to msnews.)
So anybody who wants to continue with me probably ought to head over to
Google. http://preview.tinyurl.com/yaveerk
In any case, I will repost my replies to Daave and Pa here in this
sub-thread. Maybe that will cover it.
P
PA Bear [MS MVP]
You will find support for still-in-beta Windows Mail (i.e., disabling the
Communities feature) in this public newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.vista.mail
Communities feature) in this public newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.vista.mail
1. After looking high and low for any mention of "Communities", I finally
bit my tongue and consulted Help. I am not subscribed to any "Communities"
and as I said, I see absolutely no mention of them in Windows Mail
whatsoever. Is there something else I should do?
2. I am not in the habit of changing subject lines, but I was intent upon
getting the best advice possible, including from you (heck, especially
from
you), and not seeing them show up was more than a little frustrating. Not
something I was used to seeing here back when I was more active. Catching
your eye with an addendum to the subject seemed the best way to proceed.
My
apologies.
P
PA Bear [MS MVP]
Daave wrote:
Posts aren't going missing due to Filtering, they're going missing because
of the ongoing (i.e., since 2Q09) problem keeping the master and slave
newsservers in synchronization. When you open this or any other
heavily-trafficked newsgroup and find scores of new posts, the newssevers
have been syncing properly. When you open the same newsgroup(s) 12-24 hours
later and find only a handful of posts, syncing is horked again.
No amount of bitching & griping to the Power That Be have made any
difference.
PS: /No one/ is monitoring the synchronization between 5 PM PT Friday and 9
AM PT Monday or on any holidays!!
There is no person filtering, but it is occuring (automatically). Simply
compare the Google Group versus the MS news server feed.
Posts aren't going missing due to Filtering, they're going missing because
of the ongoing (i.e., since 2Q09) problem keeping the master and slave
newsservers in synchronization. When you open this or any other
heavily-trafficked newsgroup and find scores of new posts, the newssevers
have been syncing properly. When you open the same newsgroup(s) 12-24 hours
later and find only a handful of posts, syncing is horked again.
No amount of bitching & griping to the Power That Be have made any
difference.
PS: /No one/ is monitoring the synchronization between 5 PM PT Friday and 9
AM PT Monday or on any holidays!!
S
Sam Ronin
It sounds like you're on top of things. I always configure a Clean Boot
before installing SP3, just to be on the safe side.
But this line is huge:
Not good. This is what often produces a situation where malware is too
deeply entrenched that a Clean Install is the only rational solution.
WRT McAfee, did you run their removal tool from here?:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507
Yes, I ran the McAfee tool first thing. (I forget. What's "WRT"?)
But, seriously, running a number of weeks without protection might very
well mean nuking the sucker.
Yeah, I figured that, but when it comes down to it, the kid isn't
easily teachable and I'm not going to get involved in overseeing his
activities, either. That leaves me the task of doing what I can to
protect him from himself, but even if it's a clean install, I don't
give it more than a few weeks before it's all back (well, not ALL!) In
short, I don't really see a critical need to return a spanking new,
clean machine. My primary interest is to get SP3 installed properly
and the machine reasonably functional. Maybe in the future, when I
have more time, I'll do the clean install and also take the time to
teach him how to, for instance, NOT click on those pop-ups that scream
about your being infected and CLICK THIS NOW!! Not to mention those
despicable default inclusions of Google junk, etc. (Yeah, I know
they're supposedly not malware, but you'll have a hard time proving
that to me!)
Yes, that is *the* confirmation.
It showed SP3 when I checked. I'm hesitant to believe in such simple
yes/no answers when it comes to something so complicated, but until
proven otherwise, I'll go with it.
Did you make sure IE was at IE6 level when you installed SP3 (that is
recommended)?
IE8 is what is on it. Do I have to revert all the way back to IE6? Is
it even possible to revert all the way back to IE6?
Here's the list of malware found, though I'm not sure it's complete.
I'm relying on log files and I'm not sure I've found them all. I
can't honestly remember the exact order I ran them in, (I think it's
chronological here), but if it's important I'll try to pin it down. I
won't post all the details out of respect for the forum, and I intend
to eventually run HJT when I think everything else that can be done
is done. If I see anything I don't recognize, I'll post it to one or
another appropriate forum. I will also be running these scanners and
others until all scans show clean. Plus, after reading Pa Bear's
advice, I'll probably yank the HD and drop it into my throwaway
machine to scan it from outside the system. With any luck, that will
do it. I really don't feel like getting into all the apps
reinstalling and setting up that a clean install would require. Got
too many other things on my plate.
If anybody sees anything truly dangerous or unlikely to be uninstalled
completely, please advise.SuperAntiSpyware
-- Rogue.AntiSpyStorm
-- Unclassified.Unknown Origin ({279A05E3-C129-4189-F0DB908C89B0};
{4816B9DF-8D34-49D3-B96A-5FCE358835D5}; HKCR\msscds32.msdn_hlp, plus
a DLL in the System32 directory and a few other things. It's
apparently a BHO and I'm certain the kid doesn't even know what MSDN
is. -- Trojan.FakeAlert-IEBT
-- Rogue-AntiSpyCheck
--Trojan.SmitFraud Variant
-- sPeerObj Class BHO
-- Trojan.Agent BHO
-- Adware.2020Search
-- Adware.404Search
-- Adware.180Solutions/SurfAssistant
-- Adware.Second Thought
-- Trojan.PBar (LOL, this one immediately brought Pa Bear to mind!)
-- Adware.MyWebSearch
-- Transponder Variant BHO
-- Adware.BetterInternet
-- Trojan.Smitfraud Variant/IE Anti-Spyware
-- Adware.Tracking Cookie
-- Adware.MyWebSearch/FunWebProducts
-- Browser Hijacker.Internet Explorer Settings Hijack
-- Trojan.Media-Codec
-- Trojan.DNSChanger-Codec
-- Trojan.VideoCach/Gen
-- Trojan.Media-Codec/v3
-- Trojan.Media-Codec/v4
-- Adware.E404 Helper/Hij
-- Rogue.PersonalAntivirus
-- Adware.180solutions/ZangoSearch
-- Rogue.Agent/Gen-Nullo[DLL]
-- Rogue.Agent/Gen-Nullo[EXE]
-- Trojan.FakeDrop-764
-- Trojan.FakeDrop-CDSM32
--Trojan.FakeDrop-Swin32SpyBot S&D
-- 2020Search
-- 7FaSSt
-- ABetterInternet
-- WinSpyareProtect
-- AntiSpyStorm
-- Fraud.MSAntispyware2009
-- FunWebProducts
-- MagicAntiSpy
-- MalwareAlarm
-- Microsoft.Windows.ActiveDesktop (is this the actual Windows Active
Desktop or an imposter???)
-- Microsoft.Windows.Security.InternetExplorer (again, is this real or
fake?)
-- MyWay.MyWebSearch
-- MyWebSearch
-- SecondThought.STCLoader
-- Smitfraud-C.
-- Smitfraud-C.gp
-- SpySherrif
-- Win32.BHO.jeMalwarebytes:
-- Rogue.AntiSpyStorm
-- Adware.MyWebSearch, mostly in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy but there's a couple elsewhere.
-- Adware.PopCap (PopCapLoader)
-- Trojan.BHO infecting folder C:\WINDOWS\System32\459849
-- Malware.Trace 50 or so files in C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers
-- Fake.Dropped.Malware
-- Trojan.Agent
-- Trojan.ZlobAd-Aware:
-- A few cookies of the type that always seem to weasel their way
through the walls. IIRC, they were mostly webtrends and atdmt. I'm
only half educated on these items, but I'm working on learning how to
prevent them from digging in their hooks.
-- 2 items belonging to Win32.Trojan.Agent. Removing these a bit ago
improved things substantially, though it may have been the result of
the MalwareBytes scan I ran befrore posting last night. Still slow,
but no longer in critical condition.
Yes, my friend. Clean Install is definitely indicated! Whenever there is
this much malware, there are going to be a few rootkits dug in real
deep. It's not worth the effort to try remove them all; most likely you
won't be able to.
Oh, well. I guess I'll give his Mom a call and have bring over his
apps CDs, etc., and go for it. Repartition it while I'm at it. This
exercise has been quite informative and good for my own goopy
knowledge store. I'll accept that SP3 installed OK (finally), but I'm
still curious as all get out as to what those two logon scripts do.
Now that I'm leaning more and more towards a clean install, however, I
think I'll run it again and see if I can find the BAT file (or script,
whatever) before it's obliterated, which I assume it is after it's
done its job. Unfortunately, the commands weren't echoed, just the
returns.
Thanks again to everyone,
S
Sam Ronin
You did not mention if you followed the SP3 installation directions.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
I did check that page, and the only thing that isn't SOP is the issue
about the two updates that need to be uninstalled. They're not
installed so that was that. I checked the error listings, and while it
gave me hints about earlier permissions errors, they don't appear to
cover my issue, the question about the post logon scripts. I later saw
the issue of DoRegistryUpdates failing, but only after I'd already
dealt with it based upon info from the site I mentioned in my first
post. It's fixed by installing SUBINACL.
It includes solutions to the access denied issues that come about by
not following the recommended installation procedures, why they happen
and what to do about it.
You should not need to download any third party solutions, ideas, etc.
to install SP3.
I would think that if I got a single error that defied explanation
during any SP3 install, I would just start over.
Which I did, at least four times. Each time I researched and remedied
the error. It's just that this last time when the installation went
through to the end and I rebooted and then saw one console for a
couple of seconds with no text showing (usually normal), and then the
second console window that listed one "access denied" message after
another -- it's got me stumped. Daave says that if the winver says
it's SP3 then SP3 it is, but it just nags me that all those commands
returned those errors. Makes me feel all cold and clammy.
I would recommend expanding your malicious software detection horizons
a bit. No single program knows about everything and it is easy for me
to infect my computer on purpose and Avast! will miss some infections
every time. It is not terribly bright about some things, and I have
concluded it is weak, a system resource hog and a waste of time. But
that is my opinion.
I agree that no one program can catch all viruses. And when there's
any question I run lots of various scans with the usual players. But
you can only run one AV background scanner at a time, and Avast has
proven to be (in my own experience), easy to use and dirt cheap (hard
to beat a price of $0). I don't know what tests or comparisons you've
run, but I'd be interested in seeing the results, and knowing what
things you're talking about that Avast! isn't too bright about? As for
being a system resource hog, I'm not clear on your meaning. You can't
be talking about Windows Resources from the 9x models. Do you mean
RAM? Or is there some other part of the architecture you're referring
to?
Depending on your Avast! installation options and what pieces you
chose to install (or did you just let it install everything?), you
probably have a bunch of Avast! things running you do not need and can
thwart an SP3 installation and reduce your performance - a lot. If
you decide to stick with Avast! you may want to uninstall it all,
clean up the mess and then uninstall/reinstall SP3 properly so there
are no errors (using the directions), then rethink how to install
Avast! again with less overhead for your system resources.
Avast is no different from most major-brand AVs and their "pile it
higher" mentality. In fact it's rather at the top of the list in this
regard when comparing "suites". And no, I don't install all scanners.
Even if they are all installed, I generally only enable Standard, Web,
and Network scanners. For home users, I often don't even bother to
install that last one if the home's machines aren't sharing. On the
other hand, the owner of this machine needs as much protection from
himself as I can build into it, so I'll enable the rest of the shields
as well, except the mail shield which I'm pretty sure is unnecessary
when there's no local email client being used. Heck, it's unnecessary
even when there *is* a local email client and the user is minmally
educated, but like I said...
256MB RAM is fine for some people. It has served me well for many
years but I run a pretty lean configuration.
You do not want your system to be relatively clean, you want it to be
squeaky clean.
1. It's not my machine, thank Gates.
2. The owner is very likely to have this thing reinfected to the gills
within weeks, anyway, even after a perfectly clean install and as much
protection as I can pile on. If relatively clean manages to pass my
own tests, it's going to have to be good enough, at least until I have
more spare time to do it right and to give the guy the training he
needs.
Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining
issues:
Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:
Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/
They can be uninstalled later if desired.
If you want some ideas about your configuration, start here:
To eliminate questions and guessing, please provide additional
information about your system.
Click Start, Run and in the box enter:
msinfo32
Click OK, and when the System Summary info appears, click Edit, Select
All, Copy and then paste the information back here.
There will be some personal information (like System Name and User
Name), and whatever appears to be private information to you, just
delete it from the pasted information
I don't see anything there that could possibly be of any further use.
Just a couple of things that have already been covered quite a bit
(RAM and WINVER). But thanks! I didn't respond to your post earlier
because it didn't show up on the msnews servers. I really am
interested in a more detailed account of your experiences with Avast,
and I know it's time I did another massive review of the field. Last
one I did was four years ago, having been out of the business
(actually more like outside civil society altogether).
Thanks again,
S
Sam Ronin
Based on whether you are insulting Microsoft Valuable Pigs (MVPs) as
Scum-Sucking Pigs or questioning the solutions provided by MVPs even if they
are blatantly wrong. If you treat all MVPs as your gods then all your
messages will be posted otherwise they are likely to be censored without
giving any reasons.
Ooooohhh... Sombowy got his feelings hurt... 'Course, he's a bit on
the schizo side... I think I'll choose your advice over that of the
MVPs. Got any? Let's trade!
S
Sam Ronin
I interpreted your description of your friend's description of his
son's computer to mean that a valid, fully-functional & fully-updated
anti-virus application was not installed *when the comuter got
infected*.
You cannot successfully install an anti-virus or anti-spyware
application on an already-infected system.
Most if not all of the infection looks to have occurred before the
(dirty) removal of McAfee, so I tool a chance. But you're right, I
need to at least scan the system with a few different apps from
outside the system. Whether I do that or do a clean install now
depends on what the mother says, since I've been given a bit of
breathing room by having that RAM arrive early. I can now do things I
wasn't even considering doing without the new RAM. Don't get this done
by Monday night, it isn't going to get done for another week.
Thanks again Pa Bear,
J
Jose
I did check that page, and the only thing that isn't SOP is the issue
about the two updates that need to be uninstalled. They're not
installed so that was that. I checked the error listings, and while it
gave me hints about earlier permissions errors, they don't appear to
cover my issue, the question about the post logon scripts. I later saw
the issue of DoRegistryUpdates failing, but only after I'd already
dealt with it based upon info from the site I mentioned in my first
post. It's fixed by installing SUBINACL.
Which I did, at least four times. Each time I researched and remedied
the error. It's just that this last time when the installation went
through to the end and I rebooted and then saw one console for a
couple of seconds with no text showing (usually normal), and then the
second console window that listed one "access denied" message after
another -- it's got me stumped. Daave says that if the winver says
it's SP3 then SP3 it is, but it just nags me that all those commands
returned those errors. Makes me feel all cold and clammy.
I agree that no one program can catch all viruses. And when there's
any question I run lots of various scans with the usual players. But
you can only run one AV background scanner at a time, and Avast has
proven to be (in my own experience), easy to use and dirt cheap (hard
to beat a price of $0). I don't know what tests or comparisons you've
run, but I'd be interested in seeing the results, and knowing what
things you're talking about that Avast! isn't too bright about? As for
being a system resource hog, I'm not clear on your meaning. You can't
be talking about Windows Resources from the 9x models. Do you mean
RAM? Or is there some other part of the architecture you're referring
to?
Avast is no different from most major-brand AVs and their "pile it
higher" mentality. In fact it's rather at the top of the list in this
regard when comparing "suites". And no, I don't install all scanners.
Even if they are all installed, I generally only enable Standard, Web,
and Network scanners. For home users, I often don't even bother to
install that last one if the home's machines aren't sharing. On the
other hand, the owner of this machine needs as much protection from
himself as I can build into it, so I'll enable the rest of the shields
as well, except the mail shield which I'm pretty sure is unnecessary
when there's no local email client being used. Heck, it's unnecessary
even when there *is* a local email client and the user is minmally
educated, but like I said...
1. It's not my machine, thank Gates.
2. The owner is very likely to have this thing reinfected to the gills
within weeks, anyway, even after a perfectly clean install and as much
protection as I can pile on. If relatively clean manages to pass my
own tests, it's going to have to be good enough, at least until I have
more spare time to do it right and to give the guy the training he
needs.
I don't see anything there that could possibly be of any further use.
Just a couple of things that have already been covered quite a bit
(RAM and WINVER). But thanks! I didn't respond to your post earlier
because it didn't show up on the msnews servers. I really am
interested in a more detailed account of your experiences with Avast,
and I know it's time I did another massive review of the field. Last
one I did was four years ago, having been out of the business
(actually more like outside civil society altogether).
Thanks again,
Experiences are different for different environments. I just know
what gets me the most bang for my buck with the least amount of effort
and consistent reliable results so when I get done, I know I'm done.
I can usually find something I don't like about most everything and
have to bite my tongue a lot!
If a system gets afflicted, it usually ends up being a self inflicted
wound. I just fix 'em.
Rotsa ruck!
2
20100220
Ooooohhh... Sombowy got his feelings hurt... 'Course, he's a bit on
the schizo side... I think I'll choose your advice over that of the
MVPs. Got any? Let's trade!
I have read your initial email and have noted that the whole problem
started with machine being infected with viruses of all kinds. This
being the case, the only solution is to start from scratch by
re-installing the OS and all other applications. I know that you want
to avoid doing this but there is no point in wasting any more time in
trying to get a solution because there isn't one!
You can install SP3 with only 256 MB of Ram. In your case you will be
better off doing a slipstream of SP3 and then installing the OS from the
new CD. The full instructions are here:
<http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm>
As far as anti-virus software is concerned, I strongly recommend you to
use AVAST (version 5 - this is the latest -
<http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&site...760315f46254456ce15dab0ea583ab1&part=dl-85737>)
and Microsoft Security Essentials:
<http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials>
The reason you need to start all over again is because the system has
become completely unstable and for that there is no other solution.
hth
P
PA Bear [MS MVP]
Sam said:Ooooohhh... Sombowy got his feelings hurt... 'Course, he's a bit on
the schizo side... I think I'll choose your advice over that of the
MVPs. Got any? Let's trade!
Please don't feed the trolls. Thank you...
D
Daave
PA said:Daave wrote:
Posts aren't going missing due to Filtering, they're going missing
because of the ongoing (i.e., since 2Q09) problem keeping the master
and slave newsservers in synchronization. When you open this or any
other heavily-trafficked newsgroup and find scores of new posts, the
newssevers have been syncing properly. When you open the same
newsgroup(s) 12-24 hours later and find only a handful of posts,
syncing is horked again.
No amount of bitching & griping to the Power That Be have made any
difference.
PS: /No one/ is monitoring the synchronization between 5 PM PT Friday
and 9 AM PT Monday or on any holidays!!
That's interesting (and unfortunate). But that certainly explains what's
happening. I guess TPTB don't care too much partly because of the
transition away from newsgroups to Web forums.
But I have seen posts filtered in the past if they contain certain words
or even names of certain newsgroups.
R
Ronin
If you read my original post, then your reading comprehension is faulty. The
only thing I actually asked was if someone can tell me what those two logon
scripts do. The diversion into a discussion of malware was simply due to my
adding it to the post as a possible source of this specific set of failures.
Everyone latched onto that as the issue, not noting that I'd pretty much
cleaned it all up. Look again. I had already cleaned the system up enough to
successfully install SP3, even with the minimal RAM. I even used Avast!,
because that's pretty much the only AV I've been installing for folks since
I can't remember when. 2003? 2002? Of course, I use other on-demand scanners
when I think it's warranted. Like in this case
As I explained elsewhere, I've run a decent handful of anti-malware apps,
several times, and I will be doing quite a bit more before returning the
machine, including a few AV scans (so-called "online" scans included.) I
could pull the HD and stick it into my test machine (or throwaway machine,
however you want to call it), but it's going to be more convenient in this
case to plop another drive into the problem machine, load an OS (minimally),
install the various scanners and go for it. Or maybe I'll take the time to
build a fresh set of bootable CD/DVD-based systems. Or try using a USB
stick. Always wanted to play with that one.
Heck, the system is running just fine, now, and my next step is to refresh
my memory as to what tests I might want to run to further establish this
stability. While I'm ludicrously familiar with clean installs (many
hundreds, at least), even if it might actually take a smidge less effort,
I'm just not interested at this moment in dealing with getting together all
his installer CDs, making sure I've collected all his personal data and then
configuring the whole thing just like it was, so I don't spend the next six
months fielding calls for help because he can't find what he knows should be
right there. This is one of those cases where a clean install sounds more
efficient than it really is. Besides, I already mentioned in another post
here that the machine is more than likely going to be reinfected within
weeks if not days. "OK", in this case, is good enough. I didn't agree to
clean and armor his system, I just agreed to get SP3 installed. Cleaning up
was simply a prerequisite. With any luck, the little that I have done in the
way of armorizing will keep any future damage to a minimum. Maybe after I
recover from my open-heart surgery, maybe after my young sons whom I've
seldom seen have finished their spring visit, maybe after we've finished
doing taxes and filing bankruptcy, maybe after we've done moving her folks
into assisted living...
IOW, maybe next fall I'll have the time to sit down with the boy and do it
right. Or maybe not.
Here's my advice, as promised: You really ought to contain your venomous
rants, whether or not they are valid. They do absolutely nothing good for
your reputation (except among like-minded ranters). Just the opposite. This
is another place where I suspect I have more experience than you. Some of my
rants have cost me a lot, including money and marriage(s), several have
resulted in various physical damage to myself from people I shouldn't have
been ranting about, and more than a few got me free all-expenses paid weeks
down the street at the sheriff sub-station. Why so much ranting? Darned
thing is seriously habit-forming. Being a bipolar drunk didn't help.
PS -- Exactly how was your advice any different than that of the MVPs? Other
than being the only one to recommend Avast!?
only thing I actually asked was if someone can tell me what those two logon
scripts do. The diversion into a discussion of malware was simply due to my
adding it to the post as a possible source of this specific set of failures.
Everyone latched onto that as the issue, not noting that I'd pretty much
cleaned it all up. Look again. I had already cleaned the system up enough to
successfully install SP3, even with the minimal RAM. I even used Avast!,
because that's pretty much the only AV I've been installing for folks since
I can't remember when. 2003? 2002? Of course, I use other on-demand scanners
when I think it's warranted. Like in this case
As I explained elsewhere, I've run a decent handful of anti-malware apps,
several times, and I will be doing quite a bit more before returning the
machine, including a few AV scans (so-called "online" scans included.) I
could pull the HD and stick it into my test machine (or throwaway machine,
however you want to call it), but it's going to be more convenient in this
case to plop another drive into the problem machine, load an OS (minimally),
install the various scanners and go for it. Or maybe I'll take the time to
build a fresh set of bootable CD/DVD-based systems. Or try using a USB
stick. Always wanted to play with that one.
Heck, the system is running just fine, now, and my next step is to refresh
my memory as to what tests I might want to run to further establish this
stability. While I'm ludicrously familiar with clean installs (many
hundreds, at least), even if it might actually take a smidge less effort,
I'm just not interested at this moment in dealing with getting together all
his installer CDs, making sure I've collected all his personal data and then
configuring the whole thing just like it was, so I don't spend the next six
months fielding calls for help because he can't find what he knows should be
right there. This is one of those cases where a clean install sounds more
efficient than it really is. Besides, I already mentioned in another post
here that the machine is more than likely going to be reinfected within
weeks if not days. "OK", in this case, is good enough. I didn't agree to
clean and armor his system, I just agreed to get SP3 installed. Cleaning up
was simply a prerequisite. With any luck, the little that I have done in the
way of armorizing will keep any future damage to a minimum. Maybe after I
recover from my open-heart surgery, maybe after my young sons whom I've
seldom seen have finished their spring visit, maybe after we've finished
doing taxes and filing bankruptcy, maybe after we've done moving her folks
into assisted living...
IOW, maybe next fall I'll have the time to sit down with the boy and do it
right. Or maybe not.
Here's my advice, as promised: You really ought to contain your venomous
rants, whether or not they are valid. They do absolutely nothing good for
your reputation (except among like-minded ranters). Just the opposite. This
is another place where I suspect I have more experience than you. Some of my
rants have cost me a lot, including money and marriage(s), several have
resulted in various physical damage to myself from people I shouldn't have
been ranting about, and more than a few got me free all-expenses paid weeks
down the street at the sheriff sub-station. Why so much ranting? Darned
thing is seriously habit-forming. Being a bipolar drunk didn't help.
PS -- Exactly how was your advice any different than that of the MVPs? Other
than being the only one to recommend Avast!?
R
Ronin
2
20100221
PS -- Exactly how was your advice any different than that of the MVPs?
Other than being the only one to recommend Avast!?
I am the only one who has suggested that your system WILL NEVER be up to
scratch unless you install the OS from scratch. All so called MVPs
(Microsoft Valuable Pigs) have suggested to scan and re-scan your system for
viruses. There is simply no evidence that viruses will stop you from
installing SP3 because if SP3 is interfering with their work, they simply
destroy the relevant file. PERIOD.
I hope you manage to achieve what you are trying to achieve without
reformatting the HD and please let us know of any progress towards this
goal.
Ps: I am also the only one who suggested to use MSE as fall-back
anti-virus. I would also install Windows Defender (another Microsoft free
Product) for its tools apart from its anti-spyware function already
incorporated in MSE.
Good luck.
S
Sam Ronin
This reply post was originally written and sent on 2/22/2010 at 10:57
am. Can't see it on the msmews servers OR Google, so I'm reposting.
-- Ronin
Not to put too fine a point on it, but regarding those first two
claims, you
are a liar, plain and simple. And/or incredibly ignorant. Just read
the
other posts in this thread, you dolt. As for that final claim, let me
give
you one last piece of advice. If you want to be taken seriously in a
forum
like this, when you make that kind of statement, you want to include
all the
details you can, especially quotations or, even better, links to the
pertinent discussions or other information that prove your claim. I
told you
already that ranting is bad for your health, really bad. I'm almost
certain
that you are a quite young being, so it's really important that you
train
yourself now, or habit will only become more and more entrenched until
you
can't stop doing it even when you're on the verge of destroying your
life
(or even past the verge.) Besides, the last half of the last sentence
is
incomprehensible. Writing skills are definitely necessary in this kind
of
endeavor, as well.
I always do. To recap: I've scanned with Avast!, SAS, MBAM, Spybot
S&D, and
AdAware. I then went out on the internet and played around for an hour
or
so, just playing around and giving certain trojans a chance to rear
their
ugly heads or just sneak in, and visiting sites that I know are
dangerous.
(No, I won't provide a list. That would be like decorating a nursery
school
with dynamite and then teaching teh kids how to use lighters.) I have
discovered and dealt with most of the issues I ran into while
installing SP3
except the one that brought me here, but it left IE8 unfunctional in
certain
ways (Adobe's downloader doesn't work, for example.) My mistake for
proceeding so hastily and believing the KB article that says the only
problem with IE8 or IE7 is that you can't install them after
installing SP3
(which I already knew and which is actually a quite common issue in
Windows.) So, after installing the new RAM, I uninstalled IE8 (after
uninstalling its Updates in reverse chronological order.) I then
uninstalled
IE7 (after uninstalling its Updates), and tried to create an MCE
installation disk with SP3 slipstreamed in, but AutoStream doesn't
think the
SP3 executable is a real SP. When I'm done here, I'm going to drop a
fresh
drive into the box, install a minimal copy of XP and thens can the
problem
drive with several AV and anti-malware apps (though I don't really
expect
anything from the latter.) Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can figure
out
how to slipstream SP3 into MCE. Then I'm going to run a repair install
using
my own copy of MCE, then I'm going to see how it's doing. If it's
still not
acceptable, I'll proceed to perform a clean install. Whichever, once I
have
a stable and clean (clean as I can determine is good enough), then
I'll
reinstall SP3 if I haven't already, and then IE8 (or reinstall IE7 and
block
IE8, I'm not sure). Of course, there will be a bit more
installing/reinstalling/repairing some things, or just installing if
it ends
up being a clean install.
I probably left a few things out. I'll update this account and post it
as a
reply to my original when I'm done. Hope you enjoy it.
I'm not so sure I'd be bragging about those recommendations. Being the
only
one to even mention a Microsoft product in a Microsoft NG can't
possibly be
taken as a sign that your recommendation is a credible one. That said,
I
have no problem with running WD, provided it really is compatible with
XP. I
haven't personally tried it, so I don't know. I'm also not sure how
well it
plays with others, like Ad-Aware, MBAM, or SAS. I presume you have
heard of
the rule that says only one background scanner for each purpose at a
time?
However, considering the age of XP and the youth of MSE, and
especially
considering the rather shoddy reputation MS has with their
programming
compared to most other reputable software development companies,
particularly compared with the narrow focus of companies for whom AV
is their
only business, (though that is of course no guarantee, as evidenced
by
Symantec and McAfee) I will certainly not be installing it to the
exclusion
of what I know to be superior products. In fact, now that I think
about it,
MSE has the same lack of credibility in my mind as Norton and McAfee,
and
for the same reasons. They're more interested in keeping their jobs
by
producing perpetually mediocre products and spending great gobs of
money on
advertising, trickery and outright coercion than they are in
perfecting the
ones they have. It's a great way to provide jobs, a lousy way to
create real
value.
But thanks for reminding me of this new and as yet unproven app.
Perhaps
this is a good situation in which to try it out, add it to my list of
on-demand scanners that I use in situations like this. Probably going
to
have to dump the whole thing, anyway, and clean install it after
having as
much fun as I can. But don't try to tell me that MS can get something
like
this right after only a few scant years. (If they bought the thing,
then
its quality is most likely going to decrease over time instead of the
opposite.) Microsoft's primary products seldom even make it out of
beta
(otherwise known as "Gold" or SP1, or even SP2 though I usually see
those as
what should be RTM builds) before they're scrambling to get the next
version
out the door to cover their embarrassment over the significant
failures (in
concept, design and execution -- IOW in all ways) that their
head-in-the-clouds designers can't seem to avoid, even when they are
years
past deadline. If these were minor failures that would be one thing,
but
they're not. Sorry, I simply don't have the time to provide details,
but all
you have to do is spit in the direction of Redmond and you're sure to
hit
one. Besides, the literature is overwhelming and real easy to find.
You do
know how to use Google, right?
Anyway, it's been real, but I have work to do, starting with the snow
piled
a foot deep on my walkway that was perfectly dry eight hours ago. I'm
sure
you have more important activities to attend to as well. I think
we've
played this out far enough. I know Pa Bear thinks it's way too much.
Besides, I have no more advice to offer you and you're ignoring it,
anyway.
That's OK, I'm not likely to use any further advice you have to offer
me,
either. Time to go our separate ways.
am. Can't see it on the msmews servers OR Google, so I'm reposting.
-- Ronin
"Ronin" <wanderer> wrote in message
I am the only one who has suggested that your system WILL NEVER be up to
scratch unless you install the OS from scratch. All so called MVPs
(Microsoft Valuable Pigs) have suggested to scan and re-scan your system for
viruses. There is simply no evidence that viruses will stop you from
installing SP3 because if SP3 is interfering with their work, they simply
destroy the relevant file. PERIOD.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but regarding those first two
claims, you
are a liar, plain and simple. And/or incredibly ignorant. Just read
the
other posts in this thread, you dolt. As for that final claim, let me
give
you one last piece of advice. If you want to be taken seriously in a
forum
like this, when you make that kind of statement, you want to include
all the
details you can, especially quotations or, even better, links to the
pertinent discussions or other information that prove your claim. I
told you
already that ranting is bad for your health, really bad. I'm almost
certain
that you are a quite young being, so it's really important that you
train
yourself now, or habit will only become more and more entrenched until
you
can't stop doing it even when you're on the verge of destroying your
life
(or even past the verge.) Besides, the last half of the last sentence
is
incomprehensible. Writing skills are definitely necessary in this kind
of
endeavor, as well.
I hope you manage to achieve what you are trying to achieve without
reformatting the HD and please let us know of any progress towards this
goal.
I always do. To recap: I've scanned with Avast!, SAS, MBAM, Spybot
S&D, and
AdAware. I then went out on the internet and played around for an hour
or
so, just playing around and giving certain trojans a chance to rear
their
ugly heads or just sneak in, and visiting sites that I know are
dangerous.
(No, I won't provide a list. That would be like decorating a nursery
school
with dynamite and then teaching teh kids how to use lighters.) I have
discovered and dealt with most of the issues I ran into while
installing SP3
except the one that brought me here, but it left IE8 unfunctional in
certain
ways (Adobe's downloader doesn't work, for example.) My mistake for
proceeding so hastily and believing the KB article that says the only
problem with IE8 or IE7 is that you can't install them after
installing SP3
(which I already knew and which is actually a quite common issue in
Windows.) So, after installing the new RAM, I uninstalled IE8 (after
uninstalling its Updates in reverse chronological order.) I then
uninstalled
IE7 (after uninstalling its Updates), and tried to create an MCE
installation disk with SP3 slipstreamed in, but AutoStream doesn't
think the
SP3 executable is a real SP. When I'm done here, I'm going to drop a
fresh
drive into the box, install a minimal copy of XP and thens can the
problem
drive with several AV and anti-malware apps (though I don't really
expect
anything from the latter.) Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can figure
out
how to slipstream SP3 into MCE. Then I'm going to run a repair install
using
my own copy of MCE, then I'm going to see how it's doing. If it's
still not
acceptable, I'll proceed to perform a clean install. Whichever, once I
have
a stable and clean (clean as I can determine is good enough), then
I'll
reinstall SP3 if I haven't already, and then IE8 (or reinstall IE7 and
block
IE8, I'm not sure). Of course, there will be a bit more
installing/reinstalling/repairing some things, or just installing if
it ends
up being a clean install.
I probably left a few things out. I'll update this account and post it
as a
reply to my original when I'm done. Hope you enjoy it.
Ps: I am also the only one who suggested to use MSE as fall-back
anti-virus. I would also install Windows Defender (another Microsoft free
Product) for its tools apart from its anti-spyware function already
incorporated in MSE.
I'm not so sure I'd be bragging about those recommendations. Being the
only
one to even mention a Microsoft product in a Microsoft NG can't
possibly be
taken as a sign that your recommendation is a credible one. That said,
I
have no problem with running WD, provided it really is compatible with
XP. I
haven't personally tried it, so I don't know. I'm also not sure how
well it
plays with others, like Ad-Aware, MBAM, or SAS. I presume you have
heard of
the rule that says only one background scanner for each purpose at a
time?
However, considering the age of XP and the youth of MSE, and
especially
considering the rather shoddy reputation MS has with their
programming
compared to most other reputable software development companies,
particularly compared with the narrow focus of companies for whom AV
is their
only business, (though that is of course no guarantee, as evidenced
by
Symantec and McAfee) I will certainly not be installing it to the
exclusion
of what I know to be superior products. In fact, now that I think
about it,
MSE has the same lack of credibility in my mind as Norton and McAfee,
and
for the same reasons. They're more interested in keeping their jobs
by
producing perpetually mediocre products and spending great gobs of
money on
advertising, trickery and outright coercion than they are in
perfecting the
ones they have. It's a great way to provide jobs, a lousy way to
create real
value.
But thanks for reminding me of this new and as yet unproven app.
Perhaps
this is a good situation in which to try it out, add it to my list of
on-demand scanners that I use in situations like this. Probably going
to
have to dump the whole thing, anyway, and clean install it after
having as
much fun as I can. But don't try to tell me that MS can get something
like
this right after only a few scant years. (If they bought the thing,
then
its quality is most likely going to decrease over time instead of the
opposite.) Microsoft's primary products seldom even make it out of
beta
(otherwise known as "Gold" or SP1, or even SP2 though I usually see
those as
what should be RTM builds) before they're scrambling to get the next
version
out the door to cover their embarrassment over the significant
failures (in
concept, design and execution -- IOW in all ways) that their
head-in-the-clouds designers can't seem to avoid, even when they are
years
past deadline. If these were minor failures that would be one thing,
but
they're not. Sorry, I simply don't have the time to provide details,
but all
you have to do is spit in the direction of Redmond and you're sure to
hit
one. Besides, the literature is overwhelming and real easy to find.
You do
know how to use Google, right?
Anyway, it's been real, but I have work to do, starting with the snow
piled
a foot deep on my walkway that was perfectly dry eight hours ago. I'm
sure
you have more important activities to attend to as well. I think
we've
played this out far enough. I know Pa Bear thinks it's way too much.
Besides, I have no more advice to offer you and you're ignoring it,
anyway.
That's OK, I'm not likely to use any further advice you have to offer
me,
either. Time to go our separate ways.
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