Vista's mind of it's own

[J Lunis]

Vista Home Premium

Been getting some strange (to me) behavior in a number of places and I'm
guessing all are some kind of Vista problem since they all seem to have
happened in <1 week.

On startup I have a number of apps that appear in the SysTray although
they are marked HIDE in Properties|Notification Area| Custom. Seems I
can do nothing to get them to disappear by using the 'Custom' settings.
One of them, after I close it manually, seems to reappear on it's own
in the SysTray. CPU Usage seem to enjoy opening in the SysTray for no
reason.
FireFox - every time I open it I get a popup wanting to know if I want
to make it my default browser. I select "Yes,' hit OK, and get the
popup again every time I open it.
Catalyst Control Center - Explorer opens to this folder every time I
boot up. Have no idea why.
Windows Update - I gt a popup telling me I have some updates to install.
But after I select all or a select few, nothing happens.

I understand all these may be coincidence and have nothing in common
with Vista but I am running out of ideas.

 

[J Lunis]

Vista Home Premium

Been getting some strange (to me) behavior in a number of places and I'm
guessing all are some kind of Vista problem since they all seem to have
happened in <1 week.

On startup I have a number of apps that appear in the SysTray although
they are marked HIDE in Properties|Notification Area| Custom. Seems I
can do nothing to get them to disappear by using the 'Custom' settings.
One of them, after I close it manually, seems to reappear on it's own
in the SysTray. CPU Usage seem to enjoy opening in the SysTray for no
reason.
FireFox - every time I open it I get a popup wanting to know if I want
to make it my default browser. I select "Yes,' hit OK, and get the
popup again every time I open it.
Catalyst Control Center - Explorer opens to this folder every time I
boot up. Have no idea why.
Windows Update - I gt a popup telling me I have some updates to install.
But after I select all or a select few, nothing happens.

I understand all these may be coincidence and have nothing in common
with Vista but I am running out of ideas.

And one I missed . . .
time reset.
Every few days Vista changes to Pacific time (wrong) instead of Eastern
Time (correct).
And, FWIW, only app I have loaded in the last 2 weeks - iTunes.

 

[Paul Calcagno]

J Lunis.
It sounds like you have a virus or some spyware or malware. Not sure what
AV/Spyware programs you typically run but you should download and run the
following: SuperAntispyware (free addition) (also called `SAS'), MBAM
(MalwarebytesAntiMalware), and CCleaner. All of these scanners need to be
download, definitions updated and run manually. You CAN'T set them so they
run in the background catching stuff as it comes into your computer. There
are programs that do that (avg_free_stf_en_90_819a2842).
I have SAS, MBAM, CCleaner, keep them in a desktop folder, and run them when
odd things start happening with my computer. I also normally run with a paid
subscription to Spyware Doctor which is a real-time scanner and does run in
the background. It can also be setup to scan on a schedule and update
itself. If you don't have that I'd recommend you download the AVG scanner.
It's highly recommended by the MVP's in this newsgroup and probably just as
good as Spyware Doctor.

I doubt very much that what you're seeing are Vista issues.

Paul C.

 

[Paul Calcagno]

J Lunis. See my comments in CAPS below (I know, CAPS can mean that I'm
shouting, but that's not the intent here):

And one I missed . . .
time reset.
Every few days Vista changes to Pacific time (wrong) instead of Eastern
Time (correct). LIKELY TO BE MALWARE. SEE WHAT OTHER INPUT YOU GET FROM
FOLKS ON THIS NG. And, FWIW, only app I have loaded in the last 2 weeks -
iTunes.

IF ANY OFF THE ODD BEHAVIOR GOES AWAY AFTER YOU SCAN WITH SAS, MBAM,
CCleaner, then I'd conclude that you're A/V scanner is not very effective
for you........Paul C.

 

[webster72n]

And one I missed . . .
time reset.
Every few days Vista changes to Pacific time (wrong) instead of Eastern
Time (correct).
And, FWIW, only app I have loaded in the last 2 weeks - iTunes.

That could very well be your problem.
And you are right, it has nothing to do with Vista.
Contrary to some subjective views Windows Vista isn't nearly as bad as it's
made out to be.
You definitely don't have to format anything, but as mentioned before, you
want to install
and run those programs in order to get rid of the malware you obviously are
having on your machine.
I found SpywareBlaster to be a good companion also.
Let us know how you made out, please.

Harry.

 

[rob]

I would like to introduce Windows Password Recovery 6.0 . it not only supports XP, 2000, and NT, I have personally tested it with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password. I Wrote it to an old 128mb USB flash drive do this. Booting up and clearing a password takes a minute or two works like a charm. You can download it from: http://www.recoverlostpassword.com/products/windowspasswordrecoery.html



webster72n wrote:

That could very well be your problem.
19-Jul-10

That could very well be your problem
And you are right, it has nothing to do with Vista
Contrary to some subjective views Windows Vista is not nearly as bad as it i
made out to be
You definitely do not have to format anything, but as mentioned before, yo
want to instal
and run those programs in order to get rid of the malware you obviously ar
having on your machine
I found SpywareBlaster to be a good companion also
Let us know how you made out, please

Harry.

Previous Posts In This Thread:


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Assemblies in Folder Debug Build Checker
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...assemblies-in-folder-debug-build-checker.aspx

 

[Steve Cochran]

As indicated, you may have gotten infected, so you need to run antivirus (try http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/) and antimalware (www.malwarebytes.org) and see if they detect anything.

steve

 

[J Lunis]

J Lunis.
It sounds like you have a virus or some spyware or malware. Not sure
what AV/Spyware programs you typically run but you should download and
run the following: SuperAntispyware (free addition) (also called
`SAS'), MBAM (MalwarebytesAntiMalware), and CCleaner. All of these
scanners need to be download, definitions updated and run manually. You
CAN'T set them so they run in the background catching stuff as it comes
into your computer. There are programs that do that
(avg_free_stf_en_90_819a2842).
I have SAS, MBAM, CCleaner, keep them in a desktop folder, and run them
when odd things start happening with my computer. I also normally run
with a paid subscription to Spyware Doctor which is a real-time scanner
and does run in the background. It can also be setup to scan on a
schedule and update itself. If you don't have that I'd recommend you
download the AVG scanner. It's highly recommended by the MVP's in this
newsgroup and probably just as good as Spyware Doctor.

I doubt very much that what you're seeing are Vista issues.

Paul C.

OK, I know this is dangerous but is it reasonable to assume Microsoft
Essentials does the equivalent of Norton as far as 'real-time'
protection goes? I'm a little confused between what it and AVG do.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

OK, I know this is dangerous but is it reasonable to assume Microsoft
Essentials does the equivalent of Norton as far as 'real-time'
protection goes? I'm a little confused between what it and AVG do.

The intent of MS Essentials + the Windows Firewall is the same as the
intent of Norton Internet Security.

The results? When I read a variety of reviews, I end up thinking that no
one really knows, and that it's ultimately just a crapshoot.

That said: at least use something...

I'm currently using the Microsoft pair because I got annoyed at Norton (cut
off nose to spite face?). No problems are evident to me, and some of the
Norton annoyances aren't there any more

 

[webster72n]

I keep telling you that only women have vagina's. Damn, you sure are
stupid. LOL!

You keep your vaginas to yourself, Mr. kevpan815, this is about windows
vista.
And if you would know anything about it you wouldn't talk so dumb.
Thread closed, FYI.

 

[peng liao]

You keep your vaginas to yourself, Mr. kevpan815, this is about windows
vista.
And if you would know anything about it you wouldn't talk so dumb.
Thread closed, FYI.

It is truly very often for us to meet the password problem, sometimes
we would forgot windows password or lost windows password, and could
not login windows system and make a big trouble. At this time, you
would hope to find a way to reset and recover the forgotten password.
Actually, a lot of methods are available to recover or reset the
Windows password. But most of them are designed for PC experts, not
common PC users, those solutions are too complicated to get it work
for us. And here, I would recommand you a professional software tool -
Windows password Unlocker which could help you to reset forgotten
windows password easily.
http://www.passwordunlocker.com/windows-password-unlocker.html

 

[webster72n]

It is truly very often for us to meet the password problem, sometimes
we would forgot windows password or lost windows password, and could
not login windows system and make a big trouble. At this time, you
would hope to find a way to reset and recover the forgotten password.
Actually, a lot of methods are available to recover or reset the
Windows password. But most of them are designed for PC experts, not
common PC users, those solutions are too complicated to get it work
for us. And here, I would recommand you a professional software tool -
Windows password Unlocker which could help you to reset forgotten
windows password easily.
http://www.passwordunlocker.com/windows-password-unlocker.html

The best solution is not to use a password and, if you absolutely have to
use one,
pick one you will not forget, or one you keep in your wallet.
In over ten years I never had the problem of loosing a login password for
windows.

Harry.

 

[J Lunis]

The intent of MS Essentials + the Windows Firewall is the same as the
intent of Norton Internet Security.

The results? When I read a variety of reviews, I end up thinking that no
one really knows, and that it's ultimately just a crapshoot.

That said: at least use something...

I'm currently using the Microsoft pair because I got annoyed at Norton (cut
off nose to spite face?). No problems are evident to me, and some of the
Norton annoyances aren't there any more

I hate to show how little I know about computers but I think I read
somewhere Windows Firewall monitors only incoming data and not outgoing.
Whether this is true or not and what the real difference is, I don't
know. All I want is something equivalent to Norton - for all its bugs,
I had no problems with maleware et al.

 

[webster72n]

I hate to show how little I know about computers but I think I read
somewhere Windows Firewall monitors only incoming data and not outgoing.
Whether this is true or not and what the real difference is, I don't know.
All I want is something equivalent to Norton - for all its bugs, I had no
problems with maleware et al.

I must say that I am surprised not more MVP's are tuning into this.
By the looks of it they all must have migrated to the forums.
My personal opinion: the built-in protection is quite adequate.
And I say it from experience.
If you have not had any problems with malware, why bother?
Don't fix it unless it's broken.
In the end: you are the boss, little, no or lots of experience.
Always use "safe hex" as a general rule.
Best of luck, for good measure,

Harry.

 

[J Lunis]

I must say that I am surprised not more MVP's are tuning into this.
By the looks of it they all must have migrated to the forums.
My personal opinion: the built-in protection is quite adequate.
And I say it from experience.
If you have not had any problems with malware, why bother?
Don't fix it unless it's broken.
In the end: you are the boss, little, no or lots of experience.
Always use "safe hex" as a general rule.
Best of luck, for good measure,

Harry.

OK, but, umm, what is 'safe hex?'

 

[Anonamoose]

Download MalwareBytes and run it immediately. It is more effective than
antiviral programs at detecting and removing malware.
If that does not resolve your problem I would strongly consider reformatting
and reinstalling Vista and your programs AFTER you have backed up your
documents, images, media etc.

 

[webster72n]

OK, but, umm, what is 'safe hex?'

Try searching Yahoo or Google for 'Practice safe hex'.
That should satisfy your curiosity.

 

[GSalisbury]

OK, but, umm, what is 'safe hex?'

It means the pretty much the obvious play on words...
If you practice "safe surf" then the opportunity for infection goes way, way
down.

Don't accept/open d/l's from someone you don't and didn't ask that they send
you something.
Don't travel to sites/links that you don't know - personally - to be safe.
If you receive a link from someone you know but weren't expecting it or it's
out of character - discard it.
If you don't go to "I'll muck up your computer .com" then your computer
can't get mucked up.
If you don't open a "some unknown stuff in here" attachment you can't have
unknown stuff on your computer.

The take-away is if you exercise your own due diligence - "trust no one AND
verify" - your "hex" is safe.
Has it been good for you?
Geo.