G
Guest
This started yesterday, and I'm praying this isn't some kind of virus because
all of my software hasn't detecting anything.
Basically, at random intervals but usually when I start up a program or log
onto the Internet, Windows installer attempts to install either Microsoft
Publisher (it had been Frontpage but I uninstalled that to see if that would
stop), Symantec Antivirus, or HPProductManager (my 3-in-1). Oddly enough, the
programs work fine, and I use Symantec rather frequently. I brought it up to
a few friends and someone overheard me and said it was a virus. But another
friend said she had the same problem with Excel, and she simply uninstalled
it, then reinstalled the program and the problem went away.
As I mentioned before, I uninstalled Frontpage from my computer, but
whatever this thing is then jumped to Publisher. After several upgrades,
Windows Installer is not trying to install Symantec and it works fine. I ran
my antivirus alongside a disk defragger after uninstalling acouple of
freeware programs that I've had on this thing for years, and found nothing. I
also have Spybot, that also found no spyware or adware.
I had a very tech savvy friend look at it, and he showed me that somehow the
..msi file for Publisher is missing. The computer is trying to look for it,
but I don't know how the file disappeared. But there are only 3 files left
for Publisher on my hard drive, and none of them are the .msi file. My worst
fear is that there really is a sort of virus and I'll be forced to try and
back everything up on an external before a supposed crash, and then do a
system restore. I mght as well mention now that this is a computer I
purchased through my state college when I entered as a freshman two years
ago, and right now I'm seriously questioning whether I've been thrown a
"boomerang".
Any help that anyone has will be greatly appreciated. Windows installer
tends to pop up when I first boot up the computer or when I start a program.
Online, it shows up if I click on a link that opens a new window.
all of my software hasn't detecting anything.
Basically, at random intervals but usually when I start up a program or log
onto the Internet, Windows installer attempts to install either Microsoft
Publisher (it had been Frontpage but I uninstalled that to see if that would
stop), Symantec Antivirus, or HPProductManager (my 3-in-1). Oddly enough, the
programs work fine, and I use Symantec rather frequently. I brought it up to
a few friends and someone overheard me and said it was a virus. But another
friend said she had the same problem with Excel, and she simply uninstalled
it, then reinstalled the program and the problem went away.
As I mentioned before, I uninstalled Frontpage from my computer, but
whatever this thing is then jumped to Publisher. After several upgrades,
Windows Installer is not trying to install Symantec and it works fine. I ran
my antivirus alongside a disk defragger after uninstalling acouple of
freeware programs that I've had on this thing for years, and found nothing. I
also have Spybot, that also found no spyware or adware.
I had a very tech savvy friend look at it, and he showed me that somehow the
..msi file for Publisher is missing. The computer is trying to look for it,
but I don't know how the file disappeared. But there are only 3 files left
for Publisher on my hard drive, and none of them are the .msi file. My worst
fear is that there really is a sort of virus and I'll be forced to try and
back everything up on an external before a supposed crash, and then do a
system restore. I mght as well mention now that this is a computer I
purchased through my state college when I entered as a freshman two years
ago, and right now I'm seriously questioning whether I've been thrown a
"boomerang".
Any help that anyone has will be greatly appreciated. Windows installer
tends to pop up when I first boot up the computer or when I start a program.
Online, it shows up if I click on a link that opens a new window.