Solved Numerous problems on system running XP media center edition

[Resolved] Numerous problems on system running XP media center edition

I'm new here, so I hope my first post doesn't fall foul of the rules - my first difficulty was choosing the correct forum, since the problems I'm experiencing cover both the OS and several third-party applications... I've gone for the XP forum - I hope that proves to be OK.

OK, here goes - I'm running on a HP Media Center PC with Windows XP Media Center Edition. The machine was new in September 2006, and has always been set to allow automatic Windows Updates, so I believe the OS is completely up-to-date.

Last night I tried to play an .avi file in Windows Media Player (I think it's Media Player 10, but can't check at the moment). The video played fine, but there was no sound. I checked Volume Control via the icon in the system tray, and got a message along the lines of "there is no mixer associated with Volume Control ". Went to START>CONTROL PANEL>SOUND AND AUDIO DEVICES and checked the Volume tab, and found "No Audio Device ". The Sounds tab showed nothing, although here I could select items from the drop-down menu, but the Audio tab showed no options for the "Defualt Device" menu. Shortly afterwards, Firefox (I'm running version2) went into a "not responding" state, and I had to end the process via Task Manager

I decided to run a couple of system scans to see if anything showed up, so I ran a basic Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan, and an in-depth NOD32 system scan (NOD32 is my current anti-virus program, completely up-to-date) the first of which turned up a few suspicious items (subsequently dealt with) and the second of which showed nothing.

Next, I thought I'd go online to see what I could find about the problem - I started Firefox (Version 2) via the Quick Launch icon, but nothing appeared to happen. I got the expected "your last session ended unexpectedly" message, made the usual replies to start a new session, and then nothing. I checked Task Manager, and Firefox showed as running, so I ended the instance shown, and tried again. Again, no Firefox window, but Firefox was shown as running. I closed it via Task Manager, and decided to try IE7 (which i still have in stalled, because I use it for Hotmail and a couple of other sites which won't function in Firefox). I started it from the Quick Launch icon, and the IE7 window came up on the screen, but within a second or two, it, too, had disappeared. Unlike Firefox, there was no lingering process to delete.

I shut down and came back to it this morning. I've since discovered several other problems. Explorer won't allow me to perform a search - like IE7, the search window flashes on to the screen briefly, then disappears. When it does, my desktop is momentarily cleared, then the desktop icons return to the screen. The wallpaper stays visible throughout.

I went to check which version of Media Player I have, but this, too, flashes on to the screen for a split second, then disappears - there is no Mplayer.exe left running. Word (2003) seems to run OK, as does Excel and Photoshop 7, while Outlook runs after a fashion - it will start, and i was amazed to find that it downloaded new e-mails from the server, but I am able to open only those e-mails that do not contain any web content. I can open messages that are simply text, but items such as promotional e-mails from companies, where the e-mail links to web content, will not open. Attempting to open one of these results in an error message - "The required file OUTLRPC.dll cannot be found in your path - please re-install Microsoft Office Outlook ", then Outlook closes. Closing Outlook "normally" - i.e. without trying to open one of the web-linked e-mails - leaves a small error message on the screen, "Error OUTLRPC.dll" without further detail(s).

All in all, the system looks pretty sick, and although I've borrowed a laptop and found references online to some of these problems individually, I've found nothing that comes close to including a majority of them, so I'm at a loss...

I've downloaded and transferred new versions of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Hijack This and ERUNT to my machine. I've run ERUNT to capture a backup of my registry as it stands (although I suspect there may be registry problems at the root of this), and I produced a Hijack This log which is reproduced below. The new version of the Malwarebytes software found nothing when I ran it this afternoon. I've also run CCleaner to clear out the old rubbish scattered around the system.

About the only bright spot in all this is that I have been able to back up most of my personal data to my two external hard-drives. There are some files I have no room to back up, so I'm anxious not to lose these if possible, and because i can't perform a search, and I have no idea where they reside, I haven't been able to back up my outlook foldsers (.dbx files) - I need to preserve these if possible, because they include some business corrspondence that I should have copies of. For this reason, i have not re-installed Outlook as per the error message - I have no idea whether re-installing the software would over-write or destroy my e-mail folders.

Sorry this is so long-winded, but I've tried to include as much relevant info as I can. Here's the Hijack This log -

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 18:44:24, on 06/04/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16791)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe
C:\Program Files\HP DigitalMedia Archive\DMAScheduler.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE4.0\OpwareSE4.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\Playlist.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaantmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel(R) Quick Resume Technology\ELService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/iesearch/default.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_GB&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Wanadoo
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: EWPBrowseObject Class - {68F9551E-0411-48E4-9AAF-4BC42A6A46BE} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\EWPBrowseLoader.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.1.1309.3572\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Easy-WebPrint - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Wanadoo - {8B68564D-53FD-4293-B80C-993A9F3988EE} - C:\PROGRA~1\Wanadoo\WSBar\WSBar.dll (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ftutil2] rundll32.exe ftutil2.dll,SetWriteCacheMode
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet /keeploaded /nodetect
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD08] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\{33D6CC28-9F75-4d1b-A11D-98895B3A3729}\hphupd08.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DMAScheduler] "c:\Program Files\HP DigitalMedia Archive\DMAScheduler.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nod32kui] "C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe" /WAITSERVICE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioEngineUtility] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\System\EngUtil.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioAudioCentral] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSDrvCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OpwareSE4] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE4.0\OpwareSE4.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ERUNT AutoBackup.lnk = C:\Program Files\ERUNT\AUTOBACK.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Grabber All - C:\Program Files\Grabber\grabberall.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Grabber Image - C:\Program Files\Grabber\grabber.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Add To Print List - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll/RC_AddToList.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint High Speed Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll/RC_HSPrint.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Preview - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll/RC_Preview.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll/RC_Print.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Search with Wanadoo - res://C:\PROGRA~1\Wanadoo\WSBar\WSBar.dll/VSearch.htm
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\lspine.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\lspnre.dll
O23 - Service: Intel® Quick Resume Technology Drivers (ELService) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel(R) Quick Resume Technology\ELService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMon) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: NOD32 Kernel Service (NOD32krn) - Eset - C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe

--
End of file - 11007 bytes


If there's any other information you need, I'll do my best to supply it, although I'll need some guidance on Registry issues, since I've little or no experience of dealing with them.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Alan.

 

Hi and welcome

I'll try to help but it sounds as if the computer is in very poor shape.

If you can please, transfer tools needed via Flash/USB drive.


Please download RegQuery by Noviciate to your desktop

• Copy the following registry keypath by highlighting the text and pressing CTRL and C at the same time
  • [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\drivers32]
• Double click RegQuery.exe to run the program
• Paste the text you have copied using CRTL and V, into the textbox
• Click the Query button
• A Notepad file will open. Please paste the contents in your next reply
• You may now close the RegQuery program

NEXT**
Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop

Additional Link

* Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
* Be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Please save it to a convenient location.
* You can also access the log by doing the following:

o Click on the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware icon to launch the program.
o Click on the Logs tab.
o Click on the log at the bottom of those listed to highlight it.
o Click Open.

Tutorial if needed
http://thespykiller.co.uk/index.php/topic,5946.0.html

Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer,please do so immediately.




In your next reply post:
RegQuery log
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log
new HJT log

You may need several replies to post the requested logs, otherwise they might get cut off.

 

Hi Juliet -

Thanks for picking up the thread and offering your assistance. A few hours ago I managed to discover the cause of all my problems, and I checked the board to see whether my post had been made into an active thread. At that point, it hadn't, so I e-mailed Admin and explained that I no longer needed assitance. Admin asked me to post my e-mail here as a reply to the thread, so here's what I wrote -

"I joined a couple of days ago because I was having numerous difficulties with my PC and the applications I run on it. My post has not appeared on the forum (the XP forum), which I presume is because it has not been approved by admin as yet... no problem, I appreciate you are busy guys who give up your leisure time freely and generously to help people like me.

Just like to say thanks - firstly for being there, and secondly because it was in another topic on this board that I eventually found the solution to the problems I was having. In the end, after two days of tearing my hair out, it was a two-minute job - I downloaded and ran Winsockxpfix, and I was once more able to get online and work with my e-mails... especially important for me, since I'm out of work and trying to make a few extra pounds doing some writing and researching for a friend of mine.

(snip)

Many thanks for all your efforts to help us less-technically able PC users...

Take care,

Alan. "

I can't remember which thread it was that included the information I needed, but it was connected with exactly the sort of problem I was having with Internet Explorer - starting up and closing down almost immediately. Winsockxpfix was recommended as a possible fix, and proved to be precisely what I needed to get up and running again. Incredibly, all the various problems I was experiencing have been resolved by running this one program -and Windows BBS was where I found the vital fix.

Thanks again to everyone here for the good work you do.

 

Thank you so much for returning the information.
Glad it was a simple fix and that your back to operating on the net again.


Post back once more and letme know if I can resolve the topic.

 

Everything seems to be fine now, so I don't think there's anything left to resolve... it looks like whatever was wrong with Winsock was at the root of all the problems I was having.

While things were messed up, I had no sound in any of the applications I tried - Audacity, DbPowerAmp, and (while it was still running) Media Player - but that's all back now. I lost the volume control icon in the system tray as well, but I've since restored that.

Firefox and IE are both OK, I've successfully performed a couple of searches within Explorer, and my e-mails all open OK now without crashing Outlook... it looks as though things are back to normal, thankfully.

All that's left for me to do now is to check out the System Restore function on the machine - I tried to restore to a number of automatically created system checkpoints while I was trying to sort this out, and none of them worked. I've checked that System Restore itself is working OK by creating a manual checkpoint, adding an item to my desktop, then restoring to the checkpoint taken immediately before - it worked, and the new desktop item disappeared on reboot. Why the earlier (automatic) restore points were no good remains a mystery.

Other than that, I'm a very happy bunny - thanks again for stepping up to the mark to help me out.

Alan.

 

Your good to go, good job!


Please take the time to read over a few of my preventive tips.


Please navigate to Microsoft Windows Updates and download all the "Critical Updates " for Windows.


Firefox 3
The award-winning Web browser is now faster, more secure, and fully customizable to your online life. With Firefox 2, added powerful new features that make your online experience even better. It has more features and is a lot more secure than IE. It is a very easy and painless download and install, it will no way interfere with IE, you can use them both.
*NoScript - Addon for Firefox that stops all scripts from running on websites. Stops malicious software from invading via flash, java, javascript, and many other entry points.

How to prevent Malware: Created by Miekiemoes

Here are some additional utilities that will further enhance your safety.
# http://www.trillian.cc → Trillian or http://www.miranda-im.com → Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)


Read this article 'Safe Computing Practices'.
So how did I get infected in the first place.

Secure My Computer: A Layered Approach

Strong passwords: How to create and use them

Free Antivirus-AntiSpyware-Firewall Software
Slow Computer May Not Be Malware Related, Help! My computer is slow!
http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/slowcomputer.html


PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?
http://www.techsupportforum.com/sec...115548-pc-safety-security-what-do-i-need.html

Stand Up and Be Counted ---> Malware Complaints <--- where you can make difference!
This site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story.

Extra note:
Make sure your programs are up to date - because older versions may contain Security Leaks. To find out what programs need to be updated, please run the Secunia Software Inspector Scan. http://secunia.com/software_inspector/

 

"Please take the time to read over a few of my preventive tips. "

Will do - thanks again.

 

Safe Surfing