joangolfing

Trying to fix my HP laptop with many issues but the main one I feel is that WIN Security Center doesn't recognize my virus checker.

I followed step 1 and step 2 of your plan. I found no malwares that were listed. Then trying step 2 with Panda an alarm went off as I was starting the process and alerted me to a virus coming out of the check up itself.

joangolfing

narrowing down my search--Now I believe my problem is malware:

Microsoft Win Sec. Center AntiVirus Override

I'm now searching for removal programs from those listed on this forums' 5 step process.

Ariesjill

Hi, Joan,
(More females active on tSF???? Waaaaaay!)

High marks, I am sure U R infected. Also sure U will profit from expert step by step advice re diagnostics and removal/DISINFECTION from the pundits here. Forget, learn a heap in the process. Here where the health care is....as opposed to everywhere else.

First Steps:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/secu...sting-log.html

Be patient, they R in overdrive, someone will get to you and yr HP.

When U have time re priorities:

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?

Hang in!

joangolfing

I went out this morning to the hijack forum, posted a log and got advice. They didn't find any malware and had me uninstall Symantek that had been in my system. Now I'm uninstalling all other spyware programs and trying to get a stable laptop.

Ariesjill

Hi, Again, Joan,
sorry, I had no clue, and way 2 go and sounds like immediate help....fabulous. Even more, that U were not infected!

Re Symantec.....the mods R very restrained but I am not a mod so I can say outright, it sucks.

I assume U have good free firewall, i.e. Comodo or Zone Alarm? If not....that's yr first step. Both better than the resident firewall in XP, I believe.

As often recommended, AVG free edition is amazing anti virus.

Using the links posted in the mods signatures, second link I posted, this from Glas...U will arrive at a perfect combination of free anti-spy utilities which will not eat ur yr ram and function beautifully in concert.

Assuming yr XP is fully patched, U may also want 2 look into fIrefox as yr default browser, I think it is far more seucre than Internet Explorer.

"Stable" Interesting concept if U logically extend it.

I get U R very sharp.....any questions on yr way to the right amalgam of utilities, post and everyone will help.
_____________________________________________
I just looked thru yr HJT thread....amazing wut these people know, right?

1) Windows Defender my butt. Just my opinion. I would so dump it. Again, just my opinion.

2) I have no experience with yr anti virus, know it is recomended, but U need one, so if U uninstall yrs as U suggested, again, U might get AVG Free.....it is worldclass, Joan. After uninstalling yrs, download the aVG free and set it up and then check if Security Center recognizes it.

3) Here is lovely freeware with multifunction including active spyware preclusion, malware scan.....optimizer, reg cleaner, junk file cleaner, start up analyzer Also warpspeed and entirely configurable.

http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

joangolfing

Thanks, Jill

Still struggling with an unstable laptop after uninstalling all that including my antivirus--Avast. The reason I chose Avast is that it has a neat feature that allows me to right click on the icon and pause the active processes. That way I can use my Music aps and not have an antivirus interfering.

Good information on the firewall issue. I may look into Comodo since I tried Zone Alarm and couldn't seem to feel comfortable setting it up.

My next move should be to install a different firewall on the HP and see what happens.

I'm also looking for good protection for the Asus desktop I just built from components and would like to keep it without issues for as long as possible.

Ariesjill

"....You JUST BUILT FROM COMPONENTS"??????????????? OMG....like from wut, old tubes of mascara and empty icecream containers from Haagen dazs Chocolate Chipset??? Joan?????? I know, it was no brainer, right?

Decent firewall the foundation. Without it, despite carefully arrived at armamentarium of protections....U r doing trapeze work without a net and belying the value of all the other utilities.

Besides....I can't imagine anyone who could build a rig would have issue one setting up Zone Alarm!

Make sure U have uninstalled/turned off any existing firewalls before installing Comodo....including if U may have resident XP one on by accident.
And choose the standard setup....stay away from Advanced, it is not necessary.

And again, U need the anti virus. Majorly.

U might also visit Trend Micro HOUSECALL, download one of their kernnel/Active X plug ins it needs 2 run, and let it run. It takes time and is thorough, choose scan 4/find all viruses/malwares.

Unlike Panda....though we all luv them---Housecall will remove anything it finds that is removable after it scans.

http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/cons...all_launch.php
(Europe)

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
(USA)
We have no geographic location 4 U, Joan so I included both above.

And Joan, hard 2 believe that yr issue is malware if the HJT Pundits gave U clean bill, but run Housecall, U will learn more.

joangolfing

I just installed Comodo on the HP and it seems quite easy. I reinstalled Avast and now I'm doing an sfc scan as recommended in the other forum. I have my install XP CD handy in case some files need a little repair.

Ariesjill

Sounds all good!

joangolfing

No corrupted files using sfc. I might just have my laptop working again. It was all in the security with the firewall and the antivirus software. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have it fixed.

I'm liking Comodo so well that I installed it on my ASUS desktop. It you are interested in seeing a great tutorial with pictures on building your own desktop--go here:
http://tools.corsairmemory.com/syste...eport_id=78237

Ariesjill

Joan making progress!

Thanks 4 the link, but U and I r adventurous in different ways.....all good, plus I just got new desktop, my second Optiplex I no way needed. Am on it now, I luv it V much.....I like designing and building things out of wood. If U can't use power tools, it ain't enuff fun.

But Brava, Joan!

joangolfing

Thanks, Jill for the encouragement.

Sounds like we both are a bit adventurous and able to tackle many projects.

I do believe I have my laptop fixed. The only difference now between my desktop and my HP laptop is that WinXP pro in the desktop recognizes both Comodo and Avast in the Security Center and Win XP on HP doesn't.

I'm going to keep Ad AwareSE and Spybot S&D but give me your opinion on Spyware Blaster and Windows Defender.

Ariesjill

Hi, Joan,

Yeah...."adventurous".....verging, in my case, at times....on reckless. But -playin it safe=boring, right? I no longer drive at 120 with car full of kids on way back 2 college. That's....progress, OK? ourse, I don't have the oppotunity now....is the truth.

Spwayre Blaster is included in the signatures of many smart, expereinced mods on this site.....my feeling is "do it, why not, it works, it's free." Again I have issues with/bias against Windows Defender which i once tried 4 eleven mins......as per above, "My Butt." But if someone with extensivel experience with it might weigh in, that would B good.

I have many anti spywares, but also, after testing, chose to retain & buy Trend Micro AntiSpy.....it does cost money, not much, and their new 3.5 build is nightmare, but th4e one before that is a dream. In my tests, it picks up things nothing else does and I run it last.

Now Joan, someone in XP needs to explain wut I can not: why yr Comodo does not show up in Security in yr desktop. Mine does on this new Optiplex running Pro; I will attach a screenie. But.....if the firewall itself indicates it is healthy and active, asks U for permission for things and says yr protection is fabulous.....which requires quick look-C, I would take Comoodo's word ovah Mr. Gates' any day of the week....including Wednesday.

Sounds as if Yr HP is on the road to total health. Way!

Attached Images

from my new Optiplex.JPG (84.4 KB, 7 views)

joangolfing

I'm on a roller coaster today with my laptop. This morning I had a registry issue and sent a message to the Win XP site. Then it cleared up and returned after I thought it was fixed. Very scary stuff going on now. I just restored twice to an earlier time yesterday before I installed Comodo. Right at this moment it's booting up normally without error messages.

How can it get this crazy?

Ariesjill

May I recommend CCleaner. His new build, even with the dealthlike new interface....is amazing. Most downloaded rreeware on the net and deservedly so. It has excellent reg cleaner. It is free. U have nutin 2 loose.

http://www.ccleaner.com/download/

And Joan.....keep the bar down and do not fall out of the car.......I despise rollercoasters....they make me sick and not my kinda thrill at all. I think they R 4 masochists or shut down people who need terror 2 feel alive.

Of course, that is also true of WINDOWS!

My smilies do not work today. Why??????? Maybe they got disabled? I will look.

Finally, I believe, SENDING ERROR REPORTS 2 Microsoft.....A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. Again, just my opinion. I go 2 them sometimes and with success....but if they were All That....would there B a TSF? I mean the Windows forums????? forget the security forums, the HJT forums.....common.....

joangolfing

I just ran an online Panda Active scan and only found 4 spyware items, no virus, security risks, or suspicious files.

I just downloaded CCleaner and will try that. Thanks again.

Ariesjill

My pleasure, Joan. And B open....try Housecall. I pasted 2 links as I do not know where U live.

If U evolve right amalgam of anti spys.....U should need nothing else. Maybe also depends on yr aps & surfing habits, also maybe browser security/privacy settings.... takes time, patience, first hand experience, reading threads....but it's all good.

Same deal with reg softwares.....and, OK, everytihng else. It's a JOURNEY.

joangolfing

I just ran CCleaner and didn't take any action. The cleaner section found 49MB of stuff that I wasn't sure should be deleted if they are my websites I normally browse through--- and the registry found tons of things. I'm now too afraid to try anything on that registry since it resets the registry. I don't quite understand if those are my missing items that will be restored or those they are taking off.

Ariesjill

CCleaner is brilliantly written, he fixes things not broken in previous builds; it is configurable; very safe. Read the tutorials. I have used it in every system I have evah had and have not had one problem with it. Again, not that U shouldn't familiarize yrself with it, U should....but this is very smart, very safe software.....and keeping yr reg free of invalid entries, keys, etc......V important.

Also, Joan.....if U have the pro activity 2 build a rig, U should not worry about deleting cookies.....next time U visit a site, it will just plant another one. Far too many spies in cookies....tracking us to pick and choose. I delete all of them more than once if I am online for hours.

These R not moist, homebaked goodies, Joan.....their little chips sometimes have eyes and do not mind their own business, OK?

Ponder.

joangolfing

I'm reinstalling Comodo on HP right now and then will try the housecall.