Mrs. Muddled

I quite agree.

Thanks for the tip Paulo. I've checked the site. I'll have to spend some time looking into it. Yes, I have a legit Windows XP system. Boy, the learning never stops does it!

I used both Spybot Search and Destroy, Lavasoft and Zone Alarm for years. Never a problem that I was aware of. I also used AVG with never a problem. I switched to Shaw (my cable company) Secure when they came out with their own system to cover all bases. I had to remove SB S& D because Shaw fights with it. It's my understanding that the way things are nowadays there isn't a program on the market that can keep us totally clean of spyware/adware. It's upsetting to say the least. The guy I took my machine to to have the fan noise checked said that he's not very high on Shaw's program. That was when he handed me Webroot's Spy Sweeper. Now I've got them both running. I am considering changing my security system - but can't make up my mind what I want to change to. I've received several suggestions from folks on the forum. I'm not that convinced that F-secure is all that bad. It's certainly rated well in the PC mags that I've read. I've done the Norton and the McAfee thing ... and I hated them both! I realize it's only a matter of time before something nasty gets into my computer - but I can only do the obvious ... and hope for the best. The plethora of programs I have running are telling me it's clean. I just hope they're right. I took a look at Hijack this - but I found it somewhat intimidating and beyond my skill level. Looks like a great program. My problem is that I wouldn't be able to spot a "problem." Thomas took a look at my startup files via hijack this. He didn't find anything he thought was alarming. What kind of back up do you use?

I think if I'd been more specific about "what" I actually wanted to remove from my husband's side of the computer - I wouldn't have set off so many alarm bells. I'm pretty savvy about security - even though it may not show up in my posts. I've run a variety of computers for many years and never had a worm or a virus (touch wood). I've gotta be doing something right! I follow instructions, but I like to "understand" what is actually happening, rather than just doing things by rote. Had my computer not taken a sudden turn for the worse after I took it to the tech to have the fan checked, and been talked into adding Spy Sweeper - I'd not likely have needed to ask any questions. All was well.

Oh Sam! I'm smiling ... broadly. No, I don't have a teenage computer geek lurking in the wings. Wish I did ... but ... alas ... the closest thing to a computer geek in my world is ... me. Scary thought huh? So. Yes! Of course. That makes perfect sense when I see what you wrote. I already knew that. I guess I just didn't know I knew that. You have reassured me that all is well in the little world of my start menu. I shall have to stop asking questions. I fear I am on a direct route to The TCH quack file. MM

This is the form I got back from Webroot after I wrote to them to tell them that since installing their spy sweeper program, my husband's side of the computer crashes the computer when he tries to log off. This was not happening prior to the installation. It does not happen on my side of the computer. We experimented since following this instruction, and so far, the computer has stopped crashing. I'm holding my breath. I've followed the instructions below. Can you explain to me exactly what I did by following their direction so that I understand it? I like to "understand" processes. They are not easy to communicate with. Also. One of the shields in SS will not work with my Shaw F-Secure so I always see the sheild status as "vulnerable." It is the Spy Communication Shield. I am wondering what I might do so that the two programs do communicate with each other (in other words - Shaw lets Spy Sweeper do it's job). The tech I got at Shaw didn't even know what Spy Sweeper was - which I found somewhat off-putting. -------------------------------------------------------see below Please do not reply directly to this email. To respond to, update, or otherwise check the status of this Ticket, click on the link in the Ticket Information field below. We have suggested a solution to your issue. Let us know how we did. Please answer a feedback survey: Take a Survey Solution: Hello, Spy Sweeper's Spy Communication shield is not able to run while F-Secure is running as F-Secure has a similar component. For the issue of Spy Sweeper crashing: (note: Spy Sweeper was not crashing. The COMPUTER was crashing!) Please hold the Ctrl + Alt keys together, and double click the Spy Sweeper logo in large black letters at the top of Spy Sweeper's Home section. If you do this correctly, the logo should become six buttons. Click the Turn SPS Off button. Please reply to this ticket regarding whether this corrects the issue. Ticket Information: Ticket #: xxxxx Date Created: 8/17/2006 6:35 PM MDT To update or check the status of this Ticket: - Go to: http://support.webroot.com/ics/support/def...776&xxxxxxx - Log in, and you will be automatically taken to the Ticket page. Powered by Parature"

I thought of doing that Thomas. I figured I'd better run it by you before I started messing with it. I just went into my Shaw Secure and saw that I had changed my security level to high. I've moved it back to "normal" - thinking this may be what's slowing my computer down to a miserable crawl. That plus the new Spy Sweeper. Are you getting the pop up box every time you leave a site, asking you if you want to clear your info? I do. I let it clear my info every time. Does that sound like the right thing to do - or is it overkill?

Yikes! I just did that - used the Windows E key - Eureka! I've never tried that before. Handy. Hope I remember it. You wouldn't believe how many files I've got in there. Dozens! Is that right? It's like every program I own! Doesn't make sense to me. Do you want to take a look at what opens there? I can put a link to a screen shot. I can't see why all those programs have to be on the start menu. Now, I just went through this - only via startup log yesterday. I'm assuming this is the same stuff that would appear when I run a startup log? Do you see Administrator All users Owner other user's name My stuff is under Owner. Is that the way it should be?

Thank you Thomas. I read over the various posts on that site. Interesting to discover that I am not the only one left with the annoying HP ScanJet file. Take a look here for the file that's left. At least I appear to have rid the compute of most of the mess. The box still opens on the desktop .... asking for something it thinks needs to be installed from the e: drive.

I have recently installed Spy Sweeper. My computer is running very slowly. Question: Why do I need to keep it runnng in the background all the time. Why can't I just run the program at the end of the day - or whenever? Does it have to install itself on the other user's side of the computer too?

I share my computer. The other user has zero computer experience and to protect the computer I've listed said user as "limited." All of the programs I load on to the computer appear on his side too. He doesn't need them loading up. He doesn't use them. He doesn't want my Winpatrol and roboform and all my website building "stuff" and appearing all over his desktop as well as starting up with his start up. Does he really need Spy Sweeper opening up each time he reads his email? Can't I scan the entire computer from my side? So, my question to you is this: Do all of my programs HAVE to open on his side of the computer? I tried deleting the Roboform icon and a web building icon from his desktop and got the BIG BONG saying I couldn't do that. If I listed him as an administrator, could he then delete everything except his email and browser of choice - without messing up the files on my side?

Done. Thank you Sam.

The ones I see in that file are the ones that came with the computer. I'm wondering where all the photos/artwork etc that I grab off the net to use as my desktop background - or from MY PICTURES are stored. They appear in the list and I don't use most of them anymore.

How does one delete all the "stuff" that has been used as desktop backgrounds?

I've sent you a PM - awaiting further instructions.

I've got it. Is there anything in this BIG list that I should NOT make available to persons unknown on this website? Before I copy and paste?

Ok - will follow instructions.

Yes Don! I just downloaded Reg Mech for the second time - forgetting I'd gone down this path before. I decided to do a search on TCH - just to make sure I hadn't already queried the program. Lo and behold I had. I wont ask any more questions - but I will make a back up as suggested by you Don. I don't think I can mess up too much by doing that . . . can I?

Oooh boy. Messin' with the registry. Hmm? Sounds like a place I shouldn't go.

Thanks Thomas. I checked out both sites. I hate to admit it ... but I don't think I am qualified to use Hijack this. You may have noticed I tend reinforce this opinion on my posts. I'm pretty smart - but my "smarts" sometimes don't include my computer. I have bookmarked both sites and I know I will use the answersthatwork often. Thank you for your suggestions.

Click on this and this and hopefully the two files will show up.

I am trying to decide what to remove from my msconfig startup so that it works faster. Which site would you recommend I check out for the best guidance about what to delete?

Jim, I've been reading CNET and PC Tools etc about Hijack This. It certainly appears to be highly regarded. I just installed Spy Sweeper. I also have F-Secure running. Wouldn't having Hijackthis running too be a bit of overkill? I'm somewhat concerned that I would "mess up my system."

Yes, I'm sure you are correct. Makes sense. However, it did look very intimidating. Why is there so much alarm on the net when you do a search on the program? It is apparent that it acts like a worm or virus on a lot of computers! Thank you for your answer. I really appreciate it.

I don't have those files showing in my msconfig startup. Jim - that hijack this sounds pretty scary! Are you sure that this is something "I" should mess with? There is one file showing in the start up that I'm not sure about ... it sez it's an update .... would this be part of the HP stuff? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Nana2/startupview.jpg Edit: TCH-Bruce - converted image to link. Please don't embed links to large images, thanks