The "other" User Of This Computer

[Mrs. Muddled]

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?

[TCH-JimE]

Hello Mrs Muddled,

 

I am assuming your using windows XP.

 

All programs loaded in the admin side, will ALWAYS boot up into the limited guest mode. There is nothing you can do to stop this, and in a way, protects your computer. E,g, imagine if you could turn of the virus scanner for your guests who came along and downloaded a virus onto your computer!

 

2) If using XP, he should have a complete new desktop, and not be the same as yours. However, his start menu will be the same as yours.

 

3) You can edit what appears in the start bar by logging in as yourself and then opening up windows explorer by pressing windows key+E

 

Scroll down to documents and settings > All users > Start Menu

 

Now this is what will appear in ALL users, if you don't want it there, remove it (don't delete it otherwise you wont be able to see it). I suggest you move it to start menu of your own user folder. E.g Mine is labelled as "Jim"

 

JimE

[Samrc]

Keeping the firewall and antivirus running for that second person, especially a computer novice, is very important.

 

Jim thanks for reminding me of the keyboard shortcut for the Explorer window! Been right clicking start and choosing Explore because I couldn't remember the keyboard option!

[Mrs. Muddled]

Hello Mrs Muddled,

 

I am assuming your using windows XP.

 

All programs loaded in the admin side, will ALWAYS boot up into the limited guest mode. There is nothing you can do to stop this, and in a way, protects your computer. E,g, imagine if you could turn of the virus scanner for your guests who came along and downloaded a virus onto your computer!

 

2) If using XP, he should have a complete new desktop, and not be the same as yours. However, his start menu will be the same as yours.

 

3) You can edit what appears in the start bar by logging in as yourself and then opening up windows explorer by pressing windows key+E

 

Scroll down to documents and settings > All users > Start Menu

 

Now this is what will appear in ALL users, if you don't want it there, remove it (don't delete it otherwise you wont be able to see it). I suggest you move it to start menu of your own user folder. E.g Mine is labelled as "Jim"

 

JimE

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?

Edited August 21, 2006 by Mrs. Muddled

[Samrc]

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.

 

Yes since you have administrator rights that is correct. Every program that is installed in your computer should be available to you. Click your start button and look at all the programs you have offered. This is the start menu.

 

StartUp and Start menu are two different things.

 

- Start menu has the full list of the programs YOU are allowed to use. (If signed into the other identity, you will see the programs he can use). Could be dozens of programs. Practically everything that has been installed will be listed when you have administrator rights. These programs are not running when you start the computer. They are available for you to start at any time.

 

- Startup is a folder inside the start menu (in the programs folder) and the shortcuts listed in this folder tell Windows XP to start these programs when the computer starts up. You might only have one or two items in here, or none at all. Could be printer, adobe acrobat, etc files that you may want running in the background automatically when you start the computer. If you do not want something to startup when the computer starts, you can remove links from this folder. For a client that didn't want to chance deleting anything that he may need later, I created a separate folder inside the programs folder (named it disabled startup) and dragged the items I did not want starting up into that folder. Links are not lost, just set aside if he wants them later.

 

Since you are on a binge to clean your computer stem to stern, you might consider having someone come to your home and give you a few pointers on XP, maintenance and file/folder structures.

 

Any of the friends/neighbors have teenagers that are computer literate that can sit with you for a while? I've found a few minutes side by side/one on one can REALLY make a strong impact. Or anyone from work that would be willing to assist? I have spent many evenings with co-workers going over computer basics and answering questions that were really bugging them but were afraid to ask. They are more comfortable with home computers and I am more confident they will not royally mess around with the office machines. Win-Win for both.

[Mrs. Muddled]

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

[Samrc]

Don't be afraid to mention something! This forum makes TCH special and you are a welcome part of that community!

 

Though many of us can assist in general terms, other forums that specialize in windows might be your best route for detailed windows issues or spyware/adware/scumware removal techniques.

 

I already knew that. I guess I just didn't know I knew that.

(Sam imagines that moment of recognition and compares it to that commercial: Slaps forehead and says " I could have had a V-8!")

Yup, I knew you knew that! Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees and just need someone to remind us to look at it from a different angle.

 

By the way, I have never heard of a TCH quack file so you don't have to worry on that account either!

[Mrs. Muddled]

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.

[Samrc]

I follow instructions, but I like to "understand" what is actually happening, rather than just doing things by rote.

Yep me too!

 

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!

Congratulations!

 

Antivirus programs are perfect for scouting out viruses, worms and trojans. But antivirus systems are not designed to also watch out for adware/spyware/scumware.

 

Lots of folks think they are protected if they run Antivirus and a Firewall. Unfortunately they aren't. Haven't ever used Spy Sweeper myself so can't comment on that program. I like Adaware (freebie) (and sometimes spybot search and destroy and hijack this) for finding and slapping down the adware/spyware/scumware that cause headaches. Unfortunately no one program can catch/fix all the yuck.

 

Just about everyone gets one or more of these pieces in thier system at one point or another. Even folks with good computer habits. Even with a firewall in place you can get this YUCK into your system. It can actually be installed by you with legitimate software, it can put an inviation tag in an email or other downloaded file and that invites the rest of the installation files to come in. Gator/GAIN is famous for this. You accept a program (like a clock, weather notice, search or information or shopping toolbar, etc) and once in the system it sends data back and forth without your permission and even adds new options to your computer.

 

Worst of all, it slows the system or the internet connection or both. Can bring system to a standstill. Friend of mine on high-speed connection had so many separate "helper" programs (SCUMWARE/ADWARE) trying to reach the web at the same time that he could not get an IE window to open fully! Took several hours to clean his system. His started with a purchased program that installed a "helper" program without his notice. (I found it listed in the program LICENSE with disclaimer).

 

The companies that create and market this crud say it is good for you. BAH HUMBUG. Can only harm you and send your statistics (and possibly your data) to someone else.

[Prel]

If you use legitimate Windows XP, this is its solution :

 

Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit

[Mrs. Muddled]

Yep me too!

 

 

Congratulations!

 

Antivirus programs are perfect for scouting out viruses, worms and trojans. But antivirus systems are not designed to also watch out for adware/spyware/scumware.

 

Lots of folks think they are protected if they run Antivirus and a Firewall. Unfortunately they aren't. Haven't ever used Spy Sweeper myself so can't comment on that program. I like Adaware (freebie) (and sometimes spybot search and destroy and hijack this) for finding and slapping down the adware/spyware/scumware that cause headaches. Unfortunately no one program can catch/fix all the yuck.

 

Just about everyone gets one or more of these pieces in thier system at one point or another. Even folks with good computer habits. Even with a firewall in place you can get this YUCK into your system. It can actually be installed by you with legitimate software, it can put an inviation tag in an email or other downloaded file and that invites the rest of the installation files to come in. Gator/GAIN is famous for this. You accept a program (like a clock, weather notice, search or information or shopping toolbar, etc) and once in the system it sends data back and forth without your permission and even adds new options to your computer.

 

Worst of all, it slows the system or the internet connection or both. Can bring system to a standstill. Friend of mine on high-speed connection had so many separate "helper" programs (SCUMWARE/ADWARE) trying to reach the web at the same time that he could not get an IE window to open fully! Took several hours to clean his system. His started with a purchased program that installed a "helper" program without his notice. (I found it listed in the program LICENSE with disclaimer).

 

The companies that create and market this crud say it is good for you. BAH HUMBUG. Can only harm you and send your statistics (and possibly your data) to someone else.

 

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?

[Mrs. Muddled]

If you use legitimate Windows XP, this is its solution :

 

Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit

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!

[TCH-Thomas]

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.

 

I see antispyware/adware programs as IRL doctors. One doctor is good at this and the other is good at that, no doctor knows everything.

I run a combination of several "doctors" all are free and do what they should. The day the "doctor" that is good at all stuff that can happen to my machine exists, then I willing to pay for it.

[stevevan]

Thomas is correct. As many products as there are, you'll get that many different opinions on how each one performs...depending upon who you ask. I've always offered the opinion to "try them all...just not all at the same time ()" and see which one works the best for your particular situation.

[Mrs. Muddled]

I quite agree.