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This one is NOT a HOAX I have it in my main PC and am trying to get rid of it now. Most antivirus programs don't seem to be able to stop it. Windows defender does not even recognize it. It has many names but I have it under the name of Antivirus XP 2010. It has hijacked my windows security system, turned off my Macaffee protections and basically disabled my antivirus programs and firewall. I am very careful so I don't know how I got this virus. The only thing I have done in the last couple days was E-file my Income Taxes. It may have got in that way.
It is a rogue virus that is a fake antivirus program. It claims your computer is infected and when you log on it wants money from you to download the software to remove the so called viruses. It is a fake program but if you get suckered in it will take your money. I will let everyone know how I did getting rid of it. It looks like it's going to be difficult. If I learn how you can prevent it I will post the information.
What I don't understand is this virus has been around a few months. It does take your money so there is a TRAIL to somewhere and someone. Why doesn't our fearless leader and his hotshot Att. General have a handle on this. How much money is this virus costing us.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/19/10 04:25 PM.
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The virus is from Russia keyword search the name it will tell you the fix, I have taken it off of costumers computer before bit its been a while. You need to download process stopper and then turn off your system restore its not hard to get rid of just a hassle going through the steps.
Good luck
Paul
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It sounds like Malware. They sometimes call it "ransom" ware. It can sneak in from an update of any program that you have. Be careful of updates, even Windows.
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OK folks Thanks Paul Thanks Ben I think it is but it is worse than the usual Malware. None of my antivirus software even recognizes it. Macaffee, who was supposed to be protecting my PC wants $89.95 to fix this. I asked them about their guarantee of protection. They gave me a cock and bull excuse about it being a new virus. It's been around a while. I told them where they could stick their Antivirus software. It will be gone from my system in a few hours. I am going to try this one. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-antivirus-2010I'll let you know if it works. This is a pain. I have firewalls on my router, firewalls on my system, passwords (really good ones that are so complex I have to write them down so I can remember them) I never open e-mail attachments or IM's especially if there is any .exe file. I don't chat. I am very careful. So I am pretty careful. they still get in. But, I let my Granddaughter use my PC the other day. Every virus I have ever gotten has been AFTER one of the kids was on the PC. You'd think I'd learn.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/19/10 04:57 PM.
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Hope you have it under control. If not, my brother recently had a similar invasion. It disables any protection and antivirus that you currently have. Holds your computer for ransom. Sounds like what Macaffee is doing (I quit using them a long time ago). I had to go to the DOS screen to disable the malware first, then download free http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.phpThey gave me directions how to completely remove the malware. Had to do a full scan. It took a couple of hours.
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Ben I'm am in the process now. The infected computer is being scanned. What I don't figure is why the existing programs didn't stop it. This trojan has been around for years. Even Microsofts defender didn't catch it.
It seems there might be different versions/fixes. I hope the one I'm useing does the trick.
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Bill, the MO of this kind of malware is to extort money by disabling existing software to make you think that the only way to get rid of it is to buy their product.
Guy's like you and I don't fall for it. You can get rid of it on your own. I did.
Don't know if there is a law. If not, there should be. I consider my computer private, but then again, they only invade your Internet access and not your files (all of your antivirus programs are linked to the Internet). That could be the loop hole.
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Thanks for the heads up on this one, sounds nasty. I've been reading along and I don't see any "prevention" stuff on this one. I'll keep an eye out for this on my wife's and daughter's pc.
Kevin
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There have been a few of these 'Antivirus' viruses masquerading as 'Antivirus XP/2008/2009/2010' and so on. It is a nasty one and usually happens but clicking on rogue internet hyper-link. It normally comes up with a message that tells that you have a number of viruses on your machine when in fact you haven't. However once you click on the rogue link that's when the mess starts.
In short if the virus warning is not from your own security system (e.g. Norton) don't trust it and never click on the link.
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Once you get rid of that sucker--and I hope you do...sometimes the original trojan just sits and waits in a seemingly safe file to come back again later--I highly recommend spending 20-some bucks on the Malwarebytes live program. Unlike the free one, it works in real time and repels attacks as they come in. Since I've installed it, it has successfully blocked malware over a dozen times for me...and it's usually upon clicking some page that seems perfectly safe.
Bleepingcomputer.com is a good site.
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Nigel I never clicked the link. I tried to close it and it went into action and did it's thing. I've seen these things before and know they are bogus. Usually you can simply close them and it's gone. This one launched itself. I think I have gotten rid of it but it took a couple hours. What I don't understand is why the anti spyware and antivirus programs aren't detecting it. It even took over windows security center and turned off my firewall and Antvirus
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Kevin I don't know if there is a prevention for this one. I couldn't even close it. It was already in my system. It took over my existing Macaffee antivirus. I have removed the Macaffee and installed Norton which is now supplied by Comcast. Macaffee wanted $89.00 to remove it. I told them to stick it. They must know about it if they can remove it for $89.00.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/19/10 08:49 PM.
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Mark Thanks I think it's all gone. I think I will download the Malwarebytes Pro edition. I need to make sure it won't conflict with Norton. I already have a good registry cleaning program but it would not clean this one out of the registry. I will send them an email and complain. I doubt it'll help much tho.
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Mark is right. A paid for program will always do the job. Malwarebytes is a good program. That's why thet offer a free version.
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Hi Bill. I also have used Malwarebytes must be over a 100 times. I repair PCs for mostly students. These are not virus's which is why virus software doesn’t really remove them.
They are classed as Malicious Software (Malware) and Malwarebytes is designed for just this purpose.
I have found that running Malwarebytes in safe mode with the windows restore switched off then on reboot into normal windows the run Malwarebytes again normally removes them in most cases.
The longer they are left the more aggressive they become.
I had one pc where over 50 windows kept popping up with infected warnings and another customer had spent over $400 dollars with them before finding out it was a spoof virus designed for nothing but to get your cash.
Even had one that appeared as a Microsoft antivirus warning...
They are as correctly mentioned before mostly caught when clicking onto an infected code on a webpage.
Often a program that offers to inspect your system for FREE will leave these nasty little rogues behind...
I have had a few examples where the PC is so infected that it was virtually impossible to even get into windows and work.
Safe mode often helps but even then its sometimes impossible.
Anyway I do have a tried and successful method in these cases if anyone ever needs it. Just ask.(requires a bit of PC knowledge).
Gone on a bit here I know. Have to go..
God Bless Roy
Last edited by OskaSeason; 02/19/10 09:28 PM.
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Mark Thanks I think it's all gone. I think I will download the Malwarebytes Pro edition. I need to make sure it won't conflict with Norton. I already have a good registry cleaning program but it would not clean this one out of the registry. I will send them an email and complain. I doubt it'll help much tho. I hope you got it out of your registry... The last one I had was so bad it actually prevented me from booting in Safe Mode With Networking. And yes, it also disabled the free Malwarebytes and Hijack This programs. My computer repair friend told me we were looking at a whole new level of badness. Malware developers are making it harder and harder to fight back. My guy told me the solution was to not surf the net. But I won't go down like that...Googling something is how I learn things, and what's more, a lot of these malware attacks come from supposedly safe places. Since I went with the live version of Malwarebytes, I've been shocked at the pages that had bad code lurking...places like online music forums! Not this one...but there was a deflected attack on a page of a music software forum I visited just yesterday. You just can't know where it's hiding. He has a lot of experience, as it sounds like Roy has as well. My friend tells me he no longer recommends Norton or McAfee at all...he says they cause as many problems as they prevent. I don't know the details, but that was his opinion.
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Just as a normal operating procedure, when I see a screen popup saying "you are Infected" (and I have seen a few of those), I close it down using Task manager (which closes out of all of the browsers). I don't click on the close "X" -- I can't tell if it is a real windows dialog box or a spoof window (who knows if they can do that???).
Kevin
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There are better freebies out there than Norton or Macafee. These progs are a waste of money and want to take over everything and even try to stop you from doing stuff that is harmless. I have used for years AVG and never had any probs. Here is a link to a free download. http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-avg-anti-virus-freeIf you insist on paying for protection then ESET is IMO preferable to NORTON OR Mcafee.
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As long as you are using a free program, nothing is going to stop an invasion. They are free for a reason.. I would rather use a free progroam and take care of invasions on my own as Bill did.
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Some of the worst rip offs in PC history are paid for programs that do the same or a less job than respectable freebies.
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I've had this twice in the last three months. For me I get a message saying Adobe Acrobat has stopped working. Then a few days later POW! I get a window saying my computer is infected and I can't get rid of the window. I can close it but it keeps popping up. Like Bill said, they say I can buy the anti-virus program to clear it up. Like Bill said, it money is going somewhere, somebody has to know where. Like Bill said, why can't the government stop it? I've said the same thing.
Good luck Bill. For me, I did a system restore each time and that SEEMED to clear it up. It came back so I don't know if it really did clear it up.
When it hits, I try my anti-virus and the window pops up but the icon is different. It is the icon for the invading software using the same screen as the anti-virus.
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Download Microsoft Security Essentials for FREE at the link below and kiss your problems goodbye. Seriously... -Dave http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
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Bill when that virus loaded on my computer, it did the same thing..ran itself. I right clicked on it found the propeities and where it was running on my computer..it was in "local settings" had to dump everything I didn`t need in the recycle bin, re-boot my computer and it took it off..but you have to re-boot. thats generally where they load at. local settings.
"Blessed are the words of truth and fiction, one might save you from the other...Vincent
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I use avast anti virus and I can get you a security key for it if you need it. It's top notch and has never failed me at all.
I also have a scanner that will catch absolutely anything suspicious on your pc. If you need anything computer related ever just let me know I have access to basically every program on the market.
Naomi Sue
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I got that exact virus about a month ago. Cost me $30 to get rid of it.
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Over the years I have built several PC's. I have always used one antivirus program or another. I've used antispyware/ Antimalware programs too. Most antivirus programs won't stop malware, such as this XP 2010 trojan. I THOUGHT I had windows defender running but now I'm not sure. The Trojan may have disabled it. Macaffee claimed they protected against this stuff but I don't think so.
After I got rid of this one I installed Norton and after a few hours I decided I didn't like the way it was working. I have ran AVG for years but they started getting a little strange a few months back so I switched.
I have decided to give Microsoft's Security suite a try. We'll see how it does.
Viruses and spyware don't scare me. They piss me off but I am not really too worried about them. I back up everything of importance and I don't leave anything too revealing on the PC so if I got a virus that wiped it all out or malware I couldn't beat I'd simply wipe the hard drive and start over. I don't like doing it because it is a pain in the butt and usually takes a whole day.
Like Mark says the bad guys are getting smarter and badder and it is getting more and more difficult to stop them. I was careful and this one still got in. I'm not sure where it came from. Adobe? Perhaps. It did an update recently. Maybe it was the software we purchased over the net the other day. Who Knows.
One thing to remember is many of these things will hide in System Restore so if you run system restore and it seems to have gotten rid of it, and it comes back in a day or two, It is probably in the restore file. The only way to get rid of that is turn off system restore. Then go through the proceedure to rid the malware. Turn system restore back on after you have it gone and establish a clean restore point.
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Harry If you are still having the xp 2010 antivirus popping up try this link to rid yourself of it. http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.phpThis Malware goes by a lot of names. The site will list them.
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Naomi I have heard Avast is a good antivirus program. Not sure if it catches malware tho. I use Uniblue registry cleaner and system cleaner and tweaker. It had no effect on this one.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/20/10 05:43 AM.
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Well crap I spoke to soon. It's back. This is a nasty bugger. different name this time. calls itself internet security suite. I guess Microsofts security suite can't see it either..
I think it is comming in through an internet site i visit.
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Bill... If you used the FREE version of Malwarebytes.. make sure you are in safe mode. switch off the restore function in windows... empty your internet temp etc... make sure you then upgrade the Malwarebytes software FOR FREE. There is a place in the software that allows this to be done.
Run it at least three times...
It is a pain... and no guarentees....
Roy
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Songwriting and recording and all that goes with it has enough frustrations, money, and time involved. Why add to it. Just use the money and time wasted on everything to do with new but still antiquated PC's and make all your worlds a lot easier.
bass2x, others I know, and me can tell you there is no more of all that nonsense to deal with. It's amazing actually. I found out by first bass2x telling me facts when I was going through all the same things as above posts go into. Then my daughter switched, and wow! It was like going into the future. But for real.
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John Switched? Switched to what? if your talking about Macs I would rather spend my few hours of working around these little problems than the Thousands I'd need to spend on a Mac. I have 4 PC's. In the 20 or so years I have been running them I think this has happened about 6 times.
How much would 4 Macs cost me?
When I bought my Mackie Multitrack Firewire mixer they did not support Mac. I've been running these same PC's for quite a few years. I upgrade them occasionally.
And Macs have their problems too. Can you fix a Mac yourself? Can you upgrade it for a couple hundred bucks when it becomes outdated? In a year or so. Sooner or later the Mac will fail.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/20/10 04:41 PM.
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Ok It looks like I got it gone. Third try, LOL. I'll let you know if it comes back.
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If all else fails, the hard drive can be wiped clean and then re-install everything. Better than dumping the computer in the trash. Old computers are bombarding landfills. John
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LOL John I have never dumped a PC in the trash. I still have the same PC I started with 15 years ago when I switched to a Tower. Everything inside of it has been changed a time or two as new technology came along. Bigger, faster, More Memory, Ha. They can never be fast enough. That's what I like about PC's. I just order a new MB or more Memory or a new DVD. Better graphics card. you name it. Maybe some day I'll get lazy, or smart. and buy a Mac but for now it's PC's. It's like hot rod cars. why buy a Ferrari when you can have a chevy and do what ever you want to with it.
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I have gotten that virus (or something like it) twice now, both around a year ago. Yes, it has been around for a while.
I got it the first time when I got Windows Defender from Microsoft. (Never, *never* get software from Microsoft.) I started seeing these popup messages with something that looked like a McAffee logo saying I had a virus; click on that, and you saw an impressive list of viruses, and the "Do you want to eliminate these?" message. Click "yes," and that's when you get the demand for money.
My regular antivirus program (AVG) had been disabled by this thing, and Windows Defender was a hindrance rather than help, because it was treating the "malware" as an antivirus program, and wouldn't let me remove it. Windows Defender also wouldn't let me remove Windows Defender, either.
I ended up calling Microsoft Tech Support, telling them it was their problem because the virus came with Windows Defender, and I wanted Windows Defender *and* the virus off the computer *now*. They couldn't (they said it was because I wasn't using Internet Explorer), but they sent me a little DOS program that did.
Second time I got the virus, I no longer had any traces of McAffee on the 'puter, and it showed up with a logo that looked very much like AVG, displaying the same "your computer is infected!" messages. This time, I didn't click on *anything*--just noted the location where the files were hiding, and went into DOS and deleted them. Only way to deal with it, I think.
Joe
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Joe I still don't know how I got this one. It popped up when I visited a site that I visit at least three times a week. I don't know if it was coincidence or not. As long as the majority (about 90%) of people use PC's they will be more susceptible to these attacks. And as long as Microsoft keeps writing Operating Systems with weak security it will keep happening. I don't understand it. If Apple can write a secure OS why can't Microsoft? Over the next few days I will be backing up everything I want to save and if this thing comes back I'll just wipe the hard drive. It takes a few hours to do it but that is sometimes the cure.
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This war story makes me feel old. When Microsoft first came out with Windows 95--how many years ago was that? lots--Norton, Central Point Anti-Virus, and a few other antivirus program manufacturers freaked out: they said the way Win95 was built and functioned, their programs would have no choice but to treat it as a virus and prevent it from working (oh, but wait--it's the *operating system* for the computer?). Microsoft, of course, refused to change anything. Norton, et al., said they could modify their software to allow Win95 to work--but if they did so, it would allow other viruses to infect the computer, too. And the rest is $%^&*! history.
Joe
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Apple gets occasional security leaks in their OS software too, Bill. They are pretty good about getting them patched but there was one time they were late in doing so and tried to keep it quiet. Quite the scandal. But you are right about Microsoft being more susceptible to the attacks due to their popularity.
I use a Dell PC at school with XP system and I have to say XP is a lot better than those previous ones. ( My son has Vista and he likes it really well. ) There are a few viruses the new Macs can get and I heard there are a few spyware apps that can affect them now. One of the things that disturbs me about the anti-bad things software for Mac is that they don't scan for PC stuff. It is possible to acquire those things from the net and unwittingly pass them along to a PC user. The PC bad guys can't hurt the Mac but for goodness sake they can hurt our PC friends' computers.
I really need a laptop to use at school but I can't afford a Mac right now. Every time I think I am going to go get a PC laptop, I see a post or I hear about someone who is having the trouble with viruses etc. Just recently the server at our school was infected and caused trouble with the computers that had not been shut down. (The teachers are supposed to shut down at the end of the day but I guess had left the puters hibernating and connected to the network instead during Christmas vacation. When we came back, it was several days before the server and those computers were functional again.
Anyway, I am glad you got rid of it.
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Nigel I never clicked the link. I tried to close it and it went into action and did it's thing. I've seen these things before and know they are bogus. Usually you can simply close them and it's gone. This one launched itself. Hmm yes that’s one of the problems. They disguise the pop-up box so it looks like a normal one. You think you are pressing the X to close but it will still do its stuff. Just a word on virus checkers and security systems. I don’t know what it is like in the US but most broadband providers in the UK offer a security system as part of the package. So it might be worth checking with your provider. PS. I think AVG charges now.
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Hi Nigel I had the security system offered by my broadband provider. It still got through then they want $89.00 US to help me remove the trojan. I told they could stick their security system where the sun don't shine. I got rid of it myself. So far so good.
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I don't use any Anti Virus software other than windows defender... I DO NOT use outlook on my computer all mail is read online... only if I know who it's from does it get on to my pc.... I do not click links I copy and paste them to an address bar... I have had a couple of minor issues that defender picked up...
But security wise....
A regular back up of document and sound files... is always a great starting point.... then when you get one of these suckers fdisk and format C... work wonders for removing them usually a half smart cookie can show you how to back up from a dos promt prior to wipeing your hard disk..to pick up files that may not be on your back ups and then a scan of those backups before returning the files to the system...
You do not need to spend a fortune on virus protection... It breeds complacency...
Cheers
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Joined: Nov 2006
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I had this one and the reason it keeps coming back is because the files are hidden in the start-up files. You have to boot up in safe mode and go to msconfig and uncheck the files from the malware under the startup tab. Then reboot into normal mode and delete the files. The name of the files will change for each infection. I think I found them in the Windows32 directory. I could only use Firefox for a browser so I found the names via a google search. Then run a malware program to delete all the other nasty pieces.
Good luck.
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Joined: May 2004
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I should have mentioned this in my previous post. Make sure you get the 'updates' right away after you install Microsoft Security Essentials. Also, anyone using an outdated version of Window's - such as XP - seriously wants to consider upgrading to Win 7 (recommend the 'home premium' version). XP has been hacked on for 8 years now and older versions even longer. You want more security? Get Win 7, you can get it (as long as you buy it with some hardware, any hardware) here (for $104.99 w/ free shipping): Win 7 Home Premium At NewEggHave a good 'un! -Dave
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A problem with upgrading to Win 7 Not everything you have with XP will run on it. I specifically called Mackie and asked them if my Mixer would run on anything beyond XP. It will not. I think I'll stick with xp rather than replace a $1500.00 mixer. Noel I had windows defender. It didn't help. I had Macaffee but it doesn't work on malware. I never open attachments in e-mails unless I am expecting one. I don't chat. I don't do any PM's except here. The only place I could have gotten this was Here, Google, Soundclick, A real estate MLS site I frequent or when my Granddaughter searched for a Mitsubishi troubleshooting site to see how to replace a door handle. Those were the sites I was on the evening I got this Trojan. My firewalls were on I have a secure WPA wireless router and follow all the recommendations for protecting my PC. Popups are blocked. But soundclick gets one through now and again. I don't use internet explorer. If someone can tell me what else I could have done to stop it I'd like to hear it. Short of buying a MAC of course. If the Pentagon can get hit I really don't see how anyone can protect themselves. Most folks who never clean their PC have hundreds, sometimes thousands, of unnecessary files on their PC's they usually have hundreds of bad entries in there registry. I use a registry cleaner program regularly. It cost $29.00.
Last edited by Bill Robinson; 02/24/10 12:03 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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My tip is to have two PCs. One "clean" for music production only, running XP. This machine should never be online and all files progs etc should be scanned before transferring. Transfer clean files using a third party stick or hard drive. Latency and slow speed is kept to a minimum. The other PC for general use can run 7 or even Vista with the usual necessary protection. Backup files and prog files often onto an external device. It is easy to clean out this "dirty" PC at any time. Reinstall O/S if Trojans or other malicious ware is present in the knowledge that all your backed up stuff can then be reinstalled easily. There are progs that specialise in automaticall backing up all files and programs. PC prices are very cheap right now and 5-600 or so buys two decent spec systems. Why take a chance on a one for all that will not really do everything and uses outdated O/S?
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Joined: Sep 2009
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My last imput on this Folks.
About two years ago, I did a complete fresh install of windows xp. I then installed all of my programs for video editing, music stuff etc. Took about 4 hours.
I then made an image of that drive with ghost to another drive.
When I get a bad problem now, I just backup my emails and fresh stuff the shoot the image back to drive c:
Takes about an hour all told.
It's peace of mind.
Restored about 10 times I suppose now.
I think it's worth doing if you ever have a fresh clean install...
Roy
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Joined: Nov 2006
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My last input too. GHOST....That is what I meant by a backup of all files and progs etc. It would be impossible for me to reinstall all my music progs and plugins and templates etc if I did not have a ghost backup. I also could not cotemplate how long it would take me to install all the other progs I use. My PC crashed a few years back and I was also burgled last year when all my PCs and hardrives were stolen. Since then I have become paranoid about backing up. I have duplicate backups and have a copy in my other house...just in case. Once bitten as they say. I would not wish a complete PC system failure OR any virus infection without backup on my worst enemy.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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I had a horrible virus disguised as antivirus protection program. It rendered useless anything I did online and it wouldn't let me get into my control panel to remove programs. I was ready to toss it all in and reinstall the operating system from bare metal. Suddenly it was gone. I like to think the guy was caught, arrested and forced to create a fix. This program was not really trying to steal money because even the credit card page was bogus. It was just malicious. If I am ever convicted of a felony it is going to be because I killed a guy for doing this.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
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Joined: Mar 2005
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There are better freebies out there than Norton or Macafee. These progs are a waste of money and want to take over everything and even try to stop you from doing stuff that is harmless. I have used for years AVG and never had any probs. Here is a link to a free download. http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-avg-anti-virus-freeIf you insist on paying for protection then ESET is IMO preferable to NORTON OR Mcafee. I bought two PC's with Windows XP on the same day for my teenage boys. When the first one got infected I browsed for "the best free anti-virus program" and then decided to download AVG onto the uninfected one. Later, when the infected computer was back in operation, I installed the AVG software on that computer. So far everything is OK. The computer I use is an Apple G5 OSX 3.9 which has never had antivirus software installed and has never been attacked in the two years I have been using it.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
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