Tarq57

Hi DennisD, I've got all files and folders, including "protected OS files" set to "show". And (mysteriously, since nothing has changed) they are there. Hi XanaTos112, Took less than a day to realise Firefox is better. Tried Opera briefly, but it didn't want to play nicely.Uninstallation was a chore and a half. But Firefox is wicked. Only use IE for the few sites that don't like Ff, now.

I've used it, and it's great for extracting files. I think a better program is 7zip, which allows for creating compressed files also, and like ExtractNow, is fast and light.

Echo above. Should not run two firewalls, and, in some cases, cannot. Crashes/slowdowns/alerts etc. (Same rule with resident AV's.) Interestingly, when I installed Comodo firewall, it automatically has the ability to turn the XP firewall off, as part of its installation. (Only found that out afterwards, though.) I wonder how many other firewalls do this on installing?

I installed the MVPS hosts file and part of the suggested config was to disable the DNS client if the hosts file was above a certain size, which it was, so I did, and haven't noticed a significant performance hit. Some sites are a bit slower to open, but I think that's coincidental with installing Firefox, and internet seems slightly slower to open a link from Outlook Express, that's all.

Downloaded, installed, tested with the DirecX diagnostic tool, no problems, no difference noticed in the way anything works.

Yep. I've been using it since early August, not long after Microsoft's AntiSpyware died for good. Have hardly had any malware on the system since then, either. A couple of items identified on a Housecall scan which I think I got from using p2p negligently, that's it. Been a few users complaining of various bugs in (particularly) the second latest version, the current version would appear to have addressed those, going by the feedback. With the HIPS switched on you get popup/s for any new application or process you want to run. Can be a nuisance for download junkies. If I'm installing a large or complex program, I have disabled realtime protection while installing it. Saves having to click on "allow" for every .dll that's to be installed. The plus side of course, is that if you get a popup for something unexpected, you can block it before it installs/runs. A little knowledge is wise. Reputedly, in the opinion of some, the scanner isn't as thorough as some. I wouldn't know, 'coz haven't had anything to be found,(except the 2 housecall detections, and they weren't detected by other scans either), but you could get around any worries there by having a couple of good on-demand scanners available. (Mine are Superantispyware, and Asquared). Anyway, IMO, it's all about keeping stuff off first, rather than cleaning stuff up that has broken through. Opinons I've read on Wilders and other sites indicate it's a lot better at that than Windows Defender.

Well. I'm not too sure because I use different settings, but hopefully somebody who knows the application better can help based on this. If I was troubleshooting this for myself I'd maybe try unticking user assist history and maybe old prefetch and try it. But I don't really know. I've got all the internet settings ticked except history and autocomplete form history, but very few of the advanced settings ticked.

Ok, the big question, when you fixed all issues, did Ccleaner prompt you to back them up? And did you? If so, the fixes will be backed up somewhere in the Ccleaner program files folder. If not....hopefully someone who knows more than me can help.

Can you post a screenshot of the settings you have ticked, failing that a list, for both "windows" and "applications".

Tried disabling autocomplete under IE& tools internet options?

Yep. Done that. That's in part what "hide (everything)" unticked, means.

This is bizarre. I can see them in IE7>tools>internet options> (click "settings", click "view files") and the pathway is "documents and settings [user profile] local settings/ temporary internet files. But if I try to navigate to it in windows explorer, or my computer, it doesn't exist. Even with "hide (everything)" unticked. A search finds 5 "temporary internet files" folders, under such titles as "all users", "users", "administrator", which include the "content ie5" folders, but none of the actual files. Very odd.

Getting the same as JDPower, using IE7 and MVPS hosts file. Doesn't bother me too much, though.

rridgely, Tend to agree. Some of those reviews look like they were typed by eight year olds. (No offence to anyone who is eight ) but I thought that review demonstrated a level of awareness well above average. I don't understand why you think CableguyTK made it sound like it wasn't a big deal. Those comments, plus a quick read of the AOL EULA were more than enough to stop me installing it.

Thanks rridgely and res45 for the tip. Read only. Hmm. Will do.

This is half warning and half question. Having recently installed the hosts file from mvps.og (thanks Andaviri) I subsequently ran a TrendMicro Housecall. 5 infections found. (No paths listed in the first scan run.) Took forever to clean. Luckilly Winpatrol then alerted me to a hosts file change (BHO warning), while the second scan was running. Second scan came up with 215 infections. Paths were given on this scan-all in the hosts file. Needless to say, did not clean. Pretty sure these are fp's. Sent an email off to TM concerning this. The question part: Am I right? PS, thanks to Winpatrol, was able to preserve the original hosts file, ie not allow the changes Housecall made.

Thanks for the thanks. Really appreciate that, even if I didn't do that much.

There's a review of the AOL suite on Cnet, posted by someone who seems knowledgeable. Download.com Might make anyone think twice about what they're really getting. (Aol also do a MacAfee based version. Comments at Wilders.) At AV comparitives.org, Avira scores highest amongst the freebies for trojan removal/detection. Or did. Those results are a bit long in the tooth, now. Then a step down to Avast (which I use and like heaps) the a little step down to AVG. Really, for trojans, I think, unless you get a full suite, you need something designed for them. Most AV's aren't too hot on trojans/spyware etc. AVG antispyware is. Asquared is. Superantispyware is. And the one I'm using, SpywareTerminator, does a superb blocking job, but I've never had to test it's scanning/cleaning ability in anger. That should say something.

I'm same situation. OS (XP home) on the C drive, most "third party" software, and personal files, photos etc on the D drive. CCleaner is installed to run on the D drive but cleans OS files from the C as though it were installed there, plus the custom folders selected. Be interesting to hear from anyone who does have an OS on 2 drives.

It was in post #11

Re MPVS hosts file Well, I just installed it last night, having spent a couple of hours reading all the information and instructions, and creating a restore point. Turns out, 'twas really straightforward. Just unzipped it to a folder I've created that contains downloaded programs, read the read-me and license, clicked on the executable, done. (Restart req.) I did actually turn the DNS off afterwards, (it's on by default) using the instructions provided. And flaming gerbils, the 'pooter didn't crash, and the internet connection didn't fail. It seems a little faster loading on some sites. Haven't noticed any slowdown. And some ad banners and counters aren't there any more. All good.

Thanks Tarq for your response to my original question. I hope should the need arise, I can prevail upon you and your fellow forum members for help Absolutely, as I can. Ain't too knowledgeable.

SpywareTerminator doesn't have a chequered history; the parent company's association with IBIS was chequered. I have read the spywarewarrior information. As to why use it? Because it works, it's free, and from user reports and reviews on several forums, it is a good deal more effective than the only other free realtime AS, WindowsDefender.

Originally by Andavari Thanks for that. Been thinking about how to set up a Hosts file for a while now. That link, plus a bit more reading, provided the incentive. Emailed them to subscribe to updates, too. Another layer!

Re the red/green thing...I've seen this before on a different reg. cleaner, can't remember which one, but I could never work out how to use it with confidence. There is another very safe reg. cleaner with colour codes called TweakNow, green entries are described as safe to remove. If you have colour entries with Ccleaner, any chance of a screenshot?