Tarq57

Out of curiosity, Andavari, and the ongoing quest for improved security, what resident applications/immunisers do you use?

Which particular microsoft program generates this error? ie: which program then closes?

Have to agree with not tampering with the registry, (yet I still do it!), but I've done damage to the OS before by using too many registry cleaners. But regarding unused extensions/file types, generally they will be created by an application that needs to use them, either on installation, or when selecting the defaults of the application. If you get rid of them, and later find a particular program doesn't work correctly, just merge the backup. After any sort of reg. clean these days, I quickly test every application to make sure no damage is done. Takes a while. Probably not worth it, and doesn't always show everything, anyway. I would say that ccleaner hasn't, to the best of my knowledge, ever damaged the registry to an extent that anything was unusable. There are other reg. cleaners that can and do. (depending on the user.)

Please don't be! I'm far from expert. Geek101, approx. Cowboy, to find pagefile, aka virtual memory, open control panel, open "system", click on "advanced" tab, under "performance", click on "settings", a new box "performance options" will open, at the bottom of that is listed "total paging file size for all drives". Click on "change", and the pf for each drive should be listed. What are they? (The default setting in XP is generally good, and should be approx 150% of your RAM. Don't change it yet, unless it's set to zero , in which case set it to system managed size.) I would be concerned that you think you should have 512mB, yet 222 is indicated. That sounds like defective RAM or a defective slot, and is reasonably easilly and cheaply repairable, if that proves to be the problem. We'll only know for sure after you've run the memtest posted by krit86lr. Let us know! Good luck.

Possible but unlikely. I've got auto updates set to "let me know but don't download or install". The only MS based update that's occurred was to the MBSA, and I ran that (which involves an auto-update if there is one) after this came right.

I've had a lot of trouble, as have many, with keeping logged on to sites since installing IE7. Had hoped that the recent CCleaner update would fix that. It didn't - on the day. But a couple of days later, I accidentally left "delete index dat files" ticked, following an analysis, and deleted the lot. And stayed logged on. Restarted. Same deal. Repeated process, including one full powering-off, turning on, all OK. It's healed itself! Darned if I know why. But I'm now staying logged on to all sites I'd wanted to, and able to delete the .dat files. Double checked this with index .dat suite, it confirms there are none to display.

Will do, if suspicious.

OK. I do hover the mouse, but if the link indicates the same address as the info bar, which it did, well unless that address is something like www.getzlobnow.org how do you know it's not kosher?

Not worried about infection, everything's ok there. The link pointed where it was supposed to go, it's just a "schlock" site (for want of a better/more accurate term.) Analagous to sspyware, but without the actual spyware. I was surprised too, the member has been around a while, and I know that people on this (and most other ) forums are mainly interested in helpful stuff. So I'm thinking it's an oversight, maybe.

If the post was still there, I'd post a link, but it's been removed without trace. The fact it was rapidly removed indicates an admin or mod was fully aware of it. It was simply a link as described above, with a non-detailed recommendation from the poster. Agree about light years ahead..I didn't grow up with 'pooters, but the quality of language surprised me. Obviously didn't learn English in Txtwrld, like so many seem to. And I guess if whoever removed the thread has decided not to go public with the name, neither will I, unless a reason comes up.

Yesterday a member posted a dodgy link in the software section (I think), to drivecle@ner.com. Clicked on it, as you do, and discovered it's one of "those" sites, that use unclosable and redirecting popups to scare one into buying the product. Took a few attempts to close the page. So. Composed a somewhat acerbic and cautionary reply, by the time I'd hit "submit", the original thread had been removed, (sharp work) with no record of its' having existed. OK. Looked at the member's profile, and a few of the posts. All appears normal, no sign of anything suspect,acrimonious,malicious or odd, except that perhaps the quality of language and knowledge in the posts I looked at seemed better than I'd have expected from the reported age. So the question: What happens in this sort of case? Does the admin/mod team send a warning to the member, or a "please explain"? It did seem out of character, but you never know.

I've noticed certain settings, eg save windows size etc are lost if all the boxes are ticked in windows explorer. Mostly they can be got back, but I wonder if the user's problem has something to do with default settings being re-set in an application like Qurb (spam blocker)? I guess you might be Rogerman40.

That link doesn't work. Computer active forum That is, I think the one you wanted to link? Don't know the answer, but I've never had that problem. I don't have any of the boxes in windows explorer ticked, though.

One thing to check: Right click on the Avast icon, select VRDB, and check that it's set to generate database only when the computer is idle. If it is already set to do that, try turning it off. If that solves the problem, maybe leave it off, but set aside some time, say once a week, to do it manually. (There is a faq in this VRDB dialogue box, too) PS how much RAM is there, and what is the CPU?

Your welcome. Hope CCleaner, or Microsoft, can develop a fix for this soon.

OK, same problem here. Not cookies, methinks, something to do with the way IE7 uses index data files. Temporary (I hope) workaround, untick "delete index .dat files" in Ccleaner. Reboot. Re log-on to your fave sites. All should work. I re-white listed the cookies, too, but don't know if that's necessary.

Are you a recent convert to IE7? If so, you might be one of those who, like me, is affected by a bug where all the DPF's show up as "damaged", when you click on their properties, even though it appears they're not. Perhaps that could be causing the problem. If not, disregard.

Defrags quite a bit faster, and I think, more comprehensively. Been using it a couple of weeks. It's a honey. Also using TuneXP for its pagefile defragger (amongst other things). System working nicely.

Just to be sure, do you see the "lack" of cookies in the file folder they normally reside, or did you decide this based on logon behaviour?

Yep. Seems it's the webshield, depending on the privacy settings used in ZA. http://www.avast.com/eng/faq-home-webshield.html Hope that might help. If not, at least it's somewhat interesting.

Hi Cowboy357. Been following a few of your posts, as I have Avast also. Haven't read every single one, though. Nor am I by any means an expert; 2 years ago my experience or ability was somewhere near where you are now, I think. (Sorry if that's wrong or way out.) Very curious about the freezing problem, the PCPitstop tests, the windows updates, the status of your windows. So, in reverse order, 1) Have you been able to validate your WindowsXP yet? 2) Any chance of posting a techexpress link to your most recent PCPitstop test? 3) Is it still freezing (when it does) at 8.05 in the morning, or are the times more random? Re: Avast, I have 5 of the seven providers running - sometimes use p2p - but not IM or Outlook. Outlook Express is my mail system. Have no problems with it at all. You do want to check the providers are set to "normal" rather than high. The default program settings are generally excellent, except perhaps for the number of providers running. It could be a conflict with other software you have running. I see you've had quite a few security applications in the past, what do you have active now? And how many startup items are enabled in msconfig?

Posting here to track the discussion. Have similar questions.

I have not had any spyware etc install itself since using this program, IMO that's what it's all about. Better to block it from installing in the first place than pick it up with a scan afterward. ST's HIPS protection does a pretty credible job of achieving that, though it's not impervious. So if not impressed by it's scanning ability, just keep something else handy for that, or purchase a program that will will do both jobs well. I also keep a handful of very good scanners available, for routine checks, and just in case, including Asquared and SuperAntispyware. Neither have found anything recently, except the odd tracking cookie.

Might seem obvious, but have you tried "add/remove programs" in the control panel? You don't always need to uninstall a program using ccleaner. Many come with their own uninstallers. What program is it?

I've been using SpywareTerminator for 2 months now, and very happy with it. It's still under development, there have been some teething problems (check the forums) but so far I've been lucky. http://www.spywareterminator.com/