Disturbing message on TB

[David]

Just received a response from Think Broadband forum to something I posted a while ago..when I lost my FF bookmarks etc.

If any of you peeps get a minute could you look at it and give me your opinion ?I will link it (if I can) 

No it was nt that it was I get a DLL error message on my screen when I boot up and was trying to get it off but decided to leave it as it seemed to much for me to stop the message

[Inactive]

There is no way that we will find it without a link David.

Which section is it in?

[David]

registry cleaner In and bpp is my name on there Im trying to link the page for you 

[Sebby]

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=security&Number=3369514&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

I'm not sure on what basis that guy has concluded that you've downloaded a rogue application, though.

[David]

You are so clever Sebby I will have to enroll at my local idiots center...failed the entrance exam last week.

Its the I have down loaded a rogue whatever ?
I scan my machine daily,
Could this guy be wrong ?

[Sebby]

Don't be so hard on yourself, practice makes perfect.

I'd say he could definitely be wrong, and probably is!

[Inactive]

Thanks Sebby..

A lifted copy of the post;


  "   You have downloaded a rogue application. If you can't uninstall it via normal methods, download, install and update Superantispyware Free.
Boot to safe mode for its first run. Before running a scan, select the control centre and set the scanning preferences to include "Close Browsers Before Scanning", "Terminate Memory Threats Before Quarantining" and "Scan Alternate Data Streams".
It may be wise to run SAS anyway as the program you've downloaded may well have brought a few pals along.

As already stated, for tidying up your registry, use CCleaner Slim.   "

[Inactive]

I'm no expert, but it sounds like a bit of scaremongering to me.

[David]

Yes In as I say i do checks Daily..bit over the top but I run a scan and take all the precautions  and more...so on this occasion I will have a cup of tea and forget it  each 

[Inactive]

Good for you David, and 

Have a karma  yourself as a sort of second prize for getting the wrong memory sent to you.

[Sebby]

I would say your PC is just suffering from what every Windows PC suffers from eventually, and the best way of sorting it out is to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows and all your applications. The downside is that it can be quite a task, so your best bet is to try and remove any unnecessary programmes, run CCleaner and let it fix the issues, and defragment the hard drive.

[David]

Thanks Sebby you know me Im as thick as a fog in the fifties but in plain English inst it akin to having an untidy office more than something sinister ?

I will get the Hoover out later 

[Sebby]

It is effectively wiping the hard drive so it's blank, then installing Windows, drivers, and software.

[Inactive]

Good advice Sebby, that is what I would do, just go to Control Panel....Add/Remove..see which programmes that you don't use, get rid of them.

Then do as Sebby suggests.

[Rik]

The guy has no basis for his claims, David, and no-one else there suggested you have a major problem. My own view is that he just wanted to look 'big'.

[David]

Well not against you guys thanks for all that 

[Inactive]

The guy has no basis for his claims, David, and no-one else there suggested you have a major problem. My own view is that he just wanted to look 'big'.

There is a certain kind of arrogance in his post, I agree Rik.

[David]

Good advice Sebby, that is what I would do, just go to Control Panel....Add/Remove..see which programmes that you don't use, get rid of them.

Then do as Sebby suggests.

I have always been wary of this just in case some programmes relied on software or rather shared things.I know that there are a lot of things on here which I have never used and wont but was wary of taking them off but hey.................

[Inactive]

 

[David]

  stop TTP in 

[Inactive]

  As if David..as if.. 

[David]

 

[Steve]

I have been using "tuneup utilies 2008"on several of my machines, you get a one months free fully functional trial. It very easy to use and very useful at tidying things up.

http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/

[David]

Are the claims fulfilled though Steve and are they idiot proof..............I am to pcs what Gordon Brown is to popularity don't forget 

[Steve]

I am not aware of it causing any problems as yet. Most of the stuff it does can be done manually but it brings it all together in one suite and automates the process. I dont know whether anyone else has any experience of using it.

[Sebby]

I have always been wary of this just in case some programmes relied on software or rather shared things.I know that there are a lot of things on here which I have never used and wont but was wary of taking them off but hey.................

If a program shares files, the uninstaller should leave the shared files.

Things like Microsoft .NET Framework should be left, but actual programs that you've installed can be safely removed.

[David]

Thanks Sebby just fragmented that showed up a lot of space made..I will also remove the non microsoft ones I don't want or use 

[Sebby]

Just to clarify, you don't have to keep everything Microsoft necessarily. MS .NET is just an example of a program that some applications need, but other obvious programs (e.g. ones you've installed) can safely be uninstalled.

[David]

Thats clearer thanks if Im in doubt I will leave them

[Simon]

Sorry if I've missed it, but what registry cleaner did you initially use, David?  Although it may have come across as slightly arrogant, I wouldn't dismiss what the guy said entirely.  There are 'registry cleaners' out there that do more harm than good, and also that claim to offer a 'free' scan, then demand a payment for 'problems' to be fixed.  In the worst scenario, they could also have installed spyware.  I would certainly uninstall the registry cleaner you have used (ignore it's findings), and do a full scan with Super AntiSpyware, which can't hurt anyway.  Then use CCleaner to check your registry.

[David]

Ok best safe than sorry Simon will do that now 

[mrapoc]

I find windows unbareable after like 4 months so i end up formatting on a regular basis.

MS even recommends a format after every 6 months anyway 

[Sebby]

I'd say I format every 6 months. I find that however clean you try and keep the system, the performance degrades considerably (plus often it's inevitable to have to install and uninstall lots of applications).

[David]

Sorry if I've missed it, but what registry cleaner did you initially use, David?  Although it may have come across as slightly arrogant, I wouldn't dismiss what the guy said entirely.  There are 'registry cleaners' out there that do more harm than good, and also that claim to offer a 'free' scan, then demand a payment for 'problems' to be fixed.  In the worst scenario, they could also have installed spyware.  I would certainly uninstall the registry cleaner you have used (ignore it's findings), and do a full scan with Super AntiSpyware, which can't hurt anyway.  Then use CCleaner to check your registry.

I was in the middle of running Antispyware and my whole pc crashed...its taken must be around an hour to check itself and just got it back..some wierd things on the screen.
Now decidedt o remove this but cant find it on the add remove section is it under another name.?certianly not under the title

[D-Dan]

I jumped into this thread rather late, but here goes:

i. Don't always trust registry cleaners that say you have several hundred errors then entice you into paying to remove them. Do your research first. This is a common scam where the "cleaner" reports errors that are not there in order to make you buy. There are reputable cleaners out there (and CCleaner is fine, too).

ii. Whilst the advice may be a little worrying, stating that "You have downloaded" malware, although the general thrust is good practice. I can vouch for superantispyware free since I'm currently roadtesting it for the tech support site. Whilst you may not have any problems, it doesn't hurt to test, again using a reputable product.

iii. The most common cause of serious slowdown IMO is ....... NORTON!!! If you have it - lose it. I guarantee your system will be at least twice as responsive.

Steve

[Steve]

Most of the software that is been recommended by the forum is "tried and tested" and works well on the majority of machines. I think you have to consider very seriously that starting from scratch with clean install of windows  maybe the only way forward to solve your recurring problems. As people have said previously Windows needs a fresh start every so often. Its not that difficult once you get organised but it is time consuming but the end results are worth it.With regard the recent crash I presume the memory is correctly seated again. If you decide to go this route I am sure you will get plenty of help here,unfortunately I will be away and miss all the fun

[David]

I jumped into this thread rather late, but here goes:

i. Don't always trust registry cleaners that say you have several hundred errors then entice you into paying to remove them. Do your research first. This is a common scam where the "cleaner" reports errors that are not there in order to make you buy. There are reputable cleaners out there (and CCleaner is fine, too).

ii. Whilst the advice may be a little worrying, stating that "You have downloaded" malware, although the general thrust is good practice. I can vouch for superantispyware free since I'm currently roadtesting it for the tech support site. Whilst you may not have any problems, it doesn't hurt to test, again using a reputable product.

iii. The most common cause of serious slowdown IMO is ....... NORTON!!! If you have it - lose it. I guarantee your system will be at least twice as responsive.

Steve

Thanks Steve havnt got a problem my machine is speeding along faster than ever I just recieved that message and wondered what it was all about.The only problem I have is finding this SuperAntspyware on my machine so I can remove it,other than that everything is great...its never been as fast

[Simon]

It should be in Add / Remove programs, David.  Did you have any problems installing it?  My only suggestion would be to try reinstalling it (but don't run it), and hopefully it will appear in Add / Remove programs.  Just before you do that, have a look in the Start > All Programs list, for Super Anti Spyware, and see if there's an uninstall facility listed there.  As has been said, this program usually works well on any machine.

[David]

I have the icon on task bar Simon,it listed in the start menu when I look for it in the remove programme no sign of it.
I pressed the scan button,it started to scan (after I had taken the registry cleaner off) then crash,I have just clicked the icon and it gives me options whether of not to scan so not sure what to do just yet.when I right click from the start I try and delete and it tells me to go to add or remove as is normal but why it inst on this list is odd.I know I had one major clash,Im not that worried whatever it was the machine checked everything but I thought to be on the safe side I would remove it and I will when I find it

I have got the main menu up as well.have clicked on repair and just get parameters incorrect with a red square and white cross on it....strange days

[Simon]

By the sound of it, it hasn't installed properly for some reason.  Did you reboot the machine after installation?  As I said before, try reinstalling it on top of itself, and see if that might repair things.  Other than that, you may have to hold out for someone more technical to come along.

[David]

Just reinstalling Simon the machine did not reboot so hopefully this will do the trick..will let you know.

[David]

  That did it Simon and suddenly my speed returned as well,after I installed speed dropped to  1.now its back to 4.3 so alls well again....think I will stick to bathrooms 

[Simon]

We need a Phew! smiley!   

[David]

No stangley I was not that worried Simon.one thing I have learned is not to lose it.I have other machines and I have most of the stuff backed up,made recovery discs when I first bought it so my motto is now,don't panic whilst it was checking itself it gave me time to have a play on the piano...(still bloody useless )


cheers Simon   

[Sebby]

We need a Phew! smiley!  

Already got one.

[David]

  This worked 

[mrapoc]

All i ever use is superantispyware, eset nod32 and ccleaner really

When fixing family pcs etc. it just makes me cringe to see norton on there 

[Sebby]

Do what I do and carry the Norton removal tool on a flash drive.

[Simon]

It's when you hear the cries...   "I've just renewed it for another year!", that brings even more joy to the removal! 

[Sebby]

[Inactive]

It's the look of amazement when the computer dramatically speeds up once it is purged from the system that brings joy.

[drummer]

To further put your mind at rest, when I saw the relevant post quoted by Inactive, I thought it looked strikingly familiar to the advice constantly given by another poster on another forum.

No surprise then to go to the TBB thread and see that the signature of said poster is exactly the same on both forums and contains the same link, although different nicknames are used.

Although very knowledgeable, he simply copies and pastes the same SuperAS reply whenever he doesn't know the answer to a problem because it makes him look very helpful to inexperienced users.

The laws of libel prevent me elaborating further but he's an extremely arrogant and aggressive individual who goes ballistic when his advice is called into question.

So yes, like everyone else said, ignore his warning about the rogue application.

[David]

  and for taken so much trouble appreciate your detective skills 

[LesD]

The laws of libel prevent me elaborating further but he's an extremely arrogant and aggressive individual who goes ballistic when his advice is called into question.

Ah "heads", "pots", and "pixies" spring to mind.  but not necessarily in that order. 

[David]

 Been at the mushrooms again Les 

[LesD]

Been at the mushrooms again Les 

You are ex-Tiscali see if you spot anything familiar on their forums! 

Mushrooms are a paticular favourite but not the funny ones! 

[David]

I rarely went on forums Les I stick with this one now and again I might have a look around but I will have a look starting from his post to me 






Dont feed the cat...............................springs up   

[drummer]

Ah "heads", "pots", and "pixies" spring to mind.  but not necessarily in that order. 

I couldn't possibly comment...

[LesD]

I might have a look around

If you do you might start here: 

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

[David]

This is proving a bit of a paper chase 

[LesD]

This is proving a bit of a paper chase 

"Follow the band" 

[David]

Think Im out of step but will carry on  left,right,left,right ,left