registry problems?

[axis_d]

hello everyone. well i literally JUST had my internet service installed. (comcast high speed) My computer has never touched the internet since I built it, and no sooner than the comcast guy walked right out the door, I got an error that popped up on my screen. Here is what it said:

" Message from SYSTEM to ALERT
Microsoft windows has encountered an internal error
Your windows registry is corrupted.
Microsoft recommends a complete system scan
Http://www.regxp.net
To repair now for a free download
FAILURE TO ACT NOW MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND CORRUPTION"

I remember my parents computer, which also had comcast high speed, had these kinds of messages frequently. They didn't always say that exactly, but always something to do with a registry corruption problem. It says at the top its from "messenger service" . but I dont know what that is, or whether to trust going to that site. Have any of you seen this message? what should I do about it? Thanks for the help!

[kev7555]

Do you have anti-spyware programs installed?

It sounds like you may have picked up a spyware variant that prompts you to buy a program to repair. DO NOT CLICK ON ANYTHING RELATED TO THESE WARNINGS. Instead, go to www.download.com and download Spywareblaster, Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware SE. Run full system scans and remove anything they find.

Are you using anti-virus software? I recommend AVG free edition, also available at download.com

[axis_d]

no, I dont have any anti virus software or anti spyware stuff. Comcast provides some free Mccafee anti virus downloads. Would you recommend AVG over that? or both? I dont know anything about protecting my computer, but I wanna make sure I dont damage anything.

[Mesaeus]

Is your firewall on or are you behind a router ? If not, it might be better to do either one of these or to disable the Messenger service since it's exactly that what is being used to spam you.

[pam123]

Go into the security center in control panel and turn on the XP firewall.
Once you're behind it disable the Windows Messenger Service.
Instructions here : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330904/en-us

Now go download and install all the XP updates from Microsoft : http://support.microsoft.com/wupd

Now get the following free programs : AVG http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

ZoneAlarm : http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten..._freedownloads

Spywareblaster : http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Spybot Search & Destroy : http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Adaware : http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Defender (Windows beta software,which means it's still being tested. You don't need it but you may want to try it): http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...s/default.mspx

Now disconnect the computer from the web. Depending on what sort of connection you have you may actually have to shutdown the computer and physically disconnect before you boot again.
Go into the security center and set it to "I will monitor my own security" and disable the XP firewall.
Install ZoneAlarm and use the defaults ( Use some sense here please, you can always tweak later and yes IE needs net access).
If you have to shut down to reconnect to the net do so, if not reconnect and begins installilng the other software, they will need to be updated. An anti-spyware or anti-virus program is only as good as it's most recent update.
Zonealarm will sk you about each one, say yes.
Reboot as necessary, run scans for the first time.
You're done (unless you've been tagged by something.).
Forget you ever heard of McAfee

[patrickt]

I was reading the news today and got the same message. It's a popup ad selling a registry repair program that was associated with the page I was reading. When I left the page it went away. It appears to be some sort of "official" notice but it isn't.

[axis_d]

I dont just get that message on certain sites. I get multiple messages like that, and they happen the moment i start up my computer. Is it possible to get infected with spyware that badly, literaly minutes after my computer first touches the internet? well I'm going to go ahead and do some of the suggestions you guys listed, i'm sure they'll help!

[axis_d]

..by the way, just curious but whats wrong with Mcafee?

[Gizmo]

It's a rubbish firewall basically, I've had lots of issues with it as have lots of other people. Wouldn't touch McAfee with a 20ft barge pole.

[kev7555]

Is it possible to get infected with spyware that badly, literaly minutes after my computer first touches the internet?


Yes, it is, especially if you are not using spywareblaster which blocks over 5000 items from ever being installed. Follow Pam's instructions and be prepared to remove whatever your programs find.

Above all, remember that no programs will protect you from your own internet surfing habits. There is a lot of good reading here pertaining to spyware, adware and just malware in general. I would suggest you educate yourself thoroughly before doing much more on the net.

-Kev

[pam123]

Originally Posted by axis_d I dont just get that message on certain sites. I get multiple messages like that, and they happen the moment i start up my computer. Is it possible to get infected with spyware that badly, literaly minutes after my computer first touches the internet? well I'm going to go ahead and do some of the suggestions you guys listed, i'm sure they'll help!

You've already been tagged and yes an uprotected computer on the net is instantly vulnerable.
No one has to be hunting for you, these are bot programs they constantly search for open ports.

[SWTF]

Follow pam123's instructions.

My only modification would possibly be to do it in safe mode.

And oh yeah: lather, rinse, repeat.

[jayb1234]

Yup on the safe mode.

Then reboot and repeat all the scans.

If anything shows up again, back to safe mode with system restore turned off and scan again, some of them little baddies like to hide in restore points.

[SWTF]

How could we forget disabling System Restore?
Good point, jayb.

[axis_d]

regarding Pam's post. How do I go into the security center to pick, "I will monitor my own security?" Sorry, I'm not too experienced with navigating through windows XP so I'll need a guide!

[pam123]

Originally Posted by axis_d regarding Pam's post. How do I go into the security center to pick, "I will monitor my own security?" Sorry, I'm not too experienced with navigating through windows XP so I'll need a guide!

Start>Control Panel>Security Center

When you get there : Click on Windows Firewall and set it to OFF.
Install and configure ZoneAlarm (For now just use the defaults).
While you're in the Security Center turn on Automatic updates.

[axis_d]

Hmm, dont see it there. I DO see automatic updates as a seperate icon, but nothing in "security center". I have windows XP Home edition, (dont know if that makes a difference) Here's what I see when I go to start>control panel:

Accessability options
Add Hardware
Add or remove programs
Administrative Tools
Adobe Gama
Audio Hq
Automatic updates
Date and time
Display
Folder Options
Fonts
Game controllers
Internet Options
Keyboard
Mouse
Network Connections
Phone and Modem
Portable Media Devices
Power Options
Printers and Faxes
Regional and Language Options
Scanners and Cameras
Scheduled tasks
Sounds and Audio devices
Speech
System
Taskbar and Menu
User accounts

No icon for security center there..so I checked inside most of those to see if there's a tab, the only one that had a "security" tab, was under "internet options" but even in there there was no check box for monitoring my own security. So, not sure exactly where it should be.

[pam123]

I have XP Home and it looks like you don't have SP2, or even SP1, installed.
Go and download SP2 and install it now.

[glc]

I don't think you have any real issues. Just disable the Messenger service, install SP2 and all critical updates, and turn on the XP firewall. You should be fine. Install AVG, Spybot S&D, and Ad-Aware and run them to make sure.

[axis_d]

sorry to keep bugging u with all these questions. as you can tell im very ignorant when it comes to this stuff. But how do I install service pack 2? When I go to Microsoft Update, all I get is this page:

http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us

nowhere to install service pack 2 there. So I search for service pack 2 in the search bar above, and it takes me to a link that only leads me back to microsoft update.. not sure what to do!

[pam123]

Okay you get a choice, order a cd : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...s/default.mspx
or get a download.

[axis_d]

yeah, and when I choose to just download it, (dont wanna wait for a CD to come in the mail) it takes me to the microsoft update page, where I can search for updates for my computer, and when I do that, (i click on express) it just gives me a bunch of security updates, and stuff for service pack 1. It doesn't take me to download sp2 anywhere.

Edit: as a matter of fact, here's all the exact updates that it finds when i do that...:
Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB888113)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896422)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 1.1 Service Pack 1 (KB886903)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
Security Update for DirectX 9 for Windows XP (KB904706)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB913446)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB912812)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
Security Update for Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP (KB911565)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - April 2006 (KB890830)
Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)

[pam123]

Look guy, Windows is what it is.
There's no way around .

[axis_d]

?? I dont get what u mean by that. Sorry if ur getting annoyed with all these questions, but I'm just trying to figure out how to download that update. I just copied and pasted the search results it gave me when I searched for updates... as u can see, no service pack 2. Does everyone have to order the CD to get it? if not...what to do?

[glc]

Download the whole thing - all 270 megabytes.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...5-9e368d3cdb5a

[axis_d]

yeah, but isn't that for networked computers? It says on that page if you're installing it on a single compuer, to visit windows update.. which is where I went and where my problem with it started.

[glc]

Just download it and install it. It's exactly what would come on the CD if you order it.

[axis_d]

alrighty. did it, no problem. Why does it say not to install that version on single computers?

[SWTF]

Because Windows is jacked... It's just the reality that all Windows users have to cope with.

[glc]

Because they don't want everyone eating up their bandwidth downloading 270mb when the active install will download less than 75mb, depending on what components your computer has installed. NOW you need to use Windows Update and get all the post-SP2 criticals.