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Boater wrote:
Eisboch wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...


Eisboch,
There is a good chance that "Norton" screen is actually a Trojan that
is sending you to a "Norton Phishing" site (and not a real Norton
site) so you will provide them with your credit card info. I had a
neighbor who picked up that virus and it was a bitch to get rid of.
You had to delete the start up line, manually delete the file it
referenced, and then reboot in safe mode to completely remove it.

Considering the known removal problems with Norton, Reggie's suggestion
borders on the insane.

Harry K. Krause,
Considering that the fact that you are such a brilliant IT professional,
I am surprised you are not familiar with the Trojan disguised as Norton
Antivirus. Here are articles discussing the Norton AntiVirus Trojan and
the instructions on how to remove the Trojan, and the importance of
deleting the files in Safe Mode and running the a real antivirus program
in both regular and safe mode.

http://www.globalsecuritymag.com/Sop...,20080923,5135

Video showing the "Phishing" Norton site.
http://www.net-security.org/malware_...hp?id=993&MENU

http://www.damntrojan.com/fake-norton-antivirus-ad

How to remove Fake Norton AntiVirus.
http://www.sophos.com/support/disinfection/trojan.html

Comcast Meltdown
 

Eisboch wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...


Eisboch,
There is a good chance that "Norton" screen is actually a Trojan that
is sending you to a "Norton Phishing" site (and not a real Norton
site) so you will provide them with your credit card info. I had a
neighbor who picked up that virus and it was a bitch to get rid of.
You had to delete the start up line, manually delete the file it
referenced, and then reboot in safe mode to completely remove it.

You might be able to remove it using AVG but it does sound to me like
you have picked up a Trojan.

Anything is possible, but I doubt it. It's a brand new computer and
the Norton screen came up during the initial start up and program
loading of the computer. This was 4 days before it was ever connected
to the Internet.

It first came up with the initial start up after loading Windows, etc.
(as it should). I clicked on the "close without installing" because I
didn't want to install Norton. It still pops up whenever I do a cold
reboot, and I continue to click "close without installing".

This morning I tried to install the free AVG program. Windows on the
new computer was unable to install it because it doesn't recognize
".php" files. I suppose I can find the software to do it, but I think
I'll just buy the "Pro" version and be done with it.

Eisboch


Since you are confident it is not a virus, Here is the Norton Removal
Tool and an Revo uninstaller to remove all traces of Norton.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039
http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninsta...html?tag=mncol

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:11:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

Eisboch wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...


Eisboch,
There is a good chance that "Norton" screen is actually a Trojan that
is sending you to a "Norton Phishing" site (and not a real Norton
site) so you will provide them with your credit card info. I had a
neighbor who picked up that virus and it was a bitch to get rid of.
You had to delete the start up line, manually delete the file it
referenced, and then reboot in safe mode to completely remove it.

You might be able to remove it using AVG but it does sound to me like
you have picked up a Trojan.

Anything is possible, but I doubt it. It's a brand new computer and
the Norton screen came up during the initial start up and program
loading of the computer. This was 4 days before it was ever connected
to the Internet.

It first came up with the initial start up after loading Windows, etc.
(as it should). I clicked on the "close without installing" because I
didn't want to install Norton. It still pops up whenever I do a cold
reboot, and I continue to click "close without installing".

This morning I tried to install the free AVG program. Windows on the
new computer was unable to install it because it doesn't recognize
".php" files. I suppose I can find the software to do it, but I think
I'll just buy the "Pro" version and be done with it.

Eisboch


Since you are confident it is not a virus, Here is the Norton Removal
Tool and an Revo uninstaller to remove all traces of Norton.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039
http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninsta...html?tag=mncol



Thanks for the Revo link. I'm going to try the uninstaller out today.

Comcast Meltdown
 

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...

Since you are confident it is not a virus, Here is the Norton Removal Tool
and an Revo uninstaller to remove all traces of Norton.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039
http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninsta...html?tag=mncol


I was tempted to try, but with my luck I'll screw something up.
After finally finding the correct AVG download, I tried to install it and
got a window telling me my computer already has an anti-virus program
running and I should remove it before installing AVG. So, I aborted the
install.

This is the stuff that starts to drive me crazy because although the
computer came bundled
with Norton, I've never officially "installed" it. So what anti-virus
program
is the AVG install talking about? I can only assume it's Norton.

I appreciate all the help and advice but since I lack the experience and
knowledge with and of
computers that some of you people have, I've decided to deliver it to the
Geek Squad over at
Best Buy and ask them to completely delete Norton and install AVG. For me,
that's the
safest course of action.

Eisboch

Comcast Meltdown
 

Eisboch wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...

Since you are confident it is not a virus, Here is the Norton Removal
Tool and an Revo uninstaller to remove all traces of Norton.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039
http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninsta...html?tag=mncol



I was tempted to try, but with my luck I'll screw something up.
After finally finding the correct AVG download, I tried to install it and
got a window telling me my computer already has an anti-virus program
running and I should remove it before installing AVG. So, I aborted the
install.

This is the stuff that starts to drive me crazy because although the
computer came bundled
with Norton, I've never officially "installed" it. So what anti-virus
program
is the AVG install talking about? I can only assume it's Norton.

I appreciate all the help and advice but since I lack the experience and
knowledge with and of
computers that some of you people have, I've decided to deliver it to
the Geek Squad over at
Best Buy and ask them to completely delete Norton and install AVG. For
me, that's the
safest course of action.

Eisboch


That's probably a smart move. My experience with Norton's uninstallers
is that they don't always work properly, and while Revo's uninstaller is
a handy little utility, it has a hard time removing bits and pieces of
software from programs that don't like to be uninstalled.

I have a force uninstalled that will remove any file no matter what. But
you have to know what files to remove. With Norton, it sends files all
over the place.

Good luck.

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Fri, 2 Jan 2009 08:58:46 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...

Since you are confident it is not a virus, Here is the Norton Removal Tool
and an Revo uninstaller to remove all traces of Norton.

http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039
http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninsta...html?tag=mncol


I was tempted to try, but with my luck I'll screw something up.
After finally finding the correct AVG download, I tried to install it and
got a window telling me my computer already has an anti-virus program
running and I should remove it before installing AVG. So, I aborted the
install.

This is the stuff that starts to drive me crazy because although the
computer came bundled
with Norton, I've never officially "installed" it. So what anti-virus
program
is the AVG install talking about? I can only assume it's Norton.

I appreciate all the help and advice but since I lack the experience and
knowledge with and of
computers that some of you people have, I've decided to deliver it to the
Geek Squad over at
Best Buy and ask them to completely delete Norton and install AVG. For me,
that's the
safest course of action.

Eisboch

Perhaps the default Windows anti virus program is running?

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Fri, 2 Jan 2009 08:58:46 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:



I appreciate all the help and advice but since I lack the experience and
knowledge with and of
computers that some of you people have, I've decided to deliver it to the
Geek Squad over at
Best Buy and ask them to completely delete Norton and install AVG. For me,
that's the
safest course of action.

Let's hope the Geeks are Good Geeks.
If you don't want to really "get into it" that's your best course.
They've got the new OS's to a point of complexity that it takes
some effort for even experienced geeks to know what's going on.
I'm an experienced geek, and I try not to give advice, because it
might not fit your setup. The Geek Squad will have your PC in hand.
I don't even want to learn what's happening with Vista now, because
I'm getting tired of this **** when I'm not paid for it.
It's just work now.
Just curious, do you know how files and directory structures work?
Reason I ask is because that's the biggest problem I've seen in trying
to walk people through fixing things.
Most don't know how to find a file.
Not that they should know, but you have to at least have that
knowledge to make headway.
Otherwise it's best to get the system into experienced hands.
It's too bad in a way, because ghosting your system can keep you
safe and save you a lot of time and money.
But again, even that has a learning curve involving files/directories,
and some hardware requirements, and most people don't want to do it.
Long live The Geek Squad!

--Vic

Comcast Meltdown
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 2 Jan 2009 08:58:46 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


I appreciate all the help and advice but since I lack the experience and
knowledge with and of
computers that some of you people have, I've decided to deliver it to the
Geek Squad over at
Best Buy and ask them to completely delete Norton and install AVG. For me,
that's the
safest course of action.

Let's hope the Geeks are Good Geeks.
If you don't want to really "get into it" that's your best course.
They've got the new OS's to a point of complexity that it takes
some effort for even experienced geeks to know what's going on.
I'm an experienced geek, and I try not to give advice, because it
might not fit your setup. The Geek Squad will have your PC in hand.
I don't even want to learn what's happening with Vista now, because
I'm getting tired of this **** when I'm not paid for it.
It's just work now.
Just curious, do you know how files and directory structures work?
Reason I ask is because that's the biggest problem I've seen in trying
to walk people through fixing things.
Most don't know how to find a file.
Not that they should know, but you have to at least have that
knowledge to make headway.
Otherwise it's best to get the system into experienced hands.
It's too bad in a way, because ghosting your system can keep you
safe and save you a lot of time and money.
But again, even that has a learning curve involving files/directories,
and some hardware requirements, and most people don't want to do it.
Long live The Geek Squad!

--Vic



It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

It's even more annoying that certain software doesn't completely remove
itself when you want it to. I'm afraid that knowing how to find "a" file
isn't going to do it these days...you have to know a lot more, and
sometimes you have to go into the registry.

Comcast Meltdown
 

"Boater" wrote in message
...


It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

It's even more annoying that certain software doesn't completely remove
itself when you want it to. I'm afraid that knowing how to find "a" file
isn't going to do it these days...you have to know a lot more, and
sometimes you have to go into the registry.


This new laptop (HP something or other, optimized for multimedia) really
doesn't have a lot of extra stuff or junk in the bundled software. There
are a few, but they don't automatically install and are simply offers if
interested. Other than Norton and a media editing/publishing program that I
haven't tried yet ( it's in addition to Microsoft's standard Media Center
programs) I haven't seen the usual enticements for a bunch of stuff you'd
never use or be interested in. Even the standard AOL offering for an
account isn't included.

Eisboch

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:27:04 -0500, Boater
wrote:


It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

It's even more annoying that certain software doesn't completely remove
itself when you want it to. I'm afraid that knowing how to find "a" file
isn't going to do it these days...you have to know a lot more, and
sometimes you have to go into the registry.

To some of us the registry is just another file.
But like I said, there are "complexities."

--Vic

Comcast Meltdown
 

Eisboch wrote:

"Boater" wrote in message
...


It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or
laptop with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering
machines where you could opt out of crapware.

It's even more annoying that certain software doesn't completely
remove itself when you want it to. I'm afraid that knowing how to find
"a" file isn't going to do it these days...you have to know a lot
more, and sometimes you have to go into the registry.


This new laptop (HP something or other, optimized for multimedia)
really doesn't have a lot of extra stuff or junk in the bundled
software. There are a few, but they don't automatically install and are
simply offers if interested. Other than Norton and a media
editing/publishing program that I haven't tried yet ( it's in addition
to Microsoft's standard Media Center programs) I haven't seen the usual
enticements for a bunch of stuff you'd never use or be interested in.
Even the standard AOL offering for an account isn't included.

Eisboch


Well, that's an improvement. I haven't bought a put-together PC in a
long, long time. So, when I bought the pieces and parts and an OS
license, there was no crapware.

There was no crapware on the Macbook Pro I got last year, either.

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

You mean Windoze?

Casady

Comcast Meltdown
 

Richard Casady wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

You mean Windoze?

Casady


Oh, puh-leaze. Windows works just fine for me and kazillions of others.
It's no longer my fav, but it has been pretty trouble-free for me.

RTFM.

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:59:15 GMT, (Richard
Casady) wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

You mean Windoze?

That was Harry who wrote that, Richard.
I've built my own PC's for a long time, and before that they came
without software.
But I've seen what he's talking about on other computers.
I'm pretty sure that "crapware" he was talking about really had
nothing to do with Windows, but other software companies that
have a "financial" deal with the PC manufacturer.
I resisted Windows for a while, but ultimately found it the best OS.
I haven't bothered looking at its competitors, since it has been fine
to work with for me. And since XP it never breaks on me.
Some like the Mac OS and the Linux variants, and get all het up
with the "My OS is better than your OS" stuff.
Pretty funny. I say use whatever works best for you.
Wanna argue?

--Vic

Comcast Meltdown
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:59:15 GMT, (Richard
Casady) wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.
You mean Windoze?

That was Harry who wrote that, Richard.
I've built my own PC's for a long time, and before that they came
without software.
But I've seen what he's talking about on other computers.
I'm pretty sure that "crapware" he was talking about really had
nothing to do with Windows, but other software companies that
have a "financial" deal with the PC manufacturer.
I resisted Windows for a while, but ultimately found it the best OS.
I haven't bothered looking at its competitors, since it has been fine
to work with for me. And since XP it never breaks on me.
Some like the Mac OS and the Linux variants, and get all het up
with the "My OS is better than your OS" stuff.
Pretty funny. I say use whatever works best for you.
Wanna argue?

--Vic


Correct on all counts.

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:04:49 -0500, boater wrote:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.

You mean Windoze?

Casady


Oh, puh-leaze. Windows works just fine for me and kazillions of others.
It's no longer my fav, but it has been pretty trouble-free for me.

RTFM.

I have to admit it is not that bad today. I used to reformat and
reinstall the 311 virus about once a month.Some days you could spend
more time rebooting than operating, or so it seemed.

Casady

Comcast Meltdown
 

Richard Casady wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:04:49 -0500, boater wrote:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.
You mean Windoze?

Casady

Oh, puh-leaze. Windows works just fine for me and kazillions of others.
It's no longer my fav, but it has been pretty trouble-free for me.

RTFM.

I have to admit it is not that bad today. I used to reformat and
reinstall the 311 virus about once a month.Some days you could spend
more time rebooting than operating, or so it seemed.

Casady
You were doing something *way* wrong there. I had the same Windows for
Workgroups 3.11 running from 1992 to 1999 when I upgraded it to Window
95. It was copied from machine to machine, installing new drivers as
required as I upgraded hardware. I even have a few legacy apps that I
ported the folders accross to this machine from it running today. My
oldest email on this box for instance is dated 3 November 1998. :-)

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at]=@, [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & 32K emails -- NUL:

Comcast Meltdown
 

On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:04:07 +0000, IanM
wrote:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:04:49 -0500, boater wrote:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:55:13 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

It's really annoying when a computer seller loads up a new box or laptop
with crapware. I know that for a while, Dell was offering machines where
you could opt out of crapware.
You mean Windoze?

Casady

Oh, puh-leaze. Windows works just fine for me and kazillions of others.
It's no longer my fav, but it has been pretty trouble-free for me.

RTFM.

I have to admit it is not that bad today. I used to reformat and
reinstall the 311 virus about once a month.Some days you could spend
more time rebooting than operating, or so it seemed.

Casady
You were doing something *way* wrong there. I had the same Windows for
Workgroups 3.11 running from 1992 to 1999 when I upgraded it to Window
95. It was copied from machine to machine, installing new drivers as
required as I upgraded hardware. I even have a few legacy apps that I
ported the folders accross to this machine from it running today. My
oldest email on this box for instance is dated 3 November 1998. :-)

I was thinking this morning that I could have lived the rest of my life
with Win for Workgps 3.11. What a great program.