Spyware problem

I got one of those "Your computer is infected with spyware" and inadvertantly clicked on it. Now there is a window permanently open that cannot be closed, saying "Warning, your computer is infected with Spyware".
How do I get rid of this window please? It appears on Startup so I'm guessing it has been installed as a startup item. Whatever it is, I can't find it.
thanks,
Andy

They try to trick users. Some of those (and they ARE malware) will try to crash the browser or the computer, encrypt data, try to write to protected memory or storage locations.
there are about a dozen known security vulnerabilities presently for Safari, and it is the time between identified and closed and patched that malware authors try to hit. The popularity of the iPhone has also ushered in a new port of entry.
Email scams pretending to come from Apple to update your account for itunes is another; and unfortunately, MacIntouch has a report where users have seen bogus charges on their iTunes accounts.
You can filter out most of the bogus malware with some browsers and extensions. You can't do much about malware that gets into advertising servers (adware), or the very popular SQL-injection hitting web servers and using javascript (browsing with plugins disabled, javascript turned off, is one way, and some people use different browsers and settings for different web surfing).

Similar Messages

Safari spyware problem

I'm a new mac user. In safari, when I tried to access some websites, I would be re-directed to another website, the same one every time. I previously used a PC and recognized this as a spyware problem. I deleted Safari all together to try and get rid of the problem and thought I could re-install through apple.com but can only access Safari for windows using firefox. How can I re-install Safari for my macbook? and how can I get rid of spyware like that in the future? Please help!

I can't tell you how to get rid of this problem, but you can reduce it significantly. Here are the things that have worked for me:
1. In the Safari pulldown menu, activate Block Pop-Up Windows
2. Download LIttle Snitch. You can stop most of these messages from coming through.
3. Download MainMenu (free) and let it clean up your Caches, Browser, and History
4. Under System Preferences/Security/Firewall, make sure Firewall is set up to your preferred level
You can reinstall any system software by downloading Pacifist and choosing the specific file. Or have someone download the latest Safari off the web for you as an installer file.

Spyware Problems [I Spy Now]

My computer told me this spyware called ISpyNow has infected my computer. Since then, I havent been able to use the internet, and it freezes my computer whenever I try to act against it using an Anti-Spyware program. I went into Safe Mode, both normal and Network, and it wont allow me to install or use any anti spyware, saying that the Admisitrator has set policies to prevent this installation. Im only on here by luck; it wouldnt even let me use messengers before.
If I could get some advice, or hopefully some online tech support, that would be lovely. Im using a Dell Dimension 3000 with Windows XP Home Edition, with Firefox as my main browser, due to IE's stubborn behavior that began two years ago. Oh, also, I use BitDefender as my main Anti Virus. I havent been using Anti-anythingelse, but I did install Search And Destroy anti-spyware that was given to me by my computer repair teacher, but in safe mode it says it hasnt been installed. I hope this is enough information to get some good results. Ill be glad to answer any further questions.
PS: System Restore will not work. Ive tried multiple times, but it stops on the last page. I hit next, and it stays up without doing anything. My anti-virus scans run, but they find nothing.
Message Edited by Desdemona on 12-03-2008 03:48 PM

This is a nasty sort of infection. Here's a removal sent you can use to put it into a somewhat useable condition. After this though, I would reccomend taking it to the local presinct to get it de-bugged, but this will make it so you will have the best chance of success.
1: find a USB flash memory stick. Size does not matter.
2: on another computer download these three files:
Malwarebytes Antimalware
Malwarebytes signatures
Combofix
3: once these are downloaded, go to the infected computer and restart it, while tapping F8 like mad. It may beep, but this is ok. Soon it will come to a new menu, asking if you wish to enter Safe Mode at the top. Choose that one.
4: once in, it may ask you to select an account. If it does, chose Administrator.
5: A box will pop up explaining that we are in safe mode. Choose ok.
6: the desktop may look a little wonky, but this will go away after a bit.
7: plug in the USB memory card.
on the memory card, INSTALL malwarebytes Antimalware.
Once it is installed, run the update file. This will put in the newest detection rules into it.
8: run Combofix. This program will take a while to run, but it is VERY through and removes many rogue spyware infecitons. It will restart your computer.
9: once it is restarted, it will make a log. Ignore it unless we still have issues.
10: click start, right click my computer, and go to properties. In thi new box there is a tab that says System restore. Check the box that says "turn off system restore". The infection may hide in there to restore itself. Click ok, and wait for 45 seconds or more.
11: run a full scan with malwarebytes.
12: once this is done, remove anything it finds, and leave the Combofix log on the desktop for the Agent, and take it in for a full virus removal.
What I want for Christmas:
In-store agent position at the Burlington, WA precinct.

Possible Spyware Problem

Hi all,
Every once in a while, when I try to go to a website, I get a GoDaddy search page saying this site is "coming soon." I get this for sites such as Google, Gmail, and other sites that I know exist. It happens in all browsers--FF, Safari, Opera, Mozilla, etc. Someone told me that it could be spyware... does anyone know anything about this, or how to fix it? Thanks.
--Ryan

Try deleting your Cache files. You can use a 3rd party application such as Cocktail or TCC. Just do a search on http://www.macupdate.com
20" iMac (iSight), 2.1GHz, 250GB HD, 1.5GB ram. iBook 1.33GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5) Maxtor 200GB onetouch III, 2mb DSL, Linksys wifi, iPod Mini (4th gen)

Serious, possible spyware problem, help please

I have a serious situation happening and I have no idea where to go with it so hoping you guys can help.
I have a Nokia 2760 so a very basic phone but some strange things have been happening lately.
Firstly a few weeks back whenever I would call someone on the display screen it would not only list the person I was talking to but have my mothers contact there as well, I asked her if she was getting calls and hearing everything and she said no, so I just deleted her from the contact list and put her back in and it stopped.
Then 2 weeks ago while out with my husband she received a call from me and she heard 10 seconds of our what we were talking about at dinner. It was recorded on her voicemail so I heard it and looked at her log and it showed a call from me but my log showed nothing.
Then last night was the most disturbing, she once again got a call and it recorded what my husband and I were doing onto her voicemail again but once again no log on my phone showing I made a call and I know for a fact my phone was sitting closed on my bedside table.
What could be doing this? I looked it up and saw there is a program called flexispy that turns your phones microphone on by a remote user but being such a basic phone I find it hard to believe someone has control over my phone. Is this at all possible? and if so how do I find out if it's on my phone and how do I get this to stop, I am totally weirded out and it's disturbing to say the very least!!
Thanks

There is no spyware for S40 phones like the 2760. It's just a minor software corruption that can happen with any phone.
Start by performing a revert to factory default settings. Enter *#7780# from standby and provide your security code when prompted. Unless you changed it, 't should be the default on all Nokia phones, 12345.
If this doesn't work, you'll need to take the phone to your nearest Nokia Care Point for them to reflash it. In this case, back up all your data on the phone first because this operation will wipe its memory clean.
Was this post helpful? If so, please click on the white "Kudos!" star below. Thank you!

SOA Suite URL problem

I just Installed SOA Suite. Instead of giving me the URL http://localhost:8888/em its giving me like this:
Installation Details:
Installation Directory: E:\product\10.1.3.1\OracleAS_1
Installation Type: J2EE Server and SOA Suite
Installed Components: SOA Suite, Oracle Containers for J2EE (OC4J), Oracle HTTP Server and Oracle Process Manager & Notification Server (OPMN)
Instance Name: mybpel.NtKrnlpa.cn
Administrator Username: oc4jadmin
Access the Oracle Web Services Manager through the following URL
http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80/ccore
Access the Oracle Business Rules Author through the following URL
http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80/ruleauthor
Access the Oracle Enterprise Service Bus through the following URL
http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80/esb
Access the Oracle BPEL Process Manager Control through the following URL
http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80/BPELConsole
I dont know from where http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80 has come. And this site has been blocked by google toolbar and firefox because its full of spyware and virus.
Any idea guys how come this http://NtKrnlpa.cn:80 came on its own? is it any spyware problem? My system is cleaned with all the virus and spyware

Hi,
What's the name of your server?
Or what is the name behind the primary ip-adres in hosts file or dns?
Greetings
Jaap

Has anyone really fixed the windows to ipod comunication problem?

I have tried all of the suggestions I see here and now I sit here in front of a 300.00 dollar calender. I tried the 5 R,s, none worked. I tried uninstalling and re installing and still nothing. I havent tried downloading any more Apple or Mac software because I dont trust it now. Is there some whre I havent looked yet, please help I.m losing interest in the big ipod phenomenon.

Unfortunately, there is no one ‘Silver Bullet’ answer for this issue. Many things can contribute to the problem. Here are various ‘generic’ solutions that you can try in an effort to correct your problem. One should work. These are listed in simplest to more involved order (usually).
First, make sure that the iPod is fully charged.
Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts.
Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.
Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly.
Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict.
If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter:
-- Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management
-- Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”
-- Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused (Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” or something similar)
-- Safely eject the iPod
-- Reboot the PC
If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod
Your PC may have difficulty with the USB2 protocol and the iPod. See this Article for a possible solution: iPod not Recognized Correctly
Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference.
Also See:
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTunes“Strange iPod Behavior within Windows”
If you are getting a ‘Missing Drivers’ message, try this:
1. Go to http://www.driverguide.com and register (free)
2. Download ‘usbstor.sys’ & ‘usbstor.inf’ to your PC and place them in your i386 Folder
3. Update both drivers by selecting the two files you just downloaded
4. Reboot computer
5. Open iTunes and then connect you iPod
If all the above fails, you may have a Virus, Malware or SpyWare problem.
If you do find that your Device Manager is blank, you should probably check up on this issue first: No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It
There have been some successes using the information in this post below. WARNING: I have absolutely no clue to what this download file does, and introducing it into your PC environment is risky. Some Forum posters have experienced less than benign results. Read the thread through and see the tips below. Proceed at you own risk: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1222335#1222335
The above tool looks like it removes (or it's supposed to remove) Apropos adware. Apropos is a known cause of this problem: iPod not recognized and Windows Device Manager is empty
... but other adware using the ContextPlus engine has also been known to cause similar effects.

My new imac is on the way. MS Money not available for Mac? Options?

Thanks to all who have given this PC user advice as I move over to a MAC at home.
I have ordered a 24 inch Imac that is on the way soon.
I have used MS Money. Looking around the internet it looks like this program is unavailable for a MAC. I've read that Quicken is available but read mostly negative reviews.
Any thoughts about Quicken?
I've thought about buying the software to do a parallel boot to Windows so I can use some of my software, including Money. Is that the best option?
Running windows on a mac, will I run into all the crappy problems with Windows that are causing me to leave them (like virus/spyware problems, constantly having to re-boot if more than a few tasks are going on, lock ups, etc.)?
Thanks.

You can run windows on a new iMac either directly by installing it with Boot Camp or in a virtual machine inside of OS X with Parallels. Parallels has a tool that will allow you to migrate an existing Windows installation from a PC into a Parallels virtual machine on a Mac.
In answer to your other question, Windows will still be Windows, so it's just as crappy running on an Intel Mac as it is on an ordinary PC. I have Windows Vista installed on mine and it has all of the annoyances of Windows XP plus some new ones. If I didn't need Windows apps I wouldn't use it.

Black or blank screen with blinking cursor after entering Windows password

This document pertains to all HP computers and tablets with Windows 7 and Windows 8 (8.1).
You can also link directly to this document at this URL
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04572861
Use the following steps if your computer stops at a black screen with a blinking cursor after entering the Windows password.
On the black screen, press Ctrl, Shift, ESC to open the Task Manager window.
note: If the Task Manager window does not open, see Troubleshooting Black Screen Displays with No Error Messages During Startup or Boot.
Click the Process tab.
Look for one or both of the following tasks:
Run Once Wrapper
Run Once Wrapper (32-bit)
Right-click the task, and then click the End task button. Windows should start normally.
On the Windows 8 start screen type Control Panel then click Control Panel in the search results. In Windows 7, click Start then type Control Panel, then click Control Panel in the search results.
From the Windows Control Panel, go to Programs and Features or Add/Remove Programs.
Remove any of the following programs. Additionally, remove any other suspected programs that are not listed.
Remove these suspected programs:
Binkiland
SevenZip
Unchecky
Image Repair
SolutionReal
Vosteran
JetClean
Speed Browser
Web Bar 2.0.5273.16044
mypcbackup
Speed Checker
Wincheck
Omega Plus
Spy Clear
Word Proser
Optimizer Pro
Spyware Clear with PC Tech Hotline
WSE_Binkiland
Pepper Zip
Storm Watch
WSE_Taplika
Pro PC Cleaner
Strong Signal
WSE_Vosteran
Safe Search
Taplika
To resolve all other black/blank screen issues at boot, see Troubleshooting Black Screen Displays with No Error Messages During Startup or Boot.
To resolve virus and malware issues, see About Spyware, Adware, and Browser Hijacking Software and Using Windows 8 Defender to Prevent Virus and Spyware Problems
I work for HP, supporting the HP Experts who volunteer their time and technical knowledge to help others.

This is not what happens. The screen goes black, no curser or anything, then it comes right back on to the same page I was on when it went out. It doesn't happen when I login, it happens as I am on a webpage or playing a online game.

Is there a fix for Firefox being auto-redirected to known attack site from every new Google search?

Every time I do a Google search, the first link in that search clicked will direct me to a known attack site at http://64.111.212.229/ (URL followed by lines of gibberish code). It will occur only on the first link of any new search attempted.
My AV (Symantec Corporate 10.1.7.7000 version 12/8/2010 rev. 2) does not pick up any malware.
The problem does not occur in Google Chrome.
Does anyone have a similar problem and/or solution?
My Firefox: 3.6.13, OS: Windows 2003 Server Standard SP2.

@sergej0363: Well, nothing to stop you with your solution. I agree that some anit-spyware can be a bigger nuisance. Having said that, the problem you described may or may not look like a spyware problem though. I have found Spybot S&D to be quite serious and efficient, trusted by many.
It is not true that Mozilla is targeted specifically, although some browser-specific attacks may indeed occur, most often with IE. Assuming that your problem is indeed malware/spyware related it may be a matter of time until another browser is affected. And by no means Mozilla doesn't care. It actually has features like "block reported attack sites" or "web forgeries" when turned on. And Mozilla's OSS development model is usually considered to produce better security. But all this cannot always prevent e. g. drive-by infections or accidentally installing a spammer add-on.
As always, the classical triple precaution anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware should help, besides keeping browser and OS software up to date and general.

Ipod mini no longer recognized, I have tried everything

About a month ago, the computer stopped "seeing" my Mini. It would charge (show the usual charging big battery logo) but it would not be seen in device manager, my computer, itunes or real player. The computer is a Windows computer running XP home. This is a 6 GB ipod running 1.4.
I have reset the ipod, I have uninstalled and reinstalled the ipod software and itunes. I have reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled everything. I have used different USB ports.
I cannot restore since the Ipod updater does not recognize it, either.
Any ideas at all? The Ipod works fine, I just can't transfer new music onto it which is making me nuts.

Unfortunately, there is no one ‘Silver Bullet’ answer for this issue. Many things can contribute to the problem. Here are various solutions that you can try to correct your problem. One should work. These are listed in simplest to more involved order (usually).
First, make sure that the iPod is fully charged.
Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts.
Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.
Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly.
Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict.
If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter:
-- Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management
-- Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”
-- Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused (Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” or something similar)
-- Safely eject the iPod
-- Reboot the PC
If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod
Your PC may have difficulty with the USB2 protocol and the iPod. See this Article for a possible solution: iPod not Recognized Correctly
Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference.
Also See:
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTunes“Strange iPod Behavior within Windows”
If all the above fails, you may have a Virus, Malware or SpyWare problem.
There have been some successes using the information in this post below. WARNING: I have absolutely no clue to what this download file does, and introducing it into your PC environment is risky. Some Forum posters have experienced less than benign results. Read the thread through and see the tips below. Proceed at you own risk: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1222335#1222335
The above tool looks like it removes (or it's supposed to remove) Apropos adware. Apropos is a known cause of this problem: iPod not recognized and Windows Device Manager is empty
... but other adware using the ContextPlus engine has also been known to cause similar effects.
If you do find that your Device Manager is blank, you should probably check up on this issue first: No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It

ITunes 7.3.2.6: Vista: Error Msg: iTunes has stopped working

I have installed the newest version of iTunes on my Windows Vista computer, and I've had no trouble with the program after the original installation. I then ran across a spyware problem (not due to iTunes) and had to run System Restore in order to clear up the problem. After restoring the computer, i noticed that iTunes was unable to open after that point. Several times i have tried to uninstall and reinstall iTunes and have not been able to make any headway. I was wondering if there was a way to get ahold of maybe an older version of iTunes. I don't know if that would solve the problem or if maybe its just McAfee blocking the program. If anybody has any feedback, it would be greatly appreciated...

If you open Windows Media Player, can you play songs through there, or do you get a similar error?
If you get a similar error, something weird would be happening with your sound drivers.

Recovery from computer generated "Recovery Disks".

I have a notebook G62-340us with Win7. At bootup on the splash screen I have been getting a message that states the hard drive is going to fail etc. I replaced the drive with two new drives ( seperate occasions) but the computer generated recovery disks hang up . the first drive accepted the first recovery disk and hung at 18 % on the second disk. I replaced that with another new hard disk and that hung up at 23% of the first recovery disk . I replace the original disk and the machine still works with the same message but the boot to the desktop takes 8 mins. I realize that this disk may have Virus or spyware problems also but my main concern is not being able to "Factory install" onto the new disks. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

I have a notebook G62-340us with Win7. At bootup on the splash screen I have been getting a message that states the hard drive is going to fail etc. I replaced the drive with two new drives ( seperate occasions) but the computer generated recovery disks hang up . the first drive accepted the first recovery disk and hung at 18 % on the second disk. I replaced that with another new hard disk and that hung up at 23% of the first recovery disk . I replace the original disk and the machine still works with the same message but the boot to the desktop takes 8 mins. I realize that this disk may have Virus or spyware problems also but my main concern is not being able to "Factory install" onto the new disks. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

How do I make my computer recognize my ipod?

Help anybody,
I've been an iPod user two years now, I own a 4G 40 gig iPod
I use my iPod as a hard drive for all my files, it was fine until two days ago when I noticed a folder icon when I turned it on, from then on I can't get my computer/itunes to mount my iPod (i.e. my PC hangs), as a result I can't access any files i recently put in and I can't load any music
I suspect that the hard drive is damaged (I really hope I'm wrong on that one), but what puzzles me is that I can still play songs on it...
Can I play songs on my iPod even if the hard drive is damaged?
Is it possible that files that I loaded were corrupted and as a result corrupted my iPod?
lastly,
How do I make my computer recognize my iPod?
Windows XP Pro

Unfortunately, there is no one ‘Silver Bullet’ answer for this issue. Many things can contribute to the problem. Here are various ‘generic’ solutions that you can try in an effort to correct your problem. One should work. These are listed in simplest to more involved order (usually).
First, make sure that the iPod is fully charged.
Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts.
Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.
Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly.
Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict.
If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter:
-- Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management
-- Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”
-- Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused (Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” or something similar)
-- Safely eject the iPod
-- Reboot the PC
If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod
Your PC may have difficulty with the USB2 protocol and the iPod. See this Article for a possible solution: iPod not Recognized Correctly
Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference.
Also See:
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTunes“Strange iPod Behavior within Windows”
If you are getting a ‘Missing Drivers’ message, try this:
1. Go to http://www.driverguide.com and register (free)
2. Download ‘usbstor.sys’ & ‘usbstor.inf’ to your PC and place them in your i386 Folder
3. Update both drivers by selecting the two files you just downloaded
4. Reboot computer
5. Open iTunes and then connect you iPod
If all the above fails, you may have a Virus, Malware or SpyWare problem.
If you do find that your Device Manager is blank, you should probably check up on this issue first: No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It

ITunes dead after System Restore

I can no longer launch iTunes, and this has nothing to do with spyware.
Sequence of Events:
1) Last Thursday, I purchased a new track from itms (Iggy Pop - Candy - it's good, check it out).
2) Upon trying to play the track, I was presented with the message that the computer was not authorized to play the track. Other songs I tried to play gave the same error. I had been perfectly content using iTunes 4.7. However, in order to play the tracks, I now needed to upgrade to the current version of iTunes. This was, imo, obnoxious, but I capitulated, and downloaded and installed v6.0.1.3. After installation, iTunes worked perfectly fine.
3) Thursday evening I shut the computer down for the evening. I didn't use the system again until Sunday evening. When I powered the machine up, Windows booted to a black screen. Safe mode worked properly, but 'normal'-mode would not light the display (this is a laptop). Not knowing what was wrong yet, I tried using System Restore to return the system to a slightly earlier state. The most recent checkpoint was just before installing the iTunes update, so that's where I restored to.
4) System Restore didn't fix the problem. That's when I discovered the switch on the laptop that senses whether or not the lid is closed was broken, and it was telling Windows the lid was closed, resulting in the darkened screen. (I've removed the switch while I wait for the replacement plastic piece I need, so that's no longer an issue.)
5) System Restore did not have the option to undo the previous System Restore.
6) I then re-installed iTunes 6.0.1.3. Each time I try to launch iTunes, I see the standard MS "Do you want to send the error info to Microsoft?" message box, and iTunes won't start.
To try and repair the problem, I've tried uninstalling iTunes and Quicktime repeatedly. I've tried System Restore, and then a reinstall, several times. I've been a Computer Tech since '94, and routinely remove spyware problems from people's computers in a professional capacity. I am certain my iTunes problem is not malware-related. However, just to cover all bases I went ahead and followed the Apple doc referenced repeatedly in these forums involving MSCONFIG to ensure my iTunes problem wasn't related to some startup issue. I've taken the iTunes folder, with the library.itl and .xml files, and moved it to the desktop prior to reinstalling iTunes. I've uninstalled, and then deleted the Program Files\iTunes and Program Files\iPod directories prior to reinstallation. I've disabled my antivirus during the install.
No matter what I've tried, iTunes will no longer start.
Anybody have any ideas what I can try next to revive iTunes on my PC. I very much don't want to lose my existing playlists, album art, and music files (especially the approx. $130 of purchased music), obviously.
Thanks,
Steve
System:
Inspiron 8500
Windows XP Pro, SP2
Grisoft AVG Free Edition antivirus.

well done, NoahsMyBro!
hmmmm. some thoughts (speculation warning) on what might have gone wrong with the QT. a system restore "over top" of a fresh itunes install will strip out some installation registry entries from both QT and itunes. (under those circumstances, itunes won't launch, spitting out a "some of the required files ..." error message.)
under those circumstances, i usually recommend uninstall QT and itunes prior to the reinstall. (of course, you had other more pressing things to worry about at the time ...) i've been doing that because the QT component of the itunes installer bundle can be a little more delicate than the itunes component when it comes to installing "over top" of existing program files and folders. i think it's partly to do with the fact that it's the second install in the chained install (more can go wrong with it). so the QT may have been compromised on the reinstall, even though the itunes part of the install went through fine.
you don't tend to get the same QT install problems on a standalone QT install (again, speculation, but it seems plausible) because it's not the second install in a chain.
love, b

Spyware problem

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for