After finding no d####d iTunes program to uninstall in 'Add or Remove Programs' I stumbled on an iTunesetup.exe file in the recycle bin. No idea where it has come from, as the original installation was from CD (which I don't have). After setting a restore point, I ran the exe file, which gave me the option to repair the installation, or uninstall. Chose the former, which ran through without difficulty, no apparent change.
Crossed everything in sight, and re-booted. Still no change.
In for a penny… Again ran exe file, this time to uninstall. SpybotS&D threw up a couple (I think) of registry change warnings, but these could not be read, as the window content was partially obscured. I clicked the highlighted button, and things proceeded OK.
No apparent changes, except that the dll files for extracting tracks from CDs and burning CDs could not be found. Again rebooted, no change.
Exe file again to install, ran OK, and showed the same version as already installed. Again with 3(?) Spybot registry change warnings, no change, except dll files restored.
So, seemingly no further forwarded. I'd very much appreciate any fresh suggestions.
save them all to your desktop ( thats a lot of stuff…)
then one at a time right click them> select merge
then click yes and OK
you should see a message called "merged succesfully"
reboot
tell us if this helped
also i would like to see a fresh hijackthis log too.. just in case..
Hi,
My thanks to g2i2r4 for the suggestion and for the link. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and had to cut and run - reformat and re-build. I shall keep g2i2r4's link in mind, and hope that it isn't needed; it looks like a useful resource.
My daughter now has a clean system, and strict instructions to keep it that way. I managed to save most of the iTunes files. For anyone interested, CopyPod enables you to recover the files on an iPod back to your hard disk - which iTunes won't allow. Transfer from PC to PC has to be via the iPod, which is tedious but do-able. You guys will likely have some faster, neater tricks.
Thanks to all involved. This seems to have been a rather obscure problem, and I really appreciate the effort in grappling with it. In the process I have learned a lot and picked up several useful tips.
Best Wishes. javascript:emoticon('', 'smid_20')
smilie
sometimes a format really is the right way to go !
in any case i will post some words on prevention/security:
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.
You can find instructions on how to enable and reenable system restore here:
Reenable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
Click once on the Security tab
Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
Click once on the Custom Level button.
Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
Understanding and Using Firewalls
Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.
here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety
[https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm]IE/Spyad<=IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
MVPS Hosts file<=The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
Google Toolbar<=Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
Thanks for the post, lots of v useful advice. I already use a fair bit of what you recommend, but many of the settings and tweaks are new to me, and I shall be going through them all very carefully. On my own machine I use Firefox - any settings for that which are not covered in the IE settings?
Again, Many Thanks javascript:emoticon('', 'smid_18')
smilie
Glad we could be of assistance. This topic is now closed. If you wish it reopened, please send us an email (Click for address) with a link to your thread.
Do not bother contacting us if you are not the topic starter. A valid, working link to the closed topic is required along with the user name used. If the user name does not match the one in the thread linked, the email will be deleted.
Make sure you use proper prevention to keep from having problems occur to your computer in the future.
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smilie
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smilie