Add/Remove Program problem

[Mark]

I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

[DL]

Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was yr choice.
With an app like that having sent them an email, you merely confired your
address as a live, be prepared for the spam
That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run Adaware, freeware
version
David

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
> programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
> no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Download and install Ad Aware, www.lavasoftusa.com. Check for the latest
updates for that application and then run it.

Also check out SpyBot: http://spybot.eon.net.au/
Be very careful with this application, it is very robust and not everything
it finds should necessarily be deleted. Hence, only look for references to
the problem apps you installed.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
> programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
> no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

[Harry Ohrn]

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
> programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
> no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

How do you suggest that Microsoft fix this problem?

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

[Maureen Goldman]

>"Mark" > wrote:
>I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
>a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
>Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
>sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
>composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
>programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
>don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
>no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
>problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
>preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
>place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

I agree with the others about using Ad-Aware and Spybot. If this is
recent, perhaps System Restore can help you get rid of any residue
after scanning by putting your registry back to the way it was before
your adventures..

[Kelly]

Hi Mark,

Close all open apps. Open a command prompt (Start/Run/CMD) and navigate to
the directory with the offending file(s). Then open the Task Manager and
click on the Processes tab, select "explorer.exe" under Image Name. Click
"End Process".

In the opened Command Prompt, DEL the offending files (DEL *.mpg, DEL
mus*.avi, DEL test.wmv, etc.) Once done, go back to the task manager and
click on the Applications tab. Click the "New Task..." button. in the
dialog, type explorer.exe and click OK.

Can't Delete a File or Folder in XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm#del

As for Add/Remove, follow the procedures discussed here:

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm


"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
> programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
> no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

[Tom]

How comfortable are you messing withthe registry??
I do 3 things:

1. do a search for the programs you want gone - then try to delete as
many as you can. For the others, jot down the full path's.

2. boot up in command line mode and got to the above path's. try a
delete for the file first - ie.: 'del xyz.exe' (no quotes!) or
whatever. If it fails, try changing the attributes by entering 'attrib
filename -r -h -s'. this will turn off the read-only, hidden and sytem
attributes. then try deleting again. By 'filename' I mean for you to
put in the proper filename like 'xyz.exe' or whatever. Wildcards do
work: 'xy*.*' is OK. again, leave the quoets off.

3. I go into the registry (back it up first with something like ERU or
ERUNT- check google, if you don't have these utilities - ERU is for
FATxx filesystems and ERUNT is for NTFS)) and search for any entries
containing the files you want gone.
Get rid of them!

It's worked for me ... but make backups, backups ... more backups ;-))

-=tom=-



"Mark" > wrote:

>I downloaded a real piece of trash program that installed
>a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
>Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
>sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
>composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
>programs that are lodged into my system and I apparently
>don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
>no less. How does one go about getting around this bogus
>problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
>preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
>place? Microsoft get on the ball.......

[Mark]

Thanks for the advice but last i checked, its my f***ing
computer, i should be able to delete every damn program i
so choose. I dont care if i corrupt a file, its my
choice. Don't block anything for me, thank you very much
microsoft.


>-----Original Message-----
>Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was
yr choice.
>With an app like that having sent them an email, you
merely confired your
>address as a live, be prepared for the spam
>That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run
Adaware, freeware
>version
>David
>
>"Mark" > wrote in message
...
>> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that
installed
>> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
>> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
>> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
>> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
>> programs that are lodged into my system and I
apparently
>> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
>> no less. How does one go about getting around this
bogus
>> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
>> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
>> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......
>
>
>.
>

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

In other words if you download and install an application that corrupts the
basic OS or is somehow written to override a basic function of the OS,
that's Microsoft's fault and Micosoft must write the OS in anticipation of
every conceivable and possible exploit? If you install some after market
device on your car's engine and the engine not only begins to malfunction
but can't be corrected without taking it to a mechanic is that the fault of
the auto manufacturer?

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the advice but last i checked, its my f***ing
> computer, i should be able to delete every damn program i
> so choose. I dont care if i corrupt a file, its my
> choice. Don't block anything for me, thank you very much
> microsoft.
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was
> yr choice.
> >With an app like that having sent them an email, you
> merely confired your
> >address as a live, be prepared for the spam
> >That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run
> Adaware, freeware
> >version
> >David
> >
> >"Mark" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that
> installed
> >> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> >> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program and
> >> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> >> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a few
> >> programs that are lodged into my system and I
> apparently
> >> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own computer
> >> no less. How does one go about getting around this
> bogus
> >> problem, and why is it that these programs can legally
> >> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> >> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Mark]

This isn't necessarily a microsoft problem, but this is a
lycos program i am trying to delete, it shows up on my
computer and creates pop-ups...last i checked, lycos
isn't very shady... so i deduce that this might be an
error in windows, or else this wouldnt be legal.


>-----Original Message-----
>In other words if you download and install an
application that corrupts the
>basic OS or is somehow written to override a basic
function of the OS,
>that's Microsoft's fault and Micosoft must write the OS
in anticipation of
>every conceivable and possible exploit? If you install
some after market
>device on your car's engine and the engine not only
begins to malfunction
>but can't be corrected without taking it to a mechanic
is that the fault of
>the auto manufacturer?
>
>--
>Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>Windows Shell/User
>Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
>"Mark" > wrote in message
...
>> Thanks for the advice but last i checked, its my
f***ing
>> computer, i should be able to delete every damn
program i
>> so choose. I dont care if i corrupt a file, its my
>> choice. Don't block anything for me, thank you very
much
>> microsoft.
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was
>> yr choice.
>> >With an app like that having sent them an email, you
>> merely confired your
>> >address as a live, be prepared for the spam
>> >That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run
>> Adaware, freeware
>> >version
>> >David
>> >
>> >"Mark" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that
>> installed
>> >> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
>> >> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program
and
>> >> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
>> >> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a
few
>> >> programs that are lodged into my system and I
>> apparently
>> >> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own
computer
>> >> no less. How does one go about getting around this
>> bogus
>> >> problem, and why is it that these programs can
legally
>> >> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
>> >> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If you didn't have the problem before you installed the application, then
the application made the change. Not sure about legal or the legal aspects
but applications do make changes that can affect the overall operating
system. XP has some protection against such problems that previous versions
of Windows did not have such as file protection. Nonetheless, a good coder
can figure a way around such protection and actually use the OS to it's
benefit.

I've seem some very odd things from companies that seemed quite legit. If
this happened after installing a Lycos program, clearly it is exploiting
some part of the operating system.

Are you running a firewall. Some popups use Windows Messenger as a gateway
for popups. A firewall can close the ports or at least block the type of
message being used to send the popups. Again, this is a feature exploit, a
feature used by literally millions of users. As to whether or not it's
legal, you'd have to take that up with an attorney and follow whatever
recourse you feel is necessary. Telemarketers exploit the telephone, is
that the responsibility of the phone company. In fact, despite, the new "Do
not call list," it is still legal. Despite the outcry about spam, it's
still legal. If Microsoft, shipped the system with those ports, closed by
default, you'd hear a huge outcry from users so that's not the answer.
Sometimes it has to be done by third party apps and user input.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> This isn't necessarily a microsoft problem, but this is a
> lycos program i am trying to delete, it shows up on my
> computer and creates pop-ups...last i checked, lycos
> isn't very shady... so i deduce that this might be an
> error in windows, or else this wouldnt be legal.
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >In other words if you download and install an
> application that corrupts the
> >basic OS or is somehow written to override a basic
> function of the OS,
> >that's Microsoft's fault and Micosoft must write the OS
> in anticipation of
> >every conceivable and possible exploit? If you install
> some after market
> >device on your car's engine and the engine not only
> begins to malfunction
> >but can't be corrected without taking it to a mechanic
> is that the fault of
> >the auto manufacturer?
> >
> >--
> >Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> >Windows Shell/User
> >Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> >DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> >
> >"Mark" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Thanks for the advice but last i checked, its my
> f***ing
> >> computer, i should be able to delete every damn
> program i
> >> so choose. I dont care if i corrupt a file, its my
> >> choice. Don't block anything for me, thank you very
> much
> >> microsoft.
> >>
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was
> >> yr choice.
> >> >With an app like that having sent them an email, you
> >> merely confired your
> >> >address as a live, be prepared for the spam
> >> >That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run
> >> Adaware, freeware
> >> >version
> >> >David
> >> >
> >> >"Mark" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that
> >> installed
> >> >> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> >> >> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program
> and
> >> >> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> >> >> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a
> few
> >> >> programs that are lodged into my system and I
> >> apparently
> >> >> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own
> computer
> >> >> no less. How does one go about getting around this
> >> bogus
> >> >> problem, and why is it that these programs can
> legally
> >> >> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> >> >> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Jeff Hayes]

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> This isn't necessarily a microsoft problem, but this is a
> lycos program i am trying to delete, it shows up on my
> computer and creates pop-ups...last i checked, lycos
> isn't very shady... so i deduce that this might be an
> error in windows, or else this wouldnt be legal.
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >In other words if you download and install an
> application that corrupts the
> >basic OS or is somehow written to override a basic
> function of the OS,
> >that's Microsoft's fault and Micosoft must write the OS
> in anticipation of
> >every conceivable and possible exploit? If you install
> some after market
> >device on your car's engine and the engine not only
> begins to malfunction
> >but can't be corrected without taking it to a mechanic
> is that the fault of
> >the auto manufacturer?
> >
> >--
> >Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> >Windows Shell/User
> >Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> >DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> >
> >"Mark" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Thanks for the advice but last i checked, its my
> f***ing
> >> computer, i should be able to delete every damn
> program i
> >> so choose. I dont care if i corrupt a file, its my
> >> choice. Don't block anything for me, thank you very
> much
> >> microsoft.
> >>
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >Nothing to do with MS, you downloaded/installed it was
> >> yr choice.
> >> >With an app like that having sent them an email, you
> >> merely confired your
> >> >address as a live, be prepared for the spam
> >> >That said http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ download and run
> >> Adaware, freeware
> >> >version
> >> >David
> >> >
> >> >"Mark" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> I downloaded a real piece of trash program that
> >> installed
> >> >> a bunch of pop-up-ad software when I installed it.
> >> >> Needless to say, I uninstalled the original program
> and
> >> >> sent them one of the nastiest e-mail's I've ever
> >> >> composed, but the true damage is that now I have a
> few
> >> >> programs that are lodged into my system and I
> >> apparently
> >> >> don't have "access" to delete them...on my own
> computer
> >> >> no less. How does one go about getting around this
> >> bogus
> >> >> problem, and why is it that these programs can
> legally
> >> >> preclude themselves from being deleted in the first
> >> >> place? Microsoft get on the ball.......
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.do not delete ok look for the programs they are in your program files
ok are you can restore two the point before the download ok there is other
things you can do but i need more info i do not want two make a mistake i
want two help so if you want two you can contact me and i will help as much
as i can ok note they have two be running through some type of program i
can not tell for sure without more input ok but i will do everthing i can
two help ok

> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Brian Tillman]

>In other words if you download and install an application that corrupts the
>basic OS or is somehow written to override a basic function of the OS,
>that's Microsoft's fault and Micosoft must write the OS in anticipation of
>every conceivable and possible exploit?

Since Microsoft has shown itself incapable of anticipating even the simplest
of exploits, I sympathize with the OP.
--
Brian Tillman Internet: Brian.Tillman at smiths-aerospace dot com
Smiths Aerospace Addresses modified to prevent SPAM.
3290 Patterson Ave. SE, MS 1B3 Replace "at" with "@", "dot" with "."
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-1991
This opinion doesn't represent that of my company