Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware

Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.

This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years.
A quote from Mr. Clayton:
“I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.�

Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077).

In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.

To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader:
1. Click Reply.
2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport.
3. Edit the subject line if you like.
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This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't.

"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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

Harry,

I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris Norred
in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this person
be posting CDO?

Dubiously, JAX

"Harry Ohrn" wrote in message
...
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer
the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your
way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty
to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge
to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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

New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS.

Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-)

FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten
totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been
nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client
thought was a completely unrelated reason.

FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue
is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs.
VX2 and the cool web search crap.

Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet,
with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS
tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of
hands on experience and other folks.......

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp|


"JAX" wrote in message
...
Harry,

I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris
Norred
in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this
person
be posting CDO?

Dubiously, JAX

"Harry Ohrn" wrote in message
...
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the
numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only
a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer
the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your
way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty
to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge
to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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

That ain't entertainment. Shape up.

--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...392635123.html

"Walter Clayton" wrote in message =
...
New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS.
=20
Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-)
=20
FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's =
gotten=20
totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months =
has been=20
nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the =
client=20
thought was a completely unrelated reason.
=20
FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only =
issue=20
is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria =
vs.=20
VX2 and the cool web search crap.
=20
Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both =
feet,=20
with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or =
MS=20
tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves =
courtesy of=20
hands on experience and other folks.......
=20
--=20
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp|
=20
=20
"JAX" wrote in message=20
...
Harry,

I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris =

Norred
in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this =

person
be posting CDO?

Dubiously, JAX

"Harry Ohrn" wrote in message
...
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the=20
numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not =
only=20
a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing =
with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If =
this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to =
answer
the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of =
your
way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to =
these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your =
majesty
to
point this out to us. }:~)
--=20
There are three types of people in computing, those that can =
count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of =
non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable =
knowledge
to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups =
then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--=20

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




=20

Hi Walter,

To tell the truth, I don't really recall hearing anything from you, but if
you carry the title "MVP'" and it is not earned, someone will be jumping on
you with both feet. I don't agree with the approach of "Unknown P", but the
subject of spyware, scumware, hijackers, etc. has been worn out in the
newsgroups for the past several months. Windows offers, pretty much, all the
pointers you need when you go to updates. It is something like, "protect
your computer 1,2,3".

I visit the XP newsgroups and follow the advice of the MVP's, as well as
other responders who have something to say that I consider credible. A year
or more ago, I deleted my "canned" responses to posts about spyware, etc. I
became tired of reading posts about the same problem that was posted two
lines down in the group.

I think you will agree, most posters get to the groups for the first time
via the XP Help and Support function on their computer, using CDO. There is
a FAQ's available there, but it is rather obscure and very limited. Not to
mention, it is not updated frequently.

Chris's post will "time-out" in a few days, and even before then, it will
move so far down the line in posts that the people who would have questions
about such a common problem will not scroll down/up to see it. I would like
to see MS add to its Help and Support site, an improved FAQ's link that
would be more in tune with current problems people are having. They would,
no doubt, have to have a relatively small crew to monitor the XP groups to
determine what customers were having problems with and to come up with
appropriate answers, but I think it would be within the resources of MS and
a way of promoting customer relations.

FWIW, JAX


"Walter Clayton" wrote in message
...
New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS.

Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-)

FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten
totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has
been
nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the
client
thought was a completely unrelated reason.

FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue
is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs.
VX2 and the cool web search crap.

Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both
feet,
with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS
tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of
hands on experience and other folks.......

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp|


"JAX" wrote in message
...
Harry,

I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris
Norred
in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this
person
be posting CDO?

Dubiously, JAX

"Harry Ohrn" wrote in message
...
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the
numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not
only
a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If
this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer
the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of
your
way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to
these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your
majesty
to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count
and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable
knowledge
to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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

"Walter Clayton" wrote:

New promotional program. Yes, Chris is legit MS.

Use the feed back link, it won't bite. ;-)

FWIW, I picked the topic of spyware for the simple reason that it's gotten
totally out of hand. 100% of my personal business the last 6 months has been
nothing but crapware cleanup. And generally I was called for what the client
thought was a completely unrelated reason.

FYI: The major AV vendors are starting to step up to plate. The only issue
is how broadly they'll address such "innocuous" things as Gator/Claria vs.
VX2 and the cool web search crap.

Now if we can just get MS to step into the fray officially, with both feet,
with proper tools to facilitate removing the nasties via 3rd party or MS
tools rather than having to rely on tricks I have up my selves courtesy of
hands on experience and other folks.......

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp|


"JAX" wrote in message
...
Harry,

I recognize your name. I don't remember ever seeing the name of Cris
Norred
in any of the XP groups I haunt. Do you know him/her? Why would this
person
be posting CDO?

Dubiously, JAX

"Harry Ohrn" wrote in message
...
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the
numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only
a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer
the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your
way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty
to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge
to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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






I already know what Spyware can do and all to your computers but what is the best Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs out there I'm using Spybot 1.3 and Ad-aware 6.0 from Lavasoft and I heard having two good Spyware and Ad-aware remover programs that it will remove about 90% of Spyware and Ad-aware off your computer and keep it out.

I have been using ZoneAlarmPro firewall and from time to time receive an
alert: "Microsoft Windows Based Script Host is trying to connect to the
internet..." - no information is available...
so I have been denying access but I wonder if this is an authentic Microsoft
Update download - and should be allowing access.

"Harry Ohrn" wrote:

"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with
thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to
point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and
those that can't.


Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of non
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable knowledge to.
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups then
perhaps you should just move on over.

--

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

Depends on why it wants access.

--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...392635123.html

"Airman" wrote in message =
...
I have been using ZoneAlarmPro firewall and from time to time receive =
an=20
alert: "Microsoft Windows Based Script Host is trying to connect to =
the=20
internet..." - no information is available...
so I have been denying access but I wonder if this is an authentic =
Microsoft=20
Update download - and should be allowing access.
=20
"Harry Ohrn" wrote:
=20
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message=20
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the =
numerous=20
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not =
only a=20
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with =

thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If =
this=20
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to =
answer the=20
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us=20
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of =
your way=20
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to =
these=20
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your =
majesty to=20
point this out to us. }:~)
--=20
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count =
and=20
those that can't.

=20
Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of =
non=20
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable =
knowledge to.=20
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups =
then=20
perhaps you should just move on over.
=20
--=20
=20
Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
=20
=20
=20

You can read the message as
"A program is trying to connect ... "

Not helpful. Need the program name. WSH is a program that hosts other =
programs.

--=20
----------------------------------------------------------
'Not happy John! Defending our democracy',
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...392635123.html

"Airman" wrote in message =
...
I have been using ZoneAlarmPro firewall and from time to time receive =
an=20
alert: "Microsoft Windows Based Script Host is trying to connect to =
the=20
internet..." - no information is available...
so I have been denying access but I wonder if this is an authentic =
Microsoft=20
Update download - and should be allowing access.
=20
"Harry Ohrn" wrote:
=20
"The Unknown P" ( ) wrote in message=20
...
How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the =
numerous=20
NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not =
only a=20
waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with =

thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If =
this=20
supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to =
answer the=20
questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us=20
unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of =
your way=20
for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to =
these=20
NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your =
majesty to=20
point this out to us. }:~)
--=20
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count =
and=20
those that can't.

=20
Who dumped in your Cheerio's this morning?. There are any number of =
non=20
Microsoft newsgroups on Usenet that you can post your valuable =
knowledge to.=20
If you dislike the way that Microsoft wishes to use their groups =
then=20
perhaps you should just move on over.
=20
--=20
=20
Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
=20
=20
=20

lol wow are you a MAC user

"The Unknown P" wrote:

How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't.

how do i install Active X on my computer
--
Tom


"The Unknown P" wrote:

How in God's name do you think this is going to differ from the numerous NG's and the posts pertaining to this topic. In short this is not only a waste of space but a little redundant as we have been dealing with thousands of questions pertaining to spyware\adware for years. If this supposed eXPert has anything to add he or she can feel free to answer the questions posted in any number of these NG's as the rest of us unrecognized or unheralded individuals do. Please don't go out of your way for us or the general public. Like any of the people who reply to these NG's it is at our conveniance and we certainly don't need your majesty to point this out to us. }:~)
--
There are three types of people in computing, those that can count and those that can't.

"Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote:

Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.

This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years.
A quote from Mr. Clayton:
“I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.�

Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077).

In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.

To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader:
1. Click Reply.
2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport.
3. Edit the subject line if you like.
4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box.
5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post.
6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box.
7. Click Send.

This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

Could you tell me how to get rid of adware from my pc. Norton scan tells me I have 9 threatning files but can't delete them.



"vtx" wrote:



"Chris Norred [MSFT]" wrote:

Hello and welcome to our first Ask-the-Experts discussion, moderated by the Windows XP Expert Zone Community. This is a new trial effort and our goal is to make it easy for you to ask questions and find answers on a specific topic from a recognized expert in the online community. We’ll continue this discussion in the newsgroups for one week and our volunteer expert will select one or two questions each day and respond. Other experts and users online may also chime in with advice. At the end of the week, we hope to have a single thread filled with good information that can be preserved for the benefit of other users in the future.

This week, our expert host is volunteer MVP Walter Clayton who will be discussing the topic of spyware and adware and his experience helping users in the newsgroups deal with spyware issues. Walter is an IT professional from Frankfort, Kentucky. He is a self-trained computing pro with 20 years of experience, and he has been helping people in the online community for many years. Walter is a recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for his volunteer efforts helping Windows users over the past five years.
A quote from Mr. Clayton:
“I enjoy working the newsgroups because it forces me to think and learn. Everyday I get a slightly different perspective on something or see a new situation or problem. There is also the challenge of keeping communication skills sharp. Determining the answer to a problem, and communicating it in the newsgroups can present its own set of challenges, especially at times when the wrong answer can leave the user in a no-boot situation.�

Our Ask the Experts discussion is different from the live chats hosted on the Windows XP Expert Zone Community site (http://communities2.microsoft.com/ho...iteid=34000077).

In these discussions, you may not get an immediate answer. The hosts will check-in at a time convenient for them and answer questions. You can post a question any time. Then you may want to add the discussion to your Favorites list in Internet Explorer (Click Favorites, and then click Add to Favorites). You should check back later in the day, or the next day, to see if your question has been answered. Click the Refresh button to see if any new posts were added while you have been reading. If you’re more comfortable using Outlook Express or another newsreader, please do.

To post a question or reply in this discussion, using the Web-based newsgroup reader:
1. Click Reply.
2. If prompted, sign in with your .NET Passport.
3. Edit the subject line if you like.
4. In the Reply form, type your message or question in the Message box.
5. Review the text you typed in the Body box to make sure it says what you want; you cannot revise your message after you click Post.
6. To receive e-mail notification when someone posts to this thread, select the Notify me of replies check box.
7. Click Send.

This is a new trial effort and your feedback and assistance are appreciated. We’ll keep links to these discussions in the Windows XP Expert Zone Community Columns Archive
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...s/archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community