Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware

Tom Willett wrote:

Where is the question for Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton about
Spyware?


LOL! Beats me. I didn't even notice what it said in the subject line until
you pointed it out. I seldom do.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message
...
UncleJohn wrote:

I have a non registered version of Windows XP Professional installed
on my computer and I want to reinstall Windows XP Home (that came
with the computer). How do I do this and deep all the existing
documents and settings etc., and without backing up?


You can not. There is no way to do a downgrade, and the only way to
get XP Home installed is cleanly, which means the loss of everything
on the drive.

Why do you want to do this? Are you aware that XP Home is a subset
of XP Professional? There are extra features in Professional that
are not in Home, but not the other way around.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

That subject line is from a post of a couple of years ago ;-)
Tom
"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message
...
| Tom Willett wrote:
|
| Where is the question for Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton about
| Spyware?
|
|
| LOL! Beats me. I didn't even notice what it said in the subject line until
| you pointed it out. I seldom do.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|
|
| "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message
| ...
| UncleJohn wrote:
|
| I have a non registered version of Windows XP Professional installed
| on my computer and I want to reinstall Windows XP Home (that came
| with the computer). How do I do this and deep all the existing
| documents and settings etc., and without backing up?
|
|
| You can not. There is no way to do a downgrade, and the only way to
| get XP Home installed is cleanly, which means the loss of everything
| on the drive.
|
| Why do you want to do this? Are you aware that XP Home is a subset
| of XP Professional? There are extra features in Professional that
| are not in Home, but not the other way around.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

Hi Ken,

From: Mon, Aug 2 2004 4:51 pm

Wow! 164 Messages in this thread. Make that 165 now. LOL

Ask Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton About Spyware
microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
http://groups.google.com/group/micro... Spyware&hl=en

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Ken Blake, MVP hunted and pecked:
Tom Willett wrote:

Where is the question for Windows XP Expert Walter Clayton about
Spyware?


LOL! Beats me. I didn't even notice what it said in the subject line until
you pointed it out. I seldom do.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message
...
UncleJohn wrote:

I have a non registered version of Windows XP Professional installed
on my computer and I want to reinstall Windows XP Home (that came
with the computer). How do I do this and deep all the existing
documents and settings etc., and without backing up?


You can not. There is no way to do a downgrade, and the only way to
get XP Home installed is cleanly, which means the loss of everything
on the drive.

Why do you want to do this? Are you aware that XP Home is a subset
of XP Professional? There are extra features in Professional that
are not in Home, but not the other way around.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Here's an off-subject question: how do I erase past queries from the search
dro-down? Everytime I do an MSN or Google or Yahoo search all the previous
search queries beginning with that same first letter show in a drop-down
file. I know there must be some way to delete them, but I can't figure it
out. Right-clicking does nothing. Thanks for any help you can give.
--
Life is my palette, Jim the Artist


"Michel" wrote:



"Walter Clayton" wrote:

Generally all I use is AdAware first followed by SpyBot. There's a lot of
overlap in the two tools, but they also concentrate on non-overlapping
areas. It's also wise to follow up with installing SpywareBlaster. None of
these require run time presences although SpyBot will offer to install such.
No harm in doing so and in some instances, especially with multi-user
machines, a necessity. The biggest issue is remembering to run them
periodically after checking for updates. The latter is one of the reasons,
other than not changing usage habits, that people get reinfected. It's
easier to avoid being click happy than it is to clean up the mess
afterwards.

There are instances where AdAware/SpyBot may be neutralized or unable to
clean something. I handle those on a case by case basis since you're looking
at going with some highly specialized tools that if misused will leave the
machine unbootable (note that there is a nasty that the current version of
AdAware had been cleaning incorrectly that would make it impossible to log
on to the machine without taking corrective action).

Depending on your level of expertise there are some tools that circumvent
issues with removing nasties that are resident in memory even in safe mode.
If an XP machine is being disinfected I use a bootable CD created using
Bart's tools with fully updated AdAware, Trendmicro, McAfee and Kaspersky
tools (all free versions) incorporated. This also allows me to correct any
registry issues on the host machine without any major hassles other than
knowing what parts of the registry need be hacked. The reason I include and
run AV scanners is generally if some one has a load of spyware it's not
unusual they'll have nastier stuff as well.

--
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|


"Andrew" wrote in message
...


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.

Hi
Sorry for the very tardy reply, I had someone else solve this for me and had
not been back to the site till now.
Just to let you know your help is appreciated.
Regards

Quandary

"Malke" wrote:

Quandary wrote:

I just flattened my hard drive due to myriad problems. I dutifully backed
up my office files to a cd as per instructions this included my inbox,
outbox, contacts etc. I did not assign a password or did I request
encryption...I now have my system up and running but when I try to reload
my office files I get the bland message ..access denied. What goes on ?Is
there some step by step instruction I am missing ?

Take ownership of the files.

Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421] -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

Windows automatic update keeps trying to install Service pack 3 but then says
it could not be installed. It does this everyday so I modified the automatic
update so that it will first ask me if I want to install something. How can
I correct this problem. I have a Dell Insprion 8200 laptop.
--
Geri


"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

"gbdrexler" wrote in message
...
Windows automatic update keeps trying to install Service pack 3

There IS no Service pack 3 for Windows. Neither is there any Service pack
three for Office 2003. It's probably SP3 for Office 2002. Have you tried
going directly to the Office Update site?

I would like to know what the product code E85-????? (8 characters) mean? I
see it refered to as manufacturing code in some places.
--
336ldunn


"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

This isn't about spyware but maybe you can direct me to the right person.
I acidently got a automated message in my out going e-mail with outlook
express. I would like to know where to find it and then delete it. When I
send e-mail the other person gets it. So how do I get rid of it?

"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

This thread is from Sun, Aug 8 2004.

Let it die peacefully.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
jay the pest jay the hunted and pecked:
This isn't about spyware but maybe you can direct me to the right person.
I acidently got a automated message in my out going e-mail with outlook
express. I would like to know where to find it and then delete it. When
I send e-mail the other person gets it. So how do I get rid of it?

I have a friend who recently got a computer with XP on it. She cannot
download or install files. I feel sure there may be a setting that is
checked, but I can't find it.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much
--
Judy F.
SW Florida - USA


"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

You need to be more explicit than that ie
Download, as in from the internet?
Install as from CD?
There must be an error msg

"Judyf" wrote in message
...
I have a friend who recently got a computer with XP on it. She cannot
download or install files. I feel sure there may be a setting that is
checked, but I can't find it.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much
--
Judy F.
SW Florida - USA


"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

To install applications she must be using the Administrator account,or her
user name must be set up as an "admin" profile.

"Judyf" wrote in message
...
I have a friend who recently got a computer with XP on it. She cannot
download or install files. I feel sure there may be a setting that is
checked, but I can't find it.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much
--
Judy F.
SW Florida - USA


"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...teid=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.../archive.mspx).
Truly
Chris Norred
Editor
Windows XP Expert Zone Community

Not necessarily

"Andrew Murray" wrote in message
...
To install applications she must be using the Administrator account,or her
user name must be set up as an "admin" profile.

"Judyf" wrote in message
...
I have a friend who recently got a computer with XP on it. She cannot
download or install files. I feel sure there may be a setting that is
checked, but I can't find it.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much
--
Judy F.
SW Florida - USA


"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...teid=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.

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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.

To get rid of adware on your computer, simply go to www.lavasoft.com, and download Ad-Aware SE Personal. This ad ware tool is very powerful and comes highly recommended in the IT world. The home edition is totally free, and will rid your computer of the ad ware that norton ios picking up in the scan. Another thing as well is that Norton is not that good when it comes to the virus and ad ware scans as I have a subscription and found out that I had basically wasted my money. There were numerous times when downloading that norton wouldnt pick up viruses or ad ware that were present, either when initially downloading or after the files or programs were downloaded. Another downfall of norton is that even when downloading a file, and it managed to detect the presence of a virus, let's say the virus was in a zipped file. Now although it picked up the presence of a virus or adware, it will offer the option of deleting, repairing, or quarantining. Once you choose an option, it will tell you that it can not be repaired, moved, or deleted. Thus I recommend Avast Home Edition, which is totally free, and as well as Ad Aware SE, Avast is highly recognized and recommended in the IT world as well. This tool will recognize and alert you even if a virus/adware is detected within a zipped file, and is capable of either deleting, or quarantining the element detected. Simply go to www.avast.com, and go to the top of the page where it says "downloads" and scroll down to "programs" and then click on that. The next page will offer you the choice of locations and platforms on which you wish to download (example; ms, linux...english, french ..etc) click the appropriate and follow the prompts to install and run the program. When given the option to do a scan upon restart, click yes, and it will install, restart your computer, then do a full system scan. Also, before installing Avast, uninstall the norton from your computer so that Avast can be your default virus protection source capable of protection your web access, email, p2p, and other things that it will associate itself with, then after that, you can reinstall norton so that it can be used as a firewall protector, or leave it off altogether. If you leave norton on, and install Avast, Avast will tell you that it has detected another virus protection program, and that certain functions will be disabled off Avast and Avast is a better protector.