Windows Steamed-Up(date). Comp expert needed.

[Tomorrow]

It seems every time a new Windows Update forces itself upon me and my comuter, I have tons of problems correcting their bugs and immature software applications. The updates seem to work especially poorly with my (Windows/Microsoft recommended) antivirus system, CA Associates EZTrust. They're even sending out beta versions of their stuff just like it was a normal "Update". :mad:

Now, I've troubleshot this current problem for days and days with knowledgeable folks, including the so-called tech support Windows staff (in India, natch). No soap.

Here's my problem. It's really a simple issue...but finding a fix? NOPE. I CANNOT see or select the thumbnail pictures in posts on this site (and probably other sites, too). Clint can't help. Hopefully one or more of you knowledgeable peeps will point me in the right direction. Maybe the "Update" changed my AV settings? I've reset everything I can think of and tried every available default setting, to boot. It just HAS to be a simple thing to fix, but it has many of us stumped.

Oh, also, whenever I open my IE browser, it now opens in small size...and no setting I can find will get it to open in the enlarged window (I have to manually do it every time). HELP!! LOL. :o

[Tomorrow]

No sooner did I post this thread and voila!...I managed to find ONE post that the attachment is available to me. (The one that follows.) This just does NOT make any sense. Is it because it's a bmp extension and not a true thumbnail? GRRRRRRRR....
......................

Thanks Vierling,

The room walls, ceilings are sheetrock and the floors are carpet. The ceiling height is 8 feet. The window is covered with plantation shutters. The door opening is 32" and 72". The 72" door opening does not have doors, it is open to a foryer. The window is a 6050. I have attached a bmp file, if you save the file and then open it with windows paint I think you can see the dimensions clearly. I can send you a .DWG file but the format here want allow it, I could probably email it to you.
Let me know if you can not see the dimensions on the attached file.


Thanks

Daryl
Attached Images den2.bmp (60.2 KB, 6 views)

[MDS]

First make sure that 'show pictures' is checked in tools->internet options->advanced->multimedia. Antivirus should not affect the thumbnail images, but a software firewall might.

For the sizing issue, the simplest way to fix it is to edit the registry directly:
1. Start regedit (either from a command window or start->run and type regedit).
2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
3. On the right pane should be a key 'window placement'. Delete it.
4. Start IE and size it to the size you want, then close it.
It SHOULD be the new size when you restart it.

Another approach (off the top of my head, haven't had the same problem in awhile):
1. Right click any url and 'open in new window'
2. Close the original browser window.
3. Size the newly opened window the way you want and close it.
4. Restart IE.

[masak_aer]

First make sure that 'show pictures' is checked in tools->internet options->advanced->multimedia. Antivirus should not affect the thumbnail images, but a software firewall might.

For the sizing issue, the simplest way to fix it is to edit the registry directly:
1. Start regedit (either from a command window or start->run and type regedit).
2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
3. On the right pane should be a key 'window placement'. Delete it.
4. Start IE and size it to the size you want, then close it.
It SHOULD be the new size when you restart it.

Another approach (off the top of my head, haven't had the same problem in awhile):
1. Right click any url and 'open in new window'
2. Close the original browser window.
3. Size the newly opened window the way you want and close it.
4. Restart IE.


Actually for Part 1, you can do step 4 and it should do the trick, or do the second approach. It will work.

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

*cough*cough*buyaMac*cough*cough;)

[mustang_steve]

My take is to use Firefox. At the least it is minimally affected by microcrap's little experiments in customer annoyance we all call patches.

Yeah it might be somewhat unhelpful, but Firefox is great. I would install it, but I am in the process of a Linux migration on all my home computers...I'm sick of MS and their "execute everything" approach to computers.

If you Ebay, there are firefox extensions that can allow you to see only an ebayer's neutral and negative feedbacks, something ebay disabled a long time ago.

There are also other good extensions...such as ones that force a certain look on web forums, so if you are displeased with a new format, you don't have to look at it :)

[MDS]

I've always found it interesting that rather than offer solutions to a given problem, many people will suggest an alternative OS or application, as if the alternative is perfect and will never have any problems.

I am currently working on Firefox. The code is a small evolution from the original Netscape code that I worked on from '96 to '98. It is a fine browser but not without its own problems. A browser is an extremely complex piece of software given the hundreds of 'standards' it must support.

[Tomorrow]

Thanks, guys.

The issue with the IE window sizing seems corrected. It may have a mind of its own, tho'. :rolleyes: In the past, it would open an new browser window 'mostly' enlarged, but randomly not. Every try now seems to fetch the maximized window. (I'll give it a day or two to start annoying me again.) T'anx!

The lack of access to thumbnails is still present. I have all but uninstalled my firewall software (down-graded all the settings to let in any old hacker) and still I get no thumbnails.

I really do hate computers. :mad: Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em. Sorta reminds me of....uh, (shhhh..she's right behind me.....) ;)

[Tomorrow]

*cough*cough*buyaMac*cough*cough;)

Feelin' your oats what with that 1k number of posts, eh R&R?! LOL. :D Actually....I've been thinking.........hmmmm.....Mac......hmmmm

[JeffD2.]

1) Get rid of CA EZ-trust
2) Purchase/Install McAfee Viruscan (I used to recommend Norton, but that's a whole nother story). Scan entire system.
3) Download/Install Spybot Search And Destroy. Update the definitions, reboot in safe mode and scan your entire system. You may have to repeat this a couple of times. After you're "clean", use the Immunize feature of the software.
4) Use WINDOWS Explorer and search all your drive(s) for the following files- in search criteria box type exactly "~*.*,*.tmp" no quotes. When results are displayed, sort by date. Select and "shift delete" the files with time stamps older than today. You may want to select the "show hidden/system files" option, but I WON'T accept any responisibililty if you do and FUBAR your system.
5) Run Windows Updates.
6) Open IE and delete all cookies and offline content. Go to Security tab, click on "defaults". Go to Advanced tab click "restore defualts".Return to desktop and make sure recycle bin is empty.
7) If you're NOT running through a router, download and install ZoneAlarm.

I do these most of these routines as a part of regular system maintenance. I know a few other tricks but hopefully this will get you where you need to be. Good Luck.

[racquetman]

Thanks, guys.

The issue with the IE window sizing seems corrected. It may have a mind of its own, tho'. :rolleyes: In the past, it would open an new browser window 'mostly' enlarged, but randomly not. Every try now seems to fetch the maximized window. (I'll give it a day or two to start annoying me again.) T'anx!

Try this, should work:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=27481&messageID=309875&tag=

[Sheep]

*cough*cough*buyaMac*cough*cough;)

Rebuttal 1 (http://www.break.com/index/pcvsmac2.html) and 2 (http://www.break.com/index/pcvsmac1.html)

SheepStar

[Tomorrow]

Try this, should work:

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=27481&messageID=309875&tag=

Good find, Sheep. But it OPENS in IE with the small screen (sometimes). And I was too quick to say 'solved' before....it's still doing it every now and then.

Maybe I'll try that CNET solution, anyway. Thx.

[Sheep]

Good find, Sheep. But it OPENS in IE with the small screen (sometimes). And I was too quick to say 'solved' before....it's still doing it every now and then.

Maybe I'll try that CNET solution, anyway. Thx.

That would be alandamp, not Sheep. ;)

SheepStar

[Tomorrow]

That would be alandamp, not Sheep. ;)

SheepStar


Whoops. THANKS Alandamp!

[FLZapped]

1) Get rid of CA EZ-trust
2) Purchase/Install McAfee Viruscan


That would be the wrong thing to do....

[JeffD2.]

That would be the wrong thing to do....
I'll tell that to my last two clients who's machines wouldn't boot but now do and run faster than they ever have.

[Hi Ho]

1) Get rid of CA EZ-trust
2) Purchase/Install McAfee Viruscan (I used to recommend Norton, but that's a whole nother story). Scan entire system.
Please do NOT purchase McAffee. It, along with Norton, is probably the worst option. Those programs are major resource hogs and cause more problems than they solve.

[JeffD2.]

HiHo, what would you recommend?

I'm not married to McAfee but in my personal experience it's better than Norton with all it's modules hogging up resources and being nothing short of a fustercluck when people renew their subscriptions. My experience with CA products has been less than impressive as well.

[ironlung]

What is the best WINTEL antivirus out there? Mcafee and Norton are both poor. What's the alternative? KAspersky AV? Let us in on the secret.

[Tomorrow]

What is the best WINTEL antivirus out there? Mcafee and Norton are both poor. What's the alternative? KAspersky AV? Let us in on the secret.

Yes, puhhleeze let us know which direction to go. I ran my computer through pcpitstop.com and they gave out red flags on slow drive speeds. My 2.4 P4 (512 ram) computer moves slower than I do...and I'm 61 years old...all since I loaded up CA.

[Tsunamii]

Try out Trend Micro. Caution should go out to those who are migrating between McAfee and Symantec. There are many known issues with these two after uninstalls.

[JeffD2.]

PCWorld.com's Top Ten anti-virus software according to their tests-

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp

The CA EZ-Trust is bundled as a suite. As compared to other suites, it ranked number 8 with Norton and McAfee being the top two.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,125857,00.asp

Links are provided on each product to the full review.

[Tomorrow]

PCWorld.com's Top Ten anti-virus software according to their tests-

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp

The CA EZ-Trust is bundled as a suite. As compared to other suites, it ranked number 8 with Norton and McAfee being the top two.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,125857,00.asp

Links are provided on each product to the full review.

Good reference. Thanks, Jeff.

[Hi Ho]

I have to disagree with that list. It is pretty much backwards in the real world. There was talk about that PC World test at the other forum I frequent, PCMech (http://forum.pcmech.com). PC World did not take into account the other problems that McAffee and Norton cause such as driver issues, random reboots, extremely slow boot times, very slow shut downs, application errors, etc.

Personally I use AVG Free. It uses barly 700kb of ram and has never given me any trouble. I have never had virus problems, ever. I used to use Mcaffee and I experienced all the problems I listed above and more. When I removed McAffee, it was like I had a whole new system!

Here are some threads:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=129451

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=128906&goto=nextoldest

AVG, Trend Micro and NOD32 are the ones I would use. Yes, Norton and McAffee can detect viruses, but I would not receommend either of them to anyone due to their sloppy programming and exhorbitant use of resources.

A note on AVG, though the PCWorld test ranks it last, that is far from the conensus of those at PCMech who have been working on PC's ever since they've been around. PCWorld knocked AVG because of it's "clunky" interface. The interface may look like Windows 98, but it is far from clunky and it is most definetly functional. AVG is recommended the most because it does work and it is not a resource hog. Best of all, it's free.

Then there's spyware. Adaware, SpyBot, and MS Windows Defender are about all you need. Run scans periodically and you shouldn't have any problems.

The biggest thing of all is browsing habits. Unless you click on every single link you ever see, go to every shady looking site, open every email attatchment you ever get, or download every .EXE file you see, the chances of you getting a virus is small. Just use common sense.

[JeffD2.]

Thanks Hi Ho. I may give AVG a shot on my own machine. I pretty much agree with everything else you've stated except random reboots and driver issues, etc. Not saying you're wrong, just that I haven't seen it.

Also I couldn't agree more with your last paragraph about common sense. Unfortunately most people whose machines I deal with, have NO IDEA where the original install CD's are let alone anything else they should or should not do.:rolleyes:

[FLZapped]

I'll tell that to my last two clients who's machines wouldn't boot but now do and run faster than they ever have.


Sounds like a set-up problem.

[FLZapped]

PCWorld.com's Top Ten anti-virus software according to their tests-

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp

The CA EZ-Trust is bundled as a suite. As compared to other suites, it ranked number 8 with Norton and McAfee being the top two.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,125857,00.asp

Links are provided on each product to the full review.


You can purchase any part seperately. -Bruce

[masak_aer]

Norton has problems for sure. I just uninstall it from my PC and voila! system error! I spent 40 minutes trying to repair it, i can't get it to reboot. I ended upreformating my harddisk and install a fresh winxp. I was too lazy to go through all the repairing process, i know it would take me longer to repair it. This isn't the first time, my laptop used to have similar problems.
I have tried AVG,it is great...but sometimes it's annoying to see the pop ups when they found a virus. Haven't tried to look for a way to turn it off.

[Hi Ho]

I have tried AVG,it is great...but sometimes it's annoying to see the pop ups when they found a virus. Haven't tried to look for a way to turn it off.
If you are getting frequent virus warnings that is not a good thing. You shouldn't try to turn that off. You should, instead, identify where the viruses are coming from and stop that.

[Clint DeBoer]

2) Purchase/Install McAfee Viruscan (I used to recommend Norton, but that's a whole nother story). Scan entire system.DO NOT do this under any circumstances. Will slow your PC to a crawl. I use AVG as well.

[Matt34]

I run Zone Labs "Zone Alarm", AVG and Windows Defender.

[JeffD2.]

DO NOT do this under any circumstances. Will slow your PC to a crawl. I use AVG as well.
I've installed McAfee on one XP machine and two W2K machines. There has been no noticeable performance hits. When I installed on W98SE machine, well, that was quite a different story. :eek:

ZoneAlarm on the other hand bogs down all of 'em.

I REALLY have to try this AVG software. Maybe then I'll see a difference. :)

Sounds like a set-up problem.
Yeah, set up with 1465 spyware objects (no, I'm not kidding) and 6 different viruses. This person was using Norton, had renewed their subscription, and thought the program was working in spite of the error messages. You know, the LU-#### error (Live update failed) or the Symevent errors. I finally got sick of Symantec's convoluted work arounds, uninstall/install, regediting, and on and on. Good riddance. :mad:

[masak_aer]

If you are getting frequent virus warnings that is not a good thing. You shouldn't try to turn that off. You should, instead, identify where the viruses are coming from and stop that.

I know what virus it found. The worm w32 (jeefo). I was just to lazy to read. This worm kept on replicating itself hence AVG couldn't remove it for some reason at that time. Ah, well, i did reformat my pc afterall so all the problems are gone now..Except, I don't have any antivirus for now on one of my desktops.

[Tsunamii]

SAV isnt bad it isnt great for alot but its not bad. If you experience a very slow system after booting up check to see if doscan.exe is hogging the processor. There is a supported reg fix for this from Symantec if you look.

Trend makes a solid product so does kaspersky. I have had bad experiences with Mcafee. If you have had Mcafee on your system beware of trying to install SAV after you removed Mcafee. It is not always very smooth and if you do get it in watch your event logs alot of times SAV is simply not functioning correctly. You will see errors about an invalid environment.

[JeffD2.]

I know what virus it found. The worm w32 (jeefo). I was just to lazy to read. This worm kept on replicating itself hence AVG couldn't remove it for some reason at that time. Ah, well, i did reformat my pc afterall so all the problems are gone now..Except, I don't have any antivirus for now on one of my desktops.
A LEGAL 3 license version of McAfee is available at Sam's Club for about $45. Pretty decent price per machine when compared to Symantec's NAV.

After researching the history of the McAfee product, it's obvious that the previous software was poorly coded, thus all the problems. The same can be said for Norton. McAfee anti-virus finally dislodged Norton from the PC Magazines Editor's Choice spot for version 10.

I've got two more machines on deck, another XP and an NT4 (ugh). I'll report what happens.

BTW- I've been doing this clean up service for a few years now just as a side job. Get's me DVD and beer money.:D

No thanks, I won't try AVG.