Reminder notice every 30 minutes

[Howard]

Is there any way to remove this reminder notice that pops up every 30
minutes regardless if I'm on the web or not? There is no minimize or
close button that comes with it. It looks like the type of page that
you get when you can't get onto a web site (DNS error, check your
settings...). I know I can call up the task manager and then delete
the pop up, but of course, it comes back. I use the google task bar,
which has pop up blocker, but this is becoming annoying. And, no
spyware blaster seems to be able to get rid of it. Anyone else in the
same boat? I hope I am not transmitting a virus to anyone when it pops
up while I am in chat on MSN.

Little help, please.

 

[Malke]

Is there any way to remove this reminder notice that pops up every 30
minutes regardless if I'm on the web or not? There is no minimize or
close button that comes with it. It looks like the type of page that
you get when you can't get onto a web site (DNS error, check your
settings...). I know I can call up the task manager and then delete
the pop up, but of course, it comes back. I use the google task bar,
which has pop up blocker, but this is becoming annoying. And, no
spyware blaster seems to be able to get rid of it. Anyone else in the
same boat? I hope I am not transmitting a virus to anyone when it pops
up while I am in chat on MSN.

What is the reminder message? It sounds to me like you have malware on
your system, Spyware Blaster or not. Do the normal troubleshooting:

Scan with a current antivirus program (meaning a version not earlier
than 2003 using updated virus definitions). Also, remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy from www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from
www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs before running
them. These programs are free, so run them both since they complement
each other. It is best to run antivirus and spyware removal tools in
Safe Mode. You may also want to run CWShredder and HijackThis from
http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is no longer being
updated, it will still clean older variants of the CoolWebSearch
malware. A combination of HijackThis and About:Buster
(http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in removing homepage hijackers.
Please read the instructions carefully. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). Also,
make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update. Make sure
you are running a firewall.

Malke

 

[Howard]

What is the reminder message? It sounds to me like you have malware on
your system, Spyware Blaster or not. Do the normal troubleshooting:

Scan with a current antivirus program (meaning a version not earlier
than 2003 using updated virus definitions). Also, remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy from www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from
www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs before running
them. These programs are free, so run them both since they complement
each other. It is best to run antivirus and spyware removal tools in
Safe Mode. You may also want to run CWShredder and HijackThis from
http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is no longer being
updated, it will still clean older variants of the CoolWebSearch
malware. A combination of HijackThis and About:Buster
(http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in removing homepage hijackers.
Please read the instructions carefully. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). Also,
make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update. Make sure
you are running a firewall.

Malke

I have run HijackThis, Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster, and Spybot-Search &
Destroy. All have been updated on a constant basis. Sadly, like
clockwork, the "Reminder" notice pops up every 30 minutes. The
"Reminder" notice looks just like a warning message you would get when
you can't download a web page. Problem is, that you can't get rid of
it because there is no minimize or close options in the thin blue line
at the top of the page. You can open web pages on top of it, but it
will always remain open. I know that I can open up the Task Manager,
and click on "End Task" to temporarily get rid of it, but it will
always come back exactly every 30 minutes.

 

[Malke]

I have run HijackThis, Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster, and Spybot-Search &
Destroy. All have been updated on a constant basis. Sadly, like
clockwork, the "Reminder" notice pops up every 30 minutes. The
"Reminder" notice looks just like a warning message you would get when
you can't download a web page. Problem is, that you can't get rid of
it because there is no minimize or close options in the thin blue line
at the top of the page. You can open web pages on top of it, but it
will always remain open. I know that I can open up the Task Manager,
and click on "End Task" to temporarily get rid of it, but it will
always come back exactly every 30 minutes.

Some program is calling this. You have to find out what that program is.
Use Task Manager to see what programs and processes are running. Look
in your Scheduled Tasks. If you have specialized software from your ISP
to get to the Internet, check its settings. Do a clean boot to
troubleshoot the running programs:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310353 - How to Perform a
Clean Boot in Windows XP

Malke