Several Sudden Problems on Windows XP SP3, Security Center Missing

  • Thread starter Thread starter LowRyduhLady
  • Start date Start date
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LowRyduhLady

Hi everyone.

I have suddenly acquired multiple problems on my Dell and it has been going
on for 2 days now.

I have Windows XP w/ Service Pack 3. I have CCleaner, Windows Defender and
AVG Free Anti-Virus (have had this for YEARS).

At first, I thought it was a problem with my AOL software. I kept getting
kicked off wherever I tried to type in a field (email, AOL keyword, browser
bar...etc). Their tech support had me download the newest version, didn't
help. Same thing happens on Yahoo Messenger, I tried to send or repy to an IM
and Yahoo immediately shut down and removed itself from the taskbar as if I
had right-clicked on it and chose "exit Yahoo Messenger".
Then I started getting pop-up ads from IE although I do not use IE nor have
it on computer. I use Firefox when I'm not signed on AOL. These ads are
either for some anti-virus software or from something called fallensword.com.
I got one from another site today but it went away too quickly.
Also, on Yahoo or Google, when trying to view search results, I get taken to
some stupid website for travel or freestuff.com even though the link may have
been to Wikipedia pertaining to my search, etc.
I decided to go to the Security Center today and see if my firewall was
disabled, and to my surprise IT'S MISSING from the Control Panel. I mean it
is just GONE.

I have been scanning my computer constantly with AVG and it has found about
5 infections and says they have been successfully cleared. Today, it hasn't
found anymore and Windows Defender has not found any new Spyware either. I
have run CCleaner and fixed MULTIPLE registry file problems and cleared out
other things.

With the Security Center gone, I'm really worried. What has happened? I read
somewhere when pop-ups start to bombard your computer without control it's a
sign your computer is dying. How much is thing going to cost to fix? ANY help
would be great.
 
I'm on my other computer right now, XP Professional SP3 and almost the same
thing began to happen. But it stopped. Only I have a shield icon alert in my
taskbar saying my Windows Updates have been disabled. I go to the Security
Center which is still here, and it says I cannot turn them back on and that I
can by going to the Control Panel > System Information > Automatic Updates.
Well, I did that and it says they're turned on and should be downloading
everyday at 11pm, but the Security Center is saying they're off.
 
Hi everyone.

I have suddenly acquired multiple problems on my Dell and it has been going
on for 2 days now.

I have Windows XP w/ Service Pack 3. I have CCleaner, Windows Defender and
AVG Free Anti-Virus (have had this for YEARS).

At first, I thought it was a problem with my AOL software. I kept getting
kicked off wherever I tried to type in a field (email, AOL keyword, browser
bar...etc). Their tech support had me download the newest version, didn't
help. Same thing happens on Yahoo Messenger, I tried to send or repy to an IM
and Yahoo immediately shut down and removed itself from the taskbar as if I
had right-clicked on it and chose "exit Yahoo Messenger".
Then I started getting pop-up ads from IE although I do not use IE nor have
it on computer. I use Firefox when I'm not signed on AOL. These ads are
either for some anti-virus software or from something called fallensword.com.
I got one from another site today but it went away too quickly.
Also, on Yahoo or Google, when trying to view search results, I get taken to
some stupid website for travel or freestuff.com even though the link may have
been to Wikipedia pertaining to my search, etc.
I decided to go to the Security Center today and see if my firewall was
disabled, and to my surprise IT'S MISSING from the Control Panel. I mean it
is just GONE.

I have been scanning my computer constantly with AVG and it has found about
5 infections and says they have been successfully cleared. Today, it hasn't
found anymore and Windows Defender has not found any new Spyware either. I
have run CCleaner and fixed MULTIPLE registry file problems and cleared out
other things.

With the Security Center gone, I'm really worried. What has happened? I read
somewhere when pop-ups start to bombard your computer without control it's a
sign your computer is dying. How much is thing going to cost to fix? ANY help
would be great.
Click to expand...

1.Clear the (IE) temporary Internet files and the history cache.
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "inetcpl.cpl" (w/out
quotation marks) into the box, then click the 'OK' button.
In Internet Properties panel 'General' tab, under 'Browsing history', click
'Delete...'button, in 'Delete Browsing History' panel, click the 'Delete
all...'button then place a checkmark into the box beside 'Also delete files
and settings stored by add-ons', Click 'Yes' and exit the Internet
Properties panel by clicking the 'OK' button.

2.Clean HDD
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "cleanmgr" (w/out quotation
marks into the box, then click the 'OK' button. Select your drive
(presumably WinXP (C:) and click OK.

3.Download/execute:
Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
--and--
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

The free version of Malwarebytes© and SuperAntispyware have an update
feature, keep them installed in addtion to your resident AV/A-S
applications and scan frequently.

4.Download and execute HiJack This! (HJT)
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

Please, do not post HJT logs to this newsgroup.
Fora where you can get expert advice for HiJack This! (HJT) logs.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=7
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/index.php?showforum=18
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?s=2e9ea4e19d3289dd877ab75a8220bff6&showforum=29

NOTE:
Registration is required in any of the above mentioned fora before posting
a HJT log and read the 'stickies' (instructions/guidelines) for the
respective HJT forum.

5.How to restore the missing "Security Center" service in Windows XP SP2?
(will work with SP3 also)
http://www.winhelponline.com/articl...ecurity-Center-service-in-Windows-XP-SP2.html

6.Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Good luck :)
 
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