Henry said:
Are these inquiries for Windows XP related items only? I have a computer
problem that is bugging me like crazy and I don't know who to talk to about
it. I have an AOL popup that keep popping up telling to logon. Also there
an icon that keep coming up when I logon to AOL that reads "stars hommes".
Initially I thought this was a website on celebrities, but to my surprise I
believe it's a porn site. How to I get this off my computer?
I'm afraid you'll need to contact AOL's tech support for resolution
of problems with (or caused by) their product; Microsoft has no
control over AOL's product quality (or lack thereof).
When visiting porn sites, always be careful not to download/install
their "free" viewers. You'll get more than expected, every time. To
repair the current situation, uninstall the "viewer(s)" provided and
then use Ad-Aware from
www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search and Destroy
from
www.safer-networking.org/ to clean up any residue. Both have
free versions for personal use.
You should also try using MSConfig to see if something is being
started each time you reboot.
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310560
Additionally, Look in the C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up and C:\Documents and
Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Start Up folders, and in the
system registry, primarily in the
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run keys.
Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common
varieties of scumware are available here:
PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml
More information and assistance is available at these sites:
Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
The Parasite Fight
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH