Windows XP Windows XP Restriction Warning

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mdooley

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The problem concerns my desktop computer that is running Windows XP Professional and MS Office 2003. I also have installed the Windows Live software to regulate my children’s use of the Internet. I use AVG Free for my virus protection.



Last Saturday I started to get a message on my computer when I logged on. The message is included below:




Restriction Warning: Administrator has restricted this computer to access USB/1394 mass storage devices



​
I have not restricted the computer in any way. I have tried to use system restore, checked the computer for viruses and tried to use the help menu in Windows XP, but all to no avail. Most other aspects of the computer are working fine: the printer is connected via a USB port and this is working ok. The CD RW DVD RW drive is also disabled so it seems like a software problem rather than a hardware malfunction.




I have tried various bulletin boards for information on this problem and have obviously Googled the message, but I have had nothing useful. I thought I would also let you know what I think could be the problem, On Saturday my sister came down from London to visit. She uses a computer for her work and although she says she didn’t, I am wondering whether she may have connected to her work VPN while logged in to my area (I am the administrator). If she did do this then restrictions imposed on company machines could perhaps have been mapped onto my computer while she was connected via the VPN?



Another possibility is that this is a local security setting that someone has inadvertently clicked while using the computer. I think this is unlikely and I am unsure of how to alter local security settings on my computer.



Another possibility is that this problem relates to a recent AVG Free update from 7.5 to 8. I haven’t noticed any reports of problems related to AVG 8, but this could be a possibility.



The last possibility is that despite my precautions a virus has infected my computer and is restricting the use of these drives to prevent me from accessing software that I could use to cleanse the computer or scan to find it.



I would be very grateful if you can offer any help with this matter and look forward to hearing from you.
 
Is this an Acer PC by any chance? It seems people have had problems with a bit of software called "lanscope" (which might be in your system tray as an icon).

If you have that installed, removing it should solve the problem :)
 
Dear Ian

Thank you very much for this advice. I have removed the Lanscope software, restarted the machine and the problem is solved. I have used computers at home and at work for many years, but never really used online forums. I am converted!

Yours
Mike Dooley
 
Hi!
I am having the same problem as mdooley. I read this post and the same advice on another site. I have tried to remove the lanscope application without success. When I click on "Change/Remove", it brings up a install wizard but when I click on that window it doesn't open. I just talked to someone at Acer and they suggested a system restore. Which would result in data loss. Which is not acceptable. Which is the problem in the first place. I need to do a backup (usually do one every month) and it won't access the blasted flash drive, saying it's locked.
Help!! Thanks.
 
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