Computer Gurus...

[=JHF= Cpt. Schnizel]

Ok this has nothing to do with COD4...or gaming period. This is merely a computer issue, and I figured I would bring it before all of you computer gurus.

Just about everytime I close internet explorer I get an error message about my CTF loader...and it closes, and so on. Brings up the Send error report    Dont send   box. 

I know i downloaded some spyware the other day on accident bc im a moron, and im trying to rid my system of that at this point, but I wasnt sure if the 2 issues were directly related. Any info?

[=JHF= Madindian]

Looks like a problem with Microsoft Office.  Some solved the problem of the error by reinstalling Office.  Some other ppl just updated the program from the microsoft update site.   Check this out it has some good links in it and some info which could help.  Laters.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=157941

[=JHF= JimmyT (CDN)]

Unfortunately I have no idea how to fix your problem but I would suggest using any of the other good browsers out there:  Firefox, Opera, etc.  Explorer is just asking for trouble - it likes to allow friends in your backdoor that you wont' like.   

Get rid of the spyware yet?

-- JT

[=JHF= Smoke]

could be an indirect problem with the spyware...check this link out and follow the directions exactly and you should be fine:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

[SL4V3DOG]

Whaaaat?!? u use internet explorer??

[=JHF= HaveSocks]

Whaaaat?!? u use internet explorer??

Still the most popular browser, but I'll take Firefox any day.

[=JHF= JimmyT (CDN)]

Still the most popular browser, but I'll take Firefox any day.

In my web design courses the browser IE was referred to in the following way:

"full of security holes, dreadfully slow, bad code compliance.  its for those who don't know any better". 

No offense to Explorer users - but it really is that bad - and leaves your computer open to predation.  Plus, plugins + firefox = cool.  Opera is pretty good too. 

Thread officially hijacked to browser bashing 

-- JT

[=JHF= Astromarmot]

I thought IE was the Spyware...Firefox with NoScript ftw...

[=JHF= Cpt. Schnizel]

Well I converted over to Firefox...I had thought about doing this a couple years ago, but didnt because im one of those who gets so used to something that I dont wanna change. but its working swell...however sometimes I have to restart my computer because my desktop basically quits working...if i click on an icon it does nothing, in fact anything in explorer itself doesnt work. I click start then click firefox there, nothing, try clicking internet explorer, nothing...soo i have to restart and then it works fine...I think ive gotten some bad junk on my computer...bleh ..

I ran spybot search and destroy 3 of 4 times, cleaned it all out.
I have run virus scans, which reveal nothing. 

Soo i dunno what else to do thats not totally drastic, im trying to avoid uninstalling stuff and reinstalling...but i dunno if im gonna have a choice.

[=JHF= Madindian]

You running XP Capt?  You can use system restore to restore your rig back to before you downloaded the spyware.  If you've used Spybot S&D before the bad download it will have created a restore point for you.  Something to try anyway.

[=JHF= Smoke]

definitly should do these steps to make sure your clean....one antivirus/antispyware program isn't  usually enough...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

[=JHF= -gHoTi-]

Oh you guys, you are too hard on that there Exploder, it did kill of Netscape, didn't it?  (no, we do not need to know the details how )

Oh, who am I kidding, I've been a firefox convert since the 1.0 days.

On a tinker note (YES), swiftfox is a neat project.  Firefox's that are compiled with optimization for specific cpu types for windows and linux!  I use it, and have noticed a slight performance help here and there.  No problems with extension/add-on/themes either.  Worth a look if you are a tinkerer like me


As for spyware, spybot is teh bestest.  Ironically, the add/remove program list in the control panel will list a few "legit" programs that you don't want, good to check it out once in a while too.  If you must use IE, update to the latest that you can.  They've gotten savvy these days and make you authorize activex installs and things like that.  It's still not a good browser, but it has gotten better methinks.

[=JHF= Cpt. Schnizel]

Alright...its time for me to call upon your genius minds yet again. Well it was more than just spyware that I downloaded...my virus scanning software located a virus that it is unable to remove. I kinda anticipated this, but for some strange reason I cant remember how I used to eliminate viruses back in the day (im getting too old i guess) I knew my virus scanning software wouldnt do it, seems all they are good for is actually finding them. I remember needing to boot into safe mode and remove the file, as well as do some "tinkering" in the registry....  could someone lend me a hand here, I figured id ask first, and tinker later...instead of what the fish does and  then my computer explode   

[=JHF= HaveSocks]

The one virus I have ever had on a rig, thanks to the Fish, I had to remove it by disabling system restore and playing around in the system registry.  Not something I would do if you don't feel comfortable doing.  If your virus scan can tell you the name of the virus, go to Norton's or McAfee's websites.  Type the name into the search function and one of the hits should be the fix for it.

[=JHF= Smoke]

definitly should do these steps to make sure your clean....one antivirus/antispyware program isn't  usually enough...
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

sorry for the multiple posts on this, but i've cleaned up several viruses using those steps, in the end, it might only take maybe an hour or so to do it...