There has been a new rash of viruses that have been hitting hard lately.

I highly recommend http://www.bleepingcomputer.com as your first place to look for solutions.

In particular...Malwarebytes anti-malware, Combofix, and rkill as being an incredible powerful free utilities to combat some of the worst viruses out there. Be cautious and follow directions carefully.

The media puts out lots of rumor and the IT industry tends to use these fears and stories to get more business. Here are a few things that aren't true.

Defragging your hard drive will drastically speed up your computer. In reality, fragmentation does little more than increase the wear and tear of your drive shortening it's lifespan.

Microsoft Windows Vista sucks. In reality, it's actually a very good operating system. It automatically downloads and installs updates for you. It has the best troubleshooting wizards I've ever used. The Readyboost feature is incredible for fast load times on your applications. It's built-in security and the ability to put programs at the user level instead of allowing them to interact with the operating system directly is excellent.

Software suites are better because they handle everything through one interface. In reality, these suites actually have their components sub-contracted out to other companies that work for them. Their is usually very little improvement, if any to these suites in regards to stability or performance.

Daily virus scanning is important. In reality, virus protection is designed to protect your system at the door. Virus scanning only rechecks what has already been scanned. It checks for viruses from updated definitions. Usually, if your system has been infected, the damage has already been done.

Considering Windows 7?

It's got the best of Microsoft Windows Vista (Automatic Windows updates/install, Readyboost, Aeroglass) and a new clean interface. If you are considering making the jump, I highly encourage it. I've been using the beta versions of Windows 7 since it was released and absolutely love it - stable, fast, and intelligent design.

There are strong rumors that Microsoft will be permanently cutting support for Windows XP by the end of 2010. With the current strength and media ravings about Windows 7, I suspect they will be following through with this threat.

If your system can handle it, I would seriously consider the 64bit version of the operating system. Current limitations on memory support with 32bit operating systems makes the jump to a 64bit operating system make all the sense in the world.

If I have you convinced to look into it and you are making an upgrade vs. a system with it preinstalled, I would do a search for their 3-pack of Windows 7 for $150 vs. the $120 for a single license.

Another thing to consider is the Home vs. Pro edition. This time around, the Pro Version just gives the ability to work in a Server/Client environment so don't worry about what you're missing if you decide to go with the Home version. Approximately 98% of all home users will only need the Home version.

Use the Windows 7 upgrade advisor to determine your best route. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displayLang=en

So I have been running Vista for some time now.  I love it, yet at the same time there are things I don't like about it.  What are your good notes and bad notes?

Getting the blue screen of death with the error "Bad_pool_header"?

Try going in safe mode and turning off the Indexing service.

I've had several of my clients having issues with the c:\\windows\\system32\\config file missing or corrupted. This error can be repeated, but happens randomly. After research and experimentation, I've determined that this error comes from memory issues in systems with dual channel ram. In an effort to resolve your issue, I recommend you pull out all memory except for one Ram chip and see if the error goes away. You can also attempt to change your Ram mode from single channel to dual channel. I've had success by using this route.

WARNING: If you don't completely understand these steps, you probably shouldn't be doing this fix. This is for advanced users. I left out details that advanced users should know. Please don't attempt this unless you are comfortable with manual manipulation of System Restore files and Registry editting. Please contact a professional unless you are COMPLETELY comfortable with advanced repairs.

This fix is a combination for the following two errors which may occur individually or as a result of the other. If you have not tried the Sasserfx tool, I recommend first downloading from Symantec before trying the fix below...

Setup is being restarted - Lsass.exe

Windows Product Activation - A problem has prevented windows from accurately checking the status of the license for this computer. To proceed your copy of Windows must be activated with Microsoft. Do you want to activate Windows now?



I've had a few clients and noticed quite a few posts across the internet regarding users that have been getting the Lsass.exe missing or corrupt error and then reboot.

I've figured out a fix. It isn't easy....but it works!

Follow me on this one. Attach the offending drive that has the "corrupt or missing Lsass.exe error as a secondary to another computer. You can boot into the drive and then go through the recovery console but it is much more painful...

Go into the System Volume Information (must have hidden files viewable) directory located off the root and then find a previous backup. Go to one of the backups and into the directory that has the SYSTEM, SAM, DEFAULT, SOFTWARE, and SECURITY backups. Make a copy of them and put them in the C:\\Windows\\Repair directory (named as above). Also throw a copy in the C:\\Windows\\System32\\Config directory (overwriting the corrupt ones - You might want to make a backup...but I didn't).

Also delete c:windows\\system32\\wpa.dbl (The windows activation certificate).

Then, Go into the registry and blast out

HKEY_USERS\\.DEFAULT\\Software\\Microsoft\\Cryptography\\Providers
HKEY_USERS\\S-1-5-20\\Software\\Microsoft\\Cryptography\\Providers

Last, but not least.....

Boot off your Windows XP CD and go to do an install. At the screen where it asks you if you want to repair the existing installation, Tell it yes!

It will make you reinstall your REGISTRATION KEY, but it will do the repair (but looks like it is doing a "fresh install". However, when it finishes....Instead of having your system wiped clean, you will have all of your original profiles, not have to reinstall any programs and have all of your data.

P.S. It took me around ten hours to figure this out and this was after doing multiple attempts at other suggestions I found on the internet. Most folk pointed toward the Sasser virus. I did multiple scans with several programs including the Norton Sasser checker. No Sasser virus was found. This lead me to determine a different route to fix the issue. I had done the first stage, but found that when I did...I could "almost" get all the way in (To the User choice menu and a bit beyond), but it was not happy with my activation (since my security files didn't match I guess). It would ask me if I wanted to reactivate but would shut down no matter what I answered and then reboot and end up with the Lsass.exe error again. After quite a few experiments, I figured out that I could combine the activation fix along with the security fix, do the Windows repair and found success! 

I highly recommend that you backup your data on the drive before attempting (even though the fix shouldn't affect your files).', 'xx');

Here are a few programs that really work and are free!

Open Office is a great Office Suite

CCleaner is an excellent program to remove excess temp and other "clogging" files.

GimpShop is very good photo editting program

No computer should be without Spybot Search and Destroy

Tired of spam? Try Spampal - The setup can be a bit tricky for novice users, but works great!

Spybot Search and Destroy is a powerful spyware protection program. Check out the command line options to completely automate the program to download new definitions, immunize, scan, fix, and close itself when it's done.', 'xx');

All communications between users of PC Friendly, Inc. Forums via message boards chat or any other means of communication supplied by PC Friendly Forums, Inc. are public and not private communications. The opinions and viewpoints expressed by users of PC Friendly Forums, Inc. are wholly their own and not necessarily those of PC Friendly, Inc. Forums. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums reserves the right to remove any messages or without notice. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums also reserves the right to ban users for any reason without notification.

THE COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF PC FRIENDLY, INC. FORUMS SHALL BE USED FOR LAWFULL PURPOSES ONLY. NO MATERIAL SHALL BE POSTED ON OR TRANSMITTED THROUGH PC FRIENDLY FORUMS WHICH VIOLATES OR INFRINGES IN ANY WAY UPON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS, WHICH IS UNLAWFUL, THREATENING, ABUSIVE, DEFAMATORY, INVASIVE OF PRIVACY OR PUBLICITY RIGHTS, VULGAR, OBSCENE, PROFANE, INDECENT, WHICH ENCOURAGES CONDUCT THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, GIVES RISE TO CIVIL LIABILITY OR IS OTHERWISE OBJECTIONABLE.

LINKS/ADVERTISING: No advertising or promotion statements are permitted in PC Friendly, Inc. Forums message boards. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums reserves the right to remove any message with promotional or advertising statements or links to other sites in it. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums is not responsible for the content of any site that is linked within PC Friendly, Inc. Forums' message boards.

SPAM: PC Friendly, Inc. Forums is not to be used to "spam" others. "Spam" includes identical and irrelevant submissions posted repeatedly on the same or multiple message boards, and often includes a misrepresentation of the source of what is posted. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums may ban any user, at any time, without notice, for spamming or otherwise posting unwelcome messages on the message boards.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: PC Friendly, Inc. Forums encourages users not to disclose personal information on the PC Friendly, Inc. Forums. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums cannot be held responsible or liable for the use of any information that users provide within this public forum.

PC FRIENDLY, INC. FORUMS RECOMMENDS THAT USERS DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION SUCH AS POSTAL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS, ETC.

CONTENT: Forums makes no claims that user-dispersed information posted through message boards or other means is accurate or reliable. Also PC Friendly, Inc. Forums cannot be held liable for any statements made by users of PC Friendly, Inc. Forums. Users are responsible and liable for all activities while participating on PC Friendly, Inc. Forums' message boards. Users are responsible for anything they post and for protecting their own computer system. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums recommends that you install a virus protection program on your computer. Some content and links on the internet may contain adult content that may not be suitable for children. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums is not responsible for any content or links to adult material that is posted by users on PC Friendly, Inc. Forums. Users are responsible for any actions they may take based on advice or information they receive on line. Users should use their own good judgment in evaluating information received on line.

OTHER USERS: Users may not post any e-mail addresses, or personal or business information other than their own on any area of this site. Users will be held responsible and may be criminally liable for the posting of any other individual's personal information.

LEGAL AUTHORITIES: PC Friendly, Inc. Forums and PC Friendly, Inc. may disclose user information to government authorities at their discretion or when required by law. PC Friendly, Inc. Forums may also disclose user information when PC Friendly, Inc. Forums has reason to believe that someone is causing injury to or interference with its rights or property, other PC Friendly, Inc. Forums users, or anyone else that could be harmed by such activities. By registering for PC Friendly, Inc. Forums, you agree to indemnify PC Friendly, Inc. Forums and PC Friendly, Inc., its employees, representatives, and agents, and hold them harmless from any and all claims (including claims for legal fees) which may arise from your participation on the PC Friendly, Inc. Forums. You also agree that PC Friendly, Inc. Forums is not responsible for the materials posted by users of PC Friendly Forums. In addition, you grant PC Friendly, Inc. Forums, PC Friendly Inc., and its affiliates, worldwide, royalty-free perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display any message or content posted on PC Friendly, Inc. Forums and/or e-mail sent by you to PC Friendly, Inc. Forums or PC Friendly Inc. (in whole or in part). ', 'exclamation'); Thanks!', Additional Options... Notify me of replies. Lock this topic. Return to this topic. Sticky this topic. Don't use smileys. Move this topic. Announce topic. Attach: (more attachments) Maximum attachment size allowed: 128 KB, per post: 4 shortcuts: hit alt+s to submit/post or alt+p to preview Powered by SMF 1.1.4 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Loading...

Welcome to Simple Machines Forum!

We hope you enjoy using your forum.  If you have any problems, please feel free to ask us for assistance.

Thanks!
Simple Machines