Registry Damaged Message Windows2000 Pro

[mattswabb]

I've been running Windows ME and my antivirus wouldn't work so I've been running without. Friday it crashed, got a virus or something. So I re-formatted the hard drive, loaded on Windows ME then upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional (service pack 4) and Symatec Antivirus and did all the online updates. Now I'm constantly getting this and another similar error message. I assume this isn't a windows message and there is still something on my computer.

Anyone know what's up?

Also my print screen key doesn't work so I had to take a pic of the message.

[Tim]

Looks like you have a virus. The "message" looks fake to me.

I'd put money on your registry being fine.

Perhaps some of our computer whizzes can chime in on how to get rid of it...

[htchbck]

thats definitely not a windows message... it seems whatever trojan hit your comp is still in there somewhere. I'll try to hunt up my computer science nerd friend at school tomorrow and see if he knows any remedies

[25Horseplay]

I had a similar problem before. I downloaded Spybot search and destroy to get rid of it.

[warlocke]

I had a similar problem before. I downloaded Spybot search and destroy to get rid of it.

get spybot, adaware, and there a cpl others that i highly reccomend, this is a virus.

[Guest]

Ok first go into administrative tools, open services and stop and then disable messaging service. The go to http://www.safer-networking.org and dl the latest spybot s & d. install it, dl the updates and then restart your pc. As it's booting tap the F8 so the boot menu shows and select safe mode. Come up in safe mode and run spybot.. let it kill everything it finds, reboot and run it once more in regular windows mode.. see if you still have problems..

[todd00]

have you run a registry cleaner to see what it says? there are some free ones on major geeks if you dont have one.

[Guest]

thats definitely not a windows message... it seems whatever trojan hit your comp is still in there somewhere. I'll try to hunt up my computer science nerd friend at school tomorrow and see if he knows any remedies

Computer nerd friend.. haha I guess this board is ran by a computer nerd friend of some of yours.. :lol:

[Guest]

have you run a registry cleaner to see what it says? there are some free ones on major geeks if you dont have one.

don't screw with reg cleaners.. most are adware themselves..

[JPT]

If this occurs when your online, then what is happening is called "Messenger Spam" There is a bug in the Windows Messenger service (not the same thing as MSN Messenger) that spyware companies exploit by broadcasting ads disguised as fake error messages. Any computer on the internet with the messenger service running will receive them. If you click the window, you will probably end up at a web page advertising some quick fix (for a fee, of course) that will be nothing more than disguised spyware.

To end this annoyance, go to the control panel, then to "Administrative tools". Double-click "Services". Look for "Messenger". Right-click this entry, select "Properties". On the next window, hit the "Stop" button, then change "Startup Type" to "Disabled". Hit "OK", then reboot.

If this happens while your off line, then you have a spyware infection. Use the instructions above, then run a spyware scanner. Webroot's "Spy Sweeper" is very good. For a very good freeware one, try "Spybot Search and Destroy" (get it here --> http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html).

Also, get a firewall. A good one will block crap like this.

Since you just loaded Windows, I'd say that it's nothing more than ads. Shut down the messenger service. Unless your on a network that uses Windows Messenger, you'll never miss it

[Guest]

^^^Thanks, but isn't that basically what I just posted??

[JPT]

Oops!, spent too much time typing.

[stefan]

im no windoze expert but id agree that thats definitely not a system message

[Guest]

Oops!, spent too much time typing.

:wink: LOL yeah.. I do that too..

[mattswabb]

Ok first go into administrative tools, open services and stop and then disable messaging service. The go to http://www.safer-networking.org and dl the latest spybot s & d. install it, dl the updates and then restart your pc. As it's booting tap the F8 so the boot menu shows and select safe mode. Come up in safe mode and run spybot.. let it kill everything it finds, reboot and run it once more in regular windows mode.. see if you still have problems..

Still there. Ran it like you said and it was still there. Ran adaware and it stopped for a bit then ran spybot again and went away for a bit. It comes every 15-30 miniutes.