71 replies to this topic

[spike-nz]

majos,
Ad-Watch is a real-time monitor which looks for changes to your system, particularly the registry. If it is set to "Automatic", it will automatically block all changes - not much help if you are trying to install/upgrade a program, for example.

If it is set to Active, then it pops up an alert to the registry change being made. If you have just installed/removed a program, done a System Restore etc, it will ask you if you want to accept the changes - if you initiated them, then of course you should accept them (but always look at what the alert says, as a precaution).

It can not act on it's own - it simply is not designed that way and never has been.

If you have not personally changed anything on your system and an alert comes up, look very closely at what the alert says, as it could be a sign of malware/spyware trying to insert itself into your OS.

If that is the case, start your own topic in the HijackThis section, with both Ad-Aware and HijackThis logs. Given a little time, an expert log-reader will come and analyse your particular problem. Occasionally it is something as simple as a conflict with another program, but we usually hear about those situations very quickly from a lot of users (there are over 200 million Ad-Aware users worldwide) and from posts in other forums.

If you have a problem, as I said earlier, start your own topic, with the required logs (if your system will allow you to run the programs) and state exactly what your own problem is in detail (not something generic like "Same as his").

Then we can try and help you in your own thread.

Regards,

Spike

[LS CalamityJane]

Also if you are trying to restore your file associations and/or system restore, turn off *Automatic* and make sure that you have unblocked the settings in *Blocking Options* to lock executable file associations.

See Corrine's post here:
http://www.lavasofts...s...post&p=3133

When you have those blocks turned on - it will block any changes, even the good ones you are trying to make.

[pucknuts]

I posted this same problem earlier but need help since I haven't heard anything on that post and my system is useless thanks to Lavasoft .

Why does Lavasoft direct me to someone's website (doug knox?)?

It's your software that is causing my computer problems. I can't log on to Explorer, I can't operate any programs, and I can't even get into safe mode.
Then there is all this log files and crap. I'm not that friggen talented to figure out registry edits and all this other BS.

What the f is up and what is the fix...should lavasoft have a patch for their own gd software. This is seriously pissing me off.

[spike-nz]

pucknuts,

since I haven't heard anything on that post

Why does Lavasoft direct me to someone's website (doug knox?)?

Since you have seen my reply, with a link to the Doug Knox site, from where you can restore your missing links, then you "have heard something on that post".

You were directed there, in an attempt to fix your situation. You must have access to a pc to post here, so you can get to the Doug Knox site for the suggested remedy.

Please note that all but one of the responders here are volunteers - including myself.

Whether or not you choose to use the advice given to you, is entirely up to you.

Spike

[pucknuts]

Volunteer? I appreciate the response then.... I didn't know that since this is a Lavasoft support.

However, it is the software that caused this problem and I am not happy at all about this. I purchased this software to protect my system not to have it be the main issue that's wreaking havoc.
I am not computer savvy and trying to work these issues is more than frustrating.

and I have been looking on line and posting questions about this problem and continue to hear about this other Doug website with the fix for Lavasoft's error, not just here.

[Corrine]

pucknuts, Doug Knox is a respected Microsoft MVP. He did not create the files to fix the problem you have encountered. They existed long before this issue. In fact, this has only been a problem since the release of Ad-Aware SE in August, 2004.

We all start out at one time or another as "not computer savvy". It isn't easy learning how to protect our considerable investment. The important thing to realize is that we are each ultimately responsible for our computer, not Lavasoft or Zone Alarm or Norton, or any other software program, whether it be licensed or freeware. As a result, turning off "Automatic" will not only keep this from happening again, it will also make you aware of changes being made to your computer's registry while you are installing software. (Note however that if you are NOT installing software and Ad-Watch pops up with a warning, check it out carefully because you may not want to allow that change!)

[spike-nz]

Hi Corrine,

In fact, this has only been a problem since the release of Ad-Aware SE in August, 2004.

Thank you for that information - I have filed it away for future reference.

It was something that I had not recalled from the old Ad-Aware forum in it's previous incarnation.
Regards,

Spike

[mehere]

Hi, has anyone figured out why the wierd messagebox that comes up before windows starts with the funny characters in it? it seems to appear from a dll file in the System32 Folder....

[mehere]

here is the message box i get on startup, i took it off my phone as i couldnt take a screenshot as windows had not started up yet:

[Paladine]

I am having the same problem with the computers that I repair. I can fix the actual exe problem. However, when the computers first boot up there is a pop up screen that displayes a weird character, the boot will not continue until you hit enter, and also no system tray icons will show. Does anyone have a fix for this? thanks in advance

tweak50, how do you fix the actual exe problem, using the method spike-nz recommended, or a different one? If so, which is it ?

[steph_dr]

I fortunately surfaced this thread as I researched my version of this problem. I, too, have experienced the loss of file associations (those known to me so far are .bat, .exe, .lnk) and I am also getting the garbage prompt text at logon requiring a superfluous click of "OK" to log in. I have also lost several icons in my tray (have no idea how to restore their presence). The "Doug Knox" file association restoration fix has made me operational again. Thank you one and all for that invaluable lead. I would love to identify the needed fix to remove the cryptic "OK" prompt requirement and would also like to recover my tray icons (Available Network Connections, Wireless Icon and two or three others whose source is either Hewlett-Packard or Micro$oft).

My opinion of the Lavasoft Support is very low. Their software hotlinks aways took me to a page that had no help whatsoever and merely referred me to a generic Lavasoft link. I bought this software to guard against problems not create them, It has not been a time-saver and in my consultant capacity I will make corporate purchase recommendations accordingly. I have chosen to uninstall Ad-Aware and will not be renewing any licenses.

Should there be any further guidance on addressing the residual issues I and others have experienced I would welcome those. As it stands now however the presence of these annoyances is a constant reminder of a poorly made purchasing decision of this software.

Thank you to the many volunteers who have helped the many of us who are less knowledgeable in these areas.

Steph

[steph_dr]

I am having the same problem with the computers that I repair. I can fix the actual exe problem. However, when the computers first boot up there is a pop up screen that displayes a weird character, the boot will not continue until you hit enter, and also no system tray icons will show. Does anyone have a fix for this? thanks in advance

Did you ever figure out how to get rid of the weird-character message? As well, were you able to restore the system tray icons?

We share the exact same problem. Thanks for any help.

Steph

[chrisofdeath]

Did you ever figure out how to get rid of the weird-character message? As well, were you able to restore the system tray icons?

We share the exact same problem. Thanks for any help.

Steph

I've found the problem with the dialog prompt with strange characters that appears at Windows startup to be related to a corrupted local security setting.

Go to Start -> Run and type gpedit.msc

Navigate to Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options

Scroll down to the policy labeled "Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on" (it's likely it's current setting is undefined). Right click on this policy and choose properties. In the box that opens, space once, then backspace and choose Apply. I usually do the same for the policy setting just below this one "Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on."

If you want to edit the registry entries directly, this article mentions where the keys are located:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310430

Reboot the computer, and hopefully that dialog box will no longer appear. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Edited by chrisofdeath, 04 January 2007 - 01:27 PM.

[mehere]

hi because im using XP Home, i do not have gpedit.msc. is there an alternative? and following the registry option, it leads to an empty folder????????????????

[chrisofdeath]

hi because im using XP Home, i do not have gpedit.msc. is there an alternative? and following the registry option, it leads to an empty folder????????????????

All gpedit does is edit certain registry keys, so while it has a a nice interferace, it isn't, strictly speaking, required to edit group policy options. That said, I'm not sure what you mean by the following registry option leading to an 'empty folder.' Can you be a bit more specific? Are you certain you're navigating to the correct registry entries?

Note there are two potential registry keys where this corruption can occur:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurentVersion\policies\system

Let me know if this is helpful, or if you have any further questions.

[mehere]

hi there, i think i have found the right registry folder although what do i ammend in this registry key?

[juliearundel]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PC, I BOOTED IT UP AND AD-WATCH STARTED, IT KEPT COMNG UP WITH THINGS FOR ME TO BLOCK, WHICH I DID, THERE WERE A LOT OF THEM, NOW I CAN'T OPEN ANYTHING IN WINDOWS IT SEEMS THE LINKS TO THEM ARE BROKEN, I THINK THAT AD-WATCH HAS CHANGED SOMETHING IN THE REGISTRY, EVERY TIME I DOUBLE CLICK ON ONE OF THE DESKTOP ICONS A WINDOW OPENS WHICH SAYS: WINDOWS CANNOT OPEN THIS FILE, IT NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT PROGRAM CREATED IT, WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX IT, I CAN'T DOWNLOAD ANY FIXES BECAUSE WHEN I DO DOWNLOAD THEM THEY WON'T OPEN, EVEN WHEN I GO INTO START-RUN AND TYPE SOMETHING IN IT WON'T WORK. CAN ANYONE HELP????

[chrisofdeath]

hi there, i think i have found the right registry folder although what do i ammend in this registry key?

The idea is that the field for the key should contain no data whatsoever. Double click the key to open it, space once, and then backspace. Do this for both of the listed keys, then close regedit. With any luck, the corrupted startup window will be gone the next time you reboot. Let me know if this works. Good luck.

Edited by chrisofdeath, 11 January 2007 - 05:58 AM.

[chrisofdeath]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PC, I BOOTED IT UP AND AD-WATCH STARTED, IT KEPT COMNG UP WITH THINGS FOR ME TO BLOCK, WHICH I DID, THERE WERE A LOT OF THEM, NOW I CAN'T OPEN ANYTHING IN WINDOWS IT SEEMS THE LINKS TO THEM ARE BROKEN, I THINK THAT AD-WATCH HAS CHANGED SOMETHING IN THE REGISTRY, EVERY TIME I DOUBLE CLICK ON ONE OF THE DESKTOP ICONS A WINDOW OPENS WHICH SAYS: WINDOWS CANNOT OPEN THIS FILE, IT NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT PROGRAM CREATED IT, WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX IT, I CAN'T DOWNLOAD ANY FIXES BECAUSE WHEN I DO DOWNLOAD THEM THEY WON'T OPEN, EVEN WHEN I GO INTO START-RUN AND TYPE SOMETHING IN IT WON'T WORK. CAN ANYONE HELP????

Julie, the all caps can be a bit difficult to read.

The information below is from a different forum whose contributor I can't recall, but I copied and pasted it into a set of notes I keep about these sorts of issues quite a while ago:

"If your EXE file associations are corrupted, it can be difficult to open REGEDIT, or to even import REG files. To work around this, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.EXE and press Enter."

If this doesn't work, renaming the file extension of .exe files to .com can also serve as a workaround. Let us know if this works, or if you have any other questions about the process. Good luck!

Edited by chrisofdeath, 11 January 2007 - 06:03 AM.

[juliearundel]

i have done what you told me to do, i have opened the command prompt and typed in regedit.exe but what do i have to do once i have opened that, i can see the reg keys but i don't know what to do next.

julie