Today, for the first time, every time I start up the computer, I keep getting "Startup Cleaner has stopped working" - could this be some thing to do with Spybot? The thing is, I haven't downloaded a start up cleaner. I am the only admin on this computer and also as of today for the first time, any time I try and do any number of basic tasks like I have done in the past so many time before, it now says "You need admin permission for that" and yet when I go to user control, it still has me down as the admin. I just went to registry editor and manually removed a bunch of programs that I had been trying to get rid of for some time. One of them was CA Total Defense. Completely removed all it's keys and sub keys, yet when I go into Winsock Service Providers, it still shows the CA as being on my computer -"Classification - not yet classified". I have defragged and I did a scan with Spybot on Safe mode and yet I am still having these problems. Reformatting alas is not an option.
📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a user's ongoing Windows startup and permission issues, suspecting malware or unwanted software, possibly linked to previous manual registry edits and unrecognized system components. Other users suggest checking for recently installed software, and recommend running comprehensive malware scans with tools like Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, and Spybot S&D. The overall sentiment points toward a likely malware infection, with advice centered on thorough scanning and caution to avoid reinstallation issues.
The thread discusses a user's ongoing Windows startup and permission issues, suspecting malware or unwanted software, possibly linked to previous manual registry edits and unrecognized system components. Other users suggest checking for recently installed software, and recommend running comprehensive malware scans with tools like Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, and Spybot S&D. The overall sentiment points toward a likely malware infection, with advice centered on thorough scanning and caution to avoid reinstallation issues.
Solution
Someone on another site (pchelpforum.com) suggested I should download adwcleaner. Should I do this? I did download something but Like I said I went into my registry to manually remove it but remnants are still there and I don't have the disks required for re formatting
Jimbo22
Essential Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Messages
- 5,036
My guess is your system is infected with some form of malware/spyware at the minimum and maybe even a virus. I would run these malware software, using the provided links. Just click on the link and download and run full scans. Keep in mind that each scan can take upwards of 2 hours or more. They are free.
Superantispyware
Malwarebytes
Spybot S&D
Superantispyware
Malwarebytes
Spybot S&D