Avast WEBforum
Other => General Topics => Topic started by: bubbleoffplumb on March 26, 2004, 04:22:20 PM
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hello out there..
I think I made a few MAJOR mistakes after my download of avast 4.0.
I downloaded after norton av200 shut my computer off while scanning. This has been happening for a while now.
It doesn't stand by, or go into hibernation - shuts OFF, before the scan is complete (w/ norton).
First, I did NOT uninstall norton (I also have adware, and
spysweeper).
Ran the avast scan imediately after download.
of course there were two infected (windows) files.
I tried clicking on repair, but it brought me right back to my options again.
I hit delete (oops...didn't see a quarantine option. I usually opt for that to see if my computer acts funny before I delete files. I have always ended up deleting - with no problems.)
I fear I have made a MEGA mistake.
another mistake I made (sorry to make you cringe so much)...when my computer (laptop) wouldn't shut down- I couldn't click on anything, and the on/off switch din't work either - no response)... I (gulp) took the battery out, so she would turn off.
(I hope you folks'll help complete and total idiots - I NEVER cease to amaze myself)
Now...I turn her on and I see my desktop (with icons)
I try to hit start, and right now the "timer thingy" is on when I hover over the start button. When I move away, it's just the "pointer".
Can't click anything, won't turn off (I've left her on this time).
Luckily I can use the ol' desktop, 'cause my laptop seems kinda frozen.
Is ther ANY hope/help for me??
(windows xp - dunno what other info you may need let me know)
Thank You oh learn-ed ones,
bubbleoffplumb
(name changed to protect what's left of my innocence)
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so you will know in the future dont install 2 resident AV programs at the same time. (like avast and norton)
Ad-aware and sysweeper are comatible with avast so dont worry about them.
TRY to boot into safe mode and uninstall norton. See if that will at least let it boot.
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me again...
the saga - no, EPIC continues...
well, I managed to boot in safe mode (f8 version),
I have Norton AV and Norton Internet Security.
programs>norton av (has NO uninstall option),
norton security does. But, I get the windows installer message:
"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.
This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.
Contact your support personnel for assistance"
on norton help pages found this note:
Note: During uninstall, Windows may indicate that it is installing software. This is a general Microsoft installer message and can be disregarded.
so...I started the "regular" way. Hit start, programs>norton internet security>uninstall.
I got the blurb mentioned in the norton support pages, then it seemed to freeze up, some "flashing" (progrm menu/list) - now there's only the icons on my screen.
And when I try to click on start, nothing happens
When I try to turn of - it stays on.
..actually, the screen changed again - only wallpaper.
no icons, no task bar.
I started in safe mode, and the norton programs are no longer in the program menu.
I'm starting again in "standard" mode.
YIKES! Norton is IN the program menu. tried to uninstall, and computer freezes up.
figured, maybe a restart was needed. I've been taking the battery out, and not ending properly.
I was able ot do start>restart
but then the end program message comes up
(I didn't think I had any programs running),
now I'm frozen again (can't click on start or turn off).
tried again (to restart),
now I'm staring at the "saving your settings " screen.
It's been up a few minutes - I don't want to touch it -I would really like for this badboy to shut down on it's own.
at this point it doesn't look likely.
any suggestions (other than trading her in for a mac)?
Thank you again for your random act of kindness,
bubbleoffplumb
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just so you know...
I was able to shut off my laptop (properly) while in safe mode.
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any suggestions (other than trading her in for a mac
HA HA I was JUST about to recommend you do that ;D
ok norton unstallation freeses what about avast? can you uninstall avast in safe mode or in normal mode? we need to get one of the programs off your computer so the 2 resident shields will stop fighting.
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just got your reply
(yeesh- why didn't I think of that!)
I have to get off line for a couple of hours, but I'll try late tonite when I get back.
I'll leave a little message (or my standard novella), let you know how it goes.
'til then,
bubbleoffplumb
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good let me know how it turns out
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Oh, Mac you're right... One of the two antivirus must be uninstalled... I just forget that avast! could be the first one. Forgive me, I always want avast! installed and not the opposite.
Bubble, ask for help and we will be here ;)
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Bubble: I don't know if this will work on your computer, but on mine I also used to remove the battery when a lockup kept me from shutting down. I found that by holding the on/off button down for 5 seconds, it will shut off. Hopefully you won't even have that problem again.
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I'm back
I was able to uninstall avast while in safe mode
(thank you, the powers that be, for thinking of the bumbling idiots who needed his option)
After a reboot, I was able to uninstall ALL
Norton Programs (YEA!).
Instead of sittin' here nekkid, and all sorts of exposed,
I downloaded avast4 .
I'm currently running a scan.
I'll get in touch again when the scan is complete.
At that time I'll let you know if I'll be sipping a celebratory martini (or something similar), or sobbing uncontrollably into my beverage.
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my last update before bedtime...
some files were infected, I tied to "fix"
them, but the options re-appeared, so I moved them.
Is this similar to "quarantine"?
3 system files.
kernel32.dll
winsock.dll
wnsock32.dll
I'm off to research these badboys, then it's of to bed for me.
I'll check back in the am.
feel free to leave any words of wisdom, advice, or condolences.
thanks again,
bubleofplumb
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I searched around, and found that these three files are put in the chest automatically.
According to my avast "page"
no scan has occured.
I've officially registered (that may help),
and am awaiting my "official" email.
as soon as I can, I'll run yet another scan
...overnight.
I'm a weary girl
will battle this on the morrow.
g'nite
(wish me luck)
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my last update before bedtime...
some files were infected, I tied to "fix"
them, but the options re-appeared, so I moved them.
Is this similar to "quarantine"?
If you mean 'move to Chest', yes, the words refer to the same (Chest = Quarentine)
3 system files.
kernel32.dll
winsock.dll
wnsock32.dll
As you discovered after, these three files are 'copied' (backup) into Chest for security reason. They are not infected.
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I searched around, and found that these three files are put in the chest automatically.
According to my avast "page"
no scan has occured.
I've officially registered (that may help),
and am awaiting my "official" email.
as soon as I can, I'll run yet another scan
...overnight.
I'm a weary girl
will battle this on the morrow.
g'nite
(wish me luck)
...and I do wish you luck! :)
The wonderful folks in these forums were lifesavers to me...and very kind! I am the mother of all technically challenged people ;D
cojo
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glad We could help you!
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I second Cojo's words.
I must be the father of the technically challenged ::)
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Cojo and Phil won't be my grandparents but only my mother and father...
I'm not so young :-\
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hello, hello
so these are the viruses (or is it virii?)
hangin' out in the chest area:
win32 subsearch
win32 Trogen-gen (other)
I couldn't find much info under these names.
How can I find out more about them?
also...
I now have avast, in addition to spysweeper, and adaware.
anything else anyone can suggest to keep me on the safe side?
I plan on switching browsers and email stuff -
probably over to mozilla. ( I currently use IE, and outlook).
Thanks again, and again.
I do appreciate ALL the help
(so glad you were here).
p.s. Thanks Mom, and Dad
Uncle Mac, Uncle Techie, and cousin wannabe
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Cojo and Phil won't be my grandparents but only my mother and father...
I'm not so young :-\
;D ...this old broad really is old enough to be your grandmomma!
and, Technical, I am technically challenged for sure...you, on the other hand, are very good at teaching me!
thank you, my friend!
cojo
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bubblroffplump, mozilla will be best. Mozilla 1.7 is about to be released it has email and browser in one and is not buggy like firefox.
Download spybot S&D and update it that will complete your arsenal.
to find out more about the chest files copy them to a floppy and scan the floppy useing trendmicro housecall and give me the names it reports and I will search for more information on them.
Http://housecall.trendmicro.com (http://Http://housecall.trendmicro.com)
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Hi bubbleoffplumb,
also... I now have avast, in addition to spysweeper, and adaware.
anything else anyone can suggest to keep me on the safe side?
I recommend WinPatrol 7.0 http://www.winpatrol.com/ (http://www.winpatrol.com/) The free version is what I use. Also, a good program (free version is good enough) is a² free http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/).
I plan on switching browsers and email stuff -
probably over to mozilla.
Excellent idea (in my opinion). I use Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. If you need any help in these applications (if you decide to use them), feel free to ask here (the Mozilla forum is not as friendly as this one and sometimes some of the people there are quite rude and obnoxious). You will always feel like you are with friends here at Avast. ;D
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Also, a good program (free version is good enough) is a² free http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/ (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/).
Do you really think it is a good application? I tried in the past but I did not feel good with it: bad update, do not find anything more than avast (or Spybot and Ad-aware)... I enter in their forum but I don't 'live' so much there. Does is become better?
If you need any help in these applications (if you decide to use them), feel free to ask here (the Mozilla forum is not as friendly as this one and sometimes some of the people there are quite rude and obnoxious). You will always feel like you are with friends here at Avast. ;D
avast! forum is becoming an utopia, the lost paradise of helping... ;D
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Do you really think it is a good application? I tried in the past but I did not feel good with it: bad update
The updates are fairly regular now. There was a problem when it first came out and back in February when Andreas Haak's father died. It appears to be fine now.
I believe the more applications you can use to check for malware, the better you protect your computer. I also use ewido security suite http://www.ewido.net/en/ (http://www.ewido.net/en/) which checks for malware too. This program updates fairly regularly and is free. ;)
Of course, my first line of defense is Avast which does a superb job. ;D
My complete line of defense are -
Avast Home edition AV (resident)
BitDefender Free Edition (secondary scanner)
ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses - SuperLite (secondary scanner)
eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility (secondary scanner)
Spyware Blaster
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
Bazooka Spyware Scanner
HijackThis - scan and log for spyware
WinPatrol 7.0
a2 free
ewido security suite
Script Sentry
Kerio Firewall 4.0.13
Spamihilator 0.9.8.1
Mozilla Firefox .8 Browser
Mozilla Thunderbird .5 Email
All of these programs work well on my computer, all are free, and updates are pretty regular. :D
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bbfi states:
All of these programs work well on my computer, all are free, and updates are pretty regular.
bbfi, if I tried all that on my system...ah, you guys would never get me out of that trouble! ;D
cojo
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Thanks bbfi.
I think these applications can handle everything:
Ad-Aware + Spybot S&D + Spyware Blaster + Spyware Guard
Will these be necessary?
Bazooka Spyware Scanner
a2 free
Can you explain a little about these ones? Do they have a resident provider or just a backup scanning (not resident)?
ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses - SuperLite (secondary scanner)
eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility (secondary scanner)
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bbfi, if I tried all that on my system...ah, you guys would never get me out of that trouble!
Since your first postings, I believe you have come a long way and with the help from all here, things would work out. ;D
But, not all of these are necessary for everyone. It really depends on your situation. We have a website, mailing lists with thousands of email addresses, and receive credit cards sales and donations through PayPal.
Plus, when you run a nationwide Christian prison ministry, this opens you up to all types of replies (some of which you don't want to know about). And we use cable broadband, so we are online as soon as the computer starts. :o
During the MyDoom outbreak, we were receiving 300 or more of this virus or worm per day and this went on for 3 weeks. Now it's the Netsky and Bagel viruses. Therefore, we have to spend a lot of time in our defense strategy against viruses, worms, trojans, spam, etc. :o
For the casual user with dialup, my suggestions would be total overkill. My recommendation for this type of user would be Avast antivirus (not only because it is a terrific antivirus program, but the forum is the best for advice and help), Ad-Aware for spyware, a good firewall (Kerio, ZoneAlarm, Sygate, EZ firewall), and a spam checker (Spamihilator, SpamPal, K9, G-Lock SpamCombat). ;)
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Will these be necessary?
Bazooka Spyware Scanner
a2 free
Not really. Just more free protection in my view. ::)
Can you explain a little about these ones? Do they have a resident provider or just a backup scanning (not resident)?
ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses - SuperLite (secondary scanner)
eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility (secondary scanner)
These are for backup scanning only. They do not have resident scanning in the free versions. :-\
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bbfi, if I tried all that on my system...ah, you guys would never get me out of that trouble!
Since your first postings, I believe you have come a long way and with the help from all here, things would work out. ;D
But, not all of these are necessary for everyone. It really depends on your situation. We have a website, mailing lists with thousands of email addresses, and receive credit cards sales and donations through PayPal.
Plus, when you run a nationwide Christian prison ministry, this opens you up to all types of replies (some of which you don't want to know about). And we use cable broadband, so we are online as soon as the computer starts. :o
During the MyDoom outbreak, we were receiving 300 or more of this virus or worm per day and this went on for 3 weeks. Now it's the Netsky and Bagel viruses. Therefore, we have to spend a lot of time in our defense strategy against viruses, worms, trojans, spam, etc. :o
For the casual user with dialup, my suggestions would be total overkill. My recommendation for this type of user would be Avast antivirus (not only because it is a terrific antivirus program, but the forum is the best for advice and help), Ad-Aware for spyware, a good firewall (Kerio, ZoneAlarm, Sygate, EZ firewall), and a spam checker (Spamihilator, SpamPal, K9, G-Lock SpamCombat). ;)
thank you for the encouragement, bbfi!
and I would think you would need that much to guard your information...
Before disability rambled into my life, I was active in my church's ministry for women in prison in Alabama. We needed a tough skin but peaceful heart...
cojo
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CoJo,
We needed a tough skin but peaceful heart...
True. I'm glad the Lord provides the peace for us. We get all types of responses from inmates. Most of them make us feel like all the trouble we go to in reaching them is worth the while and that what we are doing is definitely helping change the hearts and minds (actually, it's the Lord that is doing that, we are only the messengers) of people who turned to crime for one reason or the other. :o
However, (here is where we need a tough skin), there have been times that inmates have threatened us, cursed us, etc. and this does build up a tough skin. One inmate told us that if it wasn't for God protecting us, he would kill us if he got out (he was in prison for killing a minister's daughter). :o
But, you know what is really sad? The majority of responses we get from inmates and chaplains are nicer than those we get from emails from those on the outside. :'(
BTW - We assist the chaplains in the following prisons in Alabama -
Bullock Correctional Facility, Union Springs, AL (State - Men)
Easterling Correctional Facility, Clio, AL (State - Men)
Staton Correctional Facility, Elmore, AL (State - Men)
Tutwiler Prison for Women, Wetumpka, AL (State - Women)
Wm. E. Donaldson Corr. Facility, Bessemer, AL (State - Men)
Did you visit any of them?
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Tutwiler Prison for Women, Wetumpka, AL (State - Women)
oh yes...weekly for a long time...one of the most challenging and rewarding times of my life, bbfi.
it equaled my time in Nam as far as giving me strength and character.
but I would not change one second of either...
and, yes, many people do not understand and lash out because they have no true peace in their hearts...but I firmly believe that it awakens something in them. seeds are planted, but we do not see the harvest...
cojo
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BitDefender Free Edition (secondary scanner)
ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses - SuperLite (secondary scanner)
eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility (secondary scanner)
a2 free
When you have time, can you compare them?
Features, update frequency, worms that avast did not detect, installation, stability... Thanks ;D
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Technical,
Just a quick reply for now. ;)
Avast has picked up every virus and worm that has been sent to me. Every scan I have done with other software programs have been negative. :D
So, I really can't compare programs with how they catch viruses, since Avast has already caught them. ;D
As for update frequency, I only use these other backup scanners maybe once a week, so I do not know how often they are updated. I think that a² free is updated at least every other day or so. ::)
For features, most of them are fairly bare bones. Nothing special like Avast. No skins, sounds, etc. Stability is good on XP, I do not know about other operating systems. a² free is the only one of those you mentioned that is pretty professional in appearance and updates. ;)
When and if I get more time, I'll try to go into more detail if you like. The only one I really use on an ongoing basis is a² free. The last time I updated BitDefender Free Edition, eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility, and ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses was when MyDoom was in its prime (I've been pretty busy lately working with Spamihilator ;) ).
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BitDefender Free Edition: it's mine backup scanner, works well but very poor in skins, features, report files and so on.
eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility and ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses I never used... Maybe you can talk a little bit more, when you have time, about these two.
Thanks.
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ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses -
Quote from VINTAGE SOLUTIONS, INC's site -Support Platforms -
The program can operate under Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, Windows 2000, XP
Accurate Virus Check -
The program equips with the same anti-virus mechanism we use in the standard products and it will detect viruses, trojans, worms, backdoors and other malwares.
1) I do not recommend this program to anyone without broadband. Updates are the complete program of 3.9 mb.
2) To run the program you execute it each time. There is no installation.
3) This program does not alter your system configuration and it runs in your temporary directory. Therefore, this program behaves as the one-time virus scanner: it is not a resident scanner.
4) No skins, no sounds.
5) Website is being worked on now. Nothing fancy. Rather boring. But downloads are still available at http://www.vintage-solutions.com/English/Antivirus/Super/index.html (http://www.vintage-solutions.com/English/Antivirus/Super/index.html).
6) Does "heuristics", scans compressed files, scans mail box (this is not the same as scanning emails when they arrive, it just scans the emails already kept on your computer).
7) Detailed Check is veeeeery slow. I do not recommend using it unless you have a day or two to waste. Scan without Detailed Check takes about 1.5 hours for 10gb of files on hard drive.
8 ) Viewing any suspicious files or viruses that are caught is difficult to do. You have to go through complete list of files checked. ::)
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bbfi, with your description I'm thinking that nobody will use ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses... There are almost only disavantages...
Waiting for better news of eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility.
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eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility -
Quote from MicroWorld's site -MicroWorld has developed a Free eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility, that will help you diagnose if your machine is infected by a virus. This tool also cleans your registry and other system areas of the damage that a virus might have done. The best part of eScan toolkit utility, is its ability to
A. Check running processes in memory.
B. Check illegal dialers running in memory and inform the user.
C. Inform users of any background (legal) sniffers or tools running in memory.
1) I do not recommend this program to anyone without broadband. Updates are the complete program of 3.5 to 4.0 mb.
2) To run the program you execute it each time. It will unzip. There is no installation.
3) No skins, no sounds.
4) Many links on Website do not work. But downloads are still available. However, the free scanner is almost impossible to find. Direct link is http://www.mwti.net/antivirus/free_utilities.asp (http://www.mwti.net/antivirus/free_utilities.asp).
5) Powered by Kaspersky.
6) Scan takes about 1 hour for 10gb of files on hard drive.
Although both programs have disadvantages, there are some advantages for those who have broadband.
1) Both are free.
2) They do not change anything in the Registry.
3) They do not use Services.
4) eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility uses Kaspersky.
Of the two programs, eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility is better. It has a better layout, is faster, and suspicious files and viruses are shown in an easy to see Virus Log Information window.
The third one I recommended is BitDefender Free Edition which is a much better scanner, but it must be used with its 2 Service files running.
Therefore, if you have broadband and do not want to want a secondary virus scanner which uses Services, then eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility is fairly decent. ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses looks as if it isn't updated very often anymore and it is difficult to view any virus or suspicious files found. I might just remove this one from my computer after testing it out recently. ::)
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Thanks bbfi, I'll give a try to Free eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility.
Anyway, BitDefender seems better with incremental updates. I develop a script to open the two services before I run it so, in normal conditions, the two services are stopped (not start automatically with Windows) and only when I need to scan they start.
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I develop a script to open the two services before I run it so, in normal conditions, the two services are stopped (not start automatically with Windows) and only when I need to scan they start.
I like that idea. Could you post that script? It's a pain to have to go into the services to start each of the BitDefender files. :-\
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I develop a script to open the two services before I run it so, in normal conditions, the two services are stopped (not start automatically with Windows) and only when I need to scan they start.
I like that idea. Could you post that script? It's a pain to have to go into the services to start each of the BitDefender files. :-\
I can make it specially for you ;D
Could you give me the two path names: long and short of the BitDefender installation?
I use AutoIt 2.64 to make the script, I will zip the exe file and send it to you for test!
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Thanks Technical,
The path is C:\Program Files\BitDefender Free Edition\
You mentioned the long and short path names. The above is the long I believe. The short would probably be C:\Progra~1\BitDef~1\, but that is just a guess. ::)
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I'll send you by email a compiled exe of AutoIt 2.64 with these commands:
HideAutoItWin, on
Break, on
SetWinDelay, 2000
SplashTextOn, 440, 100, Loading BitDefender..., \nWait while loading the Services...
RunWait, net start xcommsvr,, hide
RunWait, net start bdss,, hide
Run, C:\\Program Files\\BitDefender Free Edition\\bdmcon.exe
SplashTextOff
WinActivate, BitDefender Free Edition
WinWaitActive, BitDefender Free Edition,, 2
WinActivate, BitDefender Free Edition
Exit
Can you test it and say if it works?
If you prefer, you can download AutoIt and make the changes you want! (http://www.hiddensoft.com). Actually, there are too independent (not compatible) versions of AutoIt: 2.64 and 3.0. Both will be supported in the future.
Note, the script only start the services, do not stop them. Anyway, next boot you won't have the services starting automatically ;D
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bbfi,
Just checked out the BBFI website. Looks like you and CoJo have had some interesting ministries!
On the subject of freeware have you ever looked at e-sword? I think it's a great Bible study software and maybe you or someone you minister to could use it. www.e-sword.net (http://www.e-sword.net).
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Jarron,
Thanks. Prison ministry work is extremely interesting and fulfilling. It is a large harvest field for Christians. ;)
We have e-Sword already. Been using it since version 2 or 3, not sure. It has to be the best freeware Bible program available. ;D
We also use Quick Verse 4 and 6. Quick Verse has the NIV translation and there are some good macros used along with WordPerfect, e-Sword does not have these. We try to use the same translations (KJV, NIV, Reina Valera) as the Bibles and New Testaments that we are able to get for the prisons. Therefore we need both e-Sword (for Spanish versions and KJV) and Quick Verse (for NIV and KJV and the macros for WordPerfect). ;)