Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Hubbaman on October 22, 2011, 09:47:43 PM
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Hi,
I have just bought a new Toshiba Satellite C670D-101 laptop. The computer is running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. It came with lots of unwanted software preinstalled, so the first thing I did (after installing Avast, of course!) was to start removing what I didn't want. There is something called WildTangent Games that triggers a sandbox alert when I try to click remove program in Control Panel.
First, Avast gives a sandbox warning about this file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA Games\uninstall.exe
I tried running the program in sandbox, but I guess software cannot be uninstalled from the sandbox? Anyway, it didn't work. So I tried running the file normally.
Then the same thing with this file:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\~nsu.tmp\Au_.exe
After allowing both the programs to run normally, the uninstall process seems to be going fine. However, an error occurs at the end, and One of the the WildTangent Games seems to be left unchanged. (I first got a list of about 10-15 games where I could choose which to remove. I selected all of them, but "Diner Dash 2 Restaurant Rescue" stays behind, even after several attempts.)
Do I need to worry about this?
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Hi,
No need to worry about them. They are from the vendor itself. So they can be trusted.
Have a wonderful day. Good Karma!
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upload suspicious file(s) to www.virustotal.com and test with 43 malware scanners
when you have the result, copy the url in the address bar and post it here for us to see
alternative
Jotti http://virusscan.jotti.org/en
VirSCAN http://virscan.org/
Metascan http://www.metascan-online.com/
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it may be related to this...also a Thosiba game detect ?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=87097.0
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it may be related to this...also a Thosiba game detect ?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=87097.0
Thank you for that link. Interesting, from the first post:
The threat said that it was Win32:BlogEnt [Susp]
I forgot to mention that: When I first installed Avast after setting up the computer and ran a complete scan, it found one file that it recommended to move to the chest. That file was Win32:BogEnt. (Not Win32:BlogEnt [Susp], but could this perhaps be a spelling error in that post?)
Looking at that item in the chest now, I see that it was located in C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA Games\Diner Dash 2 Restaurant Rescue, so I guess that explains why I couldn't uninstall that one game.
Do you think it is safe to restore the file from the chest in order to uninstall the unwanted software? Or perhaps uninstalling won't work properly because I have tried it before without the file present, and that may have corrupted something?
I uploaded both the files to virustotal.com, no infections found. Here are the links:
Report for uninstall.exe:
http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan/report.html?id=2c223c391d4ddc2a10a2a238bacca873e6b6121443c0ae3a6cac5e4ac8771e32-1319316453
Report for Au_.exe:
http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan/report.html?id=2c223c391d4ddc2a10a2a238bacca873e6b6121443c0ae3a6cac5e4ac8771e32-1319316991
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I dont think Thosiba would install malware on the comp
you can report false positive here
http://www.avast.com/contact-form.php?loadStyles
you may add a link to this topic
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I get the same thing on my Dell. It ain't hurting anything so I'm not concerned. I have plenty of HDD space so there is no issue there. With Wind Tangent pre-installed all it does is open my browser to the Wild Tangent website or a "window" opens. I fail to see where this would be any problem. :)
I agree with Pondus as neither Toshiba nor Dell would install malware or spyware. :)
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Thank you guys.
By the way, the uninstall still fails after restoring the file from the chest, I don't know why. I might do a complete reset of the laptop and try uninstalling the software again then. Why? Well, I like my computers to be as "clean" as possible. It just annoys me that it is so difficult to simply buy a new computer without all the "extras".
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I get the same thing on my Dell. It ain't hurting anything so I'm not concerned. I have plenty of HDD space so there is no issue there. With Wind Tangent pre-installed all it does is open my browser to the Wild Tangent website or a "window" opens. I fail to see where this would be any problem. :)
i'm afraid you fail to see a lot of things ;D ,this might not be a problem for you,but to many,it is.
cheers
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I get the same thing on my Dell. It ain't hurting anything so I'm not concerned. I have plenty of HDD space so there is no issue there. With Wind Tangent pre-installed all it does is open my browser to the Wild Tangent website or a "window" opens. I fail to see where this would be any problem. :)
i'm afraid you fail to see a lot of things ;D ,this might not be a problem for you,but to many,it is.
cheers
If something is causing no harm, what's the problem. I like a clean machine.
Besides Wild Tangent shows up with no kb or mb on my hard drive therefore I seriously doubt that it can be uninstalled. Yes, I checked the "uninstall" section on the Control Panel and it cannot be uninstalled. :)
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paranoid,it might not be causing actual harm or damage(corrupting files etc.)but,as you said,opening browser windows randomly or going to specific sites,is a major annoyance to a lot of people,i know it would bother me immensely.
note: just because it's not showing any size on disk,doesnt mean it isnt occupying any space,as everything occupies space.
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Hi Hubbaman,
If you really want to remove that software, you can use the Revo Uninstaller.
Download and run the free trial from http://www.revouninstaller.com/
Make sure that you uninstall Revo too.
Hope you are happy with us today. Have a wonderful day.. Good Karma!
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Hi Hubbaman,
If you really want to remove that software, you can use the Revo Uninstaller.
Download and run the free trial from http://www.revouninstaller.com/
Make sure that you uninstall Revo too.
revo (and others) usually cant uninstall programs that cant be uninstalled regularly.
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It does "not" matter how you try to uninstall Wild Tangent avast will always recommend opening in the sandbox. It is causing absolutely no harm...so why worry about it? ??? It is "not" taking any "real" room on your machine. ???
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Hi alpha1
If we are unable to remove a software from add or remove programs utility in Windows, the reason can be due to the corruption of any of the .msi or .dll files related to that software. Yes of-course Revo will do the same thing at first hand and will give the same popup or error message as before. But in Revo we have an additional option to scan all the files and registry entries related with the software in Advanced Mode and remove them. So it will work.
Have a wonderful day. Good k@rma! :)
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hi iyogi,ok,fair enough. :)
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Hi alpha1
If we are unable to remove a software from add or remove programs utility in Windows, the reason can be due to the corruption of any of the .msi or .dll files related to that software. Yes of-course Revo will do the same thing at first hand and will give the same popup or error message as before. But in Revo we have an additional option to scan all the files and registry entries related with the software in Advanced Mode and remove them. So it will work.
Have a wonderful day. Good k@rma! :)
By using Revo in the manner you describe you could really screw up someones registry. I'm not willing to take that risk. I like my computer too much to take that kind of risk. The way I see it as far as Wild Tangent goes "no harm, no foul". :)
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Using any generic Uninstaller like Revo can result in removing common dll files used by
various programs and worse.
Usually you don't find what harm using such an uninstaller has caused until some time in the
future when you attempt to run a program that depended on the file that Revo removed.
Your lucky if the only thing you need to run that program again is a simple re-install.
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Isn't the Advanced Mode only in the Revo Pro paid option.
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By the way, the uninstall still fails after restoring the file from the chest, I don't know why. I might do a complete reset of the laptop and try uninstalling the software again then. Why? Well, I like my computers to be as "clean" as possible. It just annoys me that it is so difficult to simply buy a new computer without all the "extras".
@Hubbaman,
If you have no data in your system yet, the "factory default" is the faster and cleaner option you have.
After that "factory default", you should uninstall anything that you don't want. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" applet in Control Panel, and PLEASE reboot each time you uninstall something (instead of uninstalling "everything" and only then rebooting).
Please check your system for "factory" security tools. If you have some trial or alike of some security tool, it is VERY advisable to run also the specific removal utility after uninstallting (of course, IF you decide to uninstall it).
A partial list of removal utilities is listed at http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/ (http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/). Please run the removal tools from Windows Safe Mode, and reboot in between each run of any removal utility.
ONLY after you removed all the "extras", and specially after removing any other security tools, *then* install Avast (and reboot immediately after installing, before configuring or updating). This should avoid most conflicts between Avast and other security tools "preinstalled".
Please report back.
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Isn't the Advanced Mode only in the Revo Pro paid option.
its supposed to have extended scanning for leftovers and some other stuff (compared to free version). but you can get free trial.
is there any truth to the possibility of damage caused by uninstallers like revo?
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By the way, the uninstall still fails after restoring the file from the chest, I don't know why. I might do a complete reset of the laptop and try uninstalling the software again then. Why? Well, I like my computers to be as "clean" as possible. It just annoys me that it is so difficult to simply buy a new computer without all the "extras".
@Hubbaman,
If you have no data in your system yet, the "factory default" is the faster and cleaner option you have.
After that "factory default", you should uninstall anything that you don't want. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" applet in Control Panel, and PLEASE reboot each time you uninstall something (instead of uninstalling "everything" and only then rebooting).
Please check your system for "factory" security tools. If you have some trial or alike of some security tool, it is VERY advisable to run also the specific removal utility after uninstallting (of course, IF you decide to uninstall it).
A partial list of removal utilities is listed at http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/ (http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/). Please run the removal tools from Windows Safe Mode, and reboot in between each run of any removal utility.
ONLY after you removed all the "extras", and specially after removing any other security tools, *then* install Avast (and reboot immediately after installing, before configuring or updating). This should avoid most conflicts between Avast and other security tools "preinstalled".
Please report back.
This has already been discussed.
Start reading from http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=87114.msg700658#msg700658
Other security software is not part of this thread. And he has avast installed on his machine. :)
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is there any truth to the possibility of damage caused by uninstallers like revo?
[/quote]
Yes! :)
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how much truth?
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how much truth?
In the past other users have found that Revo is inferior to other uninstallers. Many of us use CCleaner as there is little if any chance that something could go wrong. May I be so bold to suggest that you give it a try. :)
edit Please see Bob's reply #17
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This has already been discussed.
Start reading from http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=87114.msg700658#msg700658
Other security software is not part of this thread. And he has avast installed on his machine. :)
Yes, he has Avast already. So? I'm trying to give an actual suggestion and steps, ON topic.
What's the point of discussing alternative methods and likings? Hubbaman presented a valid question. Most of the other posts are not really answering anything. If anyone wants to chat about pros and cons of anything else, you are free to do it... But wouldn't be better to do it in a relevant separated topic instead of this specific one?
All those discussions may be valid, but are not going to clarify nor really solve the problem Hubbaman has. The discussions might help other users. Let's try to focus on Hubbaman's problem and the methods he is able to perform so to solve his doubts.
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Hubbaman a simple tool to remove these preinstalled software trials like wild tangent is PC Decrapifier http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/other-software/pre-installed-software/ usually it is best to run this tool on a fresh system that has been reformated to factory.
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Follow instructions on the WildTangent site @ http://wildtangent.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88/session/L3RpbWUvMTMxOTM2MjgyOS9zaWQvVUNqNHlnSGs= (http://wildtangent.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88/session/L3RpbWUvMTMxOTM2MjgyOS9zaWQvVUNqNHlnSGs=)
If that fails, log in to your system as Adminstrator and then delete it via Add/Remove Programs.
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If that fails, log in to your system as Adminstrator and then delete it via Add/Remove Programs.
This has already been discussed. :)
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as you said,opening browser windows randomly or going to specific sites,is a major annoyance to a lot of people,i know it would bother me immensely.
How can this be random as the only way this will happen is if the user intentionally clicks on the icon.
If it's an annoyance don't click on it. :)
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To the OP Hubbaman. To uninstall Wild Tangent try right clicking on the Wild Tangent icon...click on "open file location"...click on "uninstall". There are no guarantees. Or once you have the file location open manually delete each entry individually. Hope this helps. :)
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I uninstalled Wild Tangent from my HP computer from Control Panel running it out of the Sandbox from the very beginning. No problem here. Had to remove manually the folder HP Games though. :o
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By the way, the uninstall still fails after restoring the file from the chest, I don't know why. I might do a complete reset of the laptop and try uninstalling the software again then. Why? Well, I like my computers to be as "clean" as possible. It just annoys me that it is so difficult to simply buy a new computer without all the "extras".
@Hubbaman,
If you have no data in your system yet, the "factory default" is the faster and cleaner option you have.
After that "factory default", you should uninstall anything that you don't want. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" applet in Control Panel, and PLEASE reboot each time you uninstall something (instead of uninstalling "everything" and only then rebooting).
Please check your system for "factory" security tools. If you have some trial or alike of some security tool, it is VERY advisable to run also the specific removal utility after uninstallting (of course, IF you decide to uninstall it).
A partial list of removal utilities is listed at http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/ (http://thewebatom.net/uninstallers/security-software/). Please run the removal tools from Windows Safe Mode, and reboot in between each run of any removal utility.
ONLY after you removed all the "extras", and specially after removing any other security tools, *then* install Avast (and reboot immediately after installing, before configuring or updating). This should avoid most conflicts between Avast and other security tools "preinstalled".
Please report back.
Thanks. I had actually done this already since my last post. I did a full restore, then uninstalled the WildTangent programs using Control panel and Add/Remove programs. This went without any problems. I then installed Avast.
(I will never know if I could have done a restore, installed Avast and then removed WildTangent without problems. It may be that the problems I had the first time, were due to the fact that one possible threat had been moved to the sandbox.)
Thank you for your help, I am happy now.
:)
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One more thought, you might want to use CCleaner to follow through. Don't worry as CCleaner is very easy and safe to use.
http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Also I'm sorry it took so long to figure it out. I knew what to do, I allowed myself to get distracted, sorry. But I am sincerely happy you took care of your issue. Come back anytime, we offer help 24/7 and it's free. :)