Sanity saving help needed!

[John Falstaff]

I've had increasing problems with pop-up spam on PC. :mad: These are not adverts associated with the page I'm on. They are large grey boxes which just appear in the middle of the screen. They are now intruding on my screen around at a rate of 30 - 40 per hour. It is becoming almost impossible to do anything (work or fun) on the net with this problem!

Some of these adverts are for Viagra, loans etc:. However, most (90 plus percent)go something like 'Are you fed up with these pop-up adverts. If you are, buy our pop-up blocker etc:.'

In other words the main problem is the people who are trying to sell me solutions to the problem! There is NO way I will do business, or trust, people who do business in this way. In effect, I feel, they are demanding money with menaces.

Is there any software I can get, from legitimate companies, to solve this problem. I've had five of these pop-ups while preparing this post.

I NEED help. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/privateeye.gif

[Draco]

Sounds like the company advertising installed spyware on your computer...

What OS do you run?

[John Falstaff]

Thanks for answering Draco,

By OS do you mean Windows XP?

Sorry to sound stupid but I am out of my depth here.

[Draco]

Yep...

Hmm...

Im not familiar with XP, but I know it has a Task Process Manager...

Moved to Tech Support cuz they know more than me... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/whistle.gif

[tippucat]

Hi Sir 'J'. Go to control panel, click on internet connection, click on privacy, set the bar to suit you (not too high else you won't be able to do anything). Purchase Symantex or MacAfee, comes with pop up blocker. Whatever you do DON'T open any of the pop ups.

I used to have a pop up blocker. I'll see if I can find the website. It was downloadable freeware.

Are you a new user. When I got my PC last year I got myself into all kinds of bother but don't panic. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

[tippucat]

Another tip, Sir 'J'. I don't know how to link the url so I've posted the following: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/index.cfm?go=news.main

If you subscribe (free) they are whizzes at helping you with technical stuff. They have a download page as well -freeware and shareware- you will find what you need there. Trust me, they helped with my pop ups. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

[John Falstaff]

Thanks a lot Tippucat, if raised my security settings. We'll see what happens. I only have the basic Norton (symantec), and may have to upgrade. I do not understand how these pop-upscannot be illegal.

I'll let you know what happens!

[neil4768]

John use this spyware removal program download it from here click here (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7423,00.asp) its free

[Bokkie]

Hi John Falstaff http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

Click Start, then Run. Type in REGEDIT and click OK. Registry Editor should open. Then go to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Run

Please post here any item found in Run folder (items are on the right side). All items found there are starting automatically with Windows. Some of them is probably spyware program that runs in background.

[John Falstaff]

Hi Bokkie,

I followed your instructions and found the following:-

(par défaut) (valeur non définie)

Apoint C:\ ProgramFiles\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe

CARPService carpserve.exe

ccApp "C:ProgramFiles\Fichierscommuns\Symantech Shared\...

ccRegVfy "C:ProgramFiles\Fichierscommuns\Symante ch Shared\...

HPDJ Taskbar Utility C:\WINDOWS\System 32 \spool\drivers\w32 X 86\3\hpzt ...

L Manager C:\PROGRA~\LAUNCH~1\QtaET25.EXE

Quick Time Task "C:\Programfiles\QuickTime\qttask.exe" - atboottime

RealTray
C:ProgramFiles\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTE .....

I hope this makes more sense to you than me!

:confused:

[Bokkie]

Maybe some of these programs are causing a problem ;)

Apoint C:\ ProgramFiles\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
CARPService carpserve.exe
L Manager C:\PROGRA~\LAUNCH~1\QtaET25.EXE

I searched my computer for carpserve.exe but didn't find it. L Manager and Apoint may be some of the programs you installed. If you didn't install those programs, you may try to delete both Apoint and LManager. In any case, delete CARPService. When you finish, restart your computer.

You may also check the items in Programs>Start up folder http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[John Falstaff]

Bokkie,

http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

I'll start by deleting 'Carpserver'. and se what happens. But .... http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/clown.gif how do I delete unwanted files?

http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/jumper.gif

[Loki]

JF,

if you use the program Ad-aware mentioned by neil4768, these programs are automatically deleted (after your confirmation) from the harddisk and the registry!
Then you are shure that you don't remove needed software.

And another advise;
in addition to your virsuscanner, also install a personal firewall (e.g. ZoneAlarm which is free for personal use: ZoneAlarm Download (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zadb_zadown) ) that blocks unwanted incoming and outgoing network traffic, like the spam you receive.

succes