On your numbered questions
#1- I did neither. I know I did not do a "repair install". I did not do a
manual reformat like "C
format C:". I did a restore using the Acer
"eRecovery" utility. I know it is not a "repair install" because it
destroys all data on hard disk. eRecovery warned it would destroy all data
and I can verify that when it was done there was nothing left on the drive
except what came out of box new already installed on hard drive. It
required the windows updates after that.
#2 - I used Avast free with PC tools firewall plus free firewall. Avast
updated daily so yes it was updated or current. PC tools firewall plus
also updated automatically so it was update current.
#3 - I use Avast free with PC tools firewall plus free firewall. Avast is
updated daily so I am update current. PC tools firewall plus is also
updated automatically so it is update current.
#4 - McAfee no, not in any form. Norton, yes. I had no control over that.
It came installed with the computer. I do not recall if I activated the
free trial or not because I would have done it two years ago when I
purchased the computer and I do not remember that detail. I did uninstall
it using vista windows uninstall.
Some comments on #2 - I installed a-squared Free, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware,
SuperAntiSpyware in scan only mode. I made sure nothing from these apps ran
at start up. I used System Explorer & WinPatrol to disable any startup
processes from these apps.
Your next set of questions
#1 - yes
#2 & 3 - No
Here is the order of events. This is the order:
1. Acer eRecovery to install Vista and all the other Acer junk
2. Installed Renvo Uninstaller from file I downloaded before install
3. uninstalled Norton and other Acer junk using Renvo
4. Installed SP1 & 2 from file I downloaded before install
5. Did Windows Auto Updates - shutdown, update, repeat till all updated
except IE8
6. Installed IE8 according to instructions (Successful)
7. Installed Avast free and PC tools firewall plus free
8. Norton removal tool popped in my head so I downloaded it and ran it *at
this time*
9. I continued to install all my stuff
Everything seems to be running normal, no complaints. I am satisfied so
far.
Thank you for your concern, PA Bear, you are a good man.
Bob
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%238ZOGOMuKHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for the narrative but to avoid confusion, I need you to clearly &
> precisely answer each of the four (4) questions in my previous post by
> number, please. (Don't try to quote my post & intersperse your replies.)
>
> I also need to know if you (1) uninstalled the Norton free trial *and* (2)
> downloaded/ran the Norton Removal Tool (not Revo Uninstaller)
> *immediately* after you reinstalled Windows and *before* you installed (3)
> any updates, Service Packs, IE8, and any security-related applications?
>
>
> Bob wrote:
>> Wow! You look up my past problems! Thank you for your help and concern!
>> PA
>> Bear, you are a kind man.
>>
>> I backed up all my stuff and used acer restore utility to make computer
>> exactly the way it was out of the box new. I assume that is the same as
>> a
>> reformat. I updated my computer with saved SP1&2 files and then windows
>> update except IE8. Then I installed IE8 according to Leonard Grey 14
>> step
>> instructions he posted for me. The IE8 install went good, no problems so
>> far. I then started installing all my stuff. One good thing about all
>> this
>> is I am documenting every detail of this process including great detail
>> of
>> settings of everything so if I have to ever do this again it will go
>> faster
>> or I have a guide if I chose to upgrade to Win7 in the future.
>>
>> Before install I used PC tools firewall and avast free antivirus for
>> active
>> protection and automatic updates keeped it updated. I installed
>> a-squared
>> Free, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, SuperAntiSpyware in scan only mode and
>> do
>> once a week scans of each. After reinstall I now have the same setup.
>> PC
>> tools and avast have auto update so I am covered there.
>>
>> Free trial of Norton came with my computer preinstalled. I have no
>> control
>> over that. I used Renvo uninstaller to uninstall it. It was one of the
>> first things I uninstalled after I reinstalled vista. I did not activate
>> it
>> or run it because of what it might do to my computer. I do not have
>> McAfee
>> at all. I then ran the Norton removal tool. It did nothing. I removed
>> some folders and files left over from the Norton uninstall and this
>> "Symantec Lic NetConnect service" still shows up under "services". Right
>> clicking file details it says "file does not exist". Looks like
>> uninstall
>> took care of files but left some registry stuff. I am too frightened to
>> edit registry to remove it. Cursed Norton never leaves.
>>
>> I then did a deep scan of my computer using windows defender, a-squared
>> Free, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and avast. a-squared Free came up with
>> some
>> false positives, that they will usually flag as ok a week from now.
>> Other
>> than that I did not find any Malware.
>>
>> I hope that covers your questions. Thank you so much!
>> Bob
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:u1S$v5JuKHA.4624@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> References:
>>>
>>> 1. Your (Bob's) previous thread in this newsgroup:
>>>
>>> New Tab hijacked (23 Jan-10)
>>> ["I just installed IE8 from IE7. I previously installed a download
>>> accelerator and it did not work so I uninstalled it. The SWINE download
>>> accelerator VERMIN hijacked my home page..."]
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/micr...er.general/browse_frm/thread/a7565cbf8861e41b
>>>
>>> 2. Your recent post in Vista Security newsgroup:
>>>
>>> How much of a chance am I infected? (22 Feb-10)
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/micr...a.security/browse_frm/thread/3654f87c75b7be03
>>>
>>> 3. From your recent follow-up post about your current problem as posted
>>> in
>>> a new thread (for some reason) in IE General:
>>>
>>>> I reinstalled vista because when I installed IE8 through windows update
>>>> my
>>>> computer boot up time increased over 300%. When I posted the problem
>>>> here I
>>>> was instructed to reinstall vista and someone else gave me a list of
>>>> steps
>>>> to successful IE8 install. I did both things and so far so good.
>>>
>>> Questions:
>>>
>>> 1. Did you do a Repair Install or did you format the HDD & then do a
>>> clean
>>> install of Windows?
>>>
>>> 2. What anti-virus application or security suite was installed prior to
>>> reinstalling Windows and was your subscription still current?
>>>
>>> 3. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is
>>> your subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>>
>>> 4. Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on
>>> the
>>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>>> bought it and which would have been reinstall, but invalid, when you
>>> reinstalled Windows)?
>>> --
>>> ~PA Bear
>>>
>>>
>>> PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
>>>>> I reinstalled vista...last weekend.
>>>>
>>>> Why and how did you do it?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Bob wrote:
>>>>> I reinstalled vista and Installed IE8 last weekend. Before I
>>>>> reinstalled
>>>>> vista I often went to Bloomberg to download the free podcasts. I
>>>>> would
>>>>> download it to my mp3 folder. Then double clicked it, which then
>>>>> opened
>>>>> Windows Media Player to listen to make sure I downloaded the correct
>>>>> mp3.
>>>>> Then closed WMP and moved the file to my mp3 player.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.bloomberg.com/tvradio/podcast/takingstock.html
>>>>>
>>>>> After I reinstalled vista and successfully installed IE8, I go to
>>>>> Bloomberg
>>>>> to do my usual download ritual and it will not let me download the
>>>>> mp3.
>>>>> Clicking on the link as I always do, it just brings up WMP and plays
>>>>> it.
>>>>> Does not download it. I want to download it like before when I click
>>>>> on
>>>>> the
>>>>> link. I know Bloomberg did not change anything because they just
>>>>> repeated
>>>>> as they always do a couple days ago on the radio that this broadcast
>>>>> is
>>>>> available as a podcast. I assume podcast means putting it on my mp3
>>>>> player.
>>>>>
>>>>> I went to the settings or options for for both IE8 and WMP and could
>>>>> not
>>>>> find what to change to make it download mp3.
>>>>>
>>>>> How do I return my computer to the previous settings? When I click on
>>>>> a
>>>>> mp3
>>>>> it downloads first, then when I double click on the downloaded mp3
>>>>> file
>>>>> it
>>>>> opens WMP to play it. What about other media files? When I click to
>>>>> download will they download? I prefer to download, then play.
>>>>>
>>>>> Background info: Desktop AMD 4400+ 64X2 4GB memory 320GB HD Acer
>>>>> (AM3100-U3201A) purchased new February 2008 -- 32-bit MS Vista Home
>>>>> Premium
>>>>> SP2 -- MS auto updates on. Comcast ISP 12mbps service W\ Motorola
>>>>> SURFboard
>>>>> SB5101 Cable Modem direct to computer. No other switches or routers
>>>>> or
>>>>> wireless or phone line or any other networking hardware hooked up to
>>>>> this
>>>>> computer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for the help.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob
>