MessengerDiscoverer Loader 2

[Katana]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BillP Studios\Detected\ActiveTasks]
"C:\\PROGRAM FILES\\MESSENGERDISCOVERY\\MESSENGERDISCOVERY LIVE.EXE"="08/18/2007 11:36 PM"

Well, that shows us that MESSENGERDISCOVERY LIVE was installed at one point.

However, there doesn't appear to be any other traces left.
How long have you had this error appear ?
Did you install any messenger related programs just prior to this problem ?

PS. What error did you get when you tried to download MalwareBytes ?

[SakiKitty]

How long have you had this error appear ? About 3-4 Weeks now. It happened kind of randomly

Did you install any messenger related programs just prior to this problem ? Not that i know of, the only thing i can think of is Windows Messenger Plus.. but i already uninstalled my MSN and the Plus to see if it would fix the error and it didnt.

What error did you get when you tried to download MalwareBytes ? I cant remember now but it was something about me not having a specific folder or file, and it asked if i wanted to Retry, Abort or Ignore. I pressed Retry but it kept coming up with the same error. I did Ignore and i now have it on my desktop but im not sure if i should use it.

[Katana]

I would try to run MalwareBytes, see what happens.
If you get any errors try to write down what they say.


As for the messenger problem, the only thing I can suggest at the moment is to remove all traces of MSN messenger, Windows live messenger and Messenger plus.
When you use the uninstall function it usually leaves some files/folders behind, it may be that the file that is causing the problem is not being deleted.

If you are happy to do this, please let me know and I will give you instructions as to which folders to delete.

[SakiKitty]

I ran the Malware scanner and all that popped up was some cookies... nothing of any real threat.
And as i said, i already did that. I uninstalled MSN messenger, Plus, ect. I did it all! i figured that would fix it and when i reinstalled MSN messenger (not even Plus) the error popped up again.

[Katana]

When you use the uninstall function it usually leaves some files/folders behind, it may be that the file that is causing the problem is not being deleted.

I will work out some instructions as to what folders to delete and get back to you.

[SakiKitty]

Lol alright thanks =)
This problem has been pissing me off and not only that, but there is a virus connected with MessengerDiscovery. When i realized this was when i uninstalled it... but that was ages ago =/

[Katana]

Hi SakiKitty,

Sorry for the delay, but I've been doing some testing on Messenger Discovery live, and mooching about the net looking for the best way to cure your problem.

I've found a copy of the installer that isn't infected, so I think the easiest option at the moment will be to install the Discovery Live program and then uninstall it, see if that sorts the error out.

Download the installer from HERE
Install the program, reboot, then uninstall it and reboot again.
Now see if you get the error popping up.
Let me know how you get on

[SakiKitty]

Seems to have worked
I already went into my registry and took out the remaining things of MessengerDiscovery, so i dont need to do that.
Seems i have no more errors though. =) Thanks!

One more thing though, aside from getting more RAM, how can i make my computer faster. I see alot of commercials about scan cleaner things that clean up your reg and other stuff... but you always get to scan and once it shows you that you have like 200 things... you need to PAY to clean it up.
Is there any scanner you know of that can scan my computer for bad stuff thats free?
Or is there any other way you know of that can make my computer faster?

[Katana]

Congratulations your logs look clean

Let's see if I can help you keep it that way

First lets tidy up

You can delete any tools we have downloaded, along with any logs produced
Now empty your recycle bin

Set correct settings for files that should be hidden in Windows XP

• Click Start > My Computer > Tools menu (at top of page) > Folder Options > View tab.
• Under "Hidden files and folders" if necessary select Do not show hidden files and folders.
• If unchecked please checkHide protected operating system files (Recommended)
• If necessary check "Display content of system folders"
• If necessary Uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
• Click OK

Reset System Restore.
Now you should disable System restore to purge any infected files and then re-enable it,

On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
Restart your computer

Turn ON System Restore

On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Un-Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.



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One more thing though, aside from getting more RAM, how can i make my computer faster. I see alot of commercials about scan cleaner things that clean up your reg and other stuff... but you always get to scan and once it shows you that you have like 200 things... you need to PAY to clean it up.
Is there any scanner you know of that can scan my computer for bad stuff thats free?
Or is there any other way you know of that can make my computer faster?

Unfortunately ..... No.
Over time your Windows install will become bloated with un-needed files/ folders and registry enteries, the only truly safe way of getting rid of them all is to backup your personal data to an external drive/CD/DVD and then reformat and reinstall.
Every single computer on this planet is different in some way from all the others, there is no cleaner/performance booster/system enhancer that can tell with 100% certainty what is and isn't needed.
It would be impossible to create one.

regarding registry cleaners ....

I don't personally recommend the use of ANY registry cleaners.
Here is an excerpt from a discussion on regcleaners

Most reg cleaners aren't "bad" as such, but they aren't perfect and even the best have been known to cause problems.
The point we are trying to make is that the risk of using one far outweighs any benefit.
If it does work perfectly you will not see any difference
If it doesn't work properly you may end up with an expensive doorstop.

http://forums.whatthetech.com/Regcleaner_t42862.html

Here is some general info on slow computers
http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miek ... puter.html


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The following is some info to help you stay safe and clean.
( Vista users must ensure that any programs are Vista compatible BEFORE installing )

You may already have some of the following programs, but I include the full list for the benefit of all the other people who will be reading this thread in the future.

Online Scanners
I would recommend a scan at one or more of the following sites at least once a month.

http://www.pandasecurity.com/activescan
http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/partne ... bscan.html

!!! Make sure that all your programs are updated !!!
Secunia Software Inspector does all the work for you, .... see HERE for details

AntiSpyware

AntiSpyware is not the same thing as Antivirus.
Different AntiSpyware programs detect different things, so in this case it is recommended that you have more than one.
You should only have one running all the time, the other/s should be used "on demand" on a regular basis.
Most of the programs in this list have a free (for Home Users ) and paid versions,
it is worth paying for one and having "realtime" protection, unless you intend to do a manual scan often.

• Spybot - Search & Destroy <<< A must have program
  • It includes host protection and registry protection
  • A hosts file is a bit like a phone book, it points to the actual numeric address (i.e. the IP address) from the human friendly name of a website. This feature can be used to block malicious websites
• MalwareBytes Anti-malware <<< A New and effective program
• a-squared Free <<< A good "realtime" or "on demand" scanner
• superantispyware <<< A good "realtime" or "on demand" scanner

Prevention

These programs don't detect malware, they help stop it getting on your machine in the first place.
Each does a different job, so you can have more than one

• Winpatrol
  • An excellent startup manager and then some !!
  • Notifies you if programs are added to startup
  • Allows delayed startup
  • A must have addition
• SpywareBlaster 4.0
  • SpywareBlaster sets killbits in the registry to prevent known malicious activex controls from installing themselves on your computer.
• SpywareGuard 2.2
  • SpywareGuard provides real-time protection against spyware.
  • Not required if you have other "realtime" antispyware or Winpatrol
• ZonedOut
  • Formerly known as IE-SPYAD, adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers and marketers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer.
• MVPS HOSTS
  • This little program packs a powerful punch as it blocks ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers.
  • For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002.
  • Not required if you are using other host file protections

Internet Browsers

Microsoft has worked hard to make IE.7 a more secure browser, unfortunately whilst it is still the leading browser of choice it will always be under attack from the bad guys.
Using a different web browser can help stop malware getting on your machine.

• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
     
  2. Click once on the Security tab
  3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
     
     • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
     • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
     • Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
     • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
     • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
     • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
     • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
     • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  5. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
If you are still using IE6 then either update, or get one of the following.
• FireFox
  • With many addons available that make customization easy this is a very popular choice
  • NoScript and AdBlockPlus addons are essential
• Opera
  • Another popular alternative
• Netscape
  • Another popular alternative
  • Also has Addons available

Cleaning Temporary Internet Files and Tracking Cookies

Temporary Internet Files are mainly the files that are downloaded when you open a web page.
Unfortunately, if the site you visit is of a dubious nature or has been hacked, they can also be an entry point for malware.
It is a good idea to empty the Temporary Internet Files folder on a regular basis.

Tracking Cookies are files that websites use to monitor which sites you visit and how often.
A lot of Antispyware scanners pick up these tracking cookies and flag them as unwanted.
CAUTION :- If you delete all your cookies you will lose any autologin information for sites that you visit, and will need your passwords

Both of these can be cleaned manually, but a quicker option is to use a program

• ATF Cleaner
  • Free and very simple to use
• CCleaner
  • Free and very flexible, you can chose which cookies to keep

Also PLEASE read this article.....So How Did I Get Infected In The First Place

The last and most important thing I can tell you is UPDATE.
If you don't update your security programs (Antivirus, Antispyware even Windows) then you are at risk.
Malware changes on a day to day basis. You should update every week at the very least.

If you follow this advice then (with a bit of luck) you will never have to hear from me again


If you could post back one more time to let me know everything is OK, then I can have this thread archived.

Happy surfing K'

[SakiKitty]

Well my computer seems to run good
Im glad you showed me the CCleaner cuz i have been lookin for it! Thanks a bunch!

[NonSuch]

SakiKitty, this topic is now closed.

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