When I minimize a program it doesn't appear on the taskbar (Win 98) 7

[LuckyPenny]

When I minimize a program it doesn't appear on the taskbar for Windows 98. When I do a CTRL+ALT+DEL it shows the program is running but there is no way of bringing up the program because it is not on the taskbar. Rebooting does not solve the problem. I have even reinstalled windows 98 but it still does not resolve this issue. HELP!!

 

[Win98User]

Hopefully the following thread will help you.

thread615-56631

Regards.

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

LuckyPenny

Not so lucky this time because it sounds as though you are the recipient of a WIN32.FRIENDGREET.WORM i.e. a virus, but not in the common sense of the word.

You can get some info on how to remove it at

http://www.symantec.com.

Search for WinSrv Reg


Regards
Phil

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the answers we give are helpful to you. Without your feedback we don't know if the answer was correct.

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Sorry about the incomplete message above, somethings going on here with either Tek-Tips, my ISP or my PC. Anyway here is the rest of it (hopefully).

The following is taken from the CA Virus Information Centre.

The company that produces this mass-mailing application have increased the number of sites that they use for distribution. The following sites have been reported to carry the friendgreetings application:

http://www.friend-cards.net

http://www.friend-cards.com

http://www.cool-downloads.com

http://www.cooldownloads.net

http://www.friendgreetings.net

http://www.friendgreetings.com

http://www.friend-greeting.net

http://www.friend-greeting.com

http://www.friend-greetings.net

http://www.friend-greetings.com

http://www.friend-card.net

http://www.friend-card.com

Users should note that the best way to protect yourself from this kind of aggressive marketing technique is to always read the licence agreement before downloading and running any new software.

To remove this programme from your computer, follow these instructions:
1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Choose 'Add/Remove Programs'
3. Highlight 'Friend Greetings' and click 'remove'
4. Follow any additional instructions as displayed by the uninstall wizard.
5. Highlight 'WinSrv Reg' and click 'remove'
6. Follow any additional instructions as displayed by the uninstall wizard

This is a questionable mass-mailing marketing application that masquerades as an online greeting card. It is not actually a virus, although we have published this description due to public concern and interest.

The application spreads by sending out e-mail which contain a link to a site where the mass-mailing application can be downloaded. The e-mail appears to be directing the user to an online greeting card.
Regards
Phil

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the answers we give are helpful to you. Without your feedback we don't know if the answer was correct.

 

[amarnani]

just a note of thanks...

I had a similar problem... scratched my head a lot (& lost some hair in the process) but I never thought for a moment that it was some sort of a virus! why would I? I had complete faith in my anti-virys protection(grisoft - AVG), so much so that I even interupted my scheduled scans, b/c I was always doing some stuff at the same time...

I didnt know about tek-tips, hoever I did know of techtv.com (thanks to my astro) and highlighted this... reader 'JettnFreek' responded and mentioned having seen articles here and also about symantec.com.

To cut long story short, I updated my AVG (I was only couple of weeks behind) made a full scan of my both h/drives, found the 'culprit' infected file, cleaned it and also as per recomendation removed the program WinSrvReg! Presto! Everything back to normal... Funny, how we get used to things - like seeing all open windows on the taskbar!

I am writing this to appreciate people who wander around these message boards, reading and remembering and then guiding lost souls like myself...

My thnaks to readers 'JettnFreek' & 'englewood' who also told me where articles on this 'problem' were available...

 

[LuckyPenny]

Dear CrustyOldBroke,

My computer does not have a virus. I still have lots of problems with it. I think I'll have to start from scratch and re-format the whole c drive.
Thanks for trying.

 

[Accessdabbler]

Look for the WinSrv Reg program in your Add/Remove Programs utility. If it is there, remove it.

Can you open your programs if you do ALT + TAB?

 

[CZAstro]

Finally, solved on one of our computers here. Been after solution for ages.

Thanks

 

[LuckyPenny]

I went ahead and took Accessdabbler's advice. I removed the WinSrv Reg program and I have no trouble minimizing programs.
Thanks a million!!

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Cough cough!

What's this??? Took Accessdabler's ......... I removed the WinSrv Reg program ????

November 14, instruction:

5. Highlight 'WinSrv Reg' and click 'remove'

I told you to do exactly that 18 days earlier!!!!!

I give up!
SENILE.COM found... Out Of Memory...
Phil
Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a mere bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.

 

[Accessdabbler]

Boy, you really ARE crusty!

 

[Win98User]

Ahem,
The link I posted, 2 minutes before Crustyldbloke, mentioned deleting that - and I didn't even get a look-in, let alone a star!

Life is so unfair, but life goes on...

;-)

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

When I posted, there wasn't a reply. But after submitting my longish response, Win98User's reply was there, so we must have crossed in the ether. Anyway, have a star 'cos you're a good bloke.

Did you read the title she gave me???????
SENILE.COM found... Out Of Memory...
Phil
Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a mere bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.

 

[Win98User]

No, I hadn't noticed it before - it must surely have been a typo!

But having said that, you get to "reading" things and you make assumptions about what you're reading. It's only this week that I started reading Accessdabbler's name correctly. For weeks I have been reading it as Accessbladder.

Sometimes, what's right in front of you is the hardest thing to see.

(-:

Tee hee.

 

[Accessdabbler]

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Accessbladder

You look happy!

I really must take retirement. I can't do this for much longer. The writers are all so flakey!

I have no idea if I give out good advice or exceptionally bad advice, and all because the thread starter does not respond.

Already, I've not answered a lot of questions posed because I've looked at the past history of the questionner and thought "Why the hell should I?, He/She never responds!"

If someone says "Hello" to me, I respond by sayoing "Hello" to them. Whey are the people that use this site so rude, ungrateful and so close to being non-human?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Let 'em phone the £1.50 per minute help lines and get nothing other than a long wait.

In my next bulletin, I will elucidate on this problem of good or bad manners, dependent upon your viewpoint, by publishing the handles of all the individuals who take the advice and never say thanks.

Vented anger is good for you! (Homer Simpson- 1998) Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue...
Phil
Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a mere bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.

 

[Marcs41]

Couldn't agree more with you Crusty !

I noticed the same behaviour here, and at work, where I run and handle a Ticketing system for our customers. Some real ungrateful people out there !

Hang on, stay with us, you're doing great work here. The solution is out there.

 

[Win98User]

Crustyoldbloke,
I agree with everything you say in the previous post and look forward to your naming and shaming missive.

What I would add is, "the helpers" help make things as bad as they are. If a question is responded to with a question - lets wait until it is answered before jumping-in with our own thoughts.

I have been guilty of that, I know. I have seen some of your questions go unanswered and still proffered my own advice. Only to see more offerings ultimately ending in no response whatsoever from the original poster - Well I say "never again".

"Children take for granted that which they are given freely".

"Manners never hurt nobody". (It's a saying don't criticise its construction - you know what it means).

Still, I look forward to further banter with you Phil, whilst we do our best to impart knowledge (what little we have) and encourage good manners.

All the best,

John.

 

[Win98User]

Oh, by the way.

To everyone out there who thinks "moaning minnies".

Remember, it's better to complain and encourage change than to keep quiet and let things deteriorate.

Or am I wrong. Answers on a postcard please, to Blue Peter, P.O. Box 7, London W12 8QT.

)

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Thanks for your support John(Bedford area?) & Marcs41(in Belgium?)

I've had a look at today's postings and decided against answering any.

I'm going to do an "about turn" on publishing the handles simply becasue it is too subjective and there might be good reason. I'm sure that if I did, I'd get kicked off the site, ....again!
Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue...
Phil
Please tell me if the answer I gave was helpful or a mere bus ride out. Without your feedback I won't know.