Windows Error Message

[Mel66]

Hi y'All,

This morning,when I started work on my PC,which runs Windows "Home" edition, I found a little message saying that Windows had detected files that were not genuine Windows files, or words to that effect, adding that because of this Windows may become unstable and asking me to insert the Windows XP Home CD and press 'Proceed'. There was also a box for 'Cancel' and 'Further Information'.
I pressed the 'Further Information' box and this really just repeated the warning about possible future instability.
Anyway, as I had never had this message before and Windows is running just fine I suspected spyware and pressed 'Cancel'.
There followed a further severe warning saying that 'The wrath of the Gods' would now descend upon my PC, or words to that effect!
(I have yet to run my spyware detection program-"Ad-Aware) I am wondering if anyone has had experience of this warning appearing out of the blue when their PC was running just fine?
I keep my PC and system in tip-top condition and regularly run scans and defrags, and, so far, have had no problems at all.
So is my PC about to disappear in a blinding flash? Any ideas guys and gals.
I will also visit Microsofts site to see what I can find out about this.
Thanks. Stay cool!!

 

[SimonDavies]

Have you installed any new software recently? it sounds like the SFC checker kicking in, basically it has a checksum on system files and it runs that against files on the system, if it finds something unusual it will prompt to over write the 'corrupted' files.

If you haven't installed anything new recently then it could be something has done something naughty.. but if the system is running ok, AV and Spyware detection is ok and you have done a recent windowsupdate I would hazard a guess and say you will be fine.

 

[BadBigBen]

Download MS own AntiSpyware aswell, Ewido, and SpyBot S&D, do not rely on AdAware alone to take care of your PC or OS for that matter...

Update your AntiVirus Programm aswell, update your Firewall if it is installed, and install a Firewall if not...

you mostlikely got hit by a Virus, or some Hacker which replaced some of the System files...

You also can type under START/RUN, SFC /Scannow and hit return, have the XP CD ready, it will then check the Systemfiles for corruption...

good luck...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Mel66]

Hi Guys,
Bill's site wasn't much use and so I researched the possibility.
During browsing the net I discovered a program called "Ewido Security Suite", it's available as a free download at

http://www.ewido.net/en

and discoverd several illicit monitoring programs in the registry. These included 'Alset' and 'Atomica'.
I've left 'Alset' for the time being, but it neatly dealt with 'Atomica', which is a spyware program.
Anyway, thought you might like to have a look at this site and download the program. All the facilities are avialable for 14 days, but then it reverts to a cut-down version unless you buy it, and it's easy to use, although a bit heavy on the memory.
Thanks to all who replied to my thread.
Good hunting! Stay ahead of the game.

 

[linney]

222193 - Description of the Windows File Protection Feature

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH