TonyKlein

You're very welcome. From the BOClean online support page: In any case, it is recommended to use a Hosts file manager like Hostsman to maintain your Hosts file. It also allows you to simply back it up: http://hostsman.abelhadigital.com/

Ah, sorry - my bad...

Your computer will run just fine without a Hosts file. It's just that you won't enjoy the protection a good Hosts file can provide.... Although there's plenty of malware that modifies the Hosts file, I don't recall any offhand that actually delete it, although some may actually do that... Also, there's some security software (I recall BOClean is one) that do delete the Hosts file whenever removing malware that's known to modify it...

Try this: Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Programs tab and turn on the check box for IE to check if it is the default browser. Shut down and restart IE. When it prompts to be set as default browser, say yes. If still no joy, have a look here: You cannot open a new Internet Explorer window or nothing occurs after you click a link Good luck!

Hard to say what could have removed your hosts file, but it is very easy to create a new one, if necessary. Create a blank text file, and save it in the appropriate location as "Hosts", WITHOUT extention! (make sure you save it as type 'all files'. And you can of course download and install a ready made Hosts file as opposed to building your own. This is a good one: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

CastleCops' (formerly Computer Cops) reputation is beyond reproach. Paul and Robin Laudanski, the webmaster and mistress, both Microsoft MVPs, are well known and respected in seurity circles, and I can assure you this information has been amply researched as well. I actually know this because CC is in fact also my 'home' board, plus I created and maintain the CLSID database containing the BHO listing in question... For sure, it is to everyone's benefit that AOL is making such excellent AV software available for free, and it is only with the (optional) toolbar that there are these potential privacy issues.

This is normal. What you need to do is log out, then log in as Administrator (just having administrative priviledges is not enough!), and then you'll be able to delete the entire Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files folder in your user profile. Windows will automatically create new one.

It has been suggested before, and I'm not completely against it. However, the general concensus is that that option should be turned OFF by default as SR can obviously be a lifesaver.

np - my pleasure.

It's a well known issue. You can run this script: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_folder_open.htm It's specifically designed to fix it

Here's a database of Uninstall entries. It may be of help: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/uninstall/ Also, Google for anything unknown; that might provide you with additional pointers.

Now, now, Eldmannen, I believe we've been through this before... As far as I know, SpyBot coexists fine with Norton, although I'm not familiar with NIS 2006 - but, as Andavari already said, by all means do take it up with both parties. In the case of SpyBot S&D the best way to go about that would be to post at the SB forum and see what they'll come up with: http://forums.spybot.info/index.php

There IS a tutorial in pdf form: http://www.macecraft.com/html/jv16pt2006_d...dbook.pdf The registry cleaner hasn't given me any grief at all. Just like CCleaner it presents you with a list of what it finds. Then, again exactly like with CCleaner, you get a choice: Do you want to deal with every single registry entry manually, or do you want JV PowerTools (or CCleaner) to "fix" them for you (you can choose 'select all' with PT as well) If you want PT (or CC) to do the work for you, both will do that as best they can, and both export what they remove to a regfile, so that you can always revert to the state you started out with. Anyway, just my cts. By all means do choose the registry cleaner you're most comfortable with; I'm not on a mission... Should you still be interested in a second (or third) opinion, have a look at the comparative test I linked to previously; here it is again: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showA...cleID=171203805

That's good to hear - happy surfing!

Hmm, that's not good... Can't help you there, I'm afraid; It's been some time since I last gave any version of KAV a whirl. I mainly heard good things about it though...

Well, as I already implied, with this kind of application there's always that balance to strike between being close to ineffectual on one hand and overly agressive on the other... I'm obviously a huge CCleaner fan, and the Issues option is certainly a nice and useful addition, but it's true forte is obviously cleaning those pesky MRUs...

Absolutely, although NTregopt 'only' compacts the registry, which incidentally is certainly to be recommended. However, it does not actually remove redundant/orphaned registry keys and values, and thus cannot be considered a registry cleaner

Still, the question remains what real benefits any registry cleaner will bring. Many of the 'invalid' entrries found will get recreated as you continue using your computer, not many issues you may have will truly get 'healed' or 'repaired', and, unlike for example is the case with Windows 98 where a bloated system.dat could really be a problem, registry bloat isn't really a huge issue in NT based systems. Still, if you want my 2 cts, I'm kind of partial to anything by Jouni Vuorio. I used to run his RegCleaner from the very start, and I found it to be one of the more useful and well designed ones. Nowadays his software is to be found here: http://www.jv16.org/ RegSupreme Pro is excellent for what it does, JV16 Power Tools has a load of additional useful options. [edit] I just found you a test of 10 competing products by the renowned Fred Langa. That should hopefully help you make up your mind. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showA...cleID=171203805[/edit]

LOL

I also like the disclaimers... LOL!

You're very welcome, and sorry we subsequently forgot ALL about your original question... LOL!

I've heard that before about A2... You know, if you're running a good antivirus, there are not many AT's that represent a true boost in your level of protection. I've tried TrojanHunter, had TDS-3 installed for years in tandem with BOClean, and I have to say that BOClean is the one I recommend above all. It has a huge database, updates often, and support is absolutely first rate.

It's why I previously suggested a 'regedit jump' option so that you would actually be taken to the relevant Registry key. The uninstall string there would immediately tell you what application a particular entry was related to... Until such a feature is (hopefully) implemented, as a workaround you can launch Regedit, and drill down to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall subkey in order to examine the contents of the subkeys there.

IE toolbars do often get mixed up due to minor corruption of the related Registry keys. It is not particularly a CCleaner or Yahoo toolbar issue. I suggest you FIRST close all browser windows (important), then uninstall BOTH CCleaner and the Google toolbar Reinstall the Google toolbar, then (assuming you prefer CC without Yahoo!) go here and download and install CC Basic which does NOT contain the toolbar. Tell us how that goes. Whoops, our posts crossed, Andavari...

LOL! Hi there! Good to see you.