A Possible Warning For Older OS's w/Spybot

I just did all my assorted updates 1 after the other w/ Spybot last.
I then logged off that user desktop and switched to my own desktop
WHICH WASN'T THERE! Got XP pop-up saying profile corrupted: Cannot Load.
It then loaded default new user desktop (hillside w/ a few icons & no files in folders). I was able to sys restore from that desktop at least.

I don't understand ..."but not the Tea Timer update as I don't have that on my computer". It is included in Spybot. You mean you don't have Tea Timer activated?? Some prefer not to use it due to pop-ups asking if XXX registry change is OK or not.

I do use it as, on numerous occasions, it has really messed around with malware's attempted entry, causing the attack to either fail completely or to prevent so many parts of the attack to be aborted/blocked that it's easy to remove what did get through. Example: a simple System Restore rather than a full blown removal process was all needed.

I started w/ XPPro SP1 and did many & various hand picked patches but declined to upgrade to SP2 ('tho I could have) because I simply refused to accept some of the terms & conditions in the EULA which I considered offensive & excessive. This machine does not belong to MS!
As long as I'm responsible for what's on this machine, I control what gets put in it & won't allow that to be over-ridden by MS or others whether by stealth or patches or service packs etc. Example from a Media Player Update EULA:

""You agree that in order to protect the integrity of content and software protected by digital rights management ('Secure Content'), Microsoft may provide security related updates to the OS Components that will be automatically downloaded onto your computer. These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use other software on your computer"..........

" Microsoft has just assumed the right to attack your computer and surreptitiously install code of its choosing. You will not be warned; you will not be offered an opportunity examine the download or refuse it. MS will simply connect remotely and install what it will, or install it secretly when you contact them".
By Thomas C Greene in Washington
Published Sunday 30th June 2002 05:56 GMT
Sorry if this post is excessively long (or paranoid).

When it gets to the point that my old trustworthy can't function on the net etc.,I just may turn Troglodyte & go back to newspapers etc.
Assuming these old peepers can still read.LOL! Sandy

Thank you for replying.......appreciate your posts, as always.

Re Tea Timer: Sorry I confused you by saying I do not have Tea Timer on my computer. I seem to remember not choosing Tea Timer option when I installed Spybot 1.6.0. However,Tea Timer is in Resident but is not checked off. I have been surprised that when the detection update downloads come up Tea Timer is checked along with detection updates. Listed and not checked are English descriptions, English Language, and F/P fixes. Before I download the update, I remove the check beside Tea Timer, omit those not checked, and download only the detection updates.

Because of your OP, I have held off doing my Spybot scan. Now I understand you were referring to XP computers that never upgraded to SP2 from SP1. Yes?

I am glad you were able to restore your system without damage.

Miki

will NOT be using TT, I suppose no harm in not taking it's updates.
The others you probably should check mark to include in the download.
The F/P corrects for any possible False Positives users might see that have been reported & English descriptions are so when a newer detection is found, you'll be able to read the description of what it is. Otherwise, it'd be found but no info on it would be displayed to you.

Yes, I was describing result on SP1 machine never updated. Thanks for posting back!

I did a successful Spybot scan on my XP SP2 system using 10/01 updates with no problem. I think it was kind of you to issue a warning to SP1 users as losing desktop when unexpected has gotta be a shock.

I am prepared to upgrade to SP3, but I need to take a vacation from recent hardware problems (now solved) before so doing.

Miki

Warning" for older OS's.

I did post this at Spybot Info Forums and their only advice was (paraphrased) Everything on your system is either in end of life cycle (Java 1.4.2_1 or beyond support (SP1) or about to expire
(AVG's). Wipe it all out & go SP3 & new others. Duh!!

I also noticed that they're soon going to give up any backward compatibility to S&D 1.4 due to newer complexities. When 1.5's were SUCH a disaster, I reverted to 1.4 (which worked fine) until improved 1.6 came out. After initial problem I worked around, has worked fine except for when I install latest changes for these add-ons (probably designed for at least SP2/3 & Vista). Expect SP2ers w/ be hit soon.

I suspect it really has to do with the minefield of Vista changes v/s backward compatibility & expectation of huge newer systems that can easily handle larger programs. Example would be the "Immunize" feature that has gone from 10-15,000 items to over 140,000 now. Basically a good thing & not a big problem for 2Gigs of RAM but bit much for 512Mb. Sadly, Spybot was my most trusted app & the ONE I had hoped to keep from my old favorites. Very saddening for me. Of course, I also have SAS & MAM for newer ones. Time marches forward even if I don't!

Thanks for posting question & perhaps we'll see IF other older OS's encounter similar problems. Just knowing HOW scary suddenly finding
no desktop or only new empty one can be (shudder), I hoped to ease any panic reactions by other users. Sandy