OKAY, WHAT FOLLOWS IS WHAT I WROTE TO THE FOLKS AT EMSISOFT AFTER USING THEIR a2 (a-squared) PRODUCT:
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A few weeks ago, I did a complete system reinstall of Windows XP Professional. Since my CDs were of a relatively original release of XP, after the reinstall, I went to the Microsoft website to update everything, including the download of SP2.
I reinstalled the programs I use, including MS Office, and various other software applications. Via the Internet, I also updated all of these, accordingly.
Finally, I downloaded AVG and a-squared...
Then, two days ago (Friday, 16 September), I decided to run a-squared. It found, if memory serves, about 42 spyware programs. Of course, a list containing the names and locations of each was returned at the end of the scan. Your software checked all of the boxes next to these programs and asked if I would like a-sqaured to get rid of them. I said yes and they were gone.
From that point forward, the computer started to slow down when I tried to access certain webpages, some pages would only return partial data. Worse, several sites that I have never had a problem loading simply returned the IE message that "The page requested cannot be displayed."
While poking around Google for a bit to see if there was a reason why this was happening, I came across the following website:
www.tech-recipes.com/windows_spyware_tips765.html
That page seems to strongly suggest a correlation between a-squared's removal of certain spyware and my current problems.
I should also say that I DID try some of the recommended solutions on that site and they have not helped.
I also tried to restore the system to a point in time before I ran a-squared. Still no help.
So, I am writing to you in the hope that you can help.
It's actually a little desperate at this point as it is really interfering with my wife's and my ability to get our work done.
Your time and assistance are most appreciated.
Sincerely,
sspencer9@yahoo.com
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HERE'S WHAT EMSISOFT HAD TO SAY:
From: Christian Peters
Created: 9/19/2005 8:47:16 AM
Try following, put in your windows-xp-cd.
Go to "start" -> "command" enter in "sfc /scannow" and wait some time. Reboot computer. Hope that helps.
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BEFORE I ATTEMPTED THAT, I WROTE BACK TO SAY:
Created: 9/19/2005 3:01:43 PM
I will try that, but before I do, there seems to be a follow-on problem (perhaps related to my already having tried a couple of the steps listed on www.tech-recipes.com/windows_spyware_tips765.html
What I did MAY have resolved some of my problems, although partial resolution may also have come from my later using system restore.
The new problem is, upon rebott, receiving an error message that says: Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close.
The curious thing is that this message does not appear after each and every reboot (MAYBE every 3rd reboot?).
A little more poking around the Net evidenced that several others experiencing this Generic Host Process... problem also claim it to be intermitent (though not necessarily related to any of the thing that led me to this point).
I must now admit to exhaustion, having tried to solve this mess for most of the weekend.
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THE REPLY:
From: Christian Peters
Created: 9/19/2005 3:46:45 PM
No idea, sorry. Try the steps with command "sfc /scannow"
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I DID TRY THEIR RECOMMENDED FIX. STILL NOTHING.
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ANY IDEAS? SUGGESTIONS? RECOMMENDATIONS OF GOOD DIVORCE LAWYERS? 
YOUR ADVICE AND (BETTER) A WAY OUTTA THIS MESS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
sspencer9@yahoo.com