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General discussion

Security Center won't stay enabled

Aug 8, 2007 7:01AM PDT

We're on xp sp2. When I check Windows Security Center, it is often disabled. I've enabled it more than once via the procedure listed at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919291/en-us but eventually (like after logoff/logon or reboot) it's disabled again. I even set Recovery to Restart on Failure and Logon as local system account. Virus is unlikely with Spyware Blaster, SpyBot, NAV 2007, and Ad-Aware SE protecting it. Any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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Virus unlikely?
Aug 8, 2007 7:54AM PDT

Disabling the Security Center is one of the favorite things viruses and spyware like to do, and it can be a sure sign of virus infection.

You say virus is unlikely with the utilities you have protecting it, but protecting it in the background isn't always enough. Have you updated the virus/spyware definitions for these applications and run full scans with them?

What I would do;

1] Disable System Restore. Viruses and other malware can hide in the backup files produced by System Restore points and anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities cannot remove malware from these protected files. Disabling System Restore deletes all the backup files. Be sure to re-enable it and create a new System Restore point once you are done.

2] Make sure all your anti-malware apps are up to date.

3] Reboot into Safe Mode and scan with each anti-malware utility, one at a time. In Safe Mode most malware cannot get started.

4] When you are done, boot back up into Normal Windows mode and visit the following for online scans;
a) Housecall at http://housecall.trendmicro.com and
b) Ewido at http://www.ewido.net/en/

Let them remove everything they find.

5] Re-enable System Restore and test the Security Center settings.

I hope that helps

Mark

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In addition
Aug 8, 2007 10:08AM PDT

Since you have spybot check this LINK

Tom

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security center
Aug 8, 2007 11:12PM PDT

Mark, Tom- thanks. Will review your comments (we keep all the anti-malware updated) and report back. Your help is much appreciated.

Len

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Problem solved!
Sep 4, 2007 2:07AM PDT

Spybot was preventing Windows Update from executing properly. When I cancelled the Teatimer.exe module, a component of Spybot, I could reenable Security Center and go to Microsoft's Windows Update page where it could then properly download the history checker. I then uninstalled SpyBot, rebooted from power on, and my system has been perfect ever since. My Windows Update history file is now being recreated (had to purge it before) as new updates are installed each evening. Sometimes too many safeguards can cause unknown problems by interfering with system functions.

Thanks to all (including Microsoft's online support people) who helped fix this problem.

Len

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Glad you got it sorted.
Sep 4, 2007 2:28AM PDT

And that's interesting about Spybot's Teatimer preventing Windows Update from working properly.

Well done.

Mark