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General discussion

Windows file finder...Big Prob!.. SFC HELP!!!!

Jun 30, 2004 11:48AM PDT

After I installed a windows update (to protect from
security threats, etc.), my system went haywire!
A homepage hijacker--downloader trojan--infected
my computer. I immediately removed the xp hotfix,
scanned with AVG (The virus is in the virus vault.)
I also took extra precautions and scanned with spybot, spysweeper, Norton, and Adaware!!! I'm a safe kind of person :op Oh, and also Hijack This!!!! There is no trace of that sucker now; however, in the midst of the
confusion, my windows file finder alert popped up
and said certain important files have been replaced.
Here's the problem: How do I use the SFC tool properly? I have gone to cmd.exe, typed in sfc/ scannow, it asks for my xp disk, I put it in, it scans, and after about 10 min. it stops...nothing. Shouldn't it come back up and say everything has been fixed? What now? Thanks in advance. Becca73 (rich'sgirl)

Discussion is locked

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Not really
Jun 30, 2004 7:42PM PDT

SFC will fix things and then just close (as opposed to the plumber who wont leave until you pay him!)
I imaine everytime I hear the CD whirling that SFC has found and is fixing something)

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TYPO imaine is IMAGINE (nt)
Jun 30, 2004 8:43PM PDT

`

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Re: TYPO imaine is IMAGINE (nt)
Jul 1, 2004 1:26AM PDT

I guess it worked; I didn't get
another error message:o)
Thanx, Becca73

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Happens!
Jul 1, 2004 2:24AM PDT
After I installed a windows update (to protect from
security threats, etc.), my system went haywire!
A homepage hijacker--downloader trojan--infected
my computer. I immediately removed the xp hotfix,


Download the patch described in the Microsoft article, "MS03-039: A Buffer Overrun in RPCSS Could Allow an Attacker to Run Malicious Programs (Q824146)" (a 1,508Kb file) for the applicable version of WinXP used and keep it on hand and install before ever accessing the Internet. Should you format and reinstall XP at a later date, then install the patch.
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Re: Thanks.
Jul 1, 2004 8:19AM PDT

Thanks for the info., by the way,even after I removed
the hotfix, I noticed a considerable loss in disk space. Is there a way to reclaim some space?

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''Disk Cleanup''
Jul 1, 2004 9:01AM PDT

1. The Disk Cleanup (Cleanmgr.exe) tool includes one confusing option that can leave an inordinate amount of wasted space on you hard drive. When run, one of the available options offers to delete Temporary files. Unfortunately, this option may display a value of zero even if your Temporary folder contains hundreds of useless files since this value lists only file in that folder with a date more than one week old. Therefore, if files still exists after using the tool, you may at your convenience delete any and all files unnecessary.

2. The article [Q310312] states the Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk by searching your disk for files that you can safely delete. You can choose to delete some or all of the files as follows:

Remove temporary Internet files.

Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.

Empty the Recycle Bin.

Remove Windows temporary files.

Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.

Remove installed programs that you no longer use.


Note: If you start the Disk Cleanup utility and click the Disk Cleanup tab, a System Restore: Obsolete Data Stores entry is available. These are files that were created before reformatting or reinstalling Windows, and are obsolete and can safely be deleted. If you choose to cleanup and delete these files, you will no longer see them or this mentioned option again.

3. The article [Q315246] describes how to use command-line options to configure the Disk Cleanup tool (options) to automatically clean up certain files by using the Scheduled Tasks tool.

4. The articles [Q812248] and [Q812930] state the Disk Cleanup tool may stop responding (hang) and you may receive the following message -- that would require an edit of the system registry to correct.

Disk Cleanup is calculating how much space you will be able to free on (CHappy.
This may take a few minutes to complete.
Scanning: Compress old files


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Compress Old Files

Note: Two important things to know is that the system registry copies changes immediately and there is no Undo command. The editor does not wait for a Save to be issued since it does not have one and therefore makes changes permanent as they happen -- you make a change it's gone forever unless you remember it or have already backed up a copy. Use the editor sparingly and soberly and do not leave it open unnecessarily.

a. Click Start, Run, type regedit, and then press Enter.

Note: Click the "Plus" before each of the words preceded by a back-slash in the above registry address until you reach Compress Old Files, which you will then bold/highlight by clicking.

b. From the Main menu, click Edit, Delete, or after an entry has been bolded simply press the Del key on the keypad and respond with an affirmative.

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Re: ''Disk Cleanup''
Jul 1, 2004 9:19AM PDT

Thanks a lot!