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July 14th, 2008

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Vista SP1 Volume Activation 2.0 Resources Available for Download

The introduction of Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista marked the evolution of various aspects of the Windows client with some reverberating all the way to Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1. As far as changes to the anti-piracy mitigations set in place are concerned, Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP1 both share not only the absent Reduced Functionality Mode (which has made it into Windows 7 Milestone 1), but also the evolution of Volume Activation 2.0. Microsoft made available the Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance for Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 in the past, but at the end of the past week, the resources were republished to the Download
Center.

Customers will be able to access documentation focused on the deployment, the operations, the resources available along with the technical attributes, but also information about planning, about the Volume Product Key Groups, and overview and a FAQ of Volume Activation 2.0, as it is now with the latest versions of the Windows client and server operating systems. Of course, Microsoft is highlighting the changes delivered to Volume Activation 2.0 in Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 compared with what was available in the RTM edition of Windows Vista.

The process of obtaining volume license product keys for the two platforms is unchanged, but the Redmond company did introduce changes to KMS Activation Threshold and the way in which KMS hosting is performed. However, the most notable modification comes from the synchronization of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 in terms of the Reduced Functionality Mode. The latest Windows client and server operating systems now feature similar behavior to Windows XP.

"Microsoft introduced a new notifications-based experience with Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 to differentiate between a genuine and activated copy of Windows and one that is not, and does so in a way that maintains system functionality such as logon, access to the familiar desktop, etc. Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) has been removed from Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 and replaced with a notifications-based experience. If Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 systems are not activated within the Initial Grace period or an Out of Tolerance Grace period, persistent notifications will alert users of the need to activate," the company revealed.

Source : Softpedia News

Written by ShaDow on July 14th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Vista News and otherSoftware and vista sp1.

StopBadware2008.com Removal Guide

Do you know what StopBadware2008.com is?

DESCRIPTION

StopBadware2008.com is a malicious site that is known to display a generic warning page that has the text “Insecure Internet activity Threat of virus attack”. We find this message to be totally bogus and used as a tactic to get you to download and purchase the rogue anti-spyware program Antivirus 2008.

On the home page of StopBadware2008.com it has two links where one redirects you to a screen that looks like a system scan is being performed on your system by Antivirus 2008. The scan is fake and misleading. Do not fall for this scam or better yet, save yourself the aggravation and avoid visiting StopBadware2008.com altogether.

In non-techie terms: Many times computer users are redirected to malicious websites such as StopBadware2008.com because of a Trojan infection or misleading link. If you yourself on the StopBadware2008.com webpage then you should exit it right away. Do not visit StopBadware2008.com voluntarily under any circumstances.

StopBadware2008.com website image:
stopbadware2008.com

StopBadware2008.com fake scan image:
stopbadware2008.com-antivirus-2008-scan

Did you mistakenly download or install Antivirus 2008 from StopBadware2008.com? If you did then you may want to utilize the Antivirus 2008 Removal Guide.

StopBadware2008.com Automatic Removal Instructions

This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too lazy to learn about spyware removal or how to access sensitive files in your computer, then this is the method for you.
Before you start: Print or bookmark these instructions because you’ll have to reboot into Safe Mode. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake.

  1. Download and save SmitFraudFix to your desktop.
  2. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode). Once the
    desktop appears, double click on the SmitfraudFix.exe on your desktop.
  3. After the credits screen, you’ll see a menu. Select the option number 2, which is ‘Clean (safe mode recommended)’, and then
    press Enter to delete infect files.
  4. SmitFraudFix will begin cleaning your computer and take a series of cleanup processes. When the process is over, it will automatically begin the Disk Cleanup program.
  5. Once the Disk Cleanup program is complete, you will be prompted with the message ‘Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry’. Answer Y (Yes) and hit Enter. Reboot your computer.
  6. SmitFraudFix will now check if wininet.dll is infected. SmitFraudFix will ask you whether to replace the infected file (if there’s any) ‘Replace infected
    file?’
    Answer by typing Y (Yes) and hit Enter.
  7. Reboot your computer to complete the cleaning process.
  8. After reboot, a Notepad screen may appear containing a log of all the files
    removed from your computer. If it doesn’t appear, a file will be created called
    rapport.txt in the root of your drive, (Local Disk C:).
  9. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode).
  10. Go to C:\Windows\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then
    click Yes to confirm that you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
  11. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[LISTED USER]\Local Settings\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm that
    you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
  12. Reboot your computer back to normal mode. Go to Windows Update and download all critical updates.

StopBadware2008.com Manual Removal Instructions

This manual removal method is for techie computer users. StopBadware2008.com manual removal may be difficult and time consuming to remove. There’s no guarantee that StopBadware2008.com will be removed completely. So read the StopBadware2008.com removal steps carefully and good luck.
Before you start: Close all programs and Internet browsers. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake and your computer stops working.

  1. Uninstall StopBadware2008.com Program
    Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Search for and uninstall StopBadware2008.com if found.
  2. If your homepage has been changed, go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > click on the General > click Use Default under Home Page. Add the your desired default homepage, then click Apply > click OK. Open a new web browser to check that you have your desired default homepage.
  3. Remove StopBadware2008.com Directories.
    To find StopBadware2008.com directories, go to Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Show the contents of this folder.
    Search and delete the following StopBadware2008.com directories:
    C:\ProgramFiles\Antivirus 2008

    Right-click on the StopBadware2008.com folder and select Delete.
    A message will appear saying ‘Are you sure you want to remove the folder StopBadware2008.com and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?’, click Yes.
    Another message will appear saying ‘Renaming, moving or deleting StopBadware2008.com could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?’, click Yes.

  4. To remove StopBadware2008.com icons on your Desktop, drag and drop them to the Recycle Bin.

You’ve completed the StopBadware2008.com manual removal instructions!
I hope this article has helped you solve your StopBadware2008.com problems. If you want to contribute to this article, post your comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. By using this information you agree to be bound by the disclaimer. There’s no guarantee that StopBadware2008.com will be completely removed from your computer. Seek professional help if your computer continues to experience problems.

Written by WildStallion on July 14th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Spyware Help and otherSoftware.

IE AntiVirus 3.3 Removal Guide

Do you know what IE AntiVirus 3.3 is?

DESCRIPTION

IE AntiVirus 3.3 is a rogue anti-spyware program that was reported to be installed without a computer users permission in many cases. IE AntiVirus 3.3 usually does this through a Trojan infection such as Zlob or Vundo Trojan. IE AntiVirus 3.3 or IEAntiVirus 3.3 appears to be a newer variant of IE AntiVirus (IE Antivirus 3.2) which is still known to bombard computer users with annoying popups and fake system scans for parasites.

Perhaps you were infected with IE AntiVirus 3.3. Did IE AntiVirus 3.3 slow down the operation of your computer? Did you get several popups or system alert messages? These are a few of the many symptoms of having IE AntiVirus 3.3 installed on your computer.

In non-techie terms: If you have IE AntiVirus 3.3 is a good idea to take immediate actions to remove it before your system is damaged. Because IE AntiVirus 3.3 works just like any other fake anti-spyware program, we suggest that you avoid purchasing the program under any circumstances because it is a waste of money.

IE Antivirus 3.3 screen shot image:
ieantivirus 3.3

Aliases: IE AntiVirus 3.3, IEAntiVirus 3.3, IE AntiVirus, IEAntiVirus.com.

Are you anxious to remove IE AntiVirus 3.3 from your computer or have you made the mistake of purchasing IE AntiVirus 3.3?

IE AntiVirus 3.3 Automatic Removal Instructions

This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too lazy to learn about spyware removal or how to access sensitive files in your computer, then this is the method for you.
Before you start: Print or bookmark these instructions because you’ll have to reboot into Safe Mode. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake.

  1. Download and save SmitFraudFix to your desktop.
  2. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode). Once the
    desktop appears, double click on the SmitfraudFix.exe on your desktop.
  3. After the credits screen, you’ll see a menu. Select the option number 2, which is ‘Clean (safe mode recommended)’, and then
    press Enter to delete infect files.
  4. SmitFraudFix will begin cleaning your computer and take a series of cleanup processes. When the process is over, it will automatically begin the Disk Cleanup program.
  5. Once the Disk Cleanup program is complete, you will be prompted with the message ‘Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry’. Answer Y (Yes) and hit Enter. Reboot your computer.
  6. SmitFraudFix will now check if wininet.dll is infected. SmitFraudFix will ask you whether to replace the infected file (if there’s any) ‘Replace infected
    file?’
    Answer by typing Y (Yes) and hit Enter.
  7. Reboot your computer to complete the cleaning process.
  8. After reboot, a Notepad screen may appear containing a log of all the files
    removed from your computer. If it doesn’t appear, a file will be created called
    rapport.txt in the root of your drive, (Local Disk C:).
  9. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode).
  10. Go to C:\Windows\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then
    click Yes to confirm that you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
  11. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[LISTED USER]\Local Settings\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm that
    you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
  12. Reboot your computer back to normal mode. Go to Windows Update and download all critical updates.

IE AntiVirus 3.3 Manual Removal Instructions

This manual removal method is for techie computer users. IE AntiVirus 3.3 manual removal may be difficult and time consuming to remove. There’s no guarantee that IE AntiVirus 3.3 will be removed completely. So read the IE AntiVirus 3.3 removal steps carefully and good luck.
Before you start: Close all programs and Internet browsers. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake and your computer stops working.

  1. Uninstall IE AntiVirus 3.3 Program
    Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Search for and uninstall IE AntiVirus 3.3 if found.
  2. To stop IE AntiVirus 3.3 processes (view process removal steps)
    Go to Start > Run > type taskmgr. The click the Processes tab and you’ll see a list of running processes.
    Search and stop these IE AntiVirus 3.3 processes:
    antivir.exe
    uninst.exe
    For each unwanted process, right-click on it and then select “End task”.
  3. To Unregister IE AntiVirus 3.3 DLLs (view DLL removal steps)
    Search and unregister these IE AntiVirus 3.3 DLLs:
    antivir.dll

    To locate the IE AntiVirus 3.3 DLL path, go to Start > Search > All Files or Folders. Type IE AntiVirus 3.3 and in the Look in: select either My Computer or Local Hard Drives. Click the Search button.
    Once you have the IE AntiVirus 3.3 DLL path, go to Start and then click on Run. In the Run command box, type cmd, and then click on OK.
    To locate the exact DLL path, type cd in order to change the current directory. To display the contents of the directory, use the dir command. To remove the DLL file type regsvr32 /u FILENAME.dll (FILENAME is the name of the file that you want to unregister).

  4. To unregister IE AntiVirus 3.3 registry keys (view registry keys removal steps)
    Go to Start > Run > type regedit > press OK.
    Edit the value (on the right pane) by right-clicking on it and selecting the Modify option. Select the Delete option.
    Search and delete these IE AntiVirus 3.3 registry keys:

  5. If your homepage has been changed, go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > click on the General > click Use Default under Home Page. Add the your desired default homepage, then click Apply > click OK. Open a new web browser to check that you have your desired default homepage.
  6. Remove IE AntiVirus 3.3 Directories.
    To find IE AntiVirus 3.3 directories, go to Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Show the contents of this folder.
    Search and delete the following IE AntiVirus 3.3 directories:
    C:\ProgramFiles\IE Antivirus 3.3
    C:\ProgramFiles\IE Antivirus
    C:\ProgramFiles\IEAntivirus 3.3

    Right-click on the IE AntiVirus 3.3 folder and select Delete.
    A message will appear saying ‘Are you sure you want to remove the folder IE AntiVirus 3.3 and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?’, click Yes.
    Another message will appear saying ‘Renaming, moving or deleting IE AntiVirus 3.3 could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?’, click Yes.

  7. To remove IE AntiVirus 3.3 icons on your Desktop, drag and drop them to the Recycle Bin.

You’ve completed the IE AntiVirus 3.3 manual removal instructions!
I hope this article has helped you solve your IE AntiVirus 3.3 problems. If you want to contribute to this article, post your comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. By using this information you agree to be bound by the disclaimer. There’s no guarantee that IE AntiVirus 3.3 will be completely removed from your computer. Seek professional help if your computer continues to experience problems.

Written by Mya on July 14th, 2008 with 1 comment.
Read more articles on Spyware Help and otherSoftware.

Avoid PC Crashes from Memory Module Inconsistency

If people had their way, as long as a memory module would fit onto the motherboard slot, they would install them. But wait. Memory modules also have their proper classifications as well. This dates back to the type of memory modules that are acceptable.

We look back at the Pentium III or IV. If you will recall, they had these tags of either a PC 100 or PC 133. To this day we see them still and one thing you will note, memory modules of a different kind do not work well together. You will notice this if you dare try. Other than seeing your operating system not loading properly, you will get tons of blue screens which will point to numbers which you may try to figure out.

While you are busy trying to determine which hardware component this may be, take out one of the memory modules and see if the blue screen will go away. If it does, then you are trying to do something that will be constantly giving you headaches.

At times when you may not even know which is the proper ram module to use, it would be best to try them one at a time. Module compatibility also depends on how the motherboard will accommodate them. After you have determined which specific module type is acceptable, then that is perhaps the best way to stick to the brand that suits your PC.

Testing memory modules will not really hurt your PC immediately. But if you are wise and cautious, it would be best to stick to the actual PC specs given and avoid experimenting for the proper well-being of your PC.

Written by PC Freak on July 14th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on modules and PC 100 and PC 133 and pentium III and blue screen and Chips and computers and memory and Motherboards and otherSoftware and RAM.