While attempting to remove a virus from my in-laws Windows XP Home machine, I have now made it so that it boots to the login screen, and when you click on a username, it logs in and immediately logs my back out, leaving me at the login screen. Oh noes. [more inside]
posted by 4ster on Sep 6, 2009 - 19 answers

ParentTechSupportFilter: My father has a virus. *sigh* before I send him to Geek Squad, what else should I tell him to do that he hasn't done already? [more inside]
posted by micawber on Aug 15, 2008 - 15 answers

I've read so much here lately 1 2 3 about not browsing as an admin, decided to check it out and yepper, I surely was using an admin account. I've set up a non admin account, made a few other changes (described inside), hoping to find out from The Hive Mind if I am now safe enough to breathe easy(er). [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue on Jul 21, 2008 - 14 answers

I seem to have corrupted files, but don't know how to replace them. [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer on Jun 12, 2008 - 7 answers

What is this mysterious process that hijacked my shortcut? I was using Photoshop CS2 and entered the shortcut key for "Save for Web" (Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S) and instead of getting the Save for Web dialog, a very minimalist login box appeared. Intrigued, I brought up the Task manager, right-clicked on the "Login" entry in the list, and selected "Go To Process." The process turned out to be C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\vidifker.exe. [more inside]
posted by Optimus Chyme on Jun 4, 2008 - 9 answers

Why is my computer sending and receiving so many bytes of information in such a short amount of time? [more inside]
posted by Maishe on Jul 28, 2006 - 13 answers

I found a strange new process, winfire.exe on my system. HELP!? [more inside]
posted by mordecai on Jun 9, 2006 - 7 answers

Please help a Mac Guy diagnose and correct a problem with a Windows XP machine! [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu on Nov 25, 2005 - 22 answers

An extremely malicious malware/adware program has rendered my C: drive inoperable. I have a second hard drive in the closet, which I can connect as the C: drive, install XP onto, and then connect the old C drive as the D drive and copy some vital files over. Can I get most of my data safely this way? [more inside]
posted by XQUZYPHYR on May 2, 2005 - 12 answers

Since installing XP professional in November, I have experienced a spontaneous shutdown and restart of my desktop. When it returns, it tells me the system has recovered from a fatal error that is caused by an unspecified device driver. I have uninstalled both software and hardware one by one over the last several weeks in hopes of identifying the problem. Nothing. Even system restore does not solve it. Is is time to reinstall XP, even with the risk that it will likely happen again?
posted by terrier319 on Feb 11, 2005 - 13 answers

On WinXP, every minute, I get a new file in my temp directory, and it appears to be a downloaded webpage. I'm sure I have a virus or summat, but I can't see where. MI. [more inside]
posted by ajbattrick on Jan 4, 2005 - 8 answers