And while we're on software...

I got hit with what I thought at the time was a virus, or exception of some sort - it stopped me accessing any files, apps, even music, email and piccies...but what popped up was an MS product that cleaned it, but not removed it. In short, I had no choice at the time but pay the subscription for removal. Well fuck me if tonight while looking for another video downloader (for music and such for this blog, not porn!) the exact same thing happened again. After three hours of near on screaming, I managed to sneak round the product, MS Removal Tool I got a search via Google (my friend) to find out what I was dealing with, and how to fix it, and here goes, should you come across it;

MS Removal Tool removal instructions using HijackThis or Process Explorer (in Normal mode):
1. Download iexplore.exe (NOTE: iexplore.exe file is renamed HijackThis tool from TrendMicro).
Launch the iexplore.exe and click "Do a system scan only" button.
If you can't open iexplore.exe file then download explorer.scr and run it.

2. Search for such entry in the scan results:

Windows XP/2000:
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [fHrPqDaZcCg02547] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe

Windows Vista/7:
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [fHrPqDaZcCg02547] C:\ProgramData\fHrPqDaZcCg02547\fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe

The process name will be different in your case [SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe, located in:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ in Windows XP and C:\ProgramData\ in Windows Vista/7. Select all similar entries and click once on the "Fix checked" button. Close HijackThis tool.

OR you may download Process Explorer and end MS Removal Tool process:

• [SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe, i.e. fHrPqDaZcCg02547.exe

Now, this appears to have done it for me...stay posted.

This ought to make you feel better about your computer skills!

  =============== 
Customer:   Hi,  this is Celine ... I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing  the Button?
Customer:   Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech  support:   That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer:   No , wait a minute. I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... Sorry... =============== 
Tech  support:  ;   Click  on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer:    Your left or my left? =============== 
Tech  support:   Good  day. How may I help you?
Male  customer:   Hello.. I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on  'start'  for me and....
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates.. 
 =============== 
Customer:   Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find  printer'  I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it. ==============
Customer: I have  problems printing in red..
Tech  support:   Do you have a color printer?
Customer:   Aaaah....................thank you. =============== 
Tech  support:   What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer:   A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11. =============== 
Customer: My keyboard  is not working anymore.
Tech  support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't  get behind the computer.
Tech  support:   Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: !   OK
Tech support: Did the  keyboard come with you?
Customer:  Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard  is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah that one does work.. ============= 
Tech  support:   Your password is the small letter 'a' as in  apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital  letters ? 
=============== 
Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support:   Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure I saw my colleague do it.
Tech  support:   Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five dots. 
 =============== 
Tech  support:   What  anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry... Internet Explorer. =============== 
Customer:    I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears. =============== 
Tech support:   How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first email.
Tech support:   OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the little circle around it? =============== 
A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: 'No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.' =============== 
And last but not least... 
 Tech  support: 'Okay Bob, let's  press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program  Manager.'
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech  support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: 'P'.....on  your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT! Tech  support:   What kind of computer do you have? Customer:   A  white one...