Need Help with Virus effects! - Off-topic

Hey all, I know this is a phone forum, but I have been here long enough to know you guys you know stuff, so I figured if I was going to ask for help, it'd be from people I trust. So anywho, on to the good stuff:
This is what happened. I started getting random errors; explorer.exe crashing, etc... Couple of program freezes, so I went to activate task manager to kill them, via the taskbar (right click > Task Manager) and via Ctrl - Alt - Delete. On the taskbar, it was greyed out, and in the C-A-D screen, it wasn't there at all. Now, I use the task manager almost daily, so I knew something was up. Then I got one of those tell tale "Windows has detected a virus! Please click here to download the latest antivirus software!" message characteristic of the typical spyware trojan... So I tried system restore to backdate the computer to a point where the trojan wasn't installed (although its files would be there, it wouldn't be launched as the registry would be backdated as well.) Well, that didn't work as well as I had hoped; I found out the virus ALSO disable System Restore, via Group Policy. Anywho, I used Trend Micro's HouseCall to kill the virus and Win Defender to mop up what was left. Trouble is, I still can't access Task Manager or System Restore.
Anyone know how to remedy this, or can ya point me in the right direction?
Running Windows Vista Ultimate, build 6.0.6001 (I never update this thing... don't have unlimited internet)
Virus(es) from Win Defender Report:
Win32/Actmon (Monitoring Tool)
Win32/Fakeinit (TrojanDownloader)
HTML/Fakeinit (Trojan)
Win32/Fakeinit (TrojanDownloader)
Win32/Fakeinit (TrojanDownloader)

You might want to try downloading and running Spybot Search & Destroy, as it sounds like more of a spyware/adware problem. Also, in Vista, instead of Ctrl Alt Delete, you and hit Ctrl Shift Esc to bring the task manager right up. After you run Spybot, run another virus scan to make sure. I'll provide you with a link to the software, and I don't think that the software is too big, so you shouldn't have to worry about your bandwidth.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ - Spybot

You really do need to keep Vista and all microsoft products updated. You can google for tips on enabling task manager and solutions to other virus after effects too. I have had to do this to a few friends computers for the same reason.
Here is a link to a thread on a different forum which has helped with removing a few viruses, etc... HERE And this was the first hit off of google... http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2007/06/28/restore-task-manager-regedit-and-folder-options-disabled-by-virus/
Hope this helps...

Related

how to Unload unnecessary tasks

Hello, perhaps anybody can help me.
I just got my XDA Diamond and thanks some genius guys posting here i got the htc rom running now and i am very happy about that.
I tried to find a thread where my folowing question will be answered but i couldn´t find one. If anyone knows about such a thread just send me a link or give me a advice. It´s not my attention to spam around....
I installed the task manager and saw lots of processes running like
operaplel.exe
poutlook.exe
sapsettings.exe
rapicInt
tmail.exe
biotouch.exe
quickgps.exe
SIPGT_app.exe
And I asked myselfe if I can shut down these processes if they arent necessary. Also i don´t know witch are importante and which not, or wich you need for doing what....
f i kill some of them, i´ll get more free ram, and perhaps better speed-performance with longer sandby-battery-time , would that be right????!!!!
I also read about the biotouch.exe that is total unnecessary on the diamond and is just necessary with the cube that the diamond doesn´t have.
Don´t know of that is right or not.
I also tried to find out how to prevent thes processes to autostart.
But there are thousands of entries in the reg. so i could find out anything...
Many Greeting to all
Markus
Ok, I tried to search for example for operaprel.exe in the registry, but i couldn´t find any key in the whole reg.
So there must be a other way to stop the autostart loading of this exe.
The i read about the autostart folder in windows but there istn´t the operaprel.exe...
So could anybody just give me a short advice or a link where this is explained...
I couldn´t find anything that helps me going on...sorry
I also found out that poutlook should better keep on running because its the mail client and tmail is the account manager.
And SAPSettings stands for SIM ACCESS PROFILE and is a Bluetooth Data transfer Protokol, so i´ll better keep it running...
1. Look into \Windows\StartUp folder. Sounds like it is the Autostart directory for WM. There is an item named HTCStartup. It could be the thing which launches opera loader and other things. I haven't tried removing it though. You can kill off opera loader using some process manager and everything will work fine.
2. tmail can be closed by launching Messagages via Start then closing it. Atleast for me it does close.
Hi i tried that, but i didn´t write down all the files that are loaded when i keep this files in the "windows/autostart/" folder.
But it seems that it is more free memory avriable.
I´m gonna test it today again and i hope it worked good.
But the operaprel.exe and some other files starts also...
But tanks alot for your advise!

Rosetta stone windows service??

What windows service does rosetta stone 3 install? Ive looked for the one it installs but i cant identify it.
Mac OX
And Windows Xp and Vista
is this it?
http://www.windowslive.com/Connect/Post/gregsedwards.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!19760888BE8FCA70!2046.entry
if not the name implies that ita tranlation service of some means as thats what the rosetta stone is
j
I think by "service", zeezee means the Native Windows Services, that you'd find in Windows Vista or later on a tab in the Task Manager, and all versions after and including Windows 2000 by typing "services.msc" into the Run dialog. Try this site to see if they're any tools you can use. Process explorer, process monitor, or autoruns might help, but I'm not sure as they're very versitile tools, which I've never used 100% of. I don't know what Rosetta Stone's services are, as I do not own it, but this might point you in the right direction. Good luck,
Dave
DaveTheTytnIIGuy said:
I think by "service", zeezee means the Native Windows Services, that you'd find in Windows Vista or later on a tab in the Task Manager, and all versions after and including Windows 2000 by typing "services.msc" into the Run dialog. Try this site to see if they're any tools you can use. Process explorer, process monitor, or autoruns might help, but I'm not sure as they're very versitile tools, which I've never used 100% of. I don't know what Rosetta Stone's services are, as I do not own it, but this might point you in the right direction. Good luck,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is what i meant, i have discovered it to be the Lisencing Service.
Thanks
-zz
well i tried

kdbicon.exe - possible xperia x2 virus.

i noticed there was a strange exe always running in background called kdbicon.exe everytime my phone is running.
so, i googled it and it came up as a virus. anyone have further information?
The virus warning you're seeing is for a desktop computer virus, not a windows mobile virus. I don't wish to delve into the depths of why this is different, but suffice to say a windows program (virii included) does not run on windows mobile.
kbdicon.exe is likely to be management software for tracking whether or not the keyboard has been slid out on your X2, perhaps for displaying some form of notification, perhaps just to notify apps to rotate the screen etc.
You probably know this, but if you google almost any system file, some website will say it's a virus because they want you to download their sketchy virus scanning software.
i had it on my phone right from the beginning. before i even put in a working simcard or connected to the internet. i believe its the keyboard icon that appears at the bottom of the screen... normally that type of thing would be hidden from task manager.

= What is PKG.EXE? =

Hello,
I have a HTC Touch Pro, and reviewing the device boot process I have called for "PKG.EXE" What it is for this executable, and what is its function within the Windows Mobile?. Thank you.
I also wanted to ask, for the experience you have with this model of HTC, and without touching the original ROM that takes (I have it under warranty still), as can optimize the use of battery power in an effective manner. I have the screen always the minimum possible, I avoid programs running in the background without the need (except for those at home), very few scheduled alarms, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth disconnected when not in use. ActiveSync also disconnected when not in use. The phone in 2G (3G off). I note that for some time takes me barely a day battery. I just replaced the battery with a new original, and even if I'm watching longer than the load. The control program of the battery is the partner who has designed BattClock, adjusted query interval to 120 seconds.
Sincerely,
Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is open up a dll or exe with a text editor. Here's what's in pkg.exe (other than all the binary crap):
c:\Documents and Settings\Jocelyn_Yang.HTCTAIPEI\Desktop\Autorun_package_splash_2577\PKG\Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC SDK (ARMV4I)\Release\PKG.pdb
P K G . l n k % s \ % s i n s t a l l P k g A u t o r u n . e x e \ % s \ 2 5 7 7 \
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I'd guess that Jocelyn Yang wrote it, lol. Maybe you should email her. The other thing I'd guess is that it's part of the autorun process that carries out customization.
Farmer Ted said:
Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is open up a dll or exe with a text editor. Here's what's in pkg.exe (other than all the binary crap):
So, I'd guess that Jocelyn Yang wrote it, lol. Maybe you should email her. The other thing I'd guess is that it's part of the autorun process that carries out customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Farmer Ted,
Thank you very much for answering.
Open the "exe" with a text editor binary, and saw nothing to give me a clue, actually left peri "Jocelyn Yang's" name in the file.
Do you think that might Elimite this call in the Windows Start Mobile (PKG.LNK) and remove this file "PKG.EXE" folder "Windows" without affecting the operation me right out of my HTC Touch Pro?. Please let me might help in this matter, not having unnecessary files on my mobile device. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
It's in rom, so you can't delete it (no matter how hard you try). I don't have it running at startup personally, so if there's a link in your startup folder, you can probably remove it. I really doubt there will be an issue, but you should always do a backup before messing with your startup queue, in case it freezes the device and forces a hard reset.
Farmer Ted said:
It's in rom, so you can't delete it (no matter how hard you try). I don't have it running at startup personally, so if there's a link in your startup folder, you can probably remove it. I really doubt there will be an issue, but you should always do a backup before messing with your startup queue, in case it freezes the device and forces a hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Farmer Ted,
Thanks for answering. What if I would be interested to know is that this file is, you know what your purpose in the operating system. Google is that I have not found an explanation of this file.
Sincerely,
All I can tell you is that it's in the OEM Drivers section of the rom. I doubt it does much. There is some garbage left over in your startup folder sometimes after bootup. If you see an autoshortcut.lnk file and and HTCstartup.lnk file, you can delete both of those. They're used during customization. I'm guessing that pkg.exe runs during 1st boot, then isn't necessary, but I really don't know.
Farmer Ted said:
All I can tell you is that it's in the OEM Drivers section of the rom. I doubt it does much. There is some garbage left over in your startup folder sometimes after bootup. If you see an autoshortcut.lnk file and and HTCstartup.lnk file, you can delete both of those. They're used during customization. I'm guessing that pkg.exe runs during 1st boot, then isn't necessary, but I really don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Farmer Ted,
Thank you very much for answering. Well there is something more about this file. I ventured to remove it (copied to another folder before it), and I got a little scare, as before restarting the device after a soft-reset, did it again another soft-reset automatically... I thought it would go into a loop, but no... after the second soft-reset my device it definitely started. I have always taken a backup with SPB Backup, in case I completely reset the device.
I did not want to take more risks, and I left the file in your site... I think it really annoys. But thanks to you and is something more about it, but not quite... continues the mystery about it...
Sincerely,
If you have sk tools, it's got a good startup manager. It will allow you to disable/re-enable items in the startup folder, and will save the shortcuts for you. You definitely need to be careful with startup, though, as you can get into reset loops and boot-ups to frozen devices. You're probably good to go. I don't have a link to pkg.exe in my startup, so it's not something vital. The crucial stuff is all launched in HKLM\init, anyway, I believe.
Once, I just wanted a particular task manager to run at startup, so I put a link in the folder, thinking nothing of it. It caused hell. The device would boot to the today screen, then freeze as the plugins loaded, but not always at the exact same place. After about 10 resets, it got far enough along that I was able to open total commander and delete the startup link before the device froze, then re-start it.
Hello,
I have a HTC HD2 and I make a ROM upgrade from T-Mobile-Rom 1.48 up to T-Mobile-Rom 1.72 - after the update the device was very slow, so I look in the autostart-folder and find two new links there I never see by my old Rom - I read our post and delete it (pkg.lnk and HTCstartup.lnk) - after this I make a softreset. The device startup without any problem and was very fast... so it work's now very fast and good but I can't say what the two link's do...
Sorry for my bad english...
Bye Mommel
Farmer Ted said:
If you have sk tools, it's got a good startup manager. It will allow you to disable/re-enable items in the startup folder, and will save the shortcuts for you. You definitely need to be careful with startup, though, as you can get into reset loops and boot-ups to frozen devices. You're probably good to go. I don't have a link to pkg.exe in my startup, so it's not something vital. The crucial stuff is all launched in HKLM\init, anyway, I believe.
Once, I just wanted a particular task manager to run at startup, so I put a link in the folder, thinking nothing of it. It caused hell. The device would boot to the today screen, then freeze as the plugins loaded, but not always at the exact same place. After about 10 resets, it got far enough along that I was able to open total commander and delete the startup link before the device froze, then re-start it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I followed your advice of using SK Tools (an indispensable tool for me with Windows Mobile, together with MemMaid), and I started off on the Windows Mobile the two processes that says: "PKG.lnk" and "HTCstartUP.lnk".
As indicated by "mommel" also in this forum thread, which also had these two processes and eliminated, now the device will boot much faster, and no one notices that nothing goes wrong ... for now. As I have simply disabled, not totally eliminated, thus I will continue trying to run my device.
Thank you for your valuable information. I believe this forum thread is very instructive and I'm glad I initiated if more partners relevant to the forum.
Sincerely,
mommel said:
Hello,
I have a HTC HD2 and I make a ROM upgrade from T-Mobile-Rom 1.48 up to T-Mobile-Rom 1.72 - after the update the device was very slow, so I look in the autostart-folder and find two new links there I never see by my old Rom - I read our post and delete it (pkg.lnk and HTCstartup.lnk) - after this I make a softreset. The device startup without any problem and was very fast... so it work's now very fast and good but I can't say what the two link's do...
Sorry for my bad english...
Bye Mommel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I followed what you indicate in your message, and using SK Tools (an indispensable tool for me with Windows Mobile, together with MemMaid), I turned off the Windows Mobile Start you indicate the two processes (com also says "Farmer Ted": "PKG.lnk" and "HTCstartUP.lnk".
This amendment also boots faster my HTC Touch Pro (HTC original ROM with WM6.1 Pro), and also seems to go faster running after starting.
The pity is not actually know these two processes that serve simply to increase our knowledge of the Windows Mobile.
Thank you for your information.
Sincerely,
Basically, it's HTC's fault. They're sloppy with the initial boot-up of the device, those links should be deleted after first boot. There's also some stuff you can disable in the HKLM\init queue and in the HKCU\Software\HTC\bootlauncher queue. In the init keys, there's one for autotimeupdate. It doesn't appear to do anything, so you can just delete the key (I think it's 120). I delete the tmail key in bootlauncher (I've never missed having tmail running in the background). If you use a custom sip (other than ezinput), you can delete the 'startkey' reg key, as this just initiates ezinput. I've never missed sipgt_app.exe, so you can delete that piece of crap, too. My boot times are 60-65 seconds (I don't run manila; I use 6.5, but boot-times are faster with 6.1). If you trim the fat, you can speed up re-boots a ton. Just don't delete the keys for core processes-that could end in a hard reset. I recommend doing a full backup before really messing with the registry keys.
Code:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HTC\BootLauncher\Apps\TMail]
"Module"="\\Windows\\tmail.exe"
"CmdLine"="-RunInBKG"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HTC\BootLauncher\Apps\SIP_menu]
"Sleep"=dword:0000012c
"Module"="\\Windows\\SIPGT_app.exe"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HTC\BootLauncher\Apps\Startkey]
"Sleep"=dword:0000012c
"Module"="\\Windows\\startkey.exe"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4450516&postcount=11

Windows XP vs windows 7

Im really thinking I should finally upgrade.
But due to lazy, I've been holding back on my own PC.
I like windows XP with the zune theme, its pretty.
Do you guys think I should go for windows 7 now?
Windows 7 > XP to be honest. I have no issues with it what so ever and have converted my pc's and laptops to it.
Its a decent OS, by Microsofts standards. Its prettier then xp, too
It's been a while since I've had a PC to call my own, but I loved Windows 7 more than XP. I used the Ultimate RC for a while and anything that didn't work well natively worked fine in the VirtualPC XP image.
Win 7: The best OS MS has ever made
7 it is then
7 ftw
way better than xp
lonelykatana said:
Im really thinking I should finally upgrade.
But due to lazy, I've been holding back on my own PC.
I like windows XP with the zune theme, its pretty.
Do you guys think I should go for windows 7 now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switch to linux!
Deodexed said:
Switch to linux!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already dual booting ubuntu
To be honest, unless you need to upgrade you might as well stick with XP.
It's got the better classic menu system, and the quicklaunch toolbar doesn't need a hack to work.
You can get aero snap and peek for XP now too.
It depends how you use it though. If you're more of a power user then XP is a hell of a lot easier, where as if you're just a home user then W7 is numptified for that target audience.
I use XP, Vista and W7, and to be honest I prefer XP and I hate to say it, Vista.
W7 has some nice features such as aero snap/peek but as I've mentioned they are now available on XP/Vista.
I hate the numpty menu system where it's quicker to type the name of the program rather than click on it (it now takes more clicks to start programs with W7 anyway) and you can't arrange things how you like.
Getting to network properties with W7 is a PITA, not much of an issue for home users, but working in support at users' sites we need to be able to easily change our network settings.
Having to "force shutdown" programs when I want to turn the computer off has gotten old very fast!
The removal of "All Users" from the user profiles folder is also frustrating.
Still, it's got less bloat than vista, so chances are it'll run faster, and in many cases faster than XP.
the major improvement on Windows 7 to Xp IMO is the ability to have the start bar what ever color you like
Max, you could also do that in xp too....
Good old themexp...
lonelykatana said:
Already dual booting ubuntu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Linux is a dead end on the Desktop.
For gaming it's out, and if you rely on interoperability with Windows users in an office setting it's pretty much out. Use Exchange? It's out. Do Audio or Video editing? It's pretty much out due to the bad/fragmented sound architecture and poor performance of the Open Source graphics drivers (some people may be able to use proprietary drivers).
KDE is still trying to look like Windows Vista. Apparently Unaware that Windows 7 released a year ago. GNOME still looks like a depressed, yet less snazzy, version of OS/2 Workplace Shell.
There are so many issues with Linux on the desktop. If you want a UNIX desktop, get a Mac. Those actually work quite well
xaccers said:
To be honest, unless you need to upgrade you might as well stick with XP.
It's got the better classic menu system, and the quicklaunch toolbar doesn't need a hack to work.
You can get aero snap and peek for XP now too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only an [actually, I don't know a good word to put here. I shall consult a thesaurus one of these days] would say the Windows XP Start Menu is better than Vista, much less Windows 7 Start Menu. Aero Peek and Snap are only small Usability Enhancements when it comes to Windows 7. It's much more than that.
Both Vista and 7 can use a Classic Menu, but the Classic Menu has always been kinda terrible becase it doesn't automatically sort itself and can either run off the screen or take up 1/3rd of you screen. It's a colossal waste of screen real-estate navigate it, and finding applications is cumbersom compared to latter Windows Versions, where you can press the Windows Key and just start typing. In Windows XP you have to install Windows Search and use the Taskbar Toolbar.
Also, XP and Vista's Taskbar is pretty much a waste of screen real estate when you compare the functionality to that in Windows 7. Pinned Websites on the Windows 7 Taskbar are a bit of a revelation (an IE9 feature). Jump Lists? The way Jump Lists are integrated into the Start Menu allowing you to get at recently opened documents/internet history without loading the application and looking through a menu/dialog first?
I use XP, Vista and W7, and to be honest I prefer XP and I hate to say it, Vista.
W7 has some nice features such as aero snap/peek but as I've mentioned they are now available on XP/Vista.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Aero Peek/Snap are the types of "nice features" that come to mind when you think of Windows 7, then I don't know what to say...
I hate the numpty menu system where it's quicker to type the name of the program rather than click on it (it now takes more clicks to start programs with W7 anyway) and you can't arrange things how you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because typing the name is supposed to be faster than clicking on it unless you type 2 characters per minute.
You don't need to type the whole application (or file) name. You type part of it and it searches the index as you enter characters. That's a huge improvement in usability in Vista/7 and Microsoft Backported Windows Search to Windows XP for that very reason. The only difference is that it's in a Taskbar Toolbar instead of the Start Menu, which makes it less productive than Vista/7's Integrated Windows search.
KDE on Linux took a similar Approach to Vista (as they always do for good Windows features, Lol) and integrated Search into the K menu. On OpenSUSE Novell integrated Desktop Search into the GNOME Slab menu.
There are always some people who like to work like they did a decade ago, but usability has gone forward in Windows, not backwards. Navigating a Classic Start Menu for applications is an unacceptable use case these days. That's why so many Linux users complained about KDE/GNOME's cluttered menus, prompting them to clean them up and integrate Desktop Search...
I don't want to have to arrange applications in a menu. The OS should put applications over folders and arrange them alphabetically. The Classic Menu Structure never did this. That is why it was a PITA. Users should not have to manage their Application Menu. That's not acceptable, these days.
Getting to network properties with W7 is a PITA, not much of an issue for home users, but working in support at users' sites we need to be able to easily change our network settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh?
Right Click on your network icon in the System tray -> "Open Network and Sharing Center" -> Click "Local Area Connection" -> Click "Properties"
That takes 5 seconds or less to do, depending on where the mouse is on the screen.
The problem obviously isn't Windows, here.
Having to "force shutdown" programs when I want to turn the computer off has gotten old very fast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has to be done because if you press shutdown and an application has dirty data that you don't want to lose, you have a chance to cancel the shutdown and save that data to disk. This happens in Windows XP as well, the .NET broadcaster (or whatever it's called) always hangs on a Shutdown. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that sees it cause I just reinstalled XP on my Dell and it happens in a completely fresh install.
The issue isn't Windows 7. It's the application. This is like complaining that Microsoft Outlook stopped to ask you if you REALLY want to empty you Deleted Items folder when you Exit it. It's a failsafe just in case you forgot about something, or want to double check yourself.
In any case, bad apps are bad. If the App is doing it, then report to the developer so they can see why and hopefully issue a patch.
The removal of "All Users" from the user profiles folder is also frustrating.
Still, it's got less bloat than vista, so chances are it'll run faster, and in many cases faster than XP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All users was renamed in Windows Vista. Where have you been the past 4-5 years. Instead of All Users, it's Public. That more accurately gives the purpose of that folder. All Users is the Public folder on Windows XP. Do you want to complain that they Documents and Settings to Users, as well? My Documents to Documents? My Music to Music? See where I'm going here?
MacaronyMax said:
the major improvement on Windows 7 to Xp IMO is the ability to have the start bar what ever color you like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows Vista didn't have any bloat. It had redundant Applications.
Things like Windows Mail, Photo Gallery, Calendar, Contacts, Movie Maker, etc. simply weren't needed and it got too bad when you had applications like Outlook and Live Essentials installed. You couldn't uninstall them.
Windows XP has similar redundant applications. Outlook Express, Windows Messenger, MSN Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, etc.
It's not that the applications add bloat. If you look at Internet Explorer it's very small. They don't actually take up all that much space because they use System Libraries/Components and wrap them in many cases (Outlook Express is like < 10 MB on Windows XP, for example). It's that they were unneeded redundancies and made the OS harder to harden. Security Exploits can be found in those applications. Decoupling as much of them from the Windows OS actually makes the OS more secure, and yes, it does decrease it's percieved weight.
Windows 7 outperforms Windows Vista simply because the OS is better. The performance difference isn't really all that dramatic compared to Vista with the latest Service Packs, but the usability enhancements augment it. You can get a lot of things done much quicker on Windows 7 than on Vista or XP.
On top of that, I'm sure Microsoft's developer tools matured and produce somewhat better code.
If you are running a 64-Bit machine, it's almost not even worth it to run XP over Vista or 7, IMHO.
If you are a gamer, XP is practically dead due to it not having DX10.x/11.
XP is a magnitude less secure than Vista or 7. It doesn't even have Mandatory Integrity Control, which is IMO a showstopper to consider it considering the amount of malware writters and hackers that target Windows (due to it's marketshare) and attack it through [for example] the browser.
The Taskbar in Windows 7 is a big deal, when you actually start to use it, pin Web Site, and Pin Applications that support it's features (or just run those applications, to be honest). Jump lists save tons of screen real estate when running Applications like Windows Live Messenger, and if you Pin Winows Live to the Task Bar (again, via IE9) you can Create a Mail, go to Calendar or Contacts, etc. without first opening a browser and going to the page through the Jump List. If you pin the Windows Team Blog it has every section in the Jump List and you can go to, e.g. the Windows Live Blog without having to go through the website (of course, you can also just use an RSS reader for something like that, but that's just an example). Media player controls are in the Jump List (as well as Zune Player). etc. etc.
captainstu72 said:
Max, you could also do that in xp too....
Good old themexp...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with the Windows Task Bar isn't the color. It's the fact that it's borderline useless. You could change the taskbar color in Vista too. That didn't make it anything but "as useful as the XP task bar."
N8ter said:
...
The problem with the Windows Task Bar isn't the color. It's the fact that it's borderline useless. You could change the taskbar color in Vista too. That didn't make it anything but "as useful as the XP task bar."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you missed that I was all for windows 7 and not XP, and that if Max only wanted to colour the taskbar, it could be done in XP.
xaccers said:
To be honest, unless you need to upgrade you might as well stick with XP.
It's got the better classic menu system, and the quicklaunch toolbar doesn't need a hack to work.
You can get aero snap and peek for XP now too.
It depends how you use it though. If you're more of a power user then XP is a hell of a lot easier, where as if you're just a home user then W7 is numptified for that target audience.
I use XP, Vista and W7, and to be honest I prefer XP and I hate to say it, Vista.
W7 has some nice features such as aero snap/peek but as I've mentioned they are now available on XP/Vista.
I hate the numpty menu system where it's quicker to type the name of the program rather than click on it (it now takes more clicks to start programs with W7 anyway) and you can't arrange things how you like.
Getting to network properties with W7 is a PITA, not much of an issue for home users, but working in support at users' sites we need to be able to easily change our network settings.
Having to "force shutdown" programs when I want to turn the computer off has gotten old very fast!
The removal of "All Users" from the user profiles folder is also frustrating.
Still, it's got less bloat than vista, so chances are it'll run faster, and in many cases faster than XP.
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how to you get the aero snap and peak on xp???
N8er summed it up pretty well.
XP is an old redundant operating system. For one thing, XP is FAR less secure than 7.
7 is functionally superior...it's more productive and user friendly, while at the same time being much more powerful for "power users".
Those saying it's been "numptified" obviously dont use any of the "non-numpty" features
Only my opinion, the opinion of an IT Sys Admin (plus a member of the Microsoft technical beta test team for Windows 7).
My advice to the OP...going to 7 is the only way to go...just make sure your hardware is capable.
N8ter said:
Only an [actually, I don't know a good word to put here. I shall consult a thesaurus one of these days] would say the Windows XP Start Menu is better than Vista, much less Windows 7 Start Menu. Aero Peek and Snap are only small Usability Enhancements when it comes to Windows 7. It's much more than that.
Both Vista and 7 can use a Classic Menu, but the Classic Menu has always been kinda terrible becase it doesn't automatically sort itself and can either run off the screen or take up 1/3rd of you screen. It's a colossal waste of screen real-estate navigate it, and finding applications is cumbersom compared to latter Windows Versions, where you can press the Windows Key and just start typing. In Windows XP you have to install Windows Search and use the Taskbar Toolbar.
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The classic menu was removed form W7. It enabled users to work more efficiently (especially for the physically impaired where keyboards aren't practical or quick). Quick launch for most commonly used programs, nice and neat without taking up too much space. First menu for regularly used apps (ie just click on the start button), and so on depending on frequency of use.
Instead now we have to hack the quick launch toolbar back into existance, clicking on the IE icon pinned to the task ribbon doesn't bring up a new instance of IE it just opens or minimises once instance (you now have to right click it to then be able to open a second instance), applications are grouped so you can't use your own work process, and woe betide you click on a well populated group in the start menu by mistake! Having to use the search function exposes the failings of the menu system.
N8ter said:
Also, XP and Vista's Taskbar is pretty much a waste of screen real estate when you compare the functionality to that in Windows 7. Pinned Websites on the Windows 7 Taskbar are a bit of a revelation (an IE9 feature). Jump Lists? The way Jump Lists are integrated into the Start Menu allowing you to get at recently opened documents/internet history without loading the application and looking through a menu/dialog first?
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The great thing about XP/Vista taskbar is that you can see, without having to put the mouse over each app, what they are. Grouping of apps is a feature which only becomes bearable in W7 because of the popup preview (an improvement on the Vista preview I have to say).
Jump lists to to recent docs is a great feature.
N8ter said:
That's because typing the name is supposed to be faster than clicking on it unless you type 2 characters per minute.
You don't need to type the whole application (or file) name. You type part of it and it searches the index as you enter characters. That's a huge improvement in usability in Vista/7 and Microsoft Backported Windows Search to Windows XP for that very reason. The only difference is that it's in a Taskbar Toolbar instead of the Start Menu, which makes it less productive than Vista/7's Integrated Windows search.
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It shows the shortcomings of the menu system in W7. It's also, as I've mentioned before, not very user friendly to those who find typing difficult.
It's also not helpful to those users (oh there are hundreds of them unfortunately) that don't know the name of the app they use, the sort that say they aren't running XP but 2007 (what they mean is office), that navigate to the apps by the icons, that think their monitor is the computer and the thing under the desk is a "hard drive"
N8ter said:
I don't want to have to arrange applications in a menu. The OS should put applications over folders and arrange them alphabetically. The Classic Menu Structure never did this. That is why it was a PITA. Users should not have to manage their Application Menu. That's not acceptable, these days.
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So users shouldn't be able to customise their computers? You're not an iPhone user are you?
N8ter said:
Huh?
Right Click on your network icon in the System tray -> "Open Network and Sharing Center" -> Click "Local Area Connection" -> Click "Properties"
That takes 5 seconds or less to do, depending on where the mouse is on the screen.
The problem obviously isn't Windows, here.
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Except in W7; right click network icon in system tray > Open network and sharing center > move up and click on Manage network connections > right click network connection
Classic menu; Click start then flow through settings (no 2 second wait unlike W7's menu) > network connections > right click the network connection
Heck you can even do that just as easily using only the keyboard.
N8ter said:
This has to be done because if you press shutdown and an application has dirty data that you don't want to lose, you have a chance to cancel the shutdown and save that data to disk. This happens in Windows XP as well, the .NET broadcaster (or whatever it's called) always hangs on a Shutdown. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that sees it cause I just reinstalled XP on my Dell and it happens in a completely fresh install.
The issue isn't Windows 7. It's the application. This is like complaining that Microsoft Outlook stopped to ask you if you REALLY want to empty you Deleted Items folder when you Exit it. It's a failsafe just in case you forgot about something, or want to double check yourself.
In any case, bad apps are bad. If the App is doing it, then report to the developer so they can see why and hopefully issue a patch.
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It's not because office has a doc open. I'd love to be able to tell you which app is causing it, but W7 doesn't tell me. System tray is empty of all but W7 icons. I've seen it on several W7 machines, some just after W7 has been installed from scratch.
N8ter said:
All users was renamed in Windows Vista. Where have you been the past 4-5 years. Instead of All Users, it's Public. That more accurately gives the purpose of that folder. All Users is the Public folder on Windows XP. Do you want to complain that they Documents and Settings to Users, as well? My Documents to Documents? My Music to Music? See where I'm going here?
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You what? I think you'll find there's a difference between Public and All Users.
The all users profile is used to apply settings etc to, I'm sure you can guess; all users.
In Vista/W7 it was moved to C:\ProgramData. The all users desktop etc was moved over the the Public profile.
So now if you install an app and it adds shortcuts to the All Users start menu, but you want to move it to the desktop, it's no longer in the same tree, which when you're using scripts to do things becomes a PITA.
I'll give you an example, from a cmd prompt, do a dir in the following directories:
C:\users\all users\desktop
C:\users\public\desktop
Now they're the same location, you can test this by making a directory in all users\desktop and it will appear in public\desktop, but do a dir again and nothing.
xaccers said:
The classic menu was removed form W7. It enabled users to work more efficiently (especially for the physically impaired where keyboards aren't practical or quick). Quick launch for most commonly used programs, nice and neat without taking up too much space. First menu for regularly used apps (ie just click on the start button), and so on depending on frequency of use.
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You're starting to sound REALLY bad. Seriously, you are.
Quick Laugh has been superceded by the Window 7 Taskbar. You can pin appliations to it, and there are jump lists. Quick Launch is useless compared to that taskbar.
For the physically impaired the Windows 7 Start Menu is better. Windows 7 also has better Accessibility tools than both Vista and XP. You're not going to win any wars on that front. Windows 7 is better than both.
For the physically impaired the "Disorganized by default" Windows Classic Menu has proven to be worse than the new Windows Vista/7 Menu type. Windows Vista/7 also has monumentally better built-in speech recognition than Windows XP.
Instead now we have to hack the quick launch toolbar back into existance, clicking on the IE icon pinned to the task ribbon doesn't bring up a new instance of IE it just opens or minimises once instance (you now have to right click it to then be able to open a second instance), applications are grouped so you can't use your own work process, and woe betide you click on a well populated group in the start menu by mistake! Having to use the search function exposes the failings of the menu system.
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Hack it into existence?
In an IE instance you press the new tab button behind the last tab, or you right click it on the task bar adn select "Open New Tab." Are you actually trying to convince us you're retarded?
Also, yes the menu system is full of fail. That's why Windows Vista did away with the classic programs menu structure of Windows XP. Thanks for agreeing with me that the Classic Meny was utter ***. I appreciate it.
The great thing about XP/Vista taskbar is that you can see, without having to put the mouse over each app, what they are. Grouping of apps is a feature which only becomes bearable in W7 because of the popup preview (an improvement on the Vista preview I have to say).
Jump lists to to recent docs is a great feature.
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You can easily tell what they are in Windows 7. Windows 7's Icon-Based Task Bar also allows you to have more applicatiosn open before the task bar become unusably cluttered. You can tell if you have multiple instances/tabs open in an application because there is a visible indicator. Unless you're computer is utter crap, it does not take any amount of time to get tot he tab you want.
It shows the shortcomings of the menu system in W7. It's also, as I've mentioned before, not very user friendly to those who find typing difficult.
It's also not helpful to those users (oh there are hundreds of them unfortunately) that don't know the name of the app they use, the sort that say they aren't running XP but 2007 (what they mean is office), that navigate to the apps by the icons, that think their monitor is the computer and the thing under the desk is a "hard drive"
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What?
Like I said, better accessibility tools, better speech recognition, and it's actually easier to find stuff in Windows 7 because Windows search is so good, jump lists, and the menu organizes itself - unline earlier versions of Windows.
What are you talking about...
If they don't know the name of the app they use, then they will likely find it faster in Windows 7 (or even Vista) than XP.
Windows 7 also defaults to medium sized desktop icons, which makes it easier on the eyes for people with Visual impairments.
So users shouldn't be able to customise their computers? You're not an iPhone user are you?
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What does butchering up a menu to make it as disorganized as possible have to do with customizing you computer? People want their apps to be organized. Hardly anyone cares about mixing things up this way. If they ared, they would all be running Linux + KDE, which is the epitome of customization.
Linux's 1% marketshare and the fact that apple has 10x more with an OS that is less customizable than Windows speaks for itself.
I use an Android phone. No, I don't hack of my phone or rom jump. I like to get work done, not play around and cry on a forum about how I soft bricked it or corrupted a system file.
Except in W7; right click network icon in system tray > Open network and sharing center > move up and click on Manage network connections > right click network connection
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Incorrect. Your network connection is on the page in the Network and Sharing Center. You can simply Click on it and click Properties on that page to get to it.
Classic menu; Click start then flow through settings (no 2 second wait unlike W7's menu) > network connections > right click the network connection
Heck you can even do that just as easily using only the keyboard.
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You don't need to go through the Start Menu on Windows XP. You can right Click Network/My Network Places on the desktop and get to all that.
Obviously you're a complete and utter rookie when it comes to using computers.
BTW, you can also Right Click Network on Windows 7 and Properties will take you to Network and Sharing Center. Then you just Click your Connection and click Properties. You only need to go to Manage Network if you have multiple network cards plugged into a network (i.e. a Wired Network plugged it a Router, in addition to a Wireless Network). Typically Windows will use Wired when available, and fall back to Wireless automatically so you should almost never have to click on the Manage link.
It's not because office has a doc open. I'd love to be able to tell you which app is causing it, but W7 doesn't tell me. System tray is empty of all but W7 icons. I've seen it on several W7 machines, some just after W7 has been installed from scratch.
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Apps and Services run in the background. Not all of them have a System Tray Icon. That is all I will say on that.
You what? I think you'll find there's a difference between Public and All Users.
The all users profile is used to apply settings etc to, I'm sure you can guess; all users.
In Vista/W7 it was moved to C:\ProgramData. The all users desktop etc was moved over the the Public profile.
So now if you install an app and it adds shortcuts to the All Users start menu, but you want to move it to the desktop, it's no longer in the same tree, which when you're using scripts to do things becomes a PITA.
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Incorrect. There were some fundamental Changes in Vista/7, but you will find that C:\Users\<Name>\AppData still exists. That's the Application Data folder (previously under C:\Documents and Settings\<User>).
I'd also like to remind you that very long path names can cause issues with older applications and can lead to environment conflicts. Folder names like Documents and Settings and Application Data are just terrible. They had to get rid of that crap. It also makes navigating via Explorer (cause some folders are hidden by default) and the command line cludgy as hell. Windows XP sometimes wants the path in quotes, sometimes not. It just depends on where you type it in.
I'll give you an example, from a cmd prompt, do a dir in the following directories:
C:\users\all users\desktop
C:\users\public\desktop
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The way it should be. There should be no Desktop Folder in the Public folder. It's for sharing files, not profiles. Bad things happen when a profile gets infected/corrupted and new users use it. Security is utmost.
Now they're the same location, you can test this by making a directory in all users\desktop and it will appear in public\desktop, but do a dir again and nothing.
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Oh, you found out NTFS supports links now (well... on a consumer level and not just hidden functionality). Great. Yes, there is a link for that folder because older applications written for XP still have paths hard coded in them. That needed to be done for compatibility reasons.
You should spend more time actually using the OS. You don't actually know much at all...
MOD EDIT: Foul Language removed
Another thing.
Even Microsoft is dropping support for XP in it's client applications.
Windows Live Essentials 2011 doesn't support Windows XP. Windows Live Movie Maker never supported XP (it's different/better than Windows Movie Maker in XP/Vista). Don't expect the next version of Office to support XP. IE9 is not being released on Windows XP, and if you're used the beta, you'd know that once it's released there will be no reason to install a third-party browser on Windows unless you're an add-on'aholic.
Lots of Graphics/Audio/Video Applications will began to drop XP due to the lack of APIs from Windows 7/Vista that were backported. Lots of hardware will start to drop support for XP once its extended support runs out.
On top of that, Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate has Windows XP Mode which allows you to run XP/XP Apps seamlessly on top of Windows 7 for compatibility reasons.
Windows XP is a dead end. It's time to move on. Better than Linux. Worse than Vista/7 by a long shot.
EDIT: Also, if you're a developer you're not doing yourself any favors by running XP as your main OS, instead of just in a VM or on an older machine for testing.
WPF applications get no hardware accelleration on Windows XP, so they run like crap as well. That includes quite a few newer applications that use it in some form or another in the UI layer.
Deodexed said:
Switch to linux!
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+1 ... Linux has them both beat.
@ all - Please don't make this thread a flame war, if I see this coming I´ll close this and start sending offenders on vacations from xda.
@ N8ter: I removed your foul language and I will kindly ask you to respect other members, since this thread should be a mature exchanging of opinions (eventhough it's on off-topic) consider this as a friendly first and final warning.

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