75 per cent of the times I run Spybot my system crashes two thirds or so through the test. On the occasions it does complete, it says "no problems"
Apart from the utter convenience of the crash, should I be worried ?
run it in safe mode
Never had a crash with it here and, providing you keep it up to date, it seems to catch stuff that other (often paid for) software does not.
I agree with Rob.
I agree with both Rob and Tony, never had a crash whilst the updates keep track of threats - the only problem I've ever had were problems with downloading updates, the suggested server sometimes not being available.
Just one thought, wasn't there a 'bombed' pirate version doing the rounds a year or so ago, I hope that isn't the version Jim has... :(
I agree with both Rob and Tony, never had a crash whilst the updates keep track of threats - the only problem I've ever had were problems with downloading updates, the suggested server sometimes not being available.Just one thought, wasn't there a 'bombed' pirate version doing the rounds a year or so ago, I hope that isn't the version Jim has... :(
I've had the update problem too. Now I only use their own servers, "Safer Networking Europe" 1 or 2. Yes, I remember a bombed version around a while back. In fact the last time I looked for it to download on someone else's PC there seemed to be a number of dodgy looking sources at the top of Google's list before I found the "Safer Networking" entry.
I've found that downloading from some of the other servers fails to download, so I always make sure I download from Safer Networking too,
Ran it yesterday using Safe Mode as suggested. Completed with "no immediate threats". Then ran it in normal mode and again completed with "no immediate threats". Ran it this morning and it crashed. I've had this Spybot for some time and it's only in the last few weeks that I've been getting the crash problem. So, unistalled it and re-installed it from the PC World site. Completed on first attempt with "no immediate threats". Will continue testing & see what happens.
The other thing I've noticed is that my mouse occasionally seems to seize up somewhere between dead slow and stop. After 45 seconds or so it's back to normal.
Along with my other problem of my internet freezing and requiring system re-start before being operable (separate thread in this forum), I seem to have a number of simultaneous gremlins. Does anyone see any connection of any kind ?
Still crashing during running of Spybot, whether in Safe Mode or normal mode. De-installed again and downloaded from Spybot home site. No change, still crashes the system when run.
Anybody have any ideas on this problem ?
Do you have anything 'Norton' installed? Are you using any of Windows own security features? Do you get an error code when the machine crashes?
No, no Norton on system. Do have AVG, AdAware SE personal, Zone Alarm, Free Surfer. Have had all these for some time but have upgraded Zone Alarm in the last few months. I don't knowingly use any XP security programs.
Sorry, should have added that I have twice received error messages when running in Safe Mode. Error was "Elitum.EliteBar (65) Access violation at address". Couldn't read any further. The system crashed shortly after the message came up. The second time was exactly the same except that the name was different.
Well that at least eliminates one of the usual suspects. Are you running the latest version of Adaware? I know these have had a few issues when used together. I've given up using Adaware because it never found anything that Spybot didn't. (Whereas Spybot finds things that Adaware didn't)
When it crashes does the machine freeze or give you a BSOD. (Worth mentioning that Spybot does appear to freeze the PC for maybe five minutes or more on my machine when it is checking 'bookmarks' or some such.)
If no error code you might want to run Dr. Watson and have a look at the minidump it produces when a crash occurs. This is getting very close to the edge of my areas of knowledge but I know there are others (Harlequin etc.) whose expertise goes much further.
Jim, our posts crossed. I've just been checking up on Elitebar and you might want to have a look at this:
http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17344
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Elitebar isn't the cause of the problem.
The Hijackthis tool is a bit beyond me but there are folks on thetechguide forum who will lead you through the process.
Please let us know how you get on.
AdAware seems to be incompatible with more than one of the other anti-spyware programs. I believe Windows Defender will not install unless Adaware is removed.
Spyware Doctor 5 does not run properly if AdAware is present on my system.