I keep getting a pop up on my computer that says "Critical error message! Registry Damaged and corrupted"
To fix problem go to www.reistrycleanerxp.com
it pops up every 5 minutes or so. There are 3 or 4 diff. messages that pop up. This happens even when I am not on-line. How do I get rid of this??
2007-11-28 10:53:05 · 10 answers · asked by funnyman_46750 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Hi. That is a scam. Try WindowsCare http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html , a free program.
2007-11-28 10:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Do these popups say "Messenger Service" in the title bar?
If so, then you are using an older version or (un-updated) of Windows (pre XP SP2). These type of popups exploit the Messenger Service in your Windows OS, which after XP SP2 is disabled by default.
A popup blocker "thingy" will be of no help in this case.
You have 3 choices to end the problem.
1. You can disable and stop Messenger Service by typing "services msc." (without the ""s) into your Run Box and then disabling and stopping Messenger Service.
OR
2. You can use the free utility called Shoot The Messenger to automatically disable this unnecessary service.
http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm
OR (Best Solution)
3. Update or upgrade your operating system to at least Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).
Please note that Windows Messenger Service is not the same as any Instant Messenger program that you may have on your computer. Disabling it will not cause you to lose any IM functionality that you may have.
Good luck
2007-11-28 12:35:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a virus. I usually take a virus like that quite seriously. That's when I start backing things up off my C drive onto my D drive. If you don't have a D drive then get an external drive if you have alot of files. Otherwise back them up onto a CD using Neroburn data backup. Never keep alot of stuff on your C drive that you're gonna regret losing in the case of a virus. I keep a special directory on my D drive for any applications that I like to be installed in my C drive once I have a clean system. Now after you do all this backing up. Just re-install the operating system (takes 20 mins) and put back in your programs and you're back in business. By the way...Spybot won't fix this virus. If you do a search for this type of virus removal you'll find such an extensive list of files you'll have to delete that won't make it worth you time to remove this virus. Spybot temporarily shuts the virus down, but other files that spybot can't remove causes this one to returns over and over within a day or two. It's super difficult for even an advanced user to kill this virus. Good luck if you try, you'll then see what I mean.
2007-11-28 10:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by Spirit-X 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You have a Trojan:
No antivirus or antispyware protection is perfect but a good mixture of the two will help you clean your system and indeed keep it clean.
SuperAntiSpyware will remove the majority of difficult Trojans not just the easy ones.
http://www.superantispyware.com/
It is recommended that you load the application in normal mode but run it in Safe Mode. Safe Mode can be started by continually pressing F8 during the boot sequence.
If you are badly infected you might need to run SuperAntiSpyware more than once to give you a totally clean system. If the only infections now being shown are in System Restore, once you are completely satisfied that you can boot ok, you can either delete the infected restore points manually, or temporarily turn off System Restore.
In addition I suggest you download & run Avira. Unlike a lot of the free antivirus applications this will give you real time protection and is very quick to load at boot up.
http://www.avira.com
Assuming you have some real awkward infections and the two above failed to totally clean your system I suggest you download a Smitfraud removal program from:
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/desktop_software/desktop_security/smitfraudfix.cfm
Again run in Safe Mode.
Good luck & safe surfing.
wdw
2007-11-28 10:55:44 · answer #4 · answered by Who Dares Wins 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your registry isn't corrupted or damaged. This is spyware and you can get rid of it with a spyware scanner. Try download Spybot:
http://www.filehippo.com/download_spybot_search_destroy/
2007-11-28 10:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by รզlεսռց ☆ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try these. They work and they are free:
Run the tool and then download the free spyware and virus protection programs:
Malicious virus removal tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Ad-Aware Free download:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/...
AVG Download free
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Yahoo Toolbar has good pop-up blocker:
http://toolbar.yahoo.com/
Good Luck
2007-11-28 11:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by phy333 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have spyware. Download and install AdAware and Spybot. Then, boot your computer in Safe Mode and run the scans.
AdAware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
Spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
How to boot in Safe Mode:
https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true
2007-11-28 10:55:15 · answer #7 · answered by superfergalicious 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it has a website like reistrycleanerxp.com its not a real error message so don't worry. Just download spybot search and destroy for free and run a scan and it will delete any problems and fix this one.
2007-11-28 10:57:26 · answer #8 · answered by Beached W 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is spyware.. your registry is not really damaged. The spyware is trying to make you buy their software.
Download Lavasoft Ad Aware and scan your computer for spywares.
2007-11-28 10:55:53 · answer #9 · answered by Ciso101 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
u can buy a security for viruses (CD) and download it and u r fine
2007-11-28 10:57:00 · answer #10 · answered by S.B. > 15 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋