I try to open my Trend Micro PC-cillin and an message pops up?

Question

When I try to open Trend Micro PC-cillin a message pops up stating:
Unable to start program. A previous instance of this program is still exiting. Please wait a moment, and then try again.

I have been to the website for support, but I have to enter a product key and I cannot get into the program to get it so it won't let me submit the question. My computer came with the Trend Micro installed, so I do not have the disc either.

I also get a Windows Security Alert stating that my Virus protection is off, and I can't figure out how to turn it on. I have ran the online "housecall" scan and nothing came up. I have tried other scans and it states I do not have a virus or anything?

I am very confused by this and can't figure out why PC-cillin wont open and why I can't turn my virus protection on. If you have any information, PLEASE help me.

The computer was bought through Dell. My Husband bought it for Christmas last year and had it installed thier.

Their is no Tab button on the right side of my keyboard, if that is what you mean?

I opened the task manager and it shows that it is not running.

Answer 1

Sounds like you may have purchased a computer that has been used and the previous owner had "Trend Micro PC-cillin installed. And then some one tried to reinstall the same program over the older version.

Being that you don't have the CD for this program, you have a serious problem. If I tell you how to not only remove from add/remove, but also from start, run, browse, open program files and delete Trend Micro Folder, and start, search and type in Trend Micro, and let your pc scan for anything related files for Trend Micro, you will loose your entire antivirus program. (This may be your best option, being that you are unable to use the prgram).

Remove from Add/Remove. Then go to start, run, and type in: c://program files, click on browse, and click on program files and then if possible delete Trend Micro file. (If it says write protected, ctc., me and I will direct you to free softwae that will remove any write protected file).

Then go to start, search and type in: Trend Micro and let your pc search for all files related to Trend Micro and delete them. If any say "write protected", you can reboot and then try to delete them after the reboot. (Usually this works, or I will direct you to a free software tool that will delete write protected files).

If you are an expert with computers you can go to start, run and type in: regedit and click on "OK". This will open your registry and you open HKEY Current User, open Software and look for Trend Micro and delete the registry key. Don't recommend you do this unless you really know what you are doing. You don't want to remove an important registry key for your system.

You can only have one antiviurs program in your system, or you will have serious conflict. You must remove and either install a new free version of an antiviurs, like Avast, http://www.avast.com Or you can pay a one time fee for the antivirus I use, of $29.99 and you get auto. updates daily and all new versions for life. Also used by the Govt., Of China.

http://www.filseclab.com

You can run three of four antispyware programs without conflict, if you have the resources. One will always find what the others miss. I run four myself.

Minddoctor, France

Answer 2

Usually, the message "Unable to start program. A previous instance of this program is still exiting. Please wait a moment, and then try again." means that Trend Micro is already running. Click [Control]+[Alt]+[Delete] to start the task manager. Click on the the "Application" tab. Does it list Trend Micro with the Status is "Running?" If so, right click it and select "End Task." Next, try to start Trend Micro again.

I think you are better off uninstalling Trend Micro. If it came pre-installed then chances are it was probably only a trial version, which expires after 90 days. Instead, install another antivirus program. There are several excellent free antivirus programs available. The 3 most popular free programs are: AVG, Avast and Antivir. You can find all 3 at http://www.filehippo.com/software/antivirus/
Try AVG it is the easiest to setup and run.

If you are died set on using Trend Micro, you still have some options. I've used Trend Micro for 3 years and it is a good program. You don't need the CD to reinstall Trend Micro. Here is what you do?

1. Since you already have Trend Micro installed, the product key for Trend Micro is stored in the Windows Registry. I forgot exactly where but if you call Trend Micro customer service 1 [phone] . They will tell you exactly where to find the product key.

2. Once you have the product key, uninstall Trend Micro. Go to Start menu > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs..> scroll down until to find Trend Micro > select Trend Micro > click [Remove] > Restart.

3. Next, you need to download Trend Micro. You can download the program at: (click on "Trial") http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/internet-security-2008/index.html

4. Double click the downloaded file to start installation. During the installation process, Trend Micro will ask if you have a product key. Insert the product key you got from Step 1.

5. Finish installation and [Restart].

Answer 3

Go->Start_>Settings->Control Panel->double click "Security Centre", on it you should have a Windows Firewall and Anti-Virus, it will tell you if they are turned on (green) if not click the tab at the right side and enable whatever is turned off.