New computer service business...need tech suggestions

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tboneman2

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Mar 24, 2011
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I teach computer usage at the local Senior Center. I've been getting increasing numbers of requests from students to come to their homes and trouble shoot their computers. So I've decided to give it a shot. I'm retired, and don't have to depend on it for a living. I could use the extra income, tho.

I have a fair to middlin knowledge of computers. I work part time at a local computer lab where we refurbish and reinstall operating systems on recycled computers. Been messing around with computers for about 35 years, and have trouble-shot my own equipment many times.

My question: are there a handful of free utilities out there that will enable me to run them from a DVD disk or Flash drive, that can accurately analyze what's on a hard drive, and give me an idea as to general health, and what needs some work?

I have a number of anti virus utilities, like Hijack This and similar programs. What I'm looking for is something a little more general. BelArc is good for this (I have it) but I also could use a quick diagnostic to determine any major problems.

Appreciate your thoughts.

tbone
 
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tboneman2

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In downloading a couple of files recommended here, I had to accept a download manager. When I started to install the program, the Manager insisted I download another program or not get the program I wanted. I cancelled out of it but it had already hidden itself somewhere on my computer. Now, every time I try to download any program, it starts and tries to guide the process. I need this piece of garbage to go away fast. I searched for it but it doesn't show up by name anywhere.

Img Burn, for example...when I tried to install it, the Manager inserts itself. The company name is Sevas-S LLC. Googlerd it and the company is in the Ukraine, formed in 2007. Not much else except the company is known to distribute adware.

Can you help me get rid of this thing?
 
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tboneman2

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Aside from inserting itself, the program claims to be the publisher of ImgBurn. Last time I looked, Lightening UK was the publisher I deleted two downloaded programs that both used the DL Manager. Went looking for them and they are not in the Recycle Bin. The good new is, I already installed ImgBurn on my computer 3 days ago. What I'm trying to do now is set up a flash drive with utility programs that might be useful on a service call. I tried to install ImgBurn on the flash drive. This is when I got the interference. Win7 of course, asks if I should allow this publisher to make changes to my computer. I've been afraid to do that so I keep saying No.
 
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tboneman2

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I DLd ImgBurn from the ImgBurn website mirror. The install on the Flashdrive seemed normal without the DM interfering. But when I tried to boot the program, I got error messages. Could be the file is corrupted on the website. But the issue here is not really ImgBurn. It's the Download Manager. To be fair, I was able to download BelArc with no interference by the DM.

I've used every search tool I have to try to find the DM but it just doesn't show up.anywhere. It's there...I got a message this morning that Jave needs to be updated. Figuring this was Oracle, I went for it, only to see the DM offering to get other programs in addition to Java. Canceled it.
 
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JDFan

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Jan 5, 2010
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Yep seems like imgburn is now including Open Candy which is an adware based program used to suggest additional download software that pays software companies to include it in their downloads. Here ( http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/threat/encyclopedia/entry.aspx?Name=Adware:Win32/OpenCandy ) - Switch to the technical info tab on that page for more information on what it install -- is a microsoft Malware Protection article that describes it and it says that Microsoft security essentials or Windows Defender remove it if you have not found the offending file yet.
From the article :

Microsoft security software detects and removes this program.

This adware program shows ads as you browse the web.

Some versions of this program send information about your PC to a remote server without getting enough consent from you. These versions are detected by Microsoft security software.

This adware is usually bundled with other installers.

Find out more about how and why we identify potentially unwanted software.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately more and more of the free software downloads are including this type of application (or default options to install them also with the program you wanted) since these companies pay the other company for every download of their free software which helps them cover the cost of providing the free software but it is becoming a major PITA as they know try and hide the installation and make it difficult to later remove the program (at first they were usually checkboxes that were easily unclicked but once everyone started unchecking they have started to change the distribution method !)
 
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