YES - I figured it out!!!

[poolsharkzz]

PepiMK, md usa spybot fan, honda12, & all,

I figured out my "Immunization Problems".

You may remember my past posts:

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=22677

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=22677

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=21710

After trying md usa spybot fan's crazy idea of running Regmon in "Log Boot" mode in an vain attempt to determine what program was recreating the registry entries after I "claimed" that I have deleted them...

Which, after over an hour of watching my system trying to startup, and getting nowhere very slowly, I decided to try a much-better, more-reasonable approach.

I started uninstalling and reinstalling my security programs to find which program was actually creating the S-1-5-20_Classes and S-1-5-21_Classes keys that were causing Spybot's "Immunization Problems".

Guilty as charged:

PivX PreEmpt Security 2.0.0.86

http://www.pivx.com/HomeOffice/

http://www.pivx.com/Support/faq.html

I learned about this program years ago with my Win Me System, ran it on it for 4-5 years with no problems, so I thought it would be good with my new XP System.

FYI:

I got the free version by first downloading BugOff 1.00

http://www.majorgeeks.com/BugOff_d4308.html

and at the bottom (Note#3 in red) it suggested that if I wanted more protection that I download the (free) Qwik-Fix application...

http://www.pivx.com/HomeOffice/register.html

after registering, which was just filling out my name and e-mail address, I received a free License Key. I downloaded, installed, configured, updated, and then rebooted...

and found the problem registry keys!

so I uninstalled PreEmpt, restarted my system, and the problem registry keys were gone - that is, no longer listed on Spybot's Immunization page.

Please see attached screenshots!


A couple of very serious questions:

1.) I was very specific with this post in the hopes that you and/or Patrick Kolla can recreate this - is this possible?

2.) In your expert opinion, do I even need PivX PreEmpt???

3.) Are the "Protections" and "Fixes" that PivX PreEmpt provides out-dated and obsolete - or are they still needed?

4.) Has Micro$oft provided all the patches and updates necessary to repair all the "exploits" and "vulnerabilities" that PivX PreEmpt says it covers and if Micro$oft has done this where can I go to learn if this is true or not?

I want to thank everyone who responded to my posts and offered assistance - and I do quote:

"Getting an answer is one thing, learning is another"

Sorry for the length!

OddTodd


My setup:

Windows XP Home SP2 - fully updated
Internet Explorer 7
Intel Pent Dual-Core 2160 @ 1.80 GHz
350 GB Hard Drive - 1.0 GB Ram

All are latest versions and fully updated:

Comodo Firewall Pro
Advanced WindowsCare Personal 2.6
Ad-Aware 2007
AVG Antivirus
Spyware Terminator
Windows Defender
Spyware Blaster
HostsMan 3.1.55
and, of course, Spybot S&D 1.5.2.20

* removed PivX PreEmpt Security as of 2/1/07 -

and after a bit of research I will be most likely replacing it with ThreatFire 3.0.13 - or maybe TeaTimer?

[honda12]

teatimer definately lol!

I tried threatfire - wasn't right for me - less user control, in my opinion of course...

[poolsharkzz]

honda12,

I tried ThreatFire over the weekend, and it wasn't for me either - I noticed right away that my computer felt very sluggish - bogged down - and I gave up using it after only a few hours.

I have a pretty nice rig, at least I think I do, and a program should not slow it down to the point that makes you feel like something is wrong, you know?

Next weekend, it's TeaTimer's turn. I used to use it on my old Win Me system back in the 1.4 days...

I am still looking for some feedback concerning my previous post - Just curious if the time will be spent to review and answer my 4 questions, that's all.

OddTodd