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Problem opening Spybot SD scanning

A

Adela

New member
(I have WinXP Home ver. SP2, SpybotSD 1.6 just updated).

Hello, hope someone could help please?

Each time I click on the icon to start scanning, it shows a window asking if I want "English" (haven't found how to omit it). Then it takes me through all the installation process steps each time I want to scan!

Then after a long wait the Wizard window appears asking to click on several steps until it says "Start using the program"...while behind it, it's the open program.

I wonder why I have to go through all of this each time, instead of getting it right after clicking on the icon as in the past?

Hoping with thanks to know why and how to avoid this longer path. :) Adela
 
Adela:

It sounds as if the icon you are clicking on is not for SpybotSD.exe but for an installation program (possibly spybotsd160.exe or another program).

Right click on the icon and select properties. The "Target:" information should read:
  • "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe"
    --- or possibly ---
  • "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe" /advancedmode
What does your "Target:" information say?
 
Hello and thank you MD USA! I followed your directions to find the "Target" but I found first this: "spybotsd160.exe. I didn't find any "Target" name, only "location", could this be it, and under location it only showed: C:\Documents and Settings\AdelaMain\Desktop. I have a hunch this isn't the target, but I looked all over for it and didn't see it.

I do have another icon, a yellow folder but it shows only a long list of documents with their own icons by their sides, such as:

Yellow folders named: Languages, Dummies, Updates, Help, etc.

Also different icons named mostly "Screen Savers", plus blindmen, etc. all with strange looking names...

...and that's why I kept using the icon that kept me installing it forever... :)

Do you think we can still find what's wrong and correct it? Thanks so much! Adela
 
Adela:

Since it appears that the shortcut that you are using does not point to Spybot's main executable (SpybotSD.exe), delete the one that you have and create a new one.

To create a new shortcut to SpybotSD.exe:
  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
    • C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
  • Right click on SpybotSD.exe and select "Create Shortcut" (if you do not see SpybotSD.exe, read Note #1).
  • Drag the newly created shortcut to your desktop.
  • Double click on the new shortcut and see if Spybot launches properly.
_____

Note #1: Starting with Spybot 1.5.2 some of Spybot's executables are hidden as protected operating system files. To see them:
  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
    • C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
  • In the Tools menu select Folder Options…
  • In the Folder Options dialog select the View tab.
    1. Under the "Hidden files and folders" options:
      • Make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected.
      • Not "Do not show hidden files and folders".
    2. Uncheck the following option:
      • Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)
  • Click the Apply button.
  • Click the OK button.
  • The files should now be displayed
Note: If you uncheck the "Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)" option to view Spybot's executables, I suggest that you return the option to its original setting when you are done.
 
md usa spybot fan said:
Adela:
Since it appears that the shortcut that you are using does not point to Spybot's main executable (SpybotSD.exe), delete the one that you have and create a new one.

To create a new shortcut to SpybotSD.exe:
  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
    • C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
  • Right click on SpybotSD.exe and select "Create Shortcut" (if you do not see SpybotSD.exe, read Note #1).
  • Drag the newly created shortcut to your desktop.
  • Double click on the new shortcut and see if Spybot launches properly.
___
Note #1: Starting with Spybot 1.5.2 some of Spybot's executables are hidden as protected operating system files. To see them:
  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
    • C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
  • In the Tools menu select Folder Options…
  • In the Folder Options dialog select the View tab.
    1. Under the "Hidden files and folders" options:
      • Make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected.
      • Not "Do not show hidden files and folders".
    2. Uncheck the following option:
      • Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)
  • Click the Apply button.
  • Click the OK button.
  • The files should now be displayed
Note: If you uncheck the "Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)" option to view Spybot's executables, I suggest that you return the option to its original setting when you are done.
Click to expand...
Oh md usa, I just found "Target" (it wasn't there by clicking on the icon, but through the "All programs", and it says):

"C:\Documents and Settings\AdelaMain\Desktop\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe"

When I clicked on properties through the icon, a window titled: "spybotsd160.exe Properties" appeared, and right below it, it said: "spybotsd160.exe"...I tried to find here the "Create a Shortcut" but didn't have it.

...so, which of the two you think I should delete in order to create a new one as you so kindly directed? Probably the first (long) one above? But I tried also there to find the "Create a Shortcut" but didn't, maybe I should delete it first?:

So sorry that I'm taking more of your time and thanks so much, I feel I'm getting closer to resolving this problem - hopefully... Adela
 
Hello again...thought I'd report that I finally found the spybotsd160.exe, and created a shortcut, but when trying to drag it to the desktop by dropping it on that little icon in the taskbar ("Show Desktop"), it didn't get placed though I tried 4 times.

I wonder what I did wrong? I tried copying it but couldn't paste it on the desktop. Is there another way to put it in the desktop maybe?

Thanks again for new help... Adela
 
Try this.

Right Click on SpybotSD.exe and choose the "Send To Destop" option and that will create a shortcut on the desktop it's self:police:.
 
Thanks so much to MD and Terminator, I'm sorry that for some reason I wasn't notified this time...

I tried again with the new suggestion, but (leave it to me!) I couldn't find the spybotsd.exe this time. So I'm deleting it from the control panel and will start from scratch by downloading it again. :)

Thanks again so very much! Adela

P.S. Terminator I love that little police head...
 
drragostea said:
Download "spybot160", the program installer itself. Here's an easier way, just download it here:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
-
Click to expand...
Thank you, drragostea, I've become a pest, but this link also shows different downloads - 3 to start, then 4 hosted by Safer-Networking, and Further Mirrors, etc. Are they all the same so that I can click on any of these downloads? I tried one and it said something with the word "beta" in it, but I heard that betas may give problems, and I have so many already.... lol!

Could you or someone indicate one specific free spybotsd that I should download?

Please forgive my persistence in asking, and I appreciate so much your helping me! Adela
 
Adela:

re:

Adela said:
... I tried again with the new suggestion, but (leave it to me!) I couldn't find the spybotsd.exe this time. ...
Click to expand...
Reminder:

md usa spybot fan said:
... Starting with Spybot 1.5.2 some of Spybot's executables are hidden as protected operating system files. To see them:
  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
    • C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
  • In the Tools menu select Folder Options…
  • In the Folder Options dialog select the View tab.
    1. Under the "Hidden files and folders" options:
      • Make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected.
      • Not "Do not show hidden files and folders".
    2. Uncheck the following option:
      • Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)
  • Click the Apply button.
  • Click the OK button.
  • The files should now be displayed
Note: If you uncheck the "Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)" option to view Spybot's executables, I suggest that you return the option to its original setting when you are done.
Click to expand...
 
Hello with thanks to md usa! I followed your instructions below but found no "Tools Menu"... :

Using Windows Explorer navigate to:
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
In the Tools menu select Folder Options…
In the Folder Options dialog select the View tab.

Then I searched and followed the "Hidden files and folders" instructions below. And I repeated your above instructions (C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy) but, again, there was no "Tools Menu"...(?)

Under the "Hidden files and folders" options:
Make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected.
Not "Do not show hidden files and folders".
Uncheck the following option:
Hide protected operating system file (Recommended)
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.
The files should now be displayed

Also hello with thanks to 129260! I used the link you so kindly gave me and it installed the spybotsd with a shortcut and evertyhing :) and I hastened to open and scan...but, again, it shows me first to click whether I want English, and then I have to install it each time I open to scan, several times, until it does open. So I decided to just go along with this suffering rather than keep trying so many things. It must be my computer that prevents fixing this problem, but I'm lost... :scratch:

To all the friends here who tried to help me, a BIG THANK YOU for your knowledge and kind patience!!! Adela
 
your probably...

just keep opening the installer file. You want to delete the spybotsd160.exe icon that you used to install spybot with, on your desktop or wherever you put it. The link i gave you, that file installs spybot, after installing it delete it. Then you want to go to start-programs-safer networking-spybot search and destroy-spybot. That will open the program spybot.


Also, are you running Microsoft vista? If so, to see the tools menu, hit the alt key (on the keyboard) while in my computer or the window where you see the files, then click tools and follow the directions.


ok? I hope that helps you! :)
 
Last edited:
129260 said:
just keep opening the installer file. You want to delete the spybotsd160.exe icon that you used to install spybot with, on your desktop or wherever you put it. The link i gave you, that file installs spybot, after installing it delete it. Then you want to go to start-programs-safer networking-spybot search and destroy-spybot. That will open the program spybot.
Also, are you running Microsoft vista? If so, to see the tools menu, hit the alt key (on the keyboard) while in my computer or the window where you see the files, then click tools and follow the directions.
Click to expand...
Hi 129260, no I don't have Vista, only WinXP SP2, IE 6, and, well...if you still have a little patience left, I guess I better grab it!!! :)

So to make sure, should I delete completely and wherever I have the spybotsd160.exe (I have the 2 icons in the desktop and also once in the Control Panel). I wonder if it also could be somelwhere else? Okay, I'll delete ALL of them andhopefully there aren't any more hidden somewhere....

Then I'll go to "start-programs-safer networking-spybot search and destroy-spybot"? Not to the neat link you gave me here: http://www.spybotupdates.com/files/spybotsd160.exe ?

And should I try as many times as needed until it opens normally? Okay, I shall. Thanks so much again! Adela
 
control panel?

there should not be a icon in the control panel...spybot does not do that....weird....whats the name of the icon in control panel?


Also why are out of date? You do not have service pack 3 for xp....or internet explorer 7....have you gone to Microsoft update recently? service pack 3 has been out for awhile now.... See here: www.update.microsoft.com Install all updates available.

Also are you sure you are not infected? You might need to visit the malware removal forums, as your computer seems to be acting very weird. Unless i am just not understanding what you are explaining correctly. We can look into this later if you keep having difficulties.

I'm also sorry but am very confused with your statements. Can you go to control panel-add/remove programs and remove spybot? Then restart the computer and download and install spybot from the link i provided earlier? After installing, simply delete the installer file after the installation is completed. Then you will see a icon called spybot search and destroy. Open that and that will launch the spybot program. Have you ever installed a program before, or are you completely new to this? Installing another program is just like installing spybot. You open the installer file and install it. Then you delete it after it installs the program. I hope this does not offend you but i want to be able to help you in a way that you can understand. I can give you some links that might help you learn more about security and programs, etc.

I hope you take this reply in the way i intended it. :) I would like to help you, but i am getting very lost with what is going on....
 
Last edited:
129260 said:
Also why are out of date? You do not have service pack 3 for xp....or internet explorer 7....have you gone to Microsoft update recently? service pack 3 has been out for awhile now.... See here: www.update.microsoft.com Install all updates available.

Also are you sure you are not infected? You might need to visit the malware removal forums, as your computer seems to be acting very weird. Unless i am just not understanding what you are explaining correctly. We can look into this later if you keep having difficulties.
Click to expand...
Don't mind me if I say this but upgrading has little to do with the problem.
129260 said:
I'm also sorry but am very confused with your statements.
Click to expand...
Same here. Adela, do you mean that there are two Spybot-Search&Destroy entries in the Add/Remove Programs window (via Control Panel)?

I had to re-read the entire thread to get a clearer understanding of what you want. Starting with post one, you seem to have clicked the installer file for Spybot-Search&Destroy, thus you are seeing the step by step processes. Have you ever installed Spybot in the past?

Thing is that you keep clicking on the installer file "spybotsd160.exe". The .exe ending will tell you that it is the installer.

In post #10, you said that you'll start from scratch and attempt to reinstall Spybot. During that time, was Spybot completely uninstalled?

Also, are you attempting to remove all of Spybot's files and start anew?
 
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