Originally Posted by
Mopeyone
I'm back up and running - got in using Spybot's "Method #2" solution when Fix-It Utilities didn't work for me. It is only by a miracle that I think I succeeded. I am not technically minded at all, and just entered commands on faith then hit reboot with fingers crossed. I wish everyone else still dealing with this issue much much luck. I totally wasted my entire 4-day holiday weekend dealing with this fiasco, and am still working on my system to be sure I have no permanent problems.
This whole mess is a prime example of the abysmal failure of the computer technology sector's ability to communicate with the masses with clear cut instructions and user-friendly "safe" technology. Computers are here to stay that is a given. But when you have college-educated users who are unable to understand even the most "basic" of commands, there is a problem with communication. A HUGE problem.
With most technology, you don't have to understand it to use it. I drive a car. I put gas in it, keep it tuned and serviced, I learn the rules of the road and I drive. Technology and models change, but overall a car is a car. Relatively simple. Almost everyone on the planet can drive one.
I own a computer. I have to have several operating systems to run it safely and efficiently, based on my individual or corporate needs. Each operating system has its own methodology. Change one system, must change some of the other system, but maybe not all. Average user guesses wrong on one step of an update, something major goes wrong, and out comes the techno-language that baffles almost everyone on the planet.
Computer technology is changing so quickly most of us cannot keep up - even if we understood what we're trying to keep up with. But most of us have other jobs that keep the planet running - important jobs like police officer, fireman, college professor... We don't have time to learn to function in a whole second industry. Sometimes we don't even know what questions to ask in order to get help. And therein lies the rub, my fellow discontented ones - those fellow humans who do learn this stuff for a living cannot communicate with those of us who don't!
I've learned more about computer operting systems in the last 6 days than I ever thought I'd learn - and feel I know absolutely nothing still!!! I've read multiple discussion threads on multiple websites, from post one to pages ad nauseum, and what I see are two distinct sides: Those who profess to know what they are doing - and those of us just struggling to keep up. The problem is, a lot of the time those who should know don't - but won't admit to it - and those of us struggling along feel grabbed by the short hairs (to put it as mildly as I can).
Face it: Computer technology is not like other technology because of three major issues: It involves technology evolving so quickly most can't keep up; it involves a major amount of trust in strangers who profess that they will keep us safe; and it involves connection to the internet where anyone in the world can maliciously invade our technology any time they want. It's the end of the world....
Spybot Tech Team: Re-read all the boards on this problem. You have a major trust issue with your product now that may not be surmountable - especially since you have just released another version of your spyware that is already having installation issues. Terminator says, "hopefully" this (current) problem will be sorted out by the new release. Not holding my breath. PepiMK, in many posts you've accused us public users of "deciding to ignore both this message and the two updates available," and "(ending updates to 1.3) ...will lead to these people having no protection at all. I'm not sure if this indeed is better than having to take extra care with the scan results." Well, right now, having no protection at all sounds a whole lot better than installing a program designed to help us but that actually helps to bring us down. Not a good way to regain broken trust...
Computer techs across the world: PLEASE find some way to speak in easy to understand, regular everyday people language! And please do not offer solutions until you are absolutely sure they will work for us mere mortals. Your updates obviously weren't obvious, or most of us would have updated! My husband ran spybot daily, and repeatedly has gone to the internet to access updates. Why didn't the system update automatically, not just the definitions? When Adaware updated their operating version, it was boldly announced on startup and directions for finding and downloading the most up-to-date version were clearly given. You can't hide something, and expect everyone to find it. And all this stuff about having to decide if each scan result was valid or not. Ummmm... isn't spybot designed to find bad stuff for us to remove from our computers before it causes damage? Why should I - like most, a non-technology oriented user - have to decide if Spybot is telling the truth or not?? Oh, see there... back to that trust issue again.
I will not be reinstalling any version of Spybot on my computer. It is obviously too difficult for stupid little me to use. You might have retained me as a user if the tech team had been able to show a little more organization in their response to this crisis, and compassion toward their wounded users. But turning this issue back on us and telling us it was our fault is too much. Faith gone.
One last question that I hope I can get a straightforward, understandable answer to: Since I used Method #2 to get back into my system, is hellzlittlespy still there, waiting for me to use my Norton or Adaware program to find, remove, and start me back into that logon loop, or am I good to go? Please, give me one last simple answer I can trust.