Please help--Windows installer running

[shaneandkim]

I tried to delete the 60 day trial of microsoft office 2003 from my computer because every time I tried to open a file, it would bring up the page and want me to purchase and enter a key. After I erased it, I started to get the windows installer window opening every time I open anything. It is a pain because I have to wait for the installer to cancel even when I get redirected to a new window while surfing the net. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have attatched my hjt scan to this. I hope.
I appreciate any assistance.
Shane

[jholland1964]

Are you absolutely certain the Installer is running for the Office program? It may be running for something else. Have you let it run all the way through to see for sure?
Also, you say you "erased" the Microsoft Office trial...how did you erase it? Does it still show in Add/Remove?

[shaneandkim]

No, I am not sure the Installer is running on the Office program. It seemed to happen at aproximately the same time though. I have tried to let it run all the way through and it just goes away after a couple minutes. I removed it by going to add/remove in the control panel. It does not show up now, but Excel viewer for 2003 still shows up with no change/remove button when highlighted.

[jholland1964]

First of all I must apologize for not getting to your HJT log sooner.

The first thing I notice is you are running two anti-virus programs on the computer, Norton and AVG. This is an absolute no-no. Before you do anything else you must UNINSTALL one of them. If your Norton is still current then LEAVE it on the computer and uninstall AVG. If the Norton has expired then UNINSTALL that one. But one of them must go, immediately and completely.

Go through Add/Remove to begin with and do an UNINSTALL of every listing for the anti-virus program you are removing. Reboot the computer if prompted to do so.

THEN go to Start, Search, Files and Folders and do a search for any files remaining related to the program you have removed. If you have removed AVG then first do a file search for AVG. Delete all found. Then do a file search for Grisoft and delete everything found.

If you have uninstalled Norton then first search for files named Norton and delete all found. Then do a file search for Symantec and delete everything found. Reboot the computer.

You also have disabled something using msconfig. Please go back in and re-enable everything you have disabled using msconfig. We need to know everything on the computer.

Internet Explorer was also running during the scan, please turn it off before you run HJT.

This entry,
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE shows that Microsoft Office is still listed to start up on your system. This is probably why the installed keeps coming up. The computer starts, looks for Microsoft Office and when it cannot find it then the installer runs to install it so that it can be started.
Open My Computer, double click "C" drive. Navigate to the Program Files Folder and see if the folder, Microsoft Office is still there. If it is then you know it has not been totally uninstalled.Open the file and see if there is an uninstaller program listed there, if so, go ahead and try to use it. If it doesn't work, don't worry about that now.

Do the uninstall of the anti-virus program. Go into msconfig and re-enable everything you have disabled in Start Up. Once that is completed then reboot. If the installer runs just let it go for now.

Be certain that ALL unnecessary programs are shut down and run HJT again.
Place checkmarks next to these entries if they still remain in the log;

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE

O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE

Once you have placed the checkmarks then click the FIX button.
Exit HJT and reboot.

Then run a NEW HJT scan, with all unnecessary programs still turned off and save the log and post it here. We will see if there is anything remaining we must deal with.
Judy

[shaneandkim]

To start with, Thanks for your time!!
I did everything that you recommended, and now have another hjt scan for you. The installer still runs almost everytime any new program or window is opened.
Just curious, How did you learn how to troubleshoot computers like this? I have been interested in learning but never knew how to go about it.

Thanks again for your time!
Shane

[jholland1964]

Hi Shane,
Glad to see you removed the extra anti-virus program. Running two on the same computer can actually compromise your anti-virus protection because both programs will battle each other and often times let something in that shouldn't be there. Now I don't see a firewall running on your system, unless you are running the built in Windows Firewall, which isn't picked up by the HJT scan. If you are not running a firewall...and the "one to a computer" rule applies here too...then go to this link

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MALWARE: Tools & Tips

and download one of the good free ones that PP notes in the thread.

Your log looks good, except for a few programs running unnecessarily at Start up that can easily be run manually if needed. If you want this list I will post it later.

Now for the Windows Installer problem. Have found this info on how to disable it. I won't print it all here, just go to THIS LINK to learn about it and how to use it. Looks pretty simple and straightforward to me. Just be certain to read all the instructions. Note in the link they use the FAX related problem as an example but you will look for the Microsoft Office program in the list. If it will be easier to follow the instructions I would advise printing out the instructions. Here, then, is the link for downloading the

Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

Just scroll about 1/3 of the way down to download the utility. Then just follow the directions.
Run the utility and see if it corrects the problem.
Judy

[shaneandkim]

Amazing!!! Thank You Very Much!! I am indebted to you! It worked.
I would love to have the list of things that are running unnecessarily at start up.-- At your convenience, of course.
I see you are from IN. I am in the Fort Wayne area. Thanks for helping a fellow Hoosier.
I appreciate your time, Judy.
Shane

[jholland1964]

What a small world! only 50 miles away!

So glad the fix worked!

The following programs do not need to be running at Start Up, they easily can be run manually;
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe>>>Use d for automatically updating HP programs

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot>>> Application Scheduler installed along with RealOne Player. Once installed, it runs independently of RealOne Player. Not required

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k>>>Used in connection with memory dumps - you can disable these by - right clicking on My Computer, selecting Properties and then the Advanced tab. Click on the Settings button in 'Startup and Recovery'. In the bottom pane - under 'Write debugging information' - click on the down arrow and then select 'None' - OK your way out

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime>>> System Tray access to Apple's "Quick Time" viewer from version 5 onwards

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe>>> Checks with Sun's Java updates site to see if newer Java versions are available. Visit http://java.sun.com or just run the Java Plug-In Control Panel

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background>>>
Windows Messenger(NOT MSN Instant Messenger) utility. If you don't use Windows Messenger, this can be annoying. Available via Start -> Programs. Go to Windows Messenger > Tools > Options > Preferences and uncheck "Run this program when Windows starts"

O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\>>>Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe Reader application. Your choice, but not required for Adobe Reader to function properly

I would check within each programs preferences to see if these is a setting to tell the program not to start on boot.
Also, a neat little program, FREE also, that I use to disable unneeded starts is Mike Lin's StartUp Control Panel. Very easy to use and really helps keep those programs that want to insist on starting when you boot the computer from not auto-starting.

I would also suggest that you go to this link

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MALWARE: Tools & Tips

and follow PP's tips. He will never steer you wrong.
One more comment on your log. Notice that Ewido is running in the background. If you did NOT purchase the program then this portion of the program will cease to function at the end of the trial period so I would disable that part of the program. No need to have it running unnecessarily in the background. The scanner portion of Ewido will still scan if the need arises.
Judy