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Solutions: Resolving Windows security alert

 
Published Oct. 15, 2012

I took your recommendation and installed Microsoft Security Essentials. When I reboot, I get a "shield" on my tool bar with an X in it and a "windows security alerts" with a balloon. When I open it, it says my virus protection is off, although my Microsoft Security Essentials is on with a check mark and says I'm protected.

I have an HP and run Windows XP.

It sounds as if you were already infected with a virus when you installed Security Essentials. When this happens, it disables Security Essentials even though it shows as running.

Try running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from tinyurl.com/2fwj868. This is a direct link to the download and will initiate the download dialog. Let me also take this opportunity to speak about Malwarebytes Chameleon. It is included as part of the free download. Sometimes when you are already infected, the virus may prevent your computer from running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Chameleon gets around that by starting the executable under various names from a Command window to fool the resident virus. Chameleon should be in the same folder as Anti-Malware and is another good tool to have in the virus/malware battles.

I think I have a video card problem in my Asus laptop. It is 3 years old. The screen has an extraordinary amount of red in it. I hooked up a monitor and that works just fine. Any suggestions where to get this repaired locally?

If the external monitor looks normal, then it is most likely your laptop screen that is faulty, not the video adapter. This type of repair can be costly and not always cost-effective, so get an estimate first.

As far as repair options, check with people you know for recommendations close to your home. Local user groups like the Tampa Bay Computer Society (tampa-bay.org) are an excellent place to get this sort of information.

I have a Windows 7 HP computer. I want to make a system repair disk, however, each time I get an error message of: System repair disc could not be created. The parameter is incorrect 0X80070057. I also get this same message when I try to make a system repair disk through the manual method. Any suggestions as to how I can correct it and make a system repair disk?

If this fails even when you use the manual method booting from the Windows 7 installations disk, it may be a sign of system file corruption.

Try running the System File Checker to see if it resolves the issue. For more information on how to use the System File Checker, go to support.microsoft.com/kb/929833.

Send questions to personaltech@tampabay.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions are answered only in this column.