Category Archives: Computer Services

How to Completely Remove Microsoft Security Essentials Manually

WARNING: Manually removing Microsoft Security Essentials is a complicated task which should only be performed by an expert. This article describes how to uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials if you cannot uninstall it in Control Panel by using the Add or Remove Programs.

  1. Attempt to remove Microsoft Security Essentials via Add/Remove Programs. If the program doesn’t show up inside of Add/Remove Programs and you are certain it is still installed proceed.
  2. Download Microsoft Fixit Tool 50692 (See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2483120)
  3. Attempt to run the utility.  If it works, skip to step 18.
  4. Using notepad, create a batch file with the following text. Do not execute the batch
    file until step 5.
cd /d "%ProgramFiles%Microsoft Security Client"
setup.exe /x
TASKKILL /f /im MsMpEng.exe
TASKKILL /f /im msseces.exe
net stop MsMpSvc
sc delete MsMpSvc
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesMsMpSvc" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMicrosoft Antimalware" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMicrosoft Security Client" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftMicrosoft Antimalware" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrent VersionRunMSC" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInstallerProducts4C677A77F01DD614880F352F9DCD9D3B" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInstallerProducts4D880477777087D409D44E533B815F2D" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallMicrosoft
Security Client" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall
{774088D4-0777-4D78-904D-E435B318F5D2}" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall
{77A776C4-D10F-416D-88F0-53F2D9DCD9B3}" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInstallerUpgradeCodes1F69ACF0D1CF2B7418F292F0E05EC20B" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInstallerUpgradeCodes11BB99F8B7FD53D4398442FBBAEF050F" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInstallerUserData
S-1-5-18Products4C677A77F01DD614880F352F9DCD9D3B" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInstallerUserData
S-1-5-18Products4D880477777087D409D44E533B815F2D" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInstaller
UpgradeCodes11BB99F8B7FD53D4398442FBBAEF050F" /f
REG DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInstaller
UpgradeCodes1F69ACF0D1CF2B7418F292F0E05EC20B" /f
takeown /f "%ProgramData%MicrosoftMicrosoft Antimalware" /a /r
takeown /f "%ProgramData%MicrosoftMicrosoft Security Client" /a /r
takeown /f "%ProgramFiles%Microsoft Security Client" /a /r
REM Delete the MSE folders.
rmdir /s /q "%ProgramData%MicrosoftMicrosoft Antimalware"
rmdir /s /q "%ProgramData%MicrosoftMicrosoft Security Client"
rmdir /s /q "%ProgramFiles%Microsoft Security Client"
REM Stop the WMI and its dependency services
sc stop sharedaccess
sc stop mpssvc
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop iphlpsvc
sc stop winmgmt
REM Delete the Repository folder.
rmdir /s /q "C:WindowsSystem32wbemRepository"
sc stop
EXIT
  1. Use Selective Startup via MSCONFIG. Disable all non-Microsoft Services and all Startup
    Items.
  2. Reboot system in safe mode with networking.
  3. Execute the batch file you created.
  4. Since the Microsoft Installer will not work in Safe Mode by default, use an Elevated
    Command Prompt and type the following commands.
    REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service"
 
net start msiserver.
  5. Run the Microsoft Fix It file. The Fix It program may not complete. It’s okay. Once the
    file has run for a period of time without completion use task manager to kill the MSI Exec.
  6. Reboot the system in NORMAL MODE with SELECTIVE START-UP still enabled
  7. Run the Microsoft Fix It again. The program should now complete.
  8. Using REGEDIT Remove the following keys if they exist
  9. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > Installer > UpgradeCodes>26D13F39948E1D546B0106B5539504D9
  10. Go to Control Panel and turn Windows Defender back on. If it comes on and allows you to update you have successfully removed Microsoft Security Essentials.
  11. Use MSCONFIG to restore your system to normal startup mode.
  12. Reboot your system to finalize the process. Don’t forget to install an anti-virus.

 

Stuck Key’s Driving You Insane

As keyboards get old they have a tendency to loose their spring.  Most keyboards (laptop and desktop) rely on a combination of rubber springs and somewhat fragile plastic scissor clips.  First, we never recommend you taking your keyboard apart to resolve the stuck key.  It can lead to disastrous results and you needing to replace an otherwise healthy keyboard.

There are several things you can try to do to fix a stuck key or two.  Check out the article at PC World for some great tips on resolving your keyboard frustrations at I’ve got a dead key on my keyboard.

Dangers of Remote Computer Repair

When you computer is on the fritz, you may be very desperate for instant repair. You go to Google, Bing or Yahoo and the term computer repair results in thousands of options. Many web only computer repair organizations have very impressive websites and offer rock bottom prices. The problem is, you have no way of knowing where these companies are operating from, who the people are behind the screen, and what kind things they may be doing on your computer in the background.

Most remote computer software allows the technicians to do things you cannot see. While they may advertise you can watch everything the technician is doing, this is simply not the case. While most of these companies are legitimate, they often use remote technicians operating out of their home or worst yet in a third world country call center. Also, many of these organizations perform no background check on their employees. So be very careful when considering these companies for solving your problems.

Many computer repairs can be performed remotely but the fact is, it is not the case for all of them. In other words, after paying $39 to $199 for a remote fix, you may still need to take your computer in for further repair.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

  1. Many good local computer repair companies offer instant remote support to clients. They might be able to help you today and still follow thru with a hardware repair if needed.
  2. Call the company and ask them where they are physically located. If they avoid answering the question, this should be a big red flag.
  3. 3. Use a company which provides verifiable domestic mailing address. A P.O. Box in Anytown, CA can mean the company is hiding or not operating from a legitimate place of business.
  4. Even if they seem to have a local address, you should use an online map service like Google maps to see what other companies use the address. Many nefarious companies will rent a private mail box in a mailbox store to appear more legitimate.
  5. Don’t simply believe a local phone number means they are local. With voice over internet, companies in third world countries are able to get local phone numbers. Also, just because they have a toll free number, doesn’t mean they are local.
  6. Companies which seem to offer local support everywhere are likely using local computer technicians on a contractual basis.
  7. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Companies which seem to offer the lowest price are mostly offering the lowest service. Pay now or pay later truly applies. You don’t want to more than once for the repair, so shop around and avoid low cost providers.
  8. Read BBB reports on the actual BBB website. Many companies throw the BBB logo on their website and have a history of complaints or no experience with the BBB at all. Angie’s List is also a great place to look for reviews.
  9. Look to see if the company is a member of a local Chamber of Commerce. While this by itself does not indicate legitimacy, it goes further to verify they are a real business.
  10. Don’t provide your credit card number to anyone in a chat window. Make sure the website you are providing payment information has a valid, trusted website certificate from a reputable company like VeriSign.

When in doubt…Check them out!

Should You Buy a Refurbished Computer

Saving money is important to everyone and buying a refurbished computer may be the right choice for you.  However, recently we discovered that some claims of being refurbished may not be legitimate.

Being factory refurbished means the system has been completely checked out, cleaned inside and out and most importantly…the data (from the previous user) has been properly erased before the system is sold to someone else. We recently discovered at least one large discount store is simply restoring the hard-drive of returned computers without properly erasing the previous users data.  This is dangerous for both the previous user and the recipient of the refurbished system.

If you do decide to purchase a refurbished system, ask these questions before you decide to close the deal.

  1. Was the machine refurbished by the original equipment manufacturer?
  2. Is the hard-drive in the machine brand new, or has it been refurbished?
  3. If the drive is refurbished, was the previous users data completely erased? Not simply reformatted and the operating system reinstalled.
  4. Does the system come with a warranty of 90 days or better?

As a final note: If you should ever need to return a computer (new or refurbished) to a store, please make sure your data has been securely erased.  Not doing so could result in your personal information or files being restored by an unknown person in a near or distant land.  If you don’t know how to securely erase your data, we suggest you have reputable and certified system technician take care of it for you.  A reputable provider will give you a certificate of destruction.