I keep getting pop ups that say registry is corrupted and to go to registrycleanerxp.com and I won't get anymore messages. I feel like I am being held for ransom. My mom had the same messages and her computer ultimately died. Can you help?

Try get rid of this rogue registry cleaner by following this link

http://www.411-spyware.com/registry...

i_Xp/VistaUser

I haven't had any luck.. It's still coming and now I can't close the box either. I can move it down to where I can't see it, but that is it. I'm getting worried.

Do you have antivirus software?

If so follow these instructions from symantec:

http://www.symantec.com/en/uk/home_...

and use your antivirus program for the scan.

I actually just bought this computer from someone else a few days ago, and don't have any at this moment. Is there any free downloads that will do the trick, or will I need to go out and buy something today? Thanks for your help.

You most defenitely will need an antivirus and firewall as your first line of defence.

There are very good free ones out there, but first we have to make sure your system is clean of any of these applications before you download and install the new software.

Can you download ccleaner here:

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/CC...

Once downloaded install it. Open ccleaner (an icon should now be on the desktop), click on the "tools" button on the left. You should have an uninstall screen open with a "save text to file" button on the bottom right. Click on this and save the file to a place easy for you find e.g. desktop.

Open the file you just saved, copy all the text and paste into this forum.

I will have a look at it later today and then we can go ahead with setting up your computer with free anti-virus and firewall software.

the answer on microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...

and also check this link:
http://www.webpctools.com/html/wind...

Ad-Aware 2007
Adobe Flash Player ActiveX
ATI - Software Uninstall Utility
ATI Remote Wonder 3.04
ATI Remote Wonder
AVG Anti-Rootkit Free
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Catalyst Media Center DVD Authoring Module
Catalyst Media Center
CCleaner (remove only)
DAO
getPlus(R)_ocx
Google Pack Screensaver
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
GUIDE PLUS+(TM) for Windows® System
HP Deskjet 3740
HP Software Update
Intel(R) Extreme Graphics Driver
Microsoft Office 2000 Disc 2
Microsoft Word 2000
Motorola SM56 Speakerphone Modem
Nero Express (Ahead Software)
Picasa 2
PowerDVD
SoundMAX
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
WebFldrs XP
Windows Live OneCare safety scanner
Yahoo! Browser Services
Yahoo! Install Manager
Yahoo! Internet Mail
Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Toolbar

Hi mollyk

Thats excellent... No need to remove any old anti-virus or firewall programs.

Avast antivirus here:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-a...

This is a very good free antivirus program. Once it is downloaded, install it. At a later stage you will have to register it for free if you want to keep it. Once it is completely installed, if I remember rightly, it will ask you if you want to schedule a boot-time scan. Click yes and the pc will reboot. You should see avast scanning your pc while it is booting up, let it run through this process and if it detects any infections delete them

Zonealarm firewall here:

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/cont...

You will find that you will have to "train" the firewall... unfortunately this is the nature of the beast. You will get alerted with popups of programs that want access to the net after you install it. If you trust the program (e.g. Avast wants access to the net: Allow / Deny) allow it and remember to tick the "remember this setting" box. Over time these popups will disappear and you will get them only when you install new applications / or they update... or if some nasty managed to get through the defences and wants access to the net(which you would deny).

You will also get alerts of hacking attempts which the firewall blocks. The pop-up will give you the option of turning these off when ever you want.

Let us know how you go.

Click Start
Click Run
Type in services.msc
Click OK
Locate and click the Messenger service.
Right-Click on it and choose Properties.
Change the Startup type to DISABLED.
Click STOP
Click OK