 sj |
||
|
||
Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer
|
|
|
Subject: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:50 AM I hope someone can help me avoid some undesirable behavior of RealPlayer. Often, when I type in a URL in the entry box at the top of my Netscape screen, on XP Pro, instead of being switched to the site specified I will get a RealPlayer site, whose URL does not even remotely resemble the URL I typed in. If I then retype the desired URL, it will work as intended. Is this a frequently encountered behavior of RealPlayer? Or is it something I can avoid? I expect I could avoid it by uninstalling RealPlayer, but there are things on the web which require RealPlayer in order to run. Anyone? Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Jeri Date: 19 Nov 06 - 10:40 AM I'm just guessing, but it doesn't sound like something RealPlayer would do. I've never had that happen. It's a 'redirect', and may not even be a real Real site. Until more knowledgable people than myself show up, you can't go wrong if you: 1) Make sure your anti-virus & anti-spyware programs have been updated recently, like today, and 2) Run a full system scan Don't believe you can't get infected. I have an anti-virus program that updates daily, Zone Alarm, SpyBot Search & Destroy, Spyware Blaster and CWShredder. When I did a full system scan, I found 2 files infected with win32:Caca. I don't think it was actually able to DO anything, but it was there, and it might have been why I've had to do a complete system restore twice and almost a third time. That wacky behavior made me do the full scan, and once the trojans were gone, the problem (system wouldn't boot up all the way) stopped. So try the update and check for bad things first. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:42 AM Is there by any chance a RealPlayer shortcut button somewhere close to your location bar? It's easy enough accidentally to hit such a thing after typing in a new URL. You don't say what version of Real you are using, but as a rule my general advice would be the same for all; go into 'Preferences' and turn off every function you can except the association with Real's native media. Then, if you still need to, take Jeri's advice; but always try the simple things first. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Jeri Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:51 AM Malcolm, I wondered about the file types/preferences thing, but Dave didn't say his RealPlayer opened. He said he was sent to 'a Real Player site'. I interpreted that to mean a web page, which seems a little more creepy to me. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: GUEST,Russ Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:22 PM Dave, No matter what this problem turns out to be, you should be scanning for spyware regularly. http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ Russ (Permanent GUEST, professional GEEK) |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Magic Alex Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:44 PM All I can say is that I hare RealPlayer. I use a Mac, and am used to WinfowsMediaPlayer or, even better, Apple's QuickTime (the Pro version allows me to save the stuff I listen to even if it's "streaming only" most of the time). However, I never experienced such behavior by the app... Alex |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: treewind Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:00 PM I agree that it doesn't look like RealPLayer is the culprit, but some piece of spyware. But RealPlayer is nevertheless a fairly unpleasant pice or work that keeps phoning home and popping up "messages" for you when you boot Windows. In fact some people class it as spyware. Most of its proper work (i.e. playing media files) can be done by Real Alternative (free download). Anahata |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Jeri Date: 19 Nov 06 - 02:36 PM Anahata, I've tried downloading the Real Alternative program several times, uninstalled RealPlayer, deleted all the files in the Real folder, rebooted, and I get about 10-13% and I'm told it's done. The file's corrupt. Plus, I can't even get to the site with MSIE because there's a file Spybot S&D doesn't like. I don't put it past Real to have engineered this, but I'm not understanding it. I'm thinking of trying standing on my head. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:34 PM Most of the media player programs are fairly aggressive about attempting to set themselves up as your favorite program for everything, and often try to reset themselves as the default player even for things they can't play. Many, if not most, of the media player programs try to open a web connection every time you open the player, so that they can get all that "enriched content" to show you all the details about each track you play. (The real purpose of this connection probably is so that they can track what you do against their Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems so that you take the heat instead of them if there's a claim against someone.) Many of these systems for "enhancing your pleasure" skirt the fringes of accepted practice regarding privacy, and a few are considered outright spyware by the anti-spyware policy groups. The connection they open should usually be a "background" connection and should not normally produce a web page in your browser. Any time you enter a URL and your browser goes somewhere else, malware must be suspected. You should also be wary about whether the page it takes you to is a real page, or is a faked one. The only semi-legitimate redirect I've seen associated with WinXP is a result of automatic updates. I think it happens only when my dialup connection drops offline before an update is completed. In this case, a "run once" link is dropped into Startup so that when I open my browser it goes directly to the Microsoft download center instead of to my normal home page - ONCE. I've confirmed that it goes to the right place, and it's been helpful for checking that I've gotten all of the update. The run once tag self destructs once it's run and I leave the Microsoft site. From Russ: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ Click on AdAware SE Personal for the free version. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ Spybot Search & Destroy. These are good programs (Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware SE) and they're free. Get them, UPDATE THEM immediately after download, and run them. Update and run regularly - at least weekly is recommended. You should also be setup to get WinXP automatic updates from Microsoft. Once an update is released, the malware producers know how to use it. The patch protects those who get it, but the danger to those who don't update skyrockets. You should also include the Microsoft "Malware Remover" or sign up for the "Microsoft Defender" program if you haven't done so. Microsoft checks about 300,000,000 computers with these programs monthly, and removes malware from about 70 percent of them. They are NOT a substitute for your other AV and AntiSpyware programs, but look only for currently common and damaging malware. You do have to verify that your WinXP has a valid license to get these, but it's not difficult - if your WinXP has a valid license. You can check on whether RealPlayer has inserted itself to play things you don't want it to, at Start|Settings|Control Panel, double-click Folder Options, click on the File Types tab. Just remove RealPlayer from any file extension you don't want it to play. IFF it pops up to offer to play something not on the list, be sure to always uncheck the box where it says "always use this program to play this filetype" before you let it try to play anything. RealPlayer may have inserted itself in your Startup folder so that it starts every time you reboot. An icon should be in the System Tray at the bottom right of the toolbar if it's done this. You may reduce the intrusiveness of the program by removing it from the Startup. Some programs offer a "disable" by right-clicking the icon1, but for others you may have to go to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start\Programs\Startup and delete the shortcut. Note that you may have to check both the "All Users" and your own "username," since the startup shortcut can appear in either or both places. 1 Some SysTray icons offer a "disable" that sticks, and some only "disable until reboot" when you right-click in the tray. Others offer no options. John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Jeri Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:20 PM The standing on my head thing worked. No, not really. I just didn't delete the partial download and clicked the link again. It just started loading another file which obviously incorporated the fragment. Installed fine. Thanks for that Anahata! RealPlayer used to be nice and friendly, but I can't stand it these days with it's trying to link to its home server, sales pitches, and taking over from other programs without asking. Now, to hear back from Dave O. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Geoff the Duck Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:35 AM I also will recommend Real Alternative. It plays the streaming radio files from the BBC and any other "Real Audio" files I have thrown at it. It is FREE and it is not a nuisance like "Real Player". Quack! GtD. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: GUEST,Jack Campin Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:41 AM I presume Real Alternative must be Windows-only? Their unbelievably crappy site gives you no idea what platforms the thing runs on (despite putting up an ad for Macintosh memory). The way they suggest to contact them is to go to a forum, which won't let you post anything or register. This does not give me a good feeling about what the software itself might be like. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:49 AM Real Alternateive is a FREE (cash wise) thing - you get it yourself (unless someone else bundles it up with other things), and you install and maintain it yourself withthe help of those 'forums' - wher you meet 'other |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Geoff the Duck Date: 20 Nov 06 - 05:52 AM It does seem to be a programme for Windoze. For independent information try here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Alternative. Quack! GtD |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Scrump Date: 20 Nov 06 - 07:13 AM On the subject of media players, does anyone know of a simple (and hopefully free or inexpensive) player that will simply allow me to play mp3 or wav files on the computer disk, or a CD, and nothing much else? I get fed up with Realplayer and Windows Media Player trying to download the track listing, etc. from the Internet. I already know the track titles/artists of CDs I own, and the identity of files on my disk drive (since I put them there in the first place), so I don't need all the other rubbish, including fancy 'skins' and moving images, etc. Is there anything simple that will run on Windows XP? I suspect the answer is "No, you have to move with the times and have all the bells and whistles whether you like them or not", but I thought I'd ask anyway. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: GUEST,Patrick Costello Date: 20 Nov 06 - 07:50 AM These work great under Linux (and if you are a folkie you really should use Linux) but they also have Windoze versions. (you'll have to cut & pate the addresses because I'm too busy to fight with the blue clicky thingamabob right now) Mplayer: http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/news.html Vlc: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ Democracy: http://www.getdemocracy.com/ There is also a non-evil version of RealPlayer called Helix: https://player.helixcommunity.org/ -Patrick |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JennyO Date: 20 Nov 06 - 07:58 AM Don't know about the others that Patrick linked to, but I'm a Linux user, and I find mplayer works for most things. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:04 PM Vlc works great on Win98SE. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 20 Nov 06 - 08:42 PM I tried Real Alternative for a while, but after a bit it refused to play "Real" media any more, which was all I needed it for. According to various tech forums, this is quite a common problem; none offered a solution that worked for me, so I dumped it; and with some regret, re-installed RealPlayer (an old version, though, more easy to domesticate than recent ones). It gives me no particular problems, except when I try to play something made by fashion victims who don't understand the importance of backwards compatibility. We could probably do without irrelevant platform snobbery in this discussion; we could do with a reply from Dave Oesterreich, though. Has he tried any of the suggestions made before this thread wandered off into the usual repetition of old stuff that has been said many times before? |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 21 Nov 06 - 04:30 PM Scrump, you can adjust the preferences on your Media Player so that it will not scoot out to the internet or whatever. That would be the cheapest solution. I have mine set to just play the files I cue up and that's it. Also, there is a very small, useful viewer for pictures and photos, freeware called Irfanview. I use it to look at photos, resize them, crop, adjust, whatever. It for some reason has also added an audio player and will play MP3 files. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 21 Nov 06 - 05:43 PM A little off topic, but a well-known hacker has published his claim that he has "broken" the iTunes DRM, and has the ability to play stuff from them on "any player." He has NOT released his code for individual users, but is setting up to market it to the makers of "all the other players" so that they can add the ability to play iTunes downloads in their own programs. We'll have to wait and see, but eventually we may reach the point where we don't have to have a different player for each media format. John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:49 PM I've lost track of my inquiry and this thread, because my 32 year old Down's Syndrome son has been in the ICU, because of pneumonia AND SEPSIS, for four weeks. I've been, to put it mildly, otherwise engaged. He now appears out of the woods, or almost so. I think they are moving him to a normal hospital room tomorrow. Some posters above got the wrong handle on my problem. Perhaps one out of ten times I execute a URL through the input window at the top of my screen, I get what at least purports to be be the RealPlayer site. I don't run anything from there, but get out immediately. Then running the originally desired URL gets me that URL. RUSS, I have both Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot. I run Ad-Aware regularly, maybe every other day (when not distracted, as above) or at least twice a week. I don't run Spybot very often, because it never seems to catch anything that Ad-Aware doesn't, but Ad-Aware catches a lot more. Ad-Aware is up to date, though Spybot isn't because I so seldom use it. I have an up-to-date version of Norton Internet Security, with firewall active. I haven't run a complete system check with Norton AV for a while, howevever. I'll do that tonight, as I go to bed. I think I'm going to remove RealPlayer, and run Registry Mechanic, just in case there's something buried there by RealPlayer. Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 23 Nov 06 - 08:33 PM UPDATE: I removed RealPlayer. I then ran Ad-Aware, which reported no dataminers, etc. I ran Spybot, for whatever it's worth, and found nothing. I then ran Registry Mechanic, which found 155 problems in Custom Controls, plus three problems somwhere else. I had a phone call after it did the Custom Controls, and didn't see where it found the other three. I assume these registry problems were the result of uninstalling RealPlayer. I then came back here, and used the input window's historical list of contacts, one after another, for a number of URLs, several of which I know have been involved as original targets when I got the unwanted Realplayer connection. Found no anomalous connections, which MIGHT be an improvement or might not be signficiant. I don't put a lot of importance on this, because the problem might not have happened in that number (20?) of attempts anyway. I'm going to run a Norton AV scan right now. I'll see what happens thereafter, in the next few days, and report what I find. Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Nov 06 - 01:12 AM Dave0 Many programs have, or imagine that they have, legitimate reasons to make a web connection. For Media programs like Real Player, it's normal for the program to "phone home" every time you play something, to get the track data and DRM info. Media programs, and others, may also be set up to check periodically for updates. If one of these programs attempts to make a connection, and doesn't succeed, it's possible for the program to drop a "run once" file on your machine, so that the next time there's an "opportunity" to connect it will try to go to the program's home site. This may be all that's happening with your Real Player. It's failed to make a connection that it requested, so it "remembers" that it wanted the connection the next time it sees that your browser is on line. Ideally, it would tell you that it wants to connect, would give you a reason why it wants to connect, and would ask if it's okay. The way some of these are set up though, it may not remember why it wanted to "go home," but tries to connect anyway (without asking). As in my first post in this thread: The only semi-legitimate redirect I've seen associated with WinXP is a result of automatic updates. I think it happens only when my dialup connection drops offline before an update is completed. In this case, a "run once" link is dropped into Startup so that when I open my browser it goes directly to the Microsoft download center instead of to my normal home page - ONCE. I've confirmed that it goes to the right place, and it's been helpful for checking that I've gotten all of the update. The run once tag self destructs once it's run and I leave the Microsoft site. I haven't seen a hookup attempt like what you describe with Real Player, but I've made some rather drastic rearrangements of preferences for my copy - so long ago that I don't recall what I changed. What you saw may be "normal" for Real Player with default settings, or with setup/preference changes you've made, even if it's not commonly observed. Since none of us here have seen this as a normal occurance with Real Player, it's appropriate for us to recommend that you check for malware - which could also be doing what's described. It takes about three hours for a full scan with my AV, an hour and a half for me to run AdAware and about an hour to run Spybot S&D on my machine; but I do it anytime there's an unexpected event that I can't explain easily, just to eliminate the "worst case" possibility. (And I also run regular scans "just because.") You've done what should be done to have reasonable confidence that you're not infected with any of the common malware. While there are a few possible forms of malware that could be present and that could be missed by what you've done, they're rare enough that I wouldn't worry about them unless you see other symptoms that something's not right. If, for example, your browser redirects you to the Real Player site with Real Player removed from your machine you might want to consult one of the several good "web advisors" to let them look at your machine data and give a "professional opinion" about what might be going on, or seek a remote scan from one of the AV makers that specializes in "exotic threats." At this point I wouldn't be inclined to go to that step. You should update your Spybot. Ad-Aware "catches a lot more" because it removes a lot of "clutter" that others consider just "useless but mostly harmless." The majority of things that Ad-Aware removes don't send any personally identifiable information to anyone. The "tracking cookies" allow a site to tell that "this machine was also at that other site" but don't say anything about whose machine it is. It doesn't really harm you, but it doesn't do much to help you personally, so Ad-Aware removes it. It is good, from the Ad-Aware viewpoint, to find a lot of stuff and remove the clutter. Spybot ignores many of the things that Ad-Aware removes; but arguably is better at finding and removing more serious threats that Ad-Aware misses. It is good, from the Spybot S&D viewpoint to NOT FIND a lot of stuff to remove, because that means you don't have really invasive malware on your machine. You do have to take it on faith that if something bad does come along, Spybot S&D will find it and remove it - but you don't really want it finding a lot of stuff routinely. The two serve slightly different purposes, and need to be used together. Used as a pair, they are consistently ranked among the most effective (free) programs available. If you've removed Real Player, or any other program(s) that might have made registry entries, by just deleting the folders instead of going through Add/Remove Programs or using an uninstall program specific to what you're removing, Registry Mechanic would be likely to find something to correct. Even a program that doesn't "Register itself" when installed may make a Registry entry for a "settings" file (usually a .dll) when you change settings, so trash does accumulate in the Registry. When you change settings, new lines in the Registry may be created, and often the prior setting is just "nulled out" without being removed. Some Registry utilities will try to remove "unused lines," which can be numerous, and some don't bother. You probably can back off the "red alert" to something like "fuschia." It won't hurt to continue to watch for behaviour that looks unusual for a while, but back-to-work seems appropriate. If you want to reinstall Real Player, you may want to pay pretty close attention to the setup and options so you'll understand what it's doing; but many people get by happily with absolutely no understanding of much of anything ... John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 24 Nov 06 - 01:57 AM You're a real philsopher, John. Many people get thru their whole life happily with absolutely no understanding of much of anything ... {:-P |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Nov 06 - 02:17 AM Foolestroupe You can claim to understand, but I'll need some evidence. I think you're far too happy. I thought about the standard one: "Don't get too good at something you don't enjoy doing." But too many of us probably have been there ... John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 24 Nov 06 - 02:53 AM Ok John - Can I stop playing the Piano Accordion now? |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 24 Nov 06 - 09:52 AM JohnInKansas told me (in the course of a long and informative post): If you've removed Real Player, or any other program(s) that might have made registry entries, by just deleting the folders instead of going through Add/Remove Programs or using an uninstall program specific to what you're removing, Registry Mechanic would be likely to find something to correct. I went through Add/Remove. I've been the "just delete" route in the past, to my sorrow. Having run Norton AV Full System Scan last night (about three hours), with nothing found, this morning I tried again multiple times to trigger the offensive behavior, and have not been able to. I'm fairly sure that getting RealPlayer off my machine has fixed it. I just now downloaded Real Alternative, and will give it a try. I thank everyone for their input. Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Nov 06 - 01:18 PM For both Robin and DaveO: This whole episode has been another illustration of the well known maxim, which I'll paraphrase as: "Sometimes you have to be paranoid, because they are out to get you." John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Geoff the Duck Date: 24 Nov 06 - 03:27 PM Recently I have been trying to suss out what the Windoze Registry does. I have solid non-microsloth "Mirror" backups so I can trash anything and be able to restore my system to EXACTLY what I had before. One of the first things I did was to use UNINSTALL to take programmes off the system. One of these was RealPlayer. When I checked through the registry all the references for RealPlayer were still there. It does not seem to remove all the junk that it puts on the system. As for the Registry - WHAT A SHAMBLES of a system! It is the computing equivalent of taking everything you need to run your business and just throwing it into a pitch black cellar. It is full of files with untraceable names which, unless you can find and decipher an "installer" script somewhere on your computer, you cannot identify which have been installed by what programme. At least with the old Windows3.1 you could actually find an "*.ini" text file which belonged to installed programme and contained your chosen settings for said prog. Of course, that is what the spyware and virus bods rely upon, and the fact that it is such a joke that you have very little chance of ever finding and removing unnecessary information unless you dedicate your life to being a computer geek, unlike most of us who just wish to use it as a tool to do what we actually want to do. Quack! GtD. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Tattie Bogle Date: 24 Nov 06 - 08:35 PM I have problems when watching video clips on Real Player: (maybe other formats too?) No probs when using it at default size, but if I try to switch to "full screen", I get only sound and no picture, then it all crashes with the sound repeating the same phrase over and over again. Any ideas why, you techy wizards? I'm running Windows XP and fully updated. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 28 Nov 06 - 12:54 PM Ah, woe is me! Despite having uninstalled RealPlayer by using the ADD/UNINSTALL facility, and despite Ad-Aware giving me a clean bill of health, and SpyBot giving me a clean bill of health, and Registry Mechanic okaying my registry, and a Norton AV scan finding nothing, I still have the problem described previously. That is, from time to time, when I use the input box at the top of my Netscape screen to access either a typed-in or history-recalled URL, I am directed to the Real.Com website. I have to assume that it is the REAL Real.Com and not a masquerader, because I'm not about to click on anything there or do anything except use the input box again to access the originally-asked-for website. This misbehavior does not relate to just one particular target website; it has happened when I tried to get to several different and unrelated sites. The false direction does not immediately recur when I try a second time, and I don't recall it ever happening more than once in an on-web session. I can't say it never has more than once in a session, but I don't recall it doing so. I don't believe I stated in any previous post in this thread that I run WIN XP-Pro, and Netscape 7.1 (or maybe it's 7.2). I should say that, on the suggestion above by someone, I downloaded and installed Real Alternative. I suppose that, just for diagnostic purposes, I ought to uninstall that, too. Any fresh ideas/suggestions? Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:51 PM DaveO The mostly likely thing is that Real Player thinks they have an update that "you need." I've gotten a popup that asks me if I want to get an urgent update download, repeatedly, from Real Player. It does (probably) mean that Real Player is "talking behind your back" since it wouldn't know there's an update unless it's been calling home. Mine doesn't divert my web connection, so there probably is a setting in Real Player to turn off this "feature," but I have no idea where it would be. It may be a choice during installation, that you can't easily access once it's installed. Microsoft does the diversion trick with Auto updates that don't complete, so others could use the same "feature." The first opening of my browser goes directly to the Microsoft update page, instead of to my home page if they want me to. I don't object to Mickey doing it, since it's helpful; but Real Player is in a different category (IMO). John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: GUEST,Patrick Costello Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:21 PM It probably has something to do with Netscape. See if it happens when you use a search engine like Google rather than the widget on top of your screen. -Patrick |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 28 Nov 06 - 09:18 PM Pat: I don't recall its ever happening with a Google search target, or with a Bookmarks target. Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 29 Nov 06 - 06:05 AM Back to the beginning - and grasping for straws: Often, when I type in a URL in the entry box at the top of my Netscape screen, on XP Pro, instead of being switched to the site specified I will get a RealPlayer site, whose URL does not even remotely resemble the URL I typed in. If I then retype the desired URL, it will work as intended. A question that's open is whether this happens when you type any URL at random, or whether it happens when you type a particular URL that you visit fairly often. IFF it happens only with a particular one (or few) URLs that you type, an obvious suspicion is that you might have made a typing error. "Muscle memory" can cause some of us to frequently repeat the same "brain fart" fairly consistently. For "working purposes" we'll assume that you haven't mistyped the URL. As I don't have Netscape installed to look at, a Google for "Netscape screenshots" gets lots of apparently accurate views, although there are several different Netscape versions represented, sometimes ambiguously as to which version is shown. Assuming that there's some consistency in program features: At Netscape Browser Screenshots, I find a number of shots of what's in the "new beta netscape." Since it was posted November 30, 2004 06:20 PM, I assume it's no longer beta so it might resemble what you're using. The site doesn't give a rev/ver number that I could find. nsb13.png shows: Under Options, Advanced, Accessibility There is an option to "Use Find As You Type" with a sub-option for "to search links only." IFF this works as it does in programs I have (and have had), when you type an entry it attempts to "guess" what you want and will "complete" the entry. If you type another character that doesn't agree with its guess, the "extra characters" should go away, but if you hit a "Go" while extra characters are visible, it uses them and goes to where it guessed, not just to what you typed. In a few older programs, the autocomplete function was slow enough that it would pop up as/after you hit the "go" so you wouldn't see it, but it was still there when the link executed. IFF your problem occurs when you type one specific URL that starts with something resembling the Real Player URL, the "find" may be adding something to what you type – that results in you going "somewhere else." There probably would need to be "some resemblance" between the starting characters you type and the URL you end up with, but "endings" could be added without you noticing them(?). Some browsers I've used (sometime ago) seemed to give preference to sites in your browser history in choosing how to "autocomplete" what you type. Clearing the history to get rid of the Real Player URL there might make it less likely to insert that site(?). Netscape may have other "autocorrect" and/or "assist functions" that could produce similar mangling of what you intend to do; but I can't suggest other places to look. John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: leeneia Date: 29 Nov 06 - 11:35 AM Dave, I was sorry to hear how sick your son was and was glad to hear that he is improving. Is he better now? Just two days ago I was in choir practice and received hugs from two Down kids simultaneously. Few people are that lucky. If you can afford it, I suggest that you move from Windows 98 to something more up-to-date. I went from 98 to Windows XP Home a few months ago, and the change has been good. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 29 Nov 06 - 08:09 PM Leeneia, as I indicated all along, I am and have been on XP Pro. Haven't been on 98 for maybe four years. Relating to my son, he was released from the hospital today (HOORAY!), and is now in residence at the nursing home near our house where he's worked for ten years. Getting a lot of special attention, of course, because he's "family" there. He's still weak, after over a month motionless in bed. He's still on blood thinner, for the blood clots that are/were in both lungs. He'll probably be there for one to two weeks before coming home. JohnInKansas: I get this behavior going for target sites as various as money.netscape.com, IMCPL.COM (the Indianapolis public library), Eclipsecat.com, exfolk.com, paltalk.com, and a number of others, all of which are regulars for me. To my knowledge, I have never typed "Real.Com" into that input box, before this stuff started, so not only do the other sites begin differently, but there would be no occasion for the browser to fill in Real.Com, because there was no history of that URL available there. There could not have been "some resemblance" to cause a fill-in. In addition, I don't remember for sure, but I tend to think that I've not had this happen when I actually typed the URL into the window; only (I think) when I clicked a URL on the historical list. If that conflicts with something I've said at some point in this thread, so be it, but I think that's right. Unless, of course, it was referring to the numerical web addresses underlying the alphabetic URLs. It seems extremely unlikely that there would be any resemblance in those numbers, with that diverse a group of original targets. Dave Oesterreich |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 29 Nov 06 - 10:27 PM As I said DaveO - grasping at straws. Another straw: In IE at the Tools button, there's a choice called "Manage Add-ons." There should be a similar function in other browsers. If something has been added to "redirect" your browser it likely would be a "browser helper object," a "browser extension," or a "toolbar," all of which are supposed to be shown there if they're turned on. I have one "legitimate" entry for a Real Player browser extension, but it doesn't cause the problem you describe. Since you're seeing an unwanted behaviour, the "program" that causes it - if it's not actually coming from the standard Real Player - would most likely be hidden and wouldn't show there, although the "tool it came with" might; but it might be worth a look to see if there's anything unexpected running. John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 29 Nov 06 - 10:43 PM I use HiJackThis! and/or BHODemon to reveal and destroy unwanted BHOs. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: JohnInKansas Date: 30 Nov 06 - 05:53 AM Robin - HiJackThis! is capable of doing a whole lot of things, but is NOT generally recommended for use by the general public. Everyone should have a copy, since it can be used to make very complete reports of machine status, and a number of expert advice sites will look at your report and recommend what needs to be done; but turning loose an "average user" with this program is "risky." (We all know you're not "average," but there may be a few at the 'cat that are.) I'm not familiar with BHODemon, but in WinXP and later versions of IE the needed tools are pretty much built in, unless you're facing a hidden rootkit or something else pretty exotic. John |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 30 Nov 06 - 07:04 PM The only hassle with BHODemon is that when you connect to update - it can take ages over dialup for the HTML/XML file that holds the checkup data - it's pretty big. Of course, for us poor church mice Win 98 is better than XP - it costs less for a start... :-) Well I suppose I have been mucking around with PCs (before they were really called that) - Tandy TRS80.... 16K RAM - wow! and 2 floppies that replaced my 2 cassette decks with my home built dual cassette deck controller! :-) :-P |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: Scrump Date: 01 Dec 06 - 10:41 AM In case anyone's interested: earlier in this thread, I asked about alternatives to Realplayer, etc. I was looking for something easy to use, and don't necessarily want all the bells and whistles. In the end I've settled for the free version of Winamp - it seems intuitively easy to use (simple user interface for simple users like me), fast to load and play (unlike realplayer which seemed to take forever sometimes), etc. I can create playlists easily (I know I didn't specify I wanted this before, but I admit it's useful to have), unlike Realplayer or Windows Media Player, which I always found a PITA to set up playlists in. Also, Windows Media Player sometimes caused Windows to freeze, needing me to power reset. So far Winamp has worked well with no problems. |
|
Subject: RE: Tech: Trouble with aggressive RealPlayer From: leeneia Date: 01 Dec 06 - 01:51 PM Sorry about the mistake on the OS, dave. How aboutt this tack? Something has told your computer to go to a Real.com site when X happens. We don't know what X is. Have you tried using System Restore to put your computer back to its factory settings so that the command to go to real.com is countermanded? That's what worked for me when a well-meaning music site broke the connection bewteen my MIDI keyboard and my computer. |
| Share Thread: |