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06 Mar 08 - 11:42 AM (#2281234) Subject: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing This morning my Win Patrol scotty has been woofing at me every few seconds about something the title of which, when I copy and paste, makes my typing go weird, typing in letters I am not pushing etc. It only happens when I try to copy and paste the title of the exe file it references, that is "???" followed by heavy-looking, bold "l" then the letters "WkDetect dot exe" not written out like that, though. There is also sometimes a weird wingding, like an open rectangle standing up veritcally between the question marks and ell. I have told it "No" each time it comes up, then the WP little box pops up to tell me I have denied a registry change. I looked up the exe file online and have disabled my Automatic Windows Update. I looked at my Tasks thingie in WP, which it recommended, but I don't know what is legit and what might not be. This was the new-to-me refurbished Dell we bought in January. Supposedly, if I buy WP PLUS, they will help me understand and deal with all of this. Is this something of their own to push sales? Is it worth buying the PLUS? Do any of you know what I cna do to shut the dog up?:-) Thanks! kat |
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06 Mar 08 - 11:45 AM (#2281239) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing OH, I should have said, the pop up box tells me I have denied the registry change for Microsoft Works. |
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06 Mar 08 - 12:44 PM (#2281297) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: Joe Offer Well, WkDetect.exe appears to be a legitimate Microsoft Works file. I've had it running on my computers for years, and don't see any reason to remove it. If you don't want Microsoft Works, best to uninstall the whole program, not just components. I use MS Works chiefly for its database, with is far easier to use than any other database program I've seen. I'm sure John in Kansas will disagree with me, but I've always found Automatic Windows Update to be helpful, and I wouldn't turn it off. -Joe- |
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06 Mar 08 - 01:42 PM (#2281362) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing I don't have a problem with MSWorks, either, Joe, but this just started. today, and WinPatrol won't stop popping up with it because I don't know if it is safe to tell it "okay" when it alerts me that the "???WkDetect" executable program wants to change my registry. When I follow what WP says to do about it, it doesn't stop it. I have just turned off WP just to stop the dog yapping until I know what to do. I saw some claims online that there are some malwares, etc which may parade as WkDetect. thanks, kat |
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07 Mar 08 - 05:06 AM (#2281903) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: Geoff the Duck Don't know anything about your specific problem, but Win Patrol's scotty dog is there to warn you if something tries to change your system. Sometimes the change is legitimate, other times a sign of something nasty. YIf you aren't trying to install something, then you are probably wise to ask for advice before allowing the change. This will take the thread back to the top end of the list, so I'm not just chipping in pointlessly. Quack! GtD. |
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07 Mar 08 - 06:30 AM (#2281941) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: JohnInKansas WkDetect Defined This site is not one I've examined closely, but it displays the "Windows Partner" seal that usually indicates a legitimate place. It offers a couple of links to check for WkDetect errors, if you're concerned that your machine has been messed with. The purpose of WkDetect is to check with Microsoft for updates to Works. If there is an update available, and WkDetect tells you about it, you probably need to let it install. And for Joe - I wouldn't even think of turning off Windows Automatic updates. Leave it off for a week or two and it can take hours and hours of downloads to catch up .... and if you get more than a few weeks behind, you may have to re-authenticate your programs to get back in. In fact, I'd recommend that in addition to accepting all automatic updates you should make regular "manual visits" to the update site and use the "Custom Install" to see what optional patches are available. Only security critical updates download automatically, and there are likely to be optional ones that will help keep things working more efficiently. John |
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07 Mar 08 - 10:25 AM (#2282086) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: Stilly River Sage I got tired of the automatic updates getting in my face when I was working on important things. So I set it to inform me any time there are updates and I go get them. I also visit manually every so often, as JiK recommends. There is a site that I've found useful for identifying goofy little programs and files. You'll often times enter the site sideways, so to speak, if you search on a specific file name or program bit. BleepingComputer.com has files about these programs. Like this one for the ???WkDetect you were asking about. I've been paying Earthlink for DSL for over five years now, knowing that I have the slowest DSL on the planet, just slightly above dialup speeds. I called this week to find out if I could pay a small fee to keep my email because I was considering switching to cable. The went out and did some diagnostic stuff. I learned yesterday that there are three people in my neighborhood with DSL, we apparently snuck in somehow because we really are too far from the phone company hub. I was getting upload/download speeds around 330Kps instead of 1.5Mps. They were able to boost it to a stable 768Kps but any faster and it would crash regularly. The tech tells me that my call means all three of us have faster speeds, but it is still pretty piss poor. And he even suggested I speak to customer service about a credit. You got that. I have fussed with this for years and it was the only game in town. I hate the cable company, but still may make the shift (only getting Broadband, no television or phone). Anyway, this is why I didn't let automatic updates download. If I had to move a big file to a server via the VPN program from work, those updates were a real killer to my productivity. SRS |
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07 Mar 08 - 11:06 AM (#2282113) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing Thanks, Geoff, for the boost. Thanks, Maggie. I followed your second link which took me to info which led me to a Uniblue RegistryBooster2 program. When I downloaded and scanned my registry with it, it came up with 221 errors of which it would only fix 14 unless I want to pay UK 19.95 for the full version. Are you familiar with it? Is it worth it? Dear John of Infinite Patience, I disabled WIN Auto updates as that is what WinPatrol told me to do. Should I reinstate it? BTW, there "No Icon" available with this alert which keeps coming up, so I am guessing it is NOT a legit WIN update. Next thing I guess I need to figure out it how to get rid of it. Maybe pay for the program noted above. Thanks, again! |
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07 Mar 08 - 11:10 AM (#2282118) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing P.S., I am beginning to wonder if it's just WinPatrol trying to sell its PLUS package. When I click on "More info" it takes me to a promotional page with all kinds of dire warnings to get me to upgrade. |
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07 Mar 08 - 08:10 PM (#2282557) Subject: RE: Tech: Stopping alerts to WkDetect dot exe From: katlaughing ONe more question: do you all pay for Ad Watch or just rely on AdAware? |