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18 May 10 - 07:29 AM (#2909105) Subject: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. I have developed two known problems, which google help sites give no answer to with one of my computers. Their forums are full of them, one for over three years. The problems are on the Asus EePC, running XP SP3, connected via WiFi to Bt broadband. I'm using IE7. a) We're sorry, you look like a robot, now fill in this captcha. Over and over again. I've scanned (Mcafee removed a tracking cookie), removed cookies, rebooted, removed the toolbar. No, I'm still a bot. b) Will you accept this download - a file called search, unknown type, can't be opened. No search appears. This might happen straight away on entering a search, before searching -on opening Google from either the favourites menu, or typing in the address, or it might wait until I want to move on to another page. The Toshiba, also running XP, SP3, IE7 with the same connection, has no problems. Both machines use McAfee security, which has recently upgraded itself to as different version. The Tosh did it first. No problems. Apart from using Bing or Yahoo on the other, any ideas? Penny |
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18 May 10 - 08:41 AM (#2909145) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Midchuck Firefox. P. |
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18 May 10 - 12:11 PM (#2909266) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Bill D I will almost guarantee that Google is not the basic problem in the 'search' question. There will be 'some' setting, either in the McAfee on the 1st machine, or in some other setting....or in what else you are doing. Google yelled at ME once when I tried to download a large series of images AFTER using their search. I was using a program that saved me the trouble of right clicking each one separately. I finally had to do it the longer way. If this "will you accept this download?" thing appears before you actually do a search, that is unlikely to be Google. It could be a so-far-undetected bit of malware on the Asus. It would help if we had some exact series of steps to duplicate. |
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20 May 10 - 03:26 AM (#2910395) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. Since posting I have followed advice froma another source and downloaded and run something called Malwarebytes, which found something in the registry called "Disable Security Centre", two copies. These were removed and the computer restarted. Still, I could reach the google page from my favourites menu, but when I entered the search and either pressed enter, or the search button, up popped the download option again. There is one difference between the two computers. When I started usuing BT internet, I loaded their software on the Tosh, though I don't use their homepage or go to their site much. On the Asus, I just entered the connection manually. I've updated McAfee Security centre, and am about to restart again. Penny |
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20 May 10 - 03:50 AM (#2910404) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. I have now been able to download and install the latest google toolbar. By put.ting it into the search window (download prompt appeared) but then clicking the "sign in" button - I was desperate. Now, the main google screen will appear from the favourites menu the first time I try, but will only allow the I'm feeling lucky button to give an answer. If I want another search, I have to shut IE, and reopen it. If I start off with the toolbar, it will aloow several searches and going on to further pages, no problem. If I use the main google page it's back to the dwnload, and then the toolbar goes the same way. and trying to get to the mainpage is back to download as well. No more captchas, though. Penny |
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20 May 10 - 04:10 AM (#2910408) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. Very interesting. when running the antimalware, I spotted that there were lots of temporary files, so I've purged them. at first there was no change. But now everythng seems Ok. Penny |
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20 May 10 - 12:15 PM (#2910633) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Stilly River Sage I don't know about that particular "Malwarebytes" software - sometimes those things are part of the problem. I find there are often predatory programs linked in ads on the very pages of the program you're really looking for, so you have to be sure you're clicking the correct download or you're screwed all over again. I would suggest you go to http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ and use the keywords you're getting in these messages to find discussions about the thing you're having problems with. They cover a broad number of topics. It's a free site to join, and you get easier results that way. A word to the wise, do a search before asking questions about your problem. They don't appreciate the new user who pops up, asks a question without looking, and expects others to take the time to answer what might be a frequent question - again. SRS |
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20 May 10 - 01:16 PM (#2910670) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Bill D Malwarebytes is excellent, no matter what you are doing. It finds stuff that professional miss. |
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21 May 10 - 01:15 AM (#2911038) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: The Fooles Troupe "They don't appreciate the new user who pops up, asks a question without looking, and expects others to take the time to answer what might be a frequent question - again." ... just like Mudcat ... ;-) |
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21 May 10 - 01:21 AM (#2911042) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Stilly River Sage Yup. There are similarities. Bill, thanks for the feedback about Malwarebytes. The reason I pointed toward Bleeping Computer is because they will recommend those kinds of programs if they're good, or tell you if they are something to avoid. Maybe you've seen the place? Between you and those folks, I've been able to keep my computer in pretty good shape (knock wood, of course!) SRS |
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21 May 10 - 04:55 AM (#2911101) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. Its working fine at the moment, but I don't entirely trust something that got better by itself, ie, there was a gap between my doing something and the problems stopping. who benefits from google losing users? Penny |
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21 May 10 - 03:12 PM (#2911461) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Murray MacLeod I just logged on and Google has some kind of space invaders game where their logo normally is. WTF ?? Is this actually Google, or some kind of virus on my computer ? It says "Google search " in one box and " Insert a coin" in the other box. It's a virus, right ? |
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21 May 10 - 03:17 PM (#2911467) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Murray MacLeod Apparently it's not a virus, it's something called "Pac-Man" and they have actually put it on the Google home page. Get it off, please ????? |
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21 May 10 - 03:46 PM (#2911494) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: BK Lick It's celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man. Guess it really offends you, huh. |
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21 May 10 - 05:25 PM (#2911565) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Penny S. I was in the school today, and their home page had a comment about people being unable to use Google having to use Yahoo instead, so I suspect its more general. Penny |
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21 May 10 - 06:13 PM (#2911604) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: Bill D *big grin*...Pac Man...and it actually works. Haven't played that in 25 years. |
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21 May 10 - 07:18 PM (#2911651) Subject: RE: Tech: Google being evil From: GUEST,Chris Murray Love the Pac Man Google! |