I am not sure where to put this as I am just looking for information, not virus removal help at this time!
I have McAfee suite on my computer and am wondering whether the use of the following online scanners and prior use of HiJack This( with instruction from a helper on another forum)  has or will have effect on my McAfee suite:House Call 6.6, Super AntiSpyware Free Edition, MicroSoft One care and Kaspersky.  Should these appear in Program files, the registry,PROGRAMS and Features(I have Vista Home Premium SP1) if I have correctly used these? What do you do to make sure you have nothing conflicting after such a vetting? Is there SOMETHING in Windows Vista that you should disable if you think you have a virus/malware/spyware/trojan and then enable afterwards so that restore points or whatever aren't affected by malware? I know these are BIG questions.  Thanks for any INPUT! npersn31



  I do not know if this will clarify my issue or muddy the waters more.  I am having trouble with fixing McAfee after disabling both virus scanning and spyware scanning in order to run "on demand" scanners. My favorite forum is very busy with McAfee problems, and someone is advising people what to do when they cannot "fix" McAfee. Details are sketchy there as to those posters problems and I pm'ed the helper with a detailed description of one incidence of my problem. Unfortunately, he says he has never used McAfee and cannot tell me what to do!

Can anyone advise me what to do with this thread or what to do about these problems? This newbie is overly impressed by anyone who seems to know what they are doing!
npersn31You're not saying what is the actual problem with your McAfee.

As for scanners....
HouseCall, and Kaspersky are both very good on-line scanners, and since they're on-line scanners, they won't appear to be listed under Program Files. They install only a small applet, which allows communication between your computer, and on-line scan.
Those on-line scans are often busy, and they take a long time.
I suggest scanners, you can install on your computer, so you don't have to worry if the on-line scanning site is busy, or not:
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
- SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users: http://www.superantispyware.com/

What is going on along with not being able to fix McAfee with only using the "Fix" button, is the single-occurrence of the problem of the computer showing a screen asking if I want to load Windows Vista.  Vista is only thing on here and prior to removing the scanners mentioned in my first POST of this thread from my desktop, I was using them. Trying to keep from interferring with the "good work" my suite does. A friend thought that this single-occurrence problem might indicate a virus.  I have problems with HouseCall 6.6 in that it hangs after I accept the terms, it supposedly does update/install 'thing' , and simply goes on 'idle'. Nothing I have run finds anything but cookie/trackers.

Not sure if you want or need this, but the version of Security Center is version 8.1 (Build 8.1.175), Virus Scan is version 12.1(Build 12.1.111),Personal Firewall  is version 9.1 (Build 9.1.108). McAfee Virtual Technician finds among other things: in the report under “Security Center” the following appears way down past excessive details:

Top Issue: No updates available Top Issue: Application Configuration Error when installing McAfee Products 
But apparently everything is “fine”. The full report said much more than this, but is way too long to quote.

I am uncertain what else would be helpful. Thanks for the reply npersn31

Being not able to fix McAfee by clicking "Fix" button is very common McAfee issue. The main reason - McAfee is more, or less worthless program.
However, if you want to fix the issue, this is how.
Uninstall McAfee through Add\Remove. Then run McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool: http://majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html
When done, install fresh copy of McAfee.
Don't waste your time on any other "fixes" because this is the only way to make it work.I'd like to know:
* (1)what I could replace McAfee with that isn't worthless, isn't likely to have problems with Vista SP1 or my future update to Vista SP2 ;
* (2) how to accomplish this without being clobbered online{no second computer to download to....}
* (3) and what to do to make sure on demand scanners aren't running in the background.
npersn31 1. - Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html

- free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
NOTE. During installation, Comodo will also allow you to install AV only, or firewall only, if you prefer to combine one Comodo product with some other product.

If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus.
If you decide to install Comodo, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.

IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.

2. No other way.

3. As the name implicates (on-demand), those scanners don't run in the background. They run only, when you ask them to run.If I install Avast or Avira(just one! ), is the recommendation to install PC Tools Firewall Plus or will either A/V work with Comodo firewall?  Which is the best firewall? Installing the Comodo Suite looks simpler in my uninformed view, but is it?

Is there no way to download an exe to desktop with say Windows firewall on and McAfee disabled and then disconnect cable modem from the wall so as to be offline? Of course McAfee would have to be uninstalled first along with McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool used right after...I see you have that tool at Major Geeks and wondered why. Does McAfee's web site not have this tool or is there something wrong with the one there?

npersn31 Quote

If I install Avast or Avira(just one! Smiley ), is the recommendation to install PC Tools Firewall Plus or will either A/V work with Comodo firewall?  Which is the best firewall? Installing the Comodo Suite looks simpler in my uninformed view, but is it?