Okay now, I was looking for a No-CD crack for D2 the other day because my disk cracked in half, which sucks, so I could still play. Unfortunately I find NOTHING. Finally I come across ONE result, which has 2 programs in it, Game.exe and abw.exe. The readme says run ABW first, so I do. Crap. Immediately viruses and Spyware ABOUND bombard my computer. So I take on the 2-day process of cleaning my computer, and here I am. Not bad, not good. Not bad--my computer runs fine, nothing overtly wrong with it. Not good--a virus or SOMETHING still resides, because spyware replicates exponentially even with deletion of spyware files. Also, my login time is UBERUBERUBERslow, like it takes nearly 1 minute to login. That's a long time for a 2400+ with 512 DDR400. Now, I dunno what it is--cleaned out browser hijackers (though they keep coming back), cleaned out spyware (though it keeps coming back), cleaned out viruses...which strangely enough seem to NOT come back. Anyways, any help is appreciated .

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There is no signature

...not sure exactly how the above is Windows' fault, but anyway - what virus scanner you using? Updated your definitions?

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97

As a veteran of this problem...The foolproof solution is to burn everything you wanna save and format your hard drive.

Well you've obviously got something loading itself at boot. Either its a virus (probable) or the spyware (highly probable).. the latter would account for the slow load time and continuous propagation of spyware. What version of Windows are you running?

I'm gonna assume that if this was a virus it would have probably crippled the system already.. but you'll want to update your virus definitions and run a FULL system scan anyways.

My guess is you've got something that has set itself to load at Windows boot, and is initializing at boot (which is accounting for the slow load time), and then is probably making a connection to a server, downloading, and installing whatever spyware was removed, or something completely different, or whatever.

First of all, we need to know what version of Windows you're running. Secondly, make sure that the Windows Startup folder has only stuff you want in there in it. (Click on Start menu button in the lower left of the screen->Startup.) If the spyware is smart, it won't show a hint of being anywhere near there, but check regardless.

A lot of what I can come up with off the top of my head is dependent upon your version of Windows, so please give us that info.

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I'll admit to Reactor CTF, Duel Abyss, Duel Turbulent, Duel Dustball, and even the CCCP, but not Sky High! (my first, be kind!) Ok so maybe I will.

I don't see how this is Windows's fault either, you downloaded the stuff yourself. I'm going to say what everyone else will say: Adaware, Spybot S&D. As for what you were originally searching for, e-mail me

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Bliss is ignorance.

I use housecall, and it updates everytime. It's a good scanner though. And I just dislike windows' instability at the moment. I can't wait till my uncle comes so he can help me install linux.

And I would install it myself, but I've gotten advice to get help on my first time through from everyone. Seeing as how my uncle's a frelling genius on comps, I've deemed he shall help me. Whether he likes it or not (:<

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There is no signature

And I would but thing is, FRESH out of CD's, and no cash to spare. Suckage to the max

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There is no signature

Windows XP NON-SP1 but with all Updates. Getting a version w/ SP1 in a couple weeks.

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There is no signature

Ah so a....not so "normal" copy of Windows.

Also, Linux isn't bad, but its not Windows that's causing the problem. You're the one who downloaded and ran the .exe.

Go to Start->Run and type in "msconfig" (without the quotes) and hit enter. This will bring up a nice little dialog box. You'll want to click the "Startup" tab. This shows you what is being loaded when Windows starts. What you'll want to do is verify what's being loaded at startup. There are resources online that list common .exe files you'll see here. If I'm right, one of them will be your spyware, and may have hidden itself so well as to have completely evaded Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. Google is your friend in this case. Basically what you want to do is do a search for these .exe files with Google, and see what kind of info you can come up with. Usually there's stuff like Quicktime, video card drivers, etc. that will put themselves in here. General rule of thumb: don't get click happy and just disable/enable stuff at random. This may or may not result in your problem getting worse, not better.

If that tracks down the problem .exe, disable it, and see if you can find out where it is on the computer. There may even be a folder under the C:\Windows\ directory or something. You never know.

I'm really out of ideas short of a full format and reinstall, otherwise. I also can't recommend hooking the thing up to another computer (with a crossover cable or through a hub/switch or anything) because if there's a virus on there, it might just propagate to the other computer...

So basically make this a note to yourself: Cracks are pretty much not something you should assume is safe. Ever. Always virus scan whatever .exe files you download, regardless of whether they're legit or not. Make it a habit. Sure it might be paranoid, in a sense, but it saves you this kind of trouble later on.

I'm pretty much out of ideas, though. Sorry if this doesn't help any...

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I'll admit to Reactor CTF, Duel Abyss, Duel Turbulent, Duel Dustball, and even the CCCP, but not Sky High! (my first, be kind!) Ok so maybe I will.

[This message has been edited by Gonk (edited March 09, 2004).]

Well Gonk, will do--although if I can't fix this problem ASAP I'll be fine. I got my uncle coming a couple weeks, like I said, and he's installing Windows XP w/ SP1 on here, as well as walking me through Gentoo. So all's well, . Thanks for your help, we'll see how it pans out...

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There is no signature

No service packs will do that.

It's gonna be a long walk... if you start now, your stage 1 install will be ready by summer!

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I check my e-mail

[This message has been edited by Mystic0 (edited March 09, 2004).]

^^Nonsense. Late April at the latest.

Anyone else see a problem with this?

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EvilMagic.net: Brian's Web Log

Windows didn't exactly cause the problem. No CD cracks is a popular way to spread viruses these days

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.

Yeah yah I know, but if I were to get one for linux, this wouldn't be happening D:<. Also I know no service packs will help that, well it will a little, and the housecall scanner IS good. It just only picks up viruses, or pieces of code that replicate themselves, not whatever this is. Argh. But I'm doing Stage 2, so

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There is no signature

Well, in that case, if you didn't download the crack you wouldn't be having the problem either lol...

You can always tell usually with a NoCD crack for a game (since I use one for all of my games). They usually replace the .exe like swkotor.exe, or jasp.exe. If you don't see a file resembling any of the exe programs that start the game, most likely a virus. Some do extract to the folder, and run a program to crack it, but usually it's just a replace the .exe thing. And also, I wouldn't suggest looking in google for No-CD Cracks. There are two main sites that are clean, and have most every No-CD. Send me an e-mail....

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Only To Keep The Public Happy

Don't uninstall Windows completly (at least at first) or you'll be crying back to your mommy in 1 week.

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I check my e-mail

It's all about getting a crack from a release group or some other reliable source. Release groups wouldn't put viruses in their cracks b/c they have a "31337" reputation to maintain.

If you get a crack from joe schlump off of kazaa, there is no way to know that you are getting is the real deal or is just a trojan.




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Most people regard me as the dark and immoral side of Massassi. At least I'm getting what I want out of life.

wctglyde@hotmail.com E-mail me. I know where to get your cracks safely... >_>

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Fight fire with fire! Fight EVERYTHING with fire!

"True as toasted toads!"

OMG WARZ!

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Don't be unwise judge me not by my size. You wont believe your eyes watch the xwing rise!

Well, there is something to be said about the total immersion technique.... but yeah. I agree.

My official stance:

I only endorse using cracks on programs that you already legally own but are unable to access for whatever reason, such as a missing cd key, etc..


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Most people regard me as the dark and immoral side of Massassi. At least I'm getting what I want out of life.

[This message has been edited by Pagewizard_YKS (edited March 10, 2004).]

[sing]
69,000 bugs in the code, 69,000 bugs... Get one wacked with a Service Pack; 70,000 bugs in the code!
[/sing]

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The future is here, and all bets are off.

Try to look for more reputable sites to get the crack, or listen to another Massassian who does know where to find them. I don't quite remember where I got my patch, though...

As for legality, the patches are perfectly legal. However, you're walking a fine line. It is NOT legal to install it so all your friends can use one copy of the game to play it. However Blizzard was wise enough to implement almost fail-safe methods to prevent people from doing things they didn't want. As far as I've been able to find out, It's all right with Blizzard for you to use one copy to set up a whole LAN with the game. It may be legal to use the crack, but be careful, because taking advantage of the ability to use it in two different locations isn't as legal. Since your CD snapped, go ahead and install the crack; you're not going to be pirating the game anytime soon.

Also, you should've created a backup of the game; they're legal as long as they are "tied" to the original; if you give/sell your game, either gibve the backups, or destroy them.

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Nes digs around in the trash can.
Nes finds a hamburger!
Nes puts the hamburger in his backpack.

The problem with making backups, nottheking, is that some companies nowadays are adding protection software. Some make it impossible to copy all the data but the game will still work to some degree while others I've heard of will wipe your drive (isn't that a pain ).

Usually if you have a damaged cd the company that makes it will do an exchange for a small fee. Have a look in your instructions for any notes about this, if you can't find anything try e-mailing (or even writing) to them first.

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<<Awaiting something smart to say>>

Also, if you have the hard drive space, you can always make images of your CDs on your hard drive. That way, you won't even lose your backup CD-Rs, like I do.............. a lot

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Only To Keep The Public Happy

dude, a simple answer. Ever think you have system restore turned on? then if the spyware "tricks" the system into thinking they are essential, it will restore the files anytime they are damaged or destroyed. Simple task. Turn off system restore, unplug your internet (first), then re-delete all the files, make sure you also use a program like spysweeper. when your done, clear your recycle bin, then plug your internet back in (oh and i suggest not using internet explorer as your browser if you already are)

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Life is too important to take seriously.
~Oscar Wilde

Warz! Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

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"LC Tusken: the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot"
NMGOH || Jack Chick preaches it

Thanks guys, I'll be emailing a couple of you in a few minutes here . Anyways, now my LoD install doesn't work at all. It says I need the play disc, and...well it's snapped. Ah well, D2 on it's own isn't so bad...right?

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There is no signature

Also check and make sure thigns aren't loading in the registry. WARNING: don't go delete happy here, or you might end up with your only option being to reformat. Anyway, goto start, run, then type 'regedit'. It will bring up a box with all the registry information. Explode the box marked 'hkey_local_machine', then 'software'. Explode 'Microsoft', then 'Windows', then 'Current Version'. Look in the 'run', 'runonce', and 'runonceex'. If you can't find it in there...I don't know what to tell you.

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Guess what? Yep, that's right. No, no, really, it's right. Think it's wrong? You're right, it's wrong. Know why? 'Cause it is