Anyone else have problems with their virus scanners (McAfee)

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Since I installed the suite of programs (windowsfx, desktopx, bootskin, ect), my whole McAfee suite gets screwed up. VirusScan sometimes doesn't start, and cannot be accessed, Firewall sometimes cannot be accessed and/or doesn't start... I've reinstalled McAfee numerous times; I don't think it is the problem. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Thank you in advance
3,958 views 12 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windowblinds may be at fault. Trying going into the Windowblinds configuration, click on "per application" then click on "add per application setting". In the next window find the .exe file for the application that you are having problems with and click the open button. This will tell Windowblinds not to skin that application. Hopefully this will solve your problem. It has worked for several programs on my computer.

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Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks guys! I ended up having to uninstall everything, and reinstalling each one separately, and restarting windows aftereach install. So far all is well.

Thanks again.

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No luck here. Been trying for a month to figure this out. I believe it's possibly WindowBlinds causing the trouble. However, on my XPSP1, using the per application thing doesn't fix anything. The only thing that fixes the problem of not being able to use McAfee products is to not run Windowblinds or DesktopX or anything else... With those programs installed, the only time I can access McAfee is in safe mode without WindowBlinds running... I have tried safe mode installs of McAfee and reinstalls after cleaning every trace of McAfee off the computer and registry. Made sure all the security settings in IE are correct, etc, etc, etc. It seems to be a lost cause... I'm being left with the choice of either or, but not both on my machine...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmm

McAfee vs the other guys
or
WB/DTX vs the other guys

seems it might be easier to find comparable AV/FW if all else fails.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use McAfee (because we have a site license) and have no problems.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When I shutdown, MPFTray or sometimes MCAgent has trouble shutting down. I'm running McAfee VS and PF+. I've got WB and DTX loaded. It's been this way for about a month now. I've tried reloading once but it still does it. It doesn't bug me too much and things are ok during UpTime. It only does it during the shutdown/logoff process.

I grok, therefore I am...
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, it seems I spoke too soon, or gave up too soon. I removed every trace of Stardock and Object Desktop and all components as well as the same with McAfee Internet Suite 7, from hard disk and registry. Then installed McAfee Virus Scan, registered, rebooted, installed Personal Firewall, registered that, rebooted, installed Stardock Central, rebooted, installed Icon Packager and an icon set, rebooted, installed WindowBlinds, Icon Developer, and Skin Studio, rebooted. McAfee is operating normally now. I did not install DesktopX or IconX, but may try loading IconX again later, never used DesktopX anyway. I think for my computer, having Object Desktop Programs loaded and trying to install new McAfee programs bugged up the registration process for McAfee as the McRegWiz.exe is no longer loaded in task manager after the whole reinstall process. Didn't seem to matter that the programs were not loaded up in memory in Safe Mode for installations, just being there bugged up the whole installation process. My guess is that it was Windowblinds, but perhaps it was DesktopX or IconX. Actually, since I've had no other compatibility issues it would seem McAfee is the problem... Anyway, the above process worked for me and I hope the programs continue to get along with each other... *fingers crossed*
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
McAfee and Norton are notorious for not getting along with other progs, including Stardock progs. There are a bunch of threads on this problem. You can check out this link to some excellent firewall, anti virus progs that are available for free or purchase. I have used them for years without the first problem. Read comment #8

https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=144&AID=78433#601142
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Like clwoods says these are the unfriendliest Firewalls out there! I run EZ Armor (ca.com) full version. When you did the uninstall are you removing all the directories associated BEFORE YOU SELECT YES TO REBOOT? I had a devil of a time gettin Mcafee in the trask can. It destroyed my systems registry during the uninstall forcing a fdisk and 4 days of rebuilding. Learn from my mistakes!

I learned some very important lessons: 1) protect your Registry & System like I do with PCTOOLS Spyware Doctor & Registry Mechanic in conjunction with EZ Armor Firewall; 2)Perform regular quarterly Full Clone/Backups (I use Ghost and yes I know they make the Firewalls!)and use System Restore often!

The first time that I ran Registry Mechanic it found 340 errors. Then I rebooted and ran it again and it found 130 more errors. Then I rebooted and ran it again with Zero errors.

When I ran Spyware Doctor after uninstalling Ad-Aware it found 135 Trojans and other malicious Active-X (there are almost 30,000) Expolits and Keyloggers. Everytime I get an update I run it and it finds something or it Immunizes my system from some kind of exploit.

It is much easier to fall back than to fall on the floor, wouldn't you say!
Wisky

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