McAfee virus scan stops with error

[LisaMBerg]

I'm running Windows XP w/SP3. Using McAfee Internet Security Suite 8.0. I can't get a complete virus scan to run, always get an error mesage at random points during the scan. After 5 attempts to fix this with McAfee (trying everything in the books), they say it's a Microsoft Windows problem & I need to call them for support. Well Microsoft won't give me free support because Windows XP was installed by a computer manufacturer. The"manufacturer" happens to be a local company that built custom computers, who is now out of business. I don't know if we have a virus or not, but we frequently get those Microsoft error messages that causes Internet Explorer to shut down (send or don't send report). The computer also restarts randomly. My question is: Should I try buying & installing another virus software (IE Norton) to see if it will scan & hopefully find & fix a virus? I don't have a problem spending the money for a whole new program, since McAfee has let me down & my subscription with them is expiring soon anyway. Or should I try reformatting my hard drive? Or, if I get a whole new computer (I'm due for one anyway, this one's 4 years old, an antique by now) & transfer my files, etc, will I also risk transferring a virus? I don't know what to do so any advise is welcome. I'm not too keen with the technology of computers, so please try to speak in terms I can comprehend. Thanks!!

[Majeed Mengal]

You must install a registerd version of McAfee Anti Virus and Scan Your computer on "on-Demand Scan" and select the all Item which you want to scan and set other buttons such as you want it detect auto compresses files and scan it so choose other buttons step by step and in last save it with any name. Finally click the start button it will starting scan your computer and cleand virus if Anti Virus is updated. For updation click on this link McAfee, Inc. - Downloads - Virus Protection - DAT Files and download the latest DAT files and install it in your computer your anti virus is updated.

[JPMiller]

Im not sure about that last post....

Simply Go to Filehippo.com and grab a few of the very highly rated free scanners offered there, install them, update them and then run the scans in safemode...
You can get into safe mode by tapping the F8 button while first booting up

Heres a basic rundown of what you should do...

Theres scads of threads on this already...
Security and Privacy Issues - Tech Support Forums - TechIMO.com

those top stickies should more than cover everything

--------------
For my own 2 cents...
Start by turning off System Restore...
To turn off system Restore, simply right click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, and choose "properties"
Click the "system restore" tab and check the box that says turn off system restore"
Click "Apply" and then OK, You can always turn it back on later when your sure the system is clean, by reversing the procedure
The reason you should turn it off, is because many of the nastier Trojans and spyware insinuate themselves into the system restore points and reinsert themselves after you've gotten rid of them

Run C-Cleaner
If you don't already have them...
Use Spybot, Adaware, and Super AntiSpyware as well
Update all the Spyware removers...
Then reboot in safe mode and run the scans from there...
Then run C-Cleaner again and don't forget to scan for issues to clean the registry...

Remember to run msconfig and turn off anything but Antivirus and Super Antispyware......


Most people use a combo of Spybot and Adaware to weed out spyware, but I have also been using SuperAntispyware as well lately as a realtime scanner with excellent results.
And there is NO reason to purchase security software when the majority of it is no better than the available freeware.

Most people are split between AVG and Avast for antivirus...
I use AVG, and have never had any issues

All can be found at filehippo.com

I dont particularily care for ANY of the paid for security programs...
More often than not they are poorly executed and end up doing less than the free alternatives I've posted above..

[blawso01]

I was having the same problems you were with my computer giving me the "Blue Screen of Death" and then rebooting randomly.

I restored my PC to the factory settings and didn't do anything. I was having no problems. I then started adding applications. The first application that I installed was Mcafee. Right after installation, it started erroring out.

I did another restore to factory settings and used Norton this time. I haven't had problems for about 2 days now. I have a subscription to Norton for 60 days. I will see if the problems start occurring with Norton installed. If they don't, then I will stick with Norton.