This is Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. Is there no Game Giveaway this week-end? Not complaining, just curious!
No GAME Giveaway Today?
(9 posts) (3 voices)-
CherylL5156
MemberPosted 10 years ago # -
My best guess would be no as it's getting quite late for GOTD to start one. Stephen would know best though.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruSorry, should have posted info about this. I've been totally snowed under for the past few days. There is one on Sunday. (one of your favorite indie developers Wiz)
Posted 10 years ago # -
CherylL5156
MemberNot a problem, Stephen, I was simply curious...and you are probably right, Wiz, it was rather late to even assume the possibility of a game for Saturday. Thanks, guys. One other question, if I may...In quite a few posts of late (not just this site), I've seen random words highlighted in different colors and double underlined. If you hover your curser over them a "FriendsChecker" pops up with some funky advertisement. For example in Wiz's post the word 'start' is in red and double underlined, the pop-up advertises a "Special Offers!" from Amazon only offered in Michigan, USA, my state. Always cautious about weird things like that I ignore and do not click on it. Any ideas what they are and how to get rid of them? Thanks for any help from anyone regarding this.
Posted 10 years ago # -
FriendsChecker is something you acquired from Facebook. It's pretty harmless but is rather annoying. Check out this video for removal information.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruHi Cheryl,
You've probably picked up one of those adware hacks. Did you download the giveaway Sound Frost from several months ago? The giveaway team found that it had malware after having put it up for distribution. None of the malware suites picked it up so it wasn't their fault. Quite a few giveaway users posted about the issue including me. Amongst other things it did something similar to what you describe. Otherwise you may have picked it up elsewhere. The adverts are really annoying and very invasive.
There is a fix, but I can't remember what it was, I basically formatted my main C: Drive to clear off everything, then reinstalled my windows copy (which I do as a matter of course a couple of times a year to clear all the junk I've downloaded). There are other ways to sort the problem out if you don't want to lose your giveaway programs.
One way that may get rid of the problem is to make a note of any names that may head the adverts you see, then search thorough your programs files, Program files (x86) folders and the registry to see if there are any folders (or in the registry entries in the various hives) with that name, then delete them (maybe make a back up just in case, especially if you are deleting entries in the registry); also, look in your 'My documents' folder and the hidden folder 'appdata', check in each of the folders within that folder (i.e. 'local' 'locallow' and 'roaming').
You'll find the 'appdata' folder inside your personal folder i.e:
C > Users > name of your windows account > App Data
You may need to go to Control Panel > (I prefer viewing the control panel using 'small icons' rather than the default 'category view') select the following:
Folder options > click on the view tab and check the 'show hidden files, folders or drives
This will allow you to see any hidden folders. You can change it back to hidden once you've checked the 'appdata' folder for any evidence of these advert names.
you can easily see the 'appdata' folder once you've checked the show hidden folder box, it will look slightly different from the normal folders, sort of translucent:
To open up the registry editor type 'Regedit' in the search box then click on the icon that appears .......(you'll need this to clear away any instructions that relate to the various ad ware programs that may be installed on your computer, otherwise you may find all the work you've done deleting folders was a waste of time as the registry may contain instructions for those programs to be reinstalled, so it's very important that you check the registry as well).
i.e. (the background of the icon wont be the same)
Click on that icon , which will open up the registry editor window:
Click on 'edit' (found along the top toolbar of the registry editor window) and select Find from the drop down menu. A small 'Find' window will open up.
Type in one of the key words you've made a note of in the 'find what' field, then click on the find next field. Each time you find an entry make a back up (just in case it is required) by right clicking on the entry and selecting export; (give the entry a name) then click on okay to back up the registry key, once you've done that delete the key seen in the registry, then click the function key F3 to continue searching for more entries that link to that particular key word. When the message 'finished searching through the registry' appears, click on the computer symbol at the top of the registry hives:
i.e.
Then repeat the whole process over again until you've searched every key word. i.e. click on edit, select find etc etc.......
Once you've rebooted your computer and made sure it still works okay it's probably safe to delete the registry keys you backed up (though I'd keep the keys for several weeks to make sure they aren't linked to any programs you don't use often).
I'm sorry if the above seems confusing, I tend to waffle a bit, so it may be easier if you Google the problem as there are some good tutorials on how to get rid of such ad-ware.
It's always important when installing new software, (especially from freeware sites) to check the installer for check boxes that ask if you want say for example the ask tool bar or changing your home p[age or search engine. These are invariably checked so that if you don't un-check them, you will end up with extra's. Sometimes these extra's may look like they are part of the installer, you have to click the decline button, then move on to the next screen. for example, last week i installed some software from Glarysoft's free site and it went through several such screens, each wanting to install stuff that would be annoying. you should be able to see the difference between those and the actual program you are installing.
Please ask any questions about the above if you need more clarification.. I'll try and answer to the best of my ability. It may take me a few days as I don't check the forums as much as earlier this year as I've been extremely busy over the last several months.
Hopefully others will contribute to this discussion.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Gurup.s. took me well over an hour to type the above (had a long phone call in between), so didn't see Wizzard of Oz's post (you must have been up late Wiz, 2am - 3am?). If it's neither of these sources
i.e Facebook or sound Frost
it could be any one of the programs you may have installed over the past few months. If you can remember when the issue started, that would give you a better idea as to which programs you've installed since then. Apart from Sound Frost every other program given away from the giveaway and game giveaway sites have been malware free, but I couldn't vouch for any of the other free sites apart from Glarysoft, BitsduJour and maybe The Daily giveaway site. Many of the others now have hidden surprises such a some page hijacks, tool bars, ad-ware and search engine changes. (e.g., my wife updated Java on my computer and allowed the Ask toolbar to be installed because she didn't un-check the appropriate box during installation. It also changed my search engine preference to the ask search engine.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I usually am up late on Saturdays and Sundays. I find it hard to sleep. I looked into the FriendsChecker and it fits all the symptoms you're displaying CheryIL so I would start there first.
Posted 10 years ago # -
CherylL5156
MemberWOW...I'm overwhelmed! Sorry it took me so long to reply. I've had surgery on my foot [Bunion]. Two weeks in cast w/o bearing any weight, two weeks w/walker, now rehab. I wasn't forwarned by Surgeon how long recovery would be. I've just yesterday [Friday, 12/20] been able to remove final bandaging from my foot. Anyway, I've said all that to say this...it's been considerably uncomfortable and hard to get around and have basically stuck close to my bed, so haven't been very consistent in checking here after asking for assistance with the FriendsChecker invasion. Pain has been my middle name for quite a few years and have been on opioids for a loooong time; rough estimate 25 years. Am now using the Patch Systems (Fentanyl) along with Oxycodone for break-thru pain. After considerable hospitalization(s), diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis being my constant companion for about 20 years. I am a recovering Alcoholic with 27 years of Sobriety, thanks be to God. I admit that the Alcohol exacerbated the Pancreatitis, but it was also discovered that I had a birth defect with my Pancreas. Upon birth the Pancreas is in two parts then supposed to grow together as I grew, alas, mine did not and unknowingly had been suffering Pancreatitis episodes my whole life. For the most part Pediatrician chalked the pain up to Gastritis! Incompetent nincompoop!!
Whew...didn't feel that diatribe coming on...so sorry. Mods, just delete this if you feel the need. Won't hurt my feelings...I've hardly got any anymore. As with you Stephen, the computer helps take my mind off the pain occasionally. Since reading what you've gone through, I feel a kindred spirit with you. I am amazed by what you do for this community and am very appreciative. You don't get the kudos that you deserve in my opinion. So....here's some from me :) I promise to attempt all you have illustrated for me here. Can't make promises, as you may well understand...all I can do is try. If I come upon any snags, I feel that between you and 'Wiz' you'll get me through. I'm eternally in your debt(s) for your assistance.
Sincere Regards,
Cheryl
Posted 10 years ago #
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