Expert: Doug Woodall - 8/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Doug,

I use Windows XP Pro on a Dell 8300. I have the latest editions of Spybot Search and Destroy, and Norton Anti-virus programs installed.

Recently, I have downloaded several free video conversion programs, and added a Sierra Air-Card. About this time, I began getting a pop-up from the task-bar on start-up which says; "Search Settings Notification" and "Search Settings Warning", telling me that a program is trying to change my settings. When I click on the little magnifying glass icon, it asks me if I want to allow the change.

This is very annoying and the little pop-ups come on at every start up. They appear to be interfering with the air-card function. My Spybot and Norton do not help.

What can I do? Thanks and Regards, Ken.

ANSWER: Hi Ken,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
My email crashed and it took a few days to put it all back.
Does the notification tell you what program wants to change the setting?

Let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Doug,

No problem with your timing, I am just thrilled to get your help, thanks.

No, there is no indication of what program is trying to get over, it says" A program was blocked from changing your default search settings" I did just about this same time download two Video Conversion files from the Internet. I did uninstall them, but the pop-up is still there.

Please help, it is driving me crazy! Thank you and Regards, Ken.

P.S. Do you know of a good, safe and free Video Converter? I need to convert MOV and 3GP to something which can be played on Windows Media Player. QuickTime does not work for me. The two converters which I mentioned from the Internet are Prism and Any Video Converter.


ANSWER: Hi again Ken,
What Video conversion files did you dnload?
I'll take a look at em and see what they do.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for hanging in there Doug, I really appreciate your extended help.

I am not sure of the exact program for one, I have it listed as FREE VIDEO CONVERTER v. 1.0. The other one is a good program so far, PRISM VIDEO CONVERTER, from NCH. Both were uninstalled with no change in the pop-up, so I re-installed PRISM.

Thanks again for all of your help, I look forward to your answer, Regards, Ken.

Answer
Both make changes to the registry when installed.
I didnt get any pop-ups but Im using a different setup.
Try dnloading CCleaner and running it to clean up the registry.

Heres the link for CCleaner.

http://www.ccleaner.com

Let me know how it turns out.