[_Endless_]

A few weeks ago, my computer had a virus and I ended up losing everything as the computer had to get restored. I noticed in the Control Panel that I now have two "Add or Remove Programs" folders. One of them seems fine, but on the other it has about 10 or more files about "Security Update for Windows XP" and "Windows XP Hotfix." I was just wondering why there are a lot of these and why there are two folders?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Sounds to me like the restore malfunctioned and left the old add/remove panel in place.

The hotfixes are nothing to worry about, its an option in that window wether on not you want to see windows updates ( its a checkbox right at the top before the program listings )

Getting rid of one of these might be more tricky though... And this could possibly be the work of some malware too...

Start by heading off to Malware, and have them give you a clean bill of health. Once that's done, come back here, and if the problem persists, we'll work on solving it

Good Luck

[Vaillant]

Sounds to me like the restore malfunctioned and left the old add/remove panel in place.

The hotfixes are nothing to worry about, its an option in that window wether on not you want to see windows updates ( its a checkbox right at the top before the program listings )

Getting rid of one of these might be more tricky though... And this could possibly be the work of some malware too...

Start by heading off to Malware, and have them give you a clean bill of health. Once that's done, come back here, and if the problem persists, we'll work on solving it

Good Luck

[_Endless_]

I have done all of the steps off the Malware thread and HijackThis. I haven't posted the log yet though, I don't think there are any problems for that (but obviously I wouldn't know..) but I've saved the log incase I need to post it. I've decided to come back here to ask if I should post it though as I have a feeling it will be a waste of time. When I did the steps, it seemed like the scans got rid of some malware. The problem with the Add or Remove Programs is still there though.

I hope this post made sense. Hope you can help, thanks.

[Vaillant]

I say send off the log first. It's always best to be absolutely sure. I myself always start by doing extensive scanning on my computer, even though i'm 99% sure that it's clean, before starting on a problem.

Thanks

[_Endless_]

I have done the hijack log and everything over there. But still need help with the Add/Remove Programs problem.

[gerryf]

neat problem...sounds to me like you may have a sp2 and sp1 appwiz.cpl file in your system32 folder...though why the second did not overwrite the first....

the appwiz.cpl file is the add remove control panel applet.

In sp1 and before, it showed windows updates. In appwiz .cpl sp2, it hides them unless you check SHOW UPDATES

So, do a search and list all cpl files in your system32 folder....look for appwiz.cpl and something like appwiz(1).cpl or something similar

report back

[_Endless_]

I have found appwiz, without the .cpl, I'm not sure if that matters though?? And appwiz(2)

I'm not entirely sure if I'm looking in the right place though ...... Could you point me in the right direction please?

[gerryf]

you do not have windows set up to show extensions...that's ok

right click each file, choose properties, choose VERSION tab.

Report back the version for both appwiz and appwiz(2)

[_Endless_]

appwiz -

File version: 5.1.2600.2180

appwiz(2) -

File version: 5.1.2600.1106


Not sure if this is the right information?

[gerryf]

delete
appwiz(2)

that is the pre-service pack 2 control panel applet

[_Endless_]

Yay! Good job. I've done that and one of them is removed. Thank you for your help!!


I have a few more problems.... Should I start a new topic for each or not?

[Retired Tech]

Yes in case this thread gets overlooked because it already has replies