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Repeating message is a clear indicator of spyware

Q. As soon as I go online using Internet Explorer, a message appears over and over: "We apologize for contacting you at this time during the day! We have checks from $25-$150 ready to send you for offering us your honest opinion on various online surveys that only take a few minutes to complete. So if you're interested in earning a few hundred extra dollars each month for just giving your opinion on various surveys then click here . . ." The message has many more lines and urges immediate action. I have never responded, and this has been going on for months. I want to get rid of it.

You are this week's spyware poster child. I recommend updating and running all your antivirus and spyware programs.

If you have no antispyware programs installed, download both Ad-aware (www.lavasoft.de) and Spybot (www.safer-networking.org) Follow the links for the free versions. Click the Check for Updates button in each of these applications, then run them one at a time and have them fix any problems they find.

Run these programs every few days (always check for updates first).

You can find much more information about spyware by searching the Personal Tech archives (www.sptimes.com/Technology/archive.shtml)

Q. Your Aug. 2 column points to a problem we're also having with a Hewlett-Packard 5510 printer. The installation process doesn't see the printer, but the computer sees new hardware on the next cold boot. After that, the system locks up. After installing another drive and ghosting it, we were able to isolate the printer or components as the culprits. The system is working with the HP software uninstalled and the plug pulled.

I would suspect one of three things:

- The printer drivers or driver installation process are not correct.

- The printer communication cable is bad.

- Or, the printer itself has an internal problem.

Check for the latest drivers and installation procedure from HP. There have been some issues with the Java Virtual Machine software in conjunction with some HP driver installations.

Uninstall any of the HP 5510 components still on the PC. Go to www.hi-teach.com/infohub/help.htm and download and install the msjavax86.exe file. Temporarily disable any antivirus programs and install the HP 5150.

If this doesn't fix the problem, change out the USB cable and try it again.

If still no luck, there could be an internal printer problem. Your best bet then would be to contact HP.

Q. I am using Microsoft Windows Me, EarthLink, Bright House cable. My problem: I was using EarthLink Total Access 2004. I downloaded an upgrade to Total Access 2005, then rebooted my computer. When I clicked on the EarthLink icon, my computer froze. It did this several times so I uninstalled Total Access 2005 and tried to reinstall Total Access 2004. When I insert the CD, I get this message: "Cannot Install. Newer Version Already on Your Computer." I would like to reinstall 2004. I have even tried to reinstall 2005 but at the end of installation I get a message telling me that installation has failed. I have talk to several EarthLink support people but no one can solve my problem.

I would hope that somewhere within EarthLink support, someone knows how to solve your problem. If I were you, I would call back and have support go to a higher level. No, wait, that's not true. If I were you, here is what I would do: Cancel my EarthLink subscription and go with another Internet service provider that doesn't require use of special programs to browse the Internet and receive e-mail.

If, however, you have your heart set on using EarthLink, I would look for and delete any of the EarthLink folders on your hard drive. Next, I would scan the Registry using RegEdit and delete any key that refers to EarthLink. Be careful here; make sure you back up the Registry if you attempt this. If you don't feel comfortable doing this last part, then don't; mistakes here can be dangerous.

The installation program is checking a file or a Registry entry to tell if Total Access is already installed. You need to find out where it is and delete it, something EarthLink support should easily be able to tell you.

- Send hardware and software questions to personaltech@sptimes.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions will be answered only in the column. John Torro is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. He has been writing for Personal Tech since 1997.