The Digital Surgery (computer questions/problems here)

[Big Boy]

https://thepiratebay.rocks/

[PET]

https://thepiratebay.rocks/

THANK YOU - perfect

[Homer]

Safest way to get driver updates is from the manufacturer. Treat all other sources as somewhere between suspect and malicious.

[LolaBeltran]

This "go.microsoft. com" is apparently some kind of redirect virus (?) and I have it again for the second time. I did try to solve it using my restore function.. .but just ended up losing access to Google Chrome ( which wouldnt open)

A friend came over and cleared it with a great deal of difficulty yesterday. . . and today it is back again!!
I am reluctant to ask her to come over again. . . and I guess I need to learn to do it myself.
Is anyone else having this problem and how can it be solved?
Grateful for any help!

[buksida]

Resetting Chrome back to default should remove any unwanted browser hijackers or extensions though I have not heard of that specific one.

[LolaBeltran]

Buksi. . if I reset Chrome to default it retains all my info, passwords etc etc right?
But the fact that it came right back in one day leads me toward doing something to block it. Resetting Chrome to default every day would really be a problem.
It is insidious. It cancels my opening page selection and offers a "GOOGLE" page which, when used (type in something to search with Google) it brings up a "google" page top loaded with adsites with. . .if you scroll down far enough. . .links to legit sites. Looks so much like the real google page.

[buksida]

Buksi. . if I reset Chrome to default it retains all my info, passwords etc etc right?

Yes, providing you have signed in to your Google account and allowed it to sync the data.

Try running a full scan with this: https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

[LolaBeltran]

Buksi.. . I did what you suggested and reset Chrome to default. Then I ran the malwarebytes program but the problem is still there. I hate to take my computer in to a service tech. . . .any other suggestions? Anybody else ever have this problem??

[buksida]

If you don't want to take it to a pro you'll have to scour the tech forums to look for removal instructions ... this may help:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums ... nkid69157/

[laser]

This "go.microsoft. com" is apparently some kind of redirect virus (?) and I have it again for the second time. I did try to solve it using my restore function.. .but just ended up losing access to Google Chrome ( which wouldnt open)

A friend came over and cleared it with a great deal of difficulty yesterday. . . and today it is back again!!
I am reluctant to ask her to come over again. . . and I guess I need to learn to do it myself.
Is anyone else having this problem and how can it be solved?
Grateful for any help!

The bold & liberal use of restoration points can cause headaches. I suspect that your restored state of Windows had no Chrome whatsoever plus Bing was set as the default search engine. That's dangerous, since MS is reluctant to filter and delete links to fake/tweaked Chrome setups. I'd suggest to do these:

1. Uninstall Chrome, also check that the 2 google update services were stopped/removed.
2. Find and delete every Chrome setup files you may have.
3. Type 'chrome.com' in the MS browser address bar, get and install the offical Chrome setup.
4. Get the attached "Bing0.zip" and "Bing1.zip" files, each containing a reg file. With Admin rights, right click Bing0.reg, select Merge. Windows will give a few warnings but go ahead until a messagebox reports success. This step is is usually enough to fix the "go.microsoft.com" annoyance. The Bing1.reg file is only provided to undo the Registry setting by Bing0.reg.
5. Reboot and see how it goes.

bing0.zip

(280 Bytes) Downloaded 26 times

bing1.zip

(281 Bytes) Downloaded 18 times

[LolaBeltran]

Thanks so much laser. I will try what you suggest on the weekend when I have more time.
My only fear is losing my Chrome ( passwords especially!!) and wont uninstalling Chrome mean starting over with bookmarks, passwords??

[laser]

... My only fear is losing my Chrome ( passwords especially!!) and wont uninstalling Chrome mean starting over with bookmarks, passwords??

Syncing was mentioned earlier in this thread already. It can save & restore your passwords, etc.:
https://support.google.com/chromebook/a ... 4794?hl=en

Password manager applications/extensions can import your passwords direct from Chrome and manual exports.
- How to export your Chrome passwords
https://betanews.com/2018/03/09/export- ... passwords/

[LolaBeltran]

Thanks so much Buksi and Laser. You guys have been patient with my problems and very helpful. Thanks so much.
Long story short, I tried every suggestion but I ended up giving up on Chrome. I had two Chrome ID's ( possibly three & one from work administered by my company) and going in and out of all those was just a complex maze so I finally gave up. Now I am struggling with Firefox bookmarks. It looks like Chrome gave up my bookmarks (at least twice) so I have loads of bookmarks. . .no passwords. Passwords are in an Excel file on my desktop where they will likely stay.

Sooooo quick question for a Firefox pro. . .is it possible to actually EDIT bookmarks in the toolbar? For example: CNN in Chrome was just the red "bug" CNN. In Firefox it is the red logo "bug" CNN - World news - breaking news videos and headlines." This means that my bookmarks bar can only contain maybe seven bookmarks. Chrome allowed a dozen to 20 and allowed just logos or bugs. F for facebook, N for nation etc etc.

[laser]

. .is it possible to actually EDIT bookmarks in the toolbar? For example: CNN in Chrome was just the red "bug" CNN. In Firefox it is the red logo "bug" CNN - World news - breaking news videos and headlines." This means that my bookmarks bar can only contain maybe seven bookmarks. Chrome allowed a dozen to 20 and allowed just logos or bugs. F for facebook, N for nation etc etc.

Easy: right click the icon on the toolbar, select 'Properties', and edit the 'Name' field, as illustrated below. Empty field = icon only.
In any case, for efficient use try to explore the menu, browse the help, customize the interface, and change the default settings to your liking.

cnn.jpg (52.68 KiB) Viewed 540 times

[LolaBeltran]

Perfect!! Thanks so much laser! I was looking for something like "manage bookmarks". . .this is a piece of cake! Fierfox is even saving & storing my passwords . . .somewhere. I will find it.