Leslie from OH writes: I still have Windows XP operating system. Lately some websites I visit have asked me to update my browser. I already have Internet Explorer 8. Why don't they recognize it? World Start Newsletter's..answer ..I quote.."Windows XP, which was released in 2001, was declared "end of mainstream support" by Microsoft back in 2009. In April of 2014 it will reach "final end of life", where it will no longer receive critical security updates of any kind. Microsoft has not released Internet Explorer 9 for Windows XP because of this, so you�re left using IE 8, which is a nearly three year old web browser design. The best solution, if you are still using Windows XP, is to consider using an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Both are very well regarded and considered by almost all techies as superior to IE8. These web browsers are also updated and feature the latest in security and compatibility with websites that use some of the latest technology." soooooooo..One of my desktops has Windows XP Home edition...so I downloaded Google Chrome...it is fast and awesome....my other two computers have IE 9.0 which I prefer...it is matter of preference...whatever rings your bells!!!.

I should mention that I just took AOL off my computer after 8 years. I understand AOL leaves bits of itself all over as well. When I followed your instructions I ran into a snag but tried to continue on. Hopefully Norton is gone. Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 4:17:56 PM, on 4/8/2009 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Antivirus\MsMpEng.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\brss01a.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe C:\Program Files\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\carboniteservice.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\OcHealthMon.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Firewall\msfwsvc.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sb/ymsgr6/*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/ R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Windows Internet Explorer provided by Comcast R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=c:\windows\explorer.exe F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe O2 - BHO: (no name) - "02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670> - (no file) O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - "06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3> - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - "3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0> - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll (file missing) O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - "53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - "AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7> - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - "AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D> - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.1.1309.3572\swg.dll O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - "DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9> - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - "E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C> - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll O3 - Toolbar: &Google - "2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F> - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIA.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo R220" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OneCareUI] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Symantec Network Driver Update Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\SNDWarn.EXE (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDWarn.exe (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [SRUUninstall] "C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /x "6AF90EF6-F7F9-466C-99F4-1774826FBB40> /qn REBOOT=ReallySuppress (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Symantec Network Driver Update Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\SNDWarn.EXE (User 'Default user') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [SRUUninstall] "C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /x "6AF90EF6-F7F9-466C-99F4-1774826FBB40> /qn REBOOT=ReallySuppress (User 'Default user') O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200 O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000 O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - "36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040> - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - "36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040> - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll O9 - Extra button: ComcastHSI - "669B269B-0D4E-41FB-A3D8-FD67CA94F646> - http://www.comcast.net/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Support - "8828075D-D097-4055-AA02-2DBFA9D85E8A> - http://www.comcastsupport.com/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Research - "92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263> - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL O9 - Extra button: Help - "97809617-3937-4F84-B335-9BB05EF1A8D4> - http://online.comcast.net/help/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Real.com - "CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE> - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll O9 - Extra button: (no name) - "DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - "DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra button: Messenger - "FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683> - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - "FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683> - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra button: Ebates - "6685509E-B47B-4f47-8E16-9A5F3A62F683> - file://C:\Program Files\Ebates_MoeMoneyMaker\Sy350\Tp350\scri350a.htm (file missing) (HKCU) O16 - DPF: "01118400-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED> (SdcNetCheckCtl Class) - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll O16 - DPF: "17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700> (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204 O16 - DPF: "2253F320-AB68-4A07-917D-4F12D8884A06> (ChainCast VMR Client Proxy) - http://www.streamaudio.com/download/ccpm_0237.cab O16 - DPF: "231B1C6E-F934-42A2-92B6-C2FEFEC24276> (yucsetreg Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yucconfig.dll O16 - DPF: "6F750200-1362-4815-A476-88533DE61D0C> (Ofoto Upload Manager Class) - http://www.ofoto.com/downloads/BUM/BUM_WIN_IE_1/axofupld.cab O16 - DPF: "88D969C0-F192-11D4-A65F-0040963251E5> (XML DOM Document 4.0) - file://C:\TempEI4\EI40_\msxml4.cab O16 - DPF: "AD5AE604-34F2-4C7C-AEBB-14D424294A76> - http://www.interoagent.com/SyncInstaller/ReportGenerator/ReportGenerator.cab O16 - DPF: "B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999> - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/suite/autocomplete.cab O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe O23 - Service: CarboniteService - Carbonite, Inc. (www.carbonite.com) - C:\Program Files\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\carboniteservice.exe O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Documents and Settings\Ginny\My Documents\Jen\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (ddoctorv2) (sprtsvc_ddoctorv2) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe -- End of file - 9201 bytes

Hidden taskbar at bottom of screen, disappears when not using, when paused over, when in IE, it shows itself copied on top of itself 5 times. Spybot S&D run last week. I run all my checks at least once a month. Are we way off point here? I just wanted to know if I need to change anything or take any special precautions before re-installing XP on this beast. I have run in safe mode, no changes in problems. Am thinking install was corrupted or done wrong at shop, and it's closed. I need this thing to work right, I have to apply for jobs on it, usually I can't complete an application for it not accepting my input or not changing to next page of application. Problems are numerous, and I have not been able to fix them myself. 6 Oct '09 was date of shop install, I've probably spent 2 or 3 hundred hours attempting fixes. Last time I tried re-install, before new hard drive, it took 12 hours. That included install of high speed internet connect, 4 in 1 printer,(succesful) Avira, Spybot, Money, Works, Keyboard and mouse, camera program, all drivers, SP3, etc. I was careful to shut down between all installs, as directed. I could not get to this site, which I had read and occasionally used for years. Many problems with IE8. I'm so grateful you have all taken your time to try to help me. I'm so frustrated after all this "investigating" and most of what you've all asked me to check, I'd already done. Thanks so much for your help.

Generally when a city extends their municipal sewer lines into an area that is currently served by septic tanks they DO NOT force anyone to connect to the sewer at that time. If your septic system is functioning correctly you may continue to use it, but you may not make any repairs to a septic system once the municipal sewer becomes available. If you were building a new house where they have a municipal sewer you have to pay upwards of $2k for the final connection from your house sewer line to the municipal line however, here is a part that most homeowners are not aware of. Generally when they install a municipal sewer system each homeowner is levied a tax for the municipal sewer. In most areas that tax assessment also includes the "hookup fee" so when it becomes necessary to make the connection to the municipal sewer the final connection fee is already paid. You only have the expense of installing the "house sewer line" from the structure to the point of final connection on the municipal sewer and the cost of properly abandoning the existing septic tank. In most jurisdictions to properly abandone an existing septic tank you have to have the tank pumped, and in some jurisdictions it must be pressure washed, rinsed and pumped again. Then you have to punch a large hole (generally 1ft in dia.) through the bottom of the septic tank and fill the tank with sand, then backfill over the tank. Changing from a septic tank to a municipal sewer may also require changing the "Main drain" in your house because septic tanks are generally installed behind the house and the main drain is pitched toward the rear of the structure, but generally the municipal sewer is in front of the house and they have to reverse the pitch of the main drain.