3 replies to this topic

[Amethyst]

I've been looking in the IP protection logs of both my systems. One is a Windows XP SP2 Media Center Edition desktop, the other a Windows XP Pro SP2 Pro laptop.

The logs on the laptop has my user name, then "MESSAGE Protection started successfully", the second line my user name again, then "MESSAGE IP protection started successfully".

However, the logs on the desktop has for the first line "(null)" [without quotes, but the word 'null' is in brackets], followed by "MESSAGE Protection started successfully", and the second line has the administrator name ("HP_Administrator"), followed by "MESSAGE IP protection started successfully".

I'm wondering why that is, why the "(null)" entry is there. And if it might be related to the issue described in this thread:

http://www.malwareby...showtopic=22809

I've been doing a little bit of reading about the 'null' thing online, but I don't really understand what it means. For both systems, there is only one user with administrative privileges. When the desktop is powered up for the day, it just goes straight to the desktop. I do log in with a password on the laptop. Both systems have the usual 4 for users when one goes to C:\Documents and Settings: Administrator, All Users, Default User, and then the user that runs the computers on a daily basis with all administrative privileges.

[YoKenny1]

Any reason for still running SP2 as WinXP SP3 has been available for over a year so you should go to Tools then Windows Update in Internet Explorer and install all updates as it provides performance enhancements and several Critical updates.

Go to Control panel then Automatic updates then enable at least Notify me but do not download updates.

Install User Profile Hive Cleanup Service:
Brief Description
A service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Run Secunia Online Software Inspector to see what applications are vulnerable:
http://secunia.com/v...scanning/online

[Swandog46]

(null) will be written when no user is yet logged in.

[Amethyst]

Ah, YoKenny, someone is always getting after me about the SP2/SP3 thing, and I do have my reasons for not going to SP3 right now.

MS is still providing critical and security updates for SP2.

Swandog46...that's interesting! This must have something to do with the order in which things start up on my computer, then.

OK, I'll try to stop worrying (and pestering you guys) about this and that for now...until the next thing comes along, hehe! I'm a farmer, and soon I'll be confined to the John Deere combine harvester and I won't have time to fuss and worry about computer issues.