Lee: Annoying pop-up provides useful information – Houston Chronicle
Q: Two days ago, a pop-up started appearing on my Compaq laptop screen, pushing a "Smart Adapter" that it said I should obtain for increased performance. This occurs frequently and is distracting and annoying. At the bottom of the pop-up is a message that says "click here for more information" and when I do, another window appears in the center of the desktop, explaining the benefits of the Smart Adapter and including a link to HP.com. I have tried to get rid of it to no avail. I fear that my security may have been compromised if this thing is not an HP-sanctioned intrusion, and if it is, it shakes my confidence in HP.
A: First, let me assure you that what you are seeing is not a sign that your computer has been compromised. It's telling you the power supply you're using may be inadequate and is offer- ing you a link to buy one better suited to your computer. Most modern laptops can detect when an under-powered adapter is connected and will alert you when your computer boots up. I see this all the time when I connect a 60-watt adapter to a new Dell computer that requires a 90-watt power adapter.
HP has taken this a step further with software that detects under-powered or incompatible adapters and presents you with a pop-up linking to a site where you can buy one of HP's recommended adapters.
The problem is that this software doesn't always know what it's doing and will send false alerts and keep popping up the message even though you have the correct adapter connected. The HP forums reveal this is not an uncommon problem.
The quick solution is to shut down the laptop and disconnect the adapter. Then remove and replace the battery, reconnect the adapter and restart the PC. The pop-up should go away.
Q: My computer is infected with Win 7 Security 2012. The left mouse button won't open anything when I double-click. The infection has made my computer unusable. What can I do?
A: Win 7 Security 2012 is another in a long list of fake anti-spyware programs that find their way onto Windows computers. They wreak havoc by presenting the user with fake warnings about computer viruses and system problems they offer to fix for a fee.
This particular mal-ware is difficult to remove because it disables legitimate anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. It also disables the task manager and blocks access to many websites that teach how to remove this kind of infection.
The good folks at Bleeping Computer have outlined some detailed instructions that, if followed correctly, should rid your computer of this nastiness. You can find the article at www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-win-7-security-2012.
Please note that the solution to this problem is free. You will see some ads on the site for programs like StopZilla and so forth, and you should ignore those. Focus on using the free tools the solution mentions. Among them are the free version of MalwareBytes and other free utilities outlined in the removal instructions.
Write Jay Lee at helpline@chron.com. Lee cannot personally answer all reader questions.
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