# Can't run ad aware **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 2, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658 "2005-03-02T22:02:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stevens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Stevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevens)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/1 "2005-03-02T22:02:13Z")
I checked the sticky on computer questions, and it was helpful- I downloaded the spyware, ad aware, virus protection, and firewall programs it mentions. The virus program found a trojan virus that I had to delete, but even now, I can’t run ad aware without the computer shutting down- as the program gets started, the computer begins a one minute countdown to shutdown. Earlier I even had problems with the computer shutting down at random times, like when clicking a link on the net or typing an email. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/2 "2005-03-02T22:04:35Z")
Try Microsoft’s Anti Spyware program. But when it asks you to ‘send to spynet’ it would crash on me so I reccomend you try unchecking that box when presented with it. [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en](http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en) ---
**Author:** ![Stevens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Stevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevens)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/3 "2005-03-02T22:14:07Z")
Also, I don’t know if this helps, but the message for shutdown reads that it was initiated by NT Authority/ System, and that Windows must now restart because the Remote Procedure Call terminated unexpectedly. Earlier, when my computer would shut down randomly, it also couldn’t be shut down- it would only restart, so you’d have to unplug it. ---
**Author:** ![Stevens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Stevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevens)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/4 "2005-03-02T23:00:13Z")
I think this is the deal- the trojan virus is in my program files and/or my windows tools, and is embedded in them. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/5 "2005-03-02T23:16:08Z")
Sounds a lot like the Blaster RPC exploit. When I worked there, Microsoft had a tool to remove it, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m sure one of the google linke [here](http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=microsoft+blaster&btnG=Search&meta=) will be able to help you if this is the case. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/6 "2005-03-03T00:26:14Z")
If you’re running Windows XP then go to **Start|Run** and type **shutdown /a** when the 1 minute warning appears. That will abort the shutdown. You should run an antivirus program before antispyware ones in this case. If possible scan with [HouseCall](http://housecall.trendmicro.com). If that won’t work, download [Stinger](http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/), shut down, start up in [Safe Mode](http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam) and run it from there. That should get rid of the worst of the problem. Afterwards update Ad-aware and whatever other antispyware program you’re using in Normal Mode and then scan with them in Safe Mode and remove anything they find. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-run-ad-aware/292658/7 "2005-03-03T00:39:34Z")
I had the same problem when dealing with a friend’s computer, and I had to download and run [SpyBot-S&D](http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) before AdAware would successfully run. It’s worthwhile to run both, because they will each catch things the other misses.