Overrun buffer issue, how to repair?

[PHGray]

I posted in more detail about this in the security newsgroup, in case anyone is interested. Haven't gotten any responses yet, though.

Anyway, my problem is an overrun buffer error message that appears when Systemsworks One Button Checkup is scanning. The "program integrity" scan seems to be what triggers it and it points to the OBC.exe file.

I also get the same message when I run WinDoctor when it comes to the "program integrity" part of the scan, in that case, according to the message, that's due to a WinDoctor exe file.

I did get a reply from Nortons and was told the files were probably corrupted and that I should uninstall Nortons via the control panel and also download and use the Nortons removal tool, which I did. Then to reinstall SystemsWorks from the link I was provided, in a "clean boot" mode, which I also did, but the overrun buffer error messages persist when I run the same scans.

I wrote back to Nortons to see if they had any more suggestions and am waiting to hear back. What I'm considering now is removing all Nortons as best as I can and going with a different AV software (any suggestions as what's best for Vista would be most appreciated.)

I'm left to wonder though, if there's a problem left because of this overrun buffer issue. How do I know for sure it wasn't caused by a security problem? Does the file indicated on the error message mean it's caused by Norton files, hence a problem with the software? I've done a couple of NAV scans that came up clean, as well as Spybot Search & Destroy, and Defender, which also came up with nothing.

Another thing I wonder about, is I have used SystemWorks for years on Win 2000 primarily, but I read posts here that indicate Vista doesn't need any maintenance like that where the registry is cleaned out (among other things) which is what SystemsWorks does (or supposed to do) as I understand it.

Also, is there anyway to repair this overrun buffer thing? I see software advertised on Vista forums claiming to repair such things. Is using one of those a good or bad idea? If I remove Nortons anyway, do I need to concern myself with that particular error anymore?

Or is this buffer overrun thing a Vista issue? I also read Vista changed some things in that regard, to how it deals with buffer overruns. I've used computers since the early 90's and this is the first time I've ever encountered a buffer overrun error, at least that I know of.

When I got this computer, it came with Vista and I was intending to take that off and put XP on, but decided to try Vista out first for the heck of it, see what the hubbub was about and if I could get it to work for me. There are some things I like about Vista, but I'm quickly beginning to wonder if the time I've been spending lately trying to get that machine to be a decent functioning computer with few problems (they all have problems from time to time, it's all relative, LOL) is worth it or not?

Thanks so much for any advice.

[Steve]

Hi PHGray,

I would totally remove Norton. I find it too troublesome.

See this post ( Wireless Security Type - Which option to use? ) for a list of apps that you can install...

regards

Steve

[PHGray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Hi PHGray,

I would totally remove Norton. I find it too troublesome.

See this post ( Wireless Security Type - Which option to use? ) for a list of apps that you can install...

regards

Steve

Thanks much for the reply, Steve.

That's what I ended up doing exactly that yesterday, after reading about it more, I tend to agree with your assessment. So, I used the Norton's tool and completely removed it (hopefully)

I put a trial version of NOD32 for now. Seems I read somewhere the trial version is like a complete version in that it will remove problems if it finds any, which it didn't. It seems to run very smoothly so far. If I find I like it, I don't mind paying for something that's decent and works well.

I had Spybot Search & Destroy on there, but removed it when I installed the NOD32 because I didn't want it to interfere. Can I put that back on? Seems I read something about making it "non resident" or something like that, which confuses me as to what that is exactly. I tried turning the resident setting off, but it didn't seem to want to stay off.

Is there any need for extra defragers, clean up tools etc., on Vista or are there programs on Vista I can use for that? I used to use Speedisk, but won't any longer of course. I see the Vista defragger came all ready set to defrag on a certain schedule, I did try it manually. It doesn't show you what it's "doing" like Speedisk does, but then maybe that's all unnecessary anyway.

Thanks again for reply and any additional info you might think of.

Patti