ItsGeekToMe.co

Q: I have both Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essential on my computer. When downloaded the programs allowed me to set a time and date to run. I believe the programs are running but neither Malawarebytes nor Microsoft Sec. Essential runs the latest update. I have been performing this manually. I get a message “Some tasks do not execute at their scheduled times because the Task Scheduler Service was not running .” You can view missed tasks and attempt to run them again from within the Scheduled Task folder”. My computer is up and running and neither program is listed in the Task Scheduler. I’ve tried placing them on the Task Scheduler to see if this would eliminate the message and am advised they may not run as I didn’t enter a password. I don’t use a password on my computer. Both programs are currently not on the Task Scheduler.

– Jackie B.
Niceville, Florida

A: One sentence in your question describes the entire problem you’re having, Jackie. Specifically, “…the Task Scheduler Service was not running.” You are mistaking the Task Scheduler program for the Task Scheduler service. Under Windows, a System Service is a special executable that is designed to run in the background without user interaction. They don’t put Windows or icons on your screen, and most don’t even show up in the Task Manager. In your case, the Task Scheduler service is what watches the PC’s clock and actually runs scheduled tasks when they come due. If that service is not running, it’s like an unplugged alarm clock – it never goes off, and nothing gets started. To enable the Task Scheduler service on a Vista or Win7 PC, click Start->Run… and type in Services. You should get a list of all services known to Windows. Locate Task Scheduler and double-click it. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic, so the service will run when Windows runs. With that fixed, you may have other lingering issues with task scheduling that you’ve introduced by trying to solve the above problem. If your desired tasks are not listed in the Task Scheduler program, you may have to re-add them manually.

READER TIP OF THE WEEK – Subject: Fake Antivirus Killer. This week’s tip comes courtesy of George G. from Fort Walton Beach, Florida. George writes: “I wanted to make you aware of a free program called Norton Power Eraser. Its free but still in Beta. It was specifically designed for this fake antivirus stuff. It is very powerful but does give some false positives. After it runs, you are given a list of unknown programs to pick and choose before action is taken. If you recognize a legit small program, you can save it. Before I discovered NPE, I was able to start my computer in safe mode and run my conventional antivirusv. However, it did not detect the bad stuff. In fact, I think I had to be in Safe mode ( Windows 7 ) in order to download NPE.” I was intrigued by George’s information, so I went and grabbed a copy from tinyurl.com/3ce5sgd. It seems to perform a good comprehensive job of scanning, even looking for root kit infections that are notoriously tough to locate. You will need to apply some technical knowledge to the scan results to decide what to delete and what not to delete, but if you make a mistake, the software also has the ability to go back and undo changes it has made. All in all, I’d have to say it is certainly worth a try if your computer has an infection you can’t fix. Remember though, you’re getting it for free, so if you have a problem with it, the best you should expect is a full refund.

Many of you have written in asking about this year’s Geek Lights on the Corner. Well, thanks to Daughterboard, G.L.O.T.C. now has a FaceBook page! You can visit us at facebook.com/GeekLightsontheCorner, and check out this year’s show schedule, see pictures from past seasons, and even catch a video or two. We’ll be adding more content as time goes on, so go “Like” the Geek Lights on FaceBook, and check back for updates as this year’s build progresses. Also, for light show-related matters, it’s best to use GeekLights@gmail.com rather than my column’s e-mail, so your note is less likely to get lost in the shuffle.