Hi Gang!

Hi gang, I uncovered this a while back.

Are you getting more than your share of system crashes lately?

Do you cruise the net a lot?

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During AOL Beta tests, I found a culprit.  It's called "Comet Cursor."  This is a tiny program that makes your cursor look like a rose, a heart, etc. on certain web sites.  I'm not talking about the version you pay for; that allows you to insert it in the web pages.  I'm talking about the "free" player you get off of the net.  Automatic; on web sites that have it encoded.

It's a free 20 second download.  Don't download this product!  See Below for an update!

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It seems, when you leave a web site that is using it, it doesn't hand the cursor control back off to Windows properly.  It is using a protocol that Windows doesn't understand and Windows crashes; almost EVERY TIME.

I also consider this program a virus.  It's a bad program; in more ways than one.  See "Your Computer Is Spying On You."

I started crashing; like an idiot, I sent a bug report to AOL, then thought; "Wait a minute."  I checked, and sure enough, it was back in my computer.  Since I got rid of it, no more crashes.

I don't remember picking it back up.  With Internet security set at medium, I would have been asked.  I must have clicked the wrong box one day, and didn't know I allowed it back into my system.

To check if you have it, and to get rid of it, follow these simple steps:

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Go to Control Panel...double click on "Add/Remove programs"...scroll down the list, if you see "comet cursor," highlight it and click remove.  It'll uninstall in about 5 seconds.  The next time you go to a web site and it asks you if you want to download it, Tell it NO!

If, a while later, you start crashing again, check again, you probably picked it up again.  This has been the cause of almost all my system crashes.  I believe this information will help you all.

I have verified the data through extensive tests, on Windows 98 and Windows 95.  "Comet Cursor," IS causing these problems.

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To check your www. security level, go to:

"My AOL"/"preferences"/ "WWW"/"security"/"Custom."  The box should say medium.

If it doesn't, make it so.  Don't forget the "Apply" button.

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On Internet Explorer 5, without AOL, open up an Internet Explorer screen.  Go to;  "Tools"/"Internet Options"/"Security"/ "Custom."  The box should say medium.  If it doesn't, make it so.  Don't forget the "Apply" button.  

While you are there in Security, click the custom tab, and click the Custom Level tab, scroll down to "Installing Desktop Items."  Make sure this is checked at prompt!

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By using medium security levels, and making sure the desktop items is checked as prompt.  Explorer will always ask you to permit a download, thus giving you the choice to say no.

Update:

Yesterday; 3/1/01  Comet systems wrote me an email.  Basically treating me as a novice, and assuring me it's my problem.  They went on to tell me the system requirements for the program, which, or course, I met and some.

They pretty much insist their software has nothing to do with system crashes.  I wish I had a nickel for every time I've heard that, but:  All I'll say, is I stand by my column!  It is possible however, I am incorrect about assumptions.  You see, they never mentioned AOL.  It could be AOL causing these problems.  I have received enough mail from readers saying they have had no problems, that it may be narrowed down to an AOL problem.  Comet systems never told me it is compatible with AOL.  Of course, they never told me it wasn't either.

But, when this program says it wants to install, shouldn't it know the difference?  I think it should.  Also, the security page, "Is Your Computer Spying on You," has been updated as well, due to their letter.  I encourage you to check it out.  So it still remains the same, if you have it installed, and all of a sudden your computer starts crashing, take it out and see if that fixes it, which was the whole point of the column in the first place.  If your crashes cease, make your own judgment!  But remember!  Comet Cursor is "Spyware."

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I hope this helps you on your road.  Your Road?

Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity

                              Danny