Computer froze up.

[v_v]

ron350,

Okay, mystery partially but mostly solved.  I downloaded the file from the Bleeping Computer link using Edge twice and I got two files:

Unconfirmed 909274.crdownload

and

Unconfirmed 796443.crdownload.


I tried downloading the file from Major Geeks using Edge and I got the following file:

Unconfirmed 787007.crdownload.

-----

So then I tried downloading from both Bleeping Computer and Major Geeks using the SeaMonkey browser.  With SeaMonkey I was able to download " FRST64.exe " from both sites successfully.  So the problem appears to be with the Microsoft Edge browser.

-----

Now in addition to Edge having a problem with the file, Windows Defender automatically launched a severe threat alert, and quarantined the following:  " file: C:\Users\[name]\AppData\Local\Temp\tKx2M+o+.exe.part ".

So it appears that Microsoft Edge in conjunction with Windows Defender is renaming the file and also deleting the ".exe" suffix.  To verify this I took the downloaded file " Unconfirmed 909274.crdownload " (see above) and renamed it " FRST64.exe ".  Then I ran this renamed file and it worked as FRST is supposed to.  Perhaps it was somewhat risky to rename and execute this file but I trust the two sources of the file and my security setup.

Thus I would say that for whatever reasons Windows Defender and Microsoft Edge are delivering a false positive on the FRST64.exe file when it is download and is thereby neutralizing it by renaming it and deleting the ".exe" suffix.  But the file appears to be valid from my verification process as detailed above.

Therefore go to whichever folder your downloaded file is in and right-click on it, choose "Rename", and then rename it to "FRST64.exe".  Then double-click the renamed file to run it.  You may get a pop-up that says "Windows protected your PC".  This is Windows Defender blocking the program.  In the pop-up click "More info" and then click "Run anyway" at the bottom.  Then you will get another pop-up asking whether 'you wish to allow this application from an unknown publisher to make changes to your computer?  Click "yes" and FRST will finally run.  You may then get another pop-up---this time from FRST---saying "Failed to update" but just click "OK" to get rid of it.

At this point you should have the FRST screen up and available, so then proceed with the instructions from DR M.

[This was too much work for a Sunday afternoon! - (Smile)]

v_v

[ron350]

Now my computer is using IE to open the files and that does not work.

  What program does your computer use to open this file? 

When i hover above this file in Downloads it asks what do you want to open this with and it only list IE, Paint, Notepad. Should there not be a program to unzip this file?
 
This is so frustrating i could scream.

[v_v]

ron350,

I am not clear as to what you are saying?  You do not need to "open" the file.

1.  Have you renamed the downloaded file to " FRST64.exe "?
2.  To rename it:

a. right-click on it;
b. choose "Rename";
c. double-click the file after renaming it to " FRST64.exe ".

3.  After you rename it, then when you double-click it it will run all by itself---it does not need another program to open it.

See the other steps in the last major paragraph on my last post beginning with "Therefore. . . ."

v_v

[ron350]

 It shows up on the DeskTop as a Internet Explorer.
 
  When i click on it it opens a page to where i copied it from.

  I can cnange it to open as Paint and it will try to be a picture or something.

  There i some setting on this computer that is screwed up or missing that should open that file.

 No use downloading this file again untill i can find out whtat setting is screwed up or missing.

[v_v]

ron350,

It occurred to me that maybe you are not get to the actual folder where the real file is located.

1. At the bottom left of your screen on your taskbar you will find the Search magnifying glass icon.  Click that.
2. At the bottom of the search screen that pops up type in "File Explorer".
3. When File Explorer appears click it.
4. When the File Explorer window appears look at the left hand side.  Depending on your computer set-up and customization you should see "Quick Access", "Desktop", "Downloads", "Documents", etc.  Click "Downloads".
5. Now in the right hand part of the window do you see either of the files that you mentioned in your "Today at 02:59:45 PM" post,  "Unconfirmed470855.CRDOWNLOAD" or "Unconfirmed712986.CRDOWNLOAD"?
6. If you do then right click on one of them and follow the renaming process.  It doesn't matter which one.

v_v

[ron350]

 Whatever happened last Tuesday changed something on this computer so it will not download anything.

[v_v]

ron350,

Did you follow the instructions that I gave you?  If so, what was the result?

v_v

[v_v]

ron350,

Also using the File Explorer instructions that I listed, if you say that it is on the desktop, then in File Explorer on the left hand side instead of clicking "Downloads", click "Desktop".  Then in the right hand side of the File Explorer window you should find one of those "unconfirmed. . ." files.  (You might need to scroll down the right side of the window some.) Right click on it, follow the renaming process as previously described and then the other subsequent steps.

v_v

[ron350]

I know you don't believe me but this picture explanes the problem.
It only gives me several options how to open a file and none are unzip options.

[v_v]

ron350,

Did you follow the "File Explorer" instructions that I posted?

If you find the files in File Explorer are you right-clicking on the file that you find using File Explorer?

With reference to the image that you posted, exactly what steps are you doing to get this "How do you want to open this file" pop-up?

To repeat this should have nothing to do with needing to "open" or "unzip" a file.

v_v

[v_v]

ron350,

Since you are able to post images post an image of where this file is that you are clicking on.

[ron350]

[ron350]

I can't find file explorer on this piece of crap win 10 pro only "File Explorer Options" box.

 

 I am ready to give up.

[Dude111]

Im sorry things seem so hard.........

Please dont give up...... We will cointinue to try and help you...

[v_v]

ron350,

Okay, based on your last posted "Downloads" image you are in the "Downloads" portion of the Microsoft Edge browser, not the "Downloads" folder of your computer.  (This is why you need to be exact with your details when you post.)  As of this moment the file is probably in some Edge temporary cache file location on your computer.

1.  You need to click "Save as" to tell Edge to save it to some permanent place on your computer.
2.  When you click "Save as" a "Save As" screen will pop up.
3.  At the bottom of this screen make sure the name of the file is "FRST64.exe".
4.  At the top of the screen in the address box there will be a file location address that the file will be saved to; make sure that you know where this location is; write it down and post that exact location here at Landzdown.
5.  After you have verified the file name and noted and recorded the file location address that it will be saved to, then click the "Save" button in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
6.  After clicking "Save" then use the File Explorer instructions as above to go to the exact location where the file was saved to.

[I just did all of this using Edge and what happened on my computer was that Edge saved the file to the location that I designated (" D:\Downloaded Documents ") BUT it changed the name to "Unconfirmed 374270.crdownload" just like I described in my earlier post at "Today at 05:54:58 PM".  -----  So what I have had to do at this point is to use File Explorer, go to the exact location of the file ( " D:\Downloaded Documents "), and then rename the downloaded file from "Unconfirmed 374270.crdownload" back to " FRST64.exe ", like I have written in my previous posts.  This is exactly what you would/will need to do too.]

7.  Post the results of these steps here at Landzdown.  Give the exact details of file names and locations on your computer.


----------


Okay, I just saw your last post.  I share your frustration.

1.  Do you know that at the very bottom of your screen there is a very long strip called the Task Bar?  This is where you may have many icons and various windows listed or indicated.
2.  At the very left hand side of the task bar there is what is called the (Windows) Start button icon.  It looks like four little rectangles.
3.  Right next to the Start button to the right there is a little 'magnifying glass' icon.  This a Windows search icon.  If you click on it a screen will pop up.  At the bottom of this new screen there will be a blank area where it will say "Type here to search".
4.  Type "File Explorer" in the blank area and a list will appear.  On the left side of the list the first item (right under "Best Match") should say "File Explorer" and it should be highlighted; either click it or if it is highlighted just simply hit the Enter or Return key.
5.  A new window should open; this new Window is File Explorer;
6.  From there you should be able to follow all the previous 'renaming' instructions.

[4a.  If for some reason when you type "File Explorer" and you get nothing then try this alternate step; type "run" in the blank area and a list will appear; then again on the left side there will be a list of matches and the first item will be "Run"; it should be highlighted, either click it or just simply hit the Enter or Return key.  A new pop-up will appear; simply type "explorer" in this pop-up screen and hit "Enter" or "Return".  Then move on to step 5 above.]

v_v