What is this?

[casse2go]

I keep getting a window when trying to load AOL about "other communications running. The communication is listed as, "INSTDRIVER"

What is that, please?

[Kurtiskain]

I know that post is nothing to go by...But it seems to me you are using a dial-up modem, and another application is reserving it for another task(What I dont know) I had this issue a while back and the full message was like this:

"WIN LT modem is unavailable right now as another program is unsing the communications port, please close this program and try again"

Any new programs installed before this happened?

[casse2go]

I was actually trying to uninstall an AOL operation. Now I thought we had unloaded all applications, this started Friday night. And, yes btw, I use Lucent Wins Modem.

I didn't do this alone I had a tech advising me. We uninstalled AOL Registration in ADD/REMOVE and all other AOL programs. Later we went into the Registry and Undid the single Application in there. After that, and he was sure he had all AOL Applications, we went to desk top and I was about to open the tray to insert my AOL disc when my sign on window came up. At that point the tech said, It appeared as though I had a hidden copy of AOL somewhere. No, I think this is what caused him to go into the registry. Anyway. I was able to sign on but I couldn't use and application in my favorites or the browsers. I could however, use mail.

Currently I cannot use my "Existing Member" feature to login and so I used "Guest". But this morning, lol, the same Guest feature is telling me I am using the wrong screen name/password. So I am using anothre of my screen names to login to AOL.

As for any new downloads. I ran a scan sometime during the week to test something in the computer but I don't even recall what it was. It was an online scan. But, It wasn't a registry cleaner. I was told not to run one of those and I haven't. I'll try and recall what it was for; I think it had to do with JAVA but not really sure.

By the way, during a run of LAVASOFT, after going in the registry, "3 registry keys identified".

[patio]

AOL software is about as easy to remove as Nortons...have you considered switching to another provider, backing up your data and doing a complete format and clean install ? ?
Sounds drastic i know but sometimes this is what it takes.
If this is an option let us know and we'll assist...

[casse2go]

Yes Patio, it does. However, it's something that I've done before or have had done before. I'm afraid my Microsoft Tech has given up on me.

Good news though, the owner found the paperwork for my girl so at least I might be able to answer some lingering questions.

Right now I need to as about getting into the Device Manager to check for this instdriver. Would someone please post it.

Thank you.

[ale52]

If you're using XP, go to start / run and type     msconfig    .  Go to the startup tab at the far right and look for any application that has "instdriver" and uncheck it / reboot.  Now see if the problem goes away.

Alan <>< 

[casse2go]

There wasn't an application with that labeling. This is what was there:+ = check mark.

+runplay ... .....Current Version
+qttask ... ........Current Version
+AOL Software ... ....Current Version
+google toolbar notifier... ...Current Version
+AOL ... ............Current Version
AOL... ...........Run
avgcc... .........Run
AOL Software... .....Run
jusched... .....Run
google toolbar notifier... ...Run


Yesterday an AOL Tech had me uninstall View Media Player In an effort to resolve the issue but it didn't. I still can't use my Existing Member feature. Nor is the computer recognizing my usual sig on screen name/password.

Still looking for the path to device manager or system devices, not sure which may list this INSTDRIVER.

[Clippy]

A complete  FORMAT? You have to be kidding! What kind of advice is that?
Thank goodness you said sometimes.

Get the new provider and work from there! AOL stinks anyway!

AOL is tough, but not THAT tuff! Good luck! 

[patio]

A complete  FORMAT? You have to be kidding! What kind of advice is that?
Thank goodness you said sometimes.

Get the new provider and work from there! AOL stinks anyway!

AOL is tough, but not THAT tuff! Good luck! 

What is the problem with how i stated an option to his current woes ? ?

[casse2go]

A complete  FORMAT? You have to be kidding! What kind of advice is that?
Thank goodness you said sometimes.

Get the new provider and work from there! AOL stinks anyway!

AOL is tough, but not THAT tuff! Good luck! 

What is the problem with how i stated an option to his current woes ? ?

Her current woes.  Patio, I think he/she just objects to reformating. 

Good news though, I just got off the phone with a really nice AOL specialist out in Tuscon, Arizona who went into my registry and this time we came out better. I still couldn't use my sign on, so we reset the password. Thanks CLIFF!

Btw, I still have no idea what the heck "INSTDRIVER" is.

[Broni]

I still have no idea what the heck "INSTDRIVER" is

I believe, you have a trojan there.
I can't find a link where I found some information about it, right now, but to be sure, download HijackThis from here: http://majorgeeks.com/Trend_Micro_HijackThis_d5554.html, and post its log at "Computer Viruses and Spyware".

[casse2go]

I'm a very apprehensive person. I have no idea how whatever that is got on here to begin with, I hate doing things when I don't know what the end result will be. That thing prolly caused a change in my sign on since I couldn't use my screen data. I was hoping that somewhere in here was someone who had dealt with this issue or program before and could tell me about it.

Thank you for the adice though.   Now i just need to figure out what I downloaded that keeps me from playing games by freezing my comp and black screening me. And again I say, it's something that wasn't happening before I had this computer validated, then reformatted and took on those 76 updates from Windows. I frankly think this is a very sturdy computer. If she needs a new modem that a few bucks. But the modem is the same as it has always been. Unless they wear away and the (=?) can change with time. I have no idea what was there when I got her. I know only that they are there now. Maybe I had to much RAM put on her.  Maybe she has no Memory left. I dunno, but, I'm getting the paperwork for her this weekend from the previous owner.

You guys and gals are great and I appreciate all the help. And Jess, I wish I could send this to you as well. I hate shipping.

[Clippy]

Hey folks. What happened to the HOPE?

Don't simply say reformat and reinsall or you may have a trojan or virus!

The people would NOT come here to figure that out. They may have already thought of those issues and they don't want that to be a solution. Give them HOPE!

I know that you are not there working with the problem so you cannot say anything for sure usually. I don't think you are mean, but at least give them something that could prevent the reformat or virus problem. I doubt that any regular here ever has to do that kind of stuff often and people just want an idea of what they can do to avoid reformats and other nasty options.

Thank God that she met a good AOL person!

Ted

PS: From what I found, INSTDRIVER is for an internet game workaround and is not really a virus, but a hack tool to get  games to work. I used to have a hack tool for Norton AV 2005 and Norton found it, but I never let it delete it!  Just find the name in a file search and try to put it somewhere else or disable in startup. Chances are, if you have kids, they put it on. If not post back! I'm male tee hee.

[casse2go]

Remembering that I'm not computer savvy...are there inherent dangers or drawbacks to having your comp reformatted/ If so why not post them and maybe we greenhorns won't be so quick to say reformat me. I mean, if it was bad for me to have one then what did two in one week do plus having WXP validated and the activation process. 

I thought it was a good thing for my girl here except for having to reload a few ems and games. So fill me in on the pros and cons of reformating.

As for the INSTDRIVER. Thinking causes me to say the day this thing came up, my niece was here and she jumped on a game I left open, and before I turned around and back she had some small window with Adobe flash or Shockwave or some game helper up. When questioned about what the heck it was she replied, "we use it in school".  However, I also was in Pogo.Com and I think i ran some kind of Java scan in there. I know I ran a scan Friday but for what I just don't recall. I was following some online support in the site. Ugh!

So what is this used for? Also, I went into the "Startup" yesterday; there isn't anything in there about INST... unless it is in a drop down.  I placed a  post up about what was in there. Do I need to click one of those or something?

[neljan]

Hi casse2go

I had a really bad virus (& my computer did 2!) which got into my system through my son playing online flash/java games.

If I were you, I would take Broni's advice & download & install a program called 'HijackThis' which scans all the processes currently running on your system & then automatically creates a log file in .txt format.

If you post that log file in the Virus forums on computerhope, they'll be able to tell you if you have anything unwanted (it sounds like you have).