Correspondence as a result of my

(Would like to make a donation to keep this website running?)

EMAIL 

My first suggestion arrived by email  Mar 16 2004.

From: #1 (author's name not revealed)
To: Info@DrWebman.com 
Subject: searchxl problem 
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 20:35:38 -0500 

Sir: I have an answer for you. Look for a program called "IE.REG". It will probably be in the Root directory. This is what changes the search routine of Internet Explorer to go to "searchxl.com". The real culprit is an extra entry in the registry that executes "ie.reg" when you reboot! get rid of it, then edit the "browser pages" of internet explorer (I used a "tool" of Spybot for this) to remove all references to Searchxl.com. This should clear things up.

It sure is annoying, isn't it? 

Results:  I can NOT find an "ie.reg" file as per his instructions!?!?!

EMAIL  (from a different person)

Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 11:39:21 -0600 
From: #2 (author's name not revealed)
To: phil@phillea.com 
Subject: Email from your drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks website. 

Phil,

I located your website while also attempting to find instructions to
alleviate the same problem. I have struggled for (2) hours now
researching and testing different fixes. The best Information I have
found to address this problem is at:

http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/library/searchxl/index.phtml

The above referenced URL and this quote from another message posted on
your website

"Look for a program called "IE.REG". It will probably be in the Root
directory. This is what changes the search routine of Internet Explorer
to go to "searchxl.com". The real culprit is an extra entry in the
registry that executes "ie.reg" when you reboot!"

both mention the same file which perhaps is not correct.

On my PC the file referenced above was not called "IE.REG" and was not
in the root directory. On my PC the file was called "system.reg", and
it was found in the "C:\Windows" folder. You can verify if it is 
really
the offending file by "right clicking" on the filename and choosing
"edit" when using Windows Explorer. If it mentions "searchxl" in the
text of the file, it may safely be deleted and should be deleted to
prevent accidental reinfection.

The "search_uninstall.reg" files posted at both topsearcher.com and
searchxl.com appear harmless (they are also identical) and would
probably restore order but I do not have a copy of "virgin" registry
entries to verify that the entries replaced by these "uninstall" files
are correct. Instead, I searched my registry for all instances of
"searchxl.com" and reset all the keys where this was found to a null
string.

Good luck!

Best regards,

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Results:  I can NOT find an "system.reg" file as per his instructions!?!?!

Email 

Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 15:28:42 -0600 
From: #2 
To: drwebman@yahoo.com 
Subject: Re: #2 Re: Email from your drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks website. 

Phil,

I was reviewing updates on your site when this your latest message was
received. I wish I had made a copy of the registry key that the
Searchxl adware creates in
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
before I deleted it. That would help in my attempts to explain. The
key that is created there instructs your computer to merge some 
registry
entries from a file on your PC's hard drive into the registry each time
your computer reboots. I took such little notice of how it was being
done before I deleted the key that I don't even remember exactly how it
worked. Perhaps the registry key invoked "regedit.exe" from a command
line with a "switch" that merges a *.reg file. The file that is merged
could perhaps have any name but most likely has a *.reg suffix, hence
instructions to look for "ie.reg" and "system.reg". This filename and
path will be identified somewhere in the command string that is 
executed
from the registry when your PC reboots.

I suggest that you again use regedit to browse to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] and
look for something suspicious there. Perhaps you could make a copy of
that branch of the registry while regedit is open at that branch by
clicking "Registry" then "Export Registry File" (be certain the range 
is
set to "selected branch") and sending a copy of the *.reg file that 
you
create as an attachment to an e-mail message.

Xxxx

EMAIL 

Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 15:09:13 -0800 
From: help@google.com 
To: drwebman@yahoo.com 
Subject: Re: [#8250923] Can I "Set my search to Google"? 


Hi Phil,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please be assured that the
problem you are reporting is not being caused by Google. It is likely that
you have inadvertently installed some malicious software onto your
computer. This software is often bundled with other free downloads without
your knowledge. Once this software is installed on your computer, it can
trigger pop-up advertisements, redirect you to unwanted sites, modify your
browser, or even alter the appearance of the Google website. 

If you are interested in learning more about the programs that cause these problems 
(often called "adware" or "spyware"), you can read about them in the following articles:

* http://news.com.com/2100-1023-257592.html
* http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

If you are experiencing problems generated by one of these nuisance
programs, you will most likely want to remove it from your computer. 
You can visit http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ to review information about a
number of known parasitic software programs, including suggestions on how
to remove them.

Alternatively, you can download a program that attempts to detect and
uninstall parasitic software. Two examples of these programs are Spybot's
'Search and Destroy' and Lavasoft's 'Ad-Aware.' They can be downloaded at: 

* http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download ('Spybot's Search and Destroy')
* http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ ('Ad-Aware')

We have no relationship with the organizations that created these programs and cannot 
vouch for them ourselves. However, we have heard reports from Google users that these 
programs successfully removed problematic software from their computers. 

If you feel you were deceived when you installed a program that creates
pop-ups, redirects, or modifies your browser in an unwanted fashion, you
may want to take action. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles
complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices.

To file a complaint, visit: https://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm , 
call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to:

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580

If your complaint is against a company in another country, please file it at http://www.econsumer.gov/ .

Regards,
The Google Team

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
From: Phil Lea <drwebman@yahoo.com>
Subject: Can I "Set my search to Google"?
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 09:33:44 -0800 (PST)

Dear Google, 

I have a searchxl.com and/or topsearcher.com spyware? popup. 

Can I set google as my search to eliminate them? 

Here's my searchxl.com sux website: 
http://www.drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks/ with complete descriptions of my problems.

Thank you,

Phil Lea

EMAIL

From: "Scrilda Dotson" <scrildag@bellsouth.net> 
To: phil@phillea.com 
Subject: Email from your drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks website. 
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 14:53:45 -0600 


I have Cerebral palsy and this POP-UP %%^& has cost me hours of work because of loosing my server time. I hate it! BUT, I may be on to something... I have a track ball with a wheel that I have set up to go to Start Menu automatically when I push down. That gives me the start menu and full exposure of the task bar and the site i was in and the SOB searchxl....It puts them on hold until I let them go and i can return to the site I was in by clicking on to that box in the task bar. Unfortunately it does not keep them out; I had them five layers deep hehind where I was working this morning before I clicked Start and Shut down. I have been doing this for two weeks withno apparent dammage to my computer and it is my prized possesion! Good luck!!! 

EMAIL  I sent Monster.com and their DENIAL reply:

From : info@drwebman.com 
Sent : March 7, 2004 
To : xxxxxx@monster.com 
Subject : a complaint I want to make

re: You association with searchxl.com

I have a http://www.searchxl.com/dir.php popup [virus?] on my computer
that I cannot remove. So, I went to their website, click "Job" link at the
top and got: http://www.monster.com/ !

1. Why would you associate yourself with them?
2. Do you have anyone on your staff who can help me remove it?

Thank you,

Sincerely,

PL

PS: I have created a website with complete details:
http://www.drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks/
P L

Monster.com's DENIAL reply:

From : <mayday1@monster.com> 
Sent : Monday, March 8, 2004 11:25 AM 
To : info@drwebman.com 
Subject : RE: a complaint I want to make [#5581770] 

Thank you for contacting Monster Job Seeker Support.

Monster is not a part of this web site or link you sent us. We suggest you
contact your computer vendor for advice and troubleshooting of hardware and
virus removal. Sorry for the inconvenience!

For additional information, visit Monster's Frequently Asked Questions at
http://help.monster.com/jobseeker/FAQ/ or reply to this message and we will
gladly answer your questions (please do not remove the Ticket Number from the
Subject line).

Sincerely,
Jennifer Adams
Job Seeker Support
Monster

EMAIL 03-23-2004 I sent the following message to Kim Komando via her website, www.komando.com 
(awaiting a reply)

Subject: "http://www.searchxl.com/dir.php - Microsoft Internet Explorer" pop-up, Virus, or ????????

Dear Kim,

I have a PROBLEM with a SPY? that has invaded my computer from searchxl.com, hotsearchbox.com, topsearcher.com and who know what others.

Description of problem: 
I have Windows ME and every morning when I open Internet Explorer, after a minute or so I will get a popup that covers my entire screen.

I've tried everything I can think of (except downloading some anti-spyware off the internet, putting more junk in my computer.)

I've restored my computer back to December 2003 and it's still here.
I've searched for "ie.reg", "system.reg", etc...... 
I've even created a website http://www.drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks/ to ask for assistance, but no one's suggestions have worked.

(I've noticed that my "Tab" key sends me to another window instead of working properly!?!?!?)

Can you help?

Thanking you in advance,

Phil Lea

Example to follow: (or visit my above website)

01a. I open IE and www.yahoo.com loaded, but there was a Search table? on the left side
of the page. (It's odd looking with a "BB" looking logo. (The 1st "B" is Backwards, I think.)
01b. I X'd / closed out that search table.
02. I clicked the Mail link.
03. My Inbox opened.
04. I clicked on the top unread email.
05. It was SPAM, so I clicked the yahoo SPAM button.
06. Then...... I saw the dreaded hourglass and knew what was coming.
07. This SEARCH page came up and, typically, there is no "X" button to cancel it out.
(The toolbar and EVERYTHING is covered!) So.......
08. I hit Ctrl, Alt, Delete, 
a. I get a little window saying something like "Window is not finished loading", so I close it out.
b. the CLOSE PROGRAM window then opens & at the top is: 
" http://www.searchxl.com/dir.php - Microsoft Internet Explorer "
09. I hit ENTER and a little button in the middle of the screen pops up saying something like:
"This page has not finished loading" with an "OK" button in it. [I do NOT hit the OK button there!]
10. I Ctrl, Alt, Delete & ENTER again and then I always get another window that says: 
"This program is not responding".
11. I hit ENTER and the evil popup [as well as all my open IE windows] disappear.
12. I'll have no more of these popups until some random? time I'll open an IE window
after having closed all IE windows.

I have Norton Anti Virus 2003, which is no help. (They want me to buy 2004!)

Related? oddity: My "Tab" key often sends me to another window instead of working properly!?!?!?

I think this may have started after I did a prompted Microsoft update!?!?!?

Tue 03-23-2004 12:00 Noon I called Microsoft Tech Support

(800) 936-5700, ext 0

Talked with a woman (whose first language was obviously NOT English). She asked me 400 questions. 
Question #401 was: "What is your operating system?" 
When I answered: "Windows ME" She told me it was "out of warranty" and I had "2 options":

1. support.microsoft.com
or
2. a $35 one-time fee for telephone help.

Why did she not ask me my OS FIRST??????? 

EMAIL 04-03-2004 I filed the following complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
using their "FTC Consumer Complaint Form at: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$solcq.actionview 

Success! Complaint Accepted. Thank you for your input.

First Name: Phil 
Last Name: Lea 
Age Range: 50 - 59 
City: Sweetwater 
State or Canadian Province: Tennessee 
Country: UNITED STATES 
Zip Code or Postal Code: 37874 
E-Mail Address: phil@phillea.com 
Home Phone: (423)337-2310 
Subject of Your Complaint: Computers/Internet Services 
Name of Company You Are Complaining About: Unknown 
Company Web Site: http://www.searchxl.com/ 
How Did the Company Initially Contact You?: Unknown 
Explain Your Problem: (Please limit your complaint to 2000 characters.): Sirs, 

Someone has placed a malicious spyware software in my computer without my knowledge or consent and I fear they 
are "spying" on me via this. 

I could find no information/help anywhere, so I created a website to bring this problem to light: http://www.drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks/ 

I just received an email from a party with Cerebral palsy that's affected with spyware, too. 

Can you help us? 

Thank you, 

Phil Lea 

CLICK
HERE
to Return to 
http://www.drwebman.com/searchxl_com_sucks/

(Would like to make a donation to keep this website running?)

* My www.DRWEBMAN.com FREE WEBSITES Webmaster site
* My www.FSBOTrader.com site to Buy, Sale & Trade all Kinds of Items that's For Sale By Owner
* My www.OcoeeRealty.com, site to BUY, SELL or TRADE Homes, Land, Properties, etc...
* My www.DRTRAIN.com Model Train website
* My www.DRKARAOKE.com DJ/KJ website
* My www.BentonStation.com website
* My www.EUCHEE.com MOVING SALE website.
* My "STUFF FOR SALE" website
* My EBAY Auctions website
* My "WISH LIST" website of items I want to buy
* My CD's For Sale List
* My Train Appraisal website
* My Train List Model Trains I have For Sale  (Lionel, Marx, American Flyer, Kusan, KMT, etc...)
* My Trains Wanted List of Model Trains I Want to Buy
* My "Train Finder" Service
* My www.Skillet Lickers.com Singing Group
* My "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS" Banners For Sale
* My MTX NEON Sign For Sale
* My 1995 Harley Davidson Heritage w/8,000 mi. For Sale
* My LEA Family Genealogy Site
* My LeRoy Mercer (aka: John Bean) "Real Story" tribute
* My EUCHEE / YUCHI Indians tribute
* My www.drwebman.com/signs Funny / off-color HERE'S YOUR SIGN pics found across the world
* My Used Karaoke CDG's For Sale
* My SearchXL.com Sucks! anti-spyware, anti-hijacker, anti-popup website
* My SPAM email Sucks! website to expose Email Check Scams, SPAM, etc....
* My www.Rush2008.com website to draft Rush Limbaugh for President in 2008
* My www.FormerDemocrat.com website that shows how I saw the light
* My www.drwebman.com/97deville Mom's 1997 Cadillac Deville w/white diamond paint that's FOR SALE
* My www.drwebman.com/babyphotos website where you can find old baby photos of almost anyone
* My www.drwebman.com/christianburg Christianburg Way Subdivision of Sweetwater TN website
* My www.drwebman.com/bradbury Bradbury Community Center tribute and Bluegrass Jam website
* My www.drwebman.com/clevelandtn 50's & 60's photos of Cleveland TN website
* My www.drwebman.com/i_hate of 101 THINGS I HATE  website
* My www.drwebman.com/rebates_suck Rebates Suck website
* My www.drwebman.com/sweatbee website the tells how I keep sweat bees from sting me
* My www.MyLostToys.com.com website that's a search for MY LOST TOYS

    Click HERE for more information on my 1995 Harley For Sale by Owner with only 8,000 miles

    Click HERE for more information on my Model Trains for sale

            Click HERE for more information on my 1966 Gibson J-45 Guitar For Sale

    Click HERE for more information on my FOR SALE Upright Strad Bass "Fiddle" with Carved top

    Click HERE for more information on "www.I-Hate-People.com" T-Shirts

    Click HERE for more information on "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS" Banners

    Click HERE for more information on Registered Paint (APHA) and Quarter (AQHA) Horses For Sale

    Click HERE for more information on my RARE 283 Block that can be bored to 4" FOR SALE

    Click HERE for more information on my MTX Neon Sign FOR SALE

    Click HERE for more information on my Lionel 10E Standard Gauge Pre-war Train Set FOR SALE

    Click HERE for more information on my Emerson Boom-Box with TV FOR SALE

    Click HERE for more information on my CD's FOR SALE

    Click HERE for more info on my parents' home FSBO in the Benton TN / Ocoee TN area

---

 

This page created & maintained by

www.DRWEBMAN.com

(Click to see how easily you can have your own website)

Email: info@drwebman.com

 

---

	1966 Mustang For Sale by Owner  Restored, 289, auto, duals, new bumpers, interior, windshield, etc...
	1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo For Sale by Owner  with 350 crate motor, flowmasters, headers, aluminum intake, 4-bbl,
	1997 Cadillac Deville d'Elegance For Sale by Owner Lady driven (mom's car), VERY nice!

 

---

CLICK TO SEE MY PARTS FOR SALE WEBSITE
www.FSBOTrader.com/parts  

---

 

OcoeeRealty.com is a Great, new website where you can buy, sell or trade properties.

List your home here or browse our listings.

(Click on the images below for more information on the properties for sale.)

	Nice 3 br, 2 bath Rancher FSBO near Ocoee TN  Original Owner, sep garage apartment, parking for up to 11 cars!, New Sunroom, well-kept, Benton Station, TN, $179,999		< --- comes with detached 30x24 2-car garage with unfinished upstairs apartment
	3 br, 2 bath Rancher FSBO in Sweetwater TN  NEW listing, Very Desirable Subdivision, 2-car garage, Plus 28x40 3-car garage workshop, Great Condition,  1232 Christianburg Lane, $199,999		< --- comes with NEW detached 3-car 40x28 garage workshop with upstairs

---

NOTE: Click HERE to view my regular Music CD's For Sale

Click HERE to see my Karaoke CDG's discs for sale.