Interesting Issue/Really a Pain

[axman]

Ok here is a head scratcher, and it is driving me batty.

I just Built a Brand New Computer Based off the New Z77 Platform. Now When I installed McAfee Total Protection it updated to the Version 11.6, Cool right? Umm, not really I have a intersting issue which is really a PITA.

Every now and again certain programs won't respond, you try to click a button - Nothing. The Programs will open, but you can't do much.

Now when this happens there is a quirk that I caught (and yes it works to get things moving again) - If I move the Cursor around on the bottom of the Screen over on the right side it changes to a "Grabby Hand" one a little Higher than the Other - Now if I click on the upper "Grabby Hand" it opens IE and takes me right to the Hackerwatch site in an area for feedback,,, If I click the Bottom "Grabby Hand" every thing just starts working again.

Now here is what is driving me nuts - You can't see what is there, Actually I found the "grabby Hands" by accident. If I look in Task Manager when it happens nothing shows up in the applications as running, yet something is hence the "grabby hands". Now it is fairly clear that this "ghost" is tied to the Hackerwatch Module that is installed into - PROGRAM FILES > COMMON FILES > MCAFEE > HACKERWATCH .. This is fairly clear because one "Grabby Hand" sends you to Hackerwatch.

I have already Done a Reformat of the Hard Drives and a clean install of everything. When I did this I played around for a bit with JUST WINDOWS and Mcafee Total Protection 2012 installed the Issue was still there. So as I said I am Fairly sure that this is an Issue tied to the Hackerwatch Module.

I have tried to Remove the Hackerwatch Module - No Luck keeps telling me that I can't. I have Removed Mcafee and run around a bit without it and the problem was gone, put Mcafee back in Problem comes back.

Now I didn't have the Problem on the 26th of July, However two things about then - (A) It was an Early Build of  McAfee Total Protection 2012 <and> (B) The Computer Platform Was based off of the X-58 Chipset.. The Issue Only Showed up on Friday the 27th AFTER McAfee Total Protection Updated around Midnight going into Saturday.

So Here are the things Folks Need to Know -

McAfee Security Center - Version 11.6 Build 11.6.382

McAfee VirusScan - Version 15.6 Build 15.6.225 DAT version 6787

McAfee Personal Firewall - Version 12.6 Build 12.6.172

McAfee Anti-Spam - Version 12.6 Build 12.6.135 Content Version 4294 Engine Version 3.0.0.421

McAfee QuickClean and Shredder - Version 11.6 Build 11.6.157

Last Update For all Was 7/29/2012

Now Seeing as this might (and I stress Might) be an Issue between McAfee and Newer Hardware here are the Specs for our Computer -

Evga Z77 FTW MoBo

Intel 3rd Gen Core I7 3770K CPU

4 x 8Gb 1600MHz Value Ram

2 Western Digital 320Gb Hard Drives In a RAID 0

Creative X-FI PCIe Sound Card

9600 GSO PCIe Video Card

WIN 7 Ultimate x64 SP1

Windows and all Drivers are fully updated.

It is an Odd issue and intermittant. And it is an Issue I have never seen.

Is there a way to get rid of the Hackerwatch Module? If So I would love to know.

[axman]

Ok Update to the Issue I am having.

I have my firewall set to STEALTH. When I Am running a new program or just starting one that has never run,  or for that matter at any time when McAfee would pop up a Notice letting you know that something is connecting or asking you what kind of access you want to grant.... The Graphic never pops up, it acts like it is there but you can't see anything.. just some "grabby Hands"..

So McAfee isn't showing me informational alerts, they are there but I can't see them... so mu comp acts like it is Frozen till I figure out that the McAfee is trying to get me to do something.

This is an Annoying problem.

BTW I made sure that both Items are checked in the INFORMATIONAL ALERTS AREA.

[axman]

any ideas anyone? I have uninstalled and reinstalled McAfee several times - and yes I used the McAfee Clean up tool each time. The Informational alerts graphic interface doesn't show up even with all the SHOW ALERTS check marked.

They are there I can tell by the "Grabby hand" that is there if I pull the Cursor over the lower Right hand corner, but they aren't popping up so I can see them.

Clicking blindly o the "grabby hand" allows me to use the Comp again as it isn't waiting on a response from me anymore, but to make sure things are cool I then Have to go into the Prgroam access area of the Firewall and look to see what the heck I just did and make sure it is set right or get rid of it if it is something I didn't want to do.

[exbrit]

Sorry - putting it in General Discussions sort of hid it from the urgent stuff and we are also spread a little thin here so I'm afraid it got overlooked.  I moved it to SecurityCenter provisionally.    Not sure what to offer in the way of suggestions other than ask regarding the reformat, you did a full reformat and cleared the hard drive as a result, right?  The McAfee is installed from your online account I assume and should be OK.  Hackerwatch is simply part of it and can't be removed so I hope you didn't alter any registry keys in that respect because it's an integral component.

This could be malware but what I'm not sure.   Run Rootkit Remover, then Stinger then Malwarebytes Free all linked in that last clickable link in my signature below and see what results you get.

I'm no malware expert and as McAfee charges for virus removal I'm trying to save you money.    You might want to also run Hijackthis and post its log as suggested lower down in my link to get free independent help.

It may not be malware of course so also run the Virtual Technician which can often repair the software without the need to approach support.  http://mvt.mcafee.com/

By the way, Technical Support IS free and available via phone or online chat and linked under Useful Links at the top of this page.

Last question, are you fully updated with all service packs and the latest version of Internet Explorer with all its add-ons also fully updated?   This applies even if you don't use IE, because a lot of software and applications use it in any case, McAfee included.

[axman]

Ex_Brit wrote:
Sorry - putting it in General Discussions sort of hid it from the urgent stuff and we are also spread a little thin here so I'm afraid it got overlooked.  I moved it to SecurityCenter provisionally.    Not sure what to offer in the way of suggestions other than ask regarding the reformat, you did a full reformat and cleared the hard drive as a result, right?  The McAfee is installed from your online account I assume and should be OK.  Hackerwatch is simply part of it and can't be removed so I hope you didn't alter any registry keys in that respect because it's an integral component.
This could be malware but what I'm not sure.   Run Rootkit Remover, then Stinger then Malwarebytes Free all linked in that last clickable link in my signature below and see what results you get.
I'm no malware expert and as McAfee charges for virus removal I'm trying to save you money.    You might want to also run Hijackthis and post its log as suggested lower down in my link to get free independent help.
It may not be malware of course so also run the Virtual Technician which can often repair the software without the need to approach support.  http://mvt.mcafee.com/ 
By the way, Technical Support IS free and available via phone or online chat and linked under Useful Links at the top of this page.
Last question, are you fully updated with all service packs and the latest version of Internet Explorer with all its add-ons also fully updated?   This applies even if you don't use IE, because a lot of software and applications use it in any case, McAfee included.

I ran everyone of the Free Tools - they found nothing. I ran MalwareBytes and it found nothing.

MVT hasn't found any issues.

When I did the Reformat I actually took the High road and Ran BOOT N NUKE on the Drives, then I ran KILLDISC using the GUTMANN method. Hard Drives are clean.

Windows is Fully updated SP1 and all other updates. All Drivers are fully updated as well.

I have tracked down the actual Issue and I tried to tell someone at McAfee, but they claimed no such issue existed. I assume that it is a quirk that affects only a few folks.

The Issue is with the ALERTS that McAffe "pops" up in the lower Right hand Side of the Screen. They Don't visually show up - they are there but there is no Graphic/Picture. This is hard to describe so that it makes sense.

I guess the best way to try is to give the example of say a Pop up alert for you email in the same area of the screen - those show up - but ones for Mcafee don't, I know Mcafee is trying to tell me something right now when the desktop won't respond (because Mcafee is waiting on a response from me), when this happens I have to drag the Cursor down to the Bottom Right hand side until I see a "Grabby Hand" and then just click Blindly (because I have no Idea which button I am Clicking IE: Allow Full, Allow Outgoing, Block) - I then have to Open Security Center and go look to see what I just did in the Internet Connections For Programs, If no Change there I have to go look to see if it was an alert to a blocked connection in the NET GUARD area.

This issue showed up WHEN McAfee updated to the Latest Build 11.6.385 .

Now here is the Kicker If  Install From My McAfee Back Up Disc and then prevent McAfee from Updating the issue doesn't happen all the Mcaffee Alerts int he bottom Right hand corner Show up..

But when I update to the latest Build the Issue crops up.. (BTW : All the ALERTS a Check marked in the INFORMATIONAL ALERTS AREA).

So Something with the alerts is screwy, I just don't know what. And apparently I am one of only a few folks who seem to have this issue, Hence McAfee thinks I am off my rocker when I try to tell them about it..

I mean even a simple Alert like the one you would get when you Click VERIFY SUBSCRIPTION (The One that pops up and say MCAFEE HAS VERIFIED YOUR SUBSCRIPTION) doesn't pop up..

It is an Alerts Issue that only showed up when the latest Build showed up.. And McAfee is the ONLY PROGRAM that has this issue.. Everything else is fine.

I am Stymied at this point, it is an issue but McAffe as I said thinks I am nutz...

[exbrit]

That's bizarre.  All I can suggest is uninstall via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program, run the MCPR cleanup tool listed under Useful Links at the top of this page, reboot and reinstall from your online account.

Take care if you are using any registry cleaners or optimizers as they can foul up the software.   I've seen it so many times it isn't funny.

Then if it persists re-contact Technical Support asnd insist they escalate it.  Give them the previous session ID # if possible.  If that is fruitless then all I could do is rfaise the matter at our next conference call with McAfee which isn't until next Monday afternoon.

[axman]

Ex_Brit wrote:
That's bizarre.  All I can suggest is uninstall via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program, run the MCPR cleanup tool listed under Useful Links at the top of this page, reboot and reinstall from your online account.
Take care if you are using any registry cleaners or optimizers as they can foul up the software.   I've seen it so many times it isn't funny.
Then if it persists re-contact Technical Support asnd insist they escalate it.  Give them the previous session ID # if possible.  If that is fruitless then all I could do is rfaise the matter at our next conference call with McAfee which isn't until next Monday afternoon.

Yes it is.

I don't run any of that stuff. One bad experience years ago on a Pent 4 system, umm never again.

I have contacted Customer service, they said to uninstal reinstall - said no issue with Mcafee probably a burp with the install..

Have done the uninstall/reinstall dance about 20 times now.

I can work around it for now - if you could raise the issue next monday I would appreciate it. I am really not wanting to spend another 40 mins trying to explain to a Rep what is happening and having them try and talk me into allowing a Remote access session - Umm No I spend too much time trying to keep people out of my system thank you..

Bizzare and Very annoying - But at least I know what is going on - now if it was fixed that would be the cats meow..

Like I said and this is the Most important bit - This issue ONLY showed up when McAfee Total Protection Updated to the 11.6.385 Version.

It doesn't exist on the Version that is on My Backup CD.. And doesn't crop up until it updates to the 11.6.385 version..

I could run the Older Version (with Updates turned off) which would not be smart - or- I could continue to work the odd work around I have been doing, until this is explained to someone by someone they will actually listen to.

I know they listen to you guys Brit - I have seen the results of that time and again.. I think I will take the Loopyness until you can tell them and go from there - who knows it might just clear itself in the meantime - stranger things have happened with McAfee...

Still loyal to McAfee, glad someone finally at least half understands what the Glitch I am Seeing is... Will Happily wait to hear what they have to say - I can deal for a week, no biggy. The software is working, the alerts aren't showing up, but at least the software is working.

[exbrit]

OK could you summarize as briefly as possibly something for me to submit to them and post it back here please?  I'm not too clear exactly about this 'grabby hand' business.

Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 01/08/12 10:38:17 EDT AM

[axman]

Ex_Brit wrote:
OK could you summarize as briefly as possibly something for me to submit to them and post it back here please?  I'm not too clear exactly about this 'grabby hand' business.
Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 01/08/12 10:38:17 EDT AM

Ok. You know the Bottom Right hand Corner of Your Monitor - Where McAfee (and Most all Things like your printer Job interface) Pop up alerts?

Well With the Security Center Version 11.6.368 the alerts Don't show up (not visually) even if they are ENABLED. What you do get is the Cursor "Hand" (like you are over the button you need) See the Screen Shot? The Blue OK Button? If you put the Cursor over that it would turn into a "grabby Hand". In the Version I managed to get installed in My Comp (Security Center Version 11.0 Build 11.0.678 Affid 0-910) The Alerts Show up Visually as they Should. But in the latest Version Build (11.6.368) What you see in the Screen Shot doesn't Show up AT ALL (Even with All the alerts Enabled).

So When an Alert is supposed to POP up the comp acts like it is frozen, but you can still work (Comp is not frozen But waiting for me to respond to McAfee) so When I drag the Cursor to the bottom Right corner over where a Button should be on an alert that should be visable but is not all I get is the "grabby Hand" like it is ready to push a button. The End result is that I am Blindly Clicking on things and have no Idea what I jsut allowed To run or not or how McAfee is going to handle it.. Which is not Cool. Alerts are supposed to be seen man, not there but not there...

As you said it is Bizarre, it is strange and it is very, very annoying.

I think it has something to do with what ever they did to make McAfee Compatable with Windows 8. It Needs fixed.

One more thing - I am officially not the only person with this issue, 4 of my not so computer savvy friends are experiencing this issue as is my Neighbor. Just thought you should know.

[exbrit]

Oh now I understand.  I have version 11.6.385 and I just verified my subscription, the popup appeared as it should and my cursor turned to the hand (that's controlled by your pointer settings) when I hovered over it and when I clicked it it went away as it should.

I think you will find it will correct itself as soon as you get this version.  It will happen, just give it time.

Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 01/08/12 5:19:34 EDT PM