What does 'possible heap corruption detected' mean, when listed in the Event Viewer?

Emma

Whatever you want to do is fine by me. I ignore messages about AVG and have turned off UAC so I have some sympathy with your view point.

I have run sfc/scannow - not problems.  the winmgmt/repository scan didn't detect any errors. I ran a malware scanner and that deleted one suspicious file.

To be honest I can't be bothered to remove Panda and re-instal it again.  I have been told by a Panda technician that it is a Windows problem, even though the issues started after the 10th August 2011.  I don't want to use MSE as I don't trust the program.

On the forums, I've looked on, most people who have the action centre issue - re:  action center reporting there isn't an anti-virus - have turned off the anti-virus and spyware reporting and this is what I have done.

Panda is protecting my computer, i have no issues with RAM, there are no integrity violations and there haven't been any BSODS.

I think I'm going to leave it, because if I do a clean re-install of Windows, once I have backed up my hard-drive, (I still have to buy a caddy), no doubt I will lose the System Restore function once more.

I think the point Gerry was trying to make was to temporarily install MSE while you diagnose the other errors.  From my experience in working with computers and coming across hundreds of customers computers with various problems/adwares/viruses/etc. you may have a serious problem and not know it.  Just because any test (regardless of what the test does) comes back saying something is OK doesn't mean squat.  Not taking the advice I've read can do nothing but potentially make things worse and worse until the problem is irreparable (if it isn't already) and then you have a problem that will cost you 10 times versus what it would take to fix it early.

I would highly recommend at least trying it until you have figured out more and then when it's all said and done, put your previous software(s) back one by one after confirming the issues are gone. 

Other things to note: Those errors could be the reason you are having the heap errors... Also, I have seen MANY cases where a virus was on a computer, attached itself to the antivirus making it say it was fine BUT Windows detected that the antivirus wasn't working...  and nost just with any one specific antivirus either.

If there is a virus or something modifying processes, etc. technically, I would say those errors in Windows could be it detecting this.  When it comes to this kind of troubleshooting, it really is a matter of doing whatever you can, one thing at a time, whether you like it or not, until you get down to the root of the matter... its either that or format your HDD and start over.

In the end, it is up to you what you want to do.

I would suggest to install Avast! and run a boot up scan of your computer.  Avast is a highly rated antivirus and is one of the only AV's that can actually do a virus scan before the OS can load anything (and typically before the virus has a chance to load).  Also, you may want to consider using a boot disk to load a virtual OS (IE: Off of Hiren's) and do virus scans through that (Update the definitions first).

One bad virus I ran across a while back actually took over MSE as the process itself.  Even in safe mode, since MSE was a Microsoft service, the virus was running and made it impossible to really recover much of anything without being 100% worried about accessing it from within the OS.

So what you're saying is that Windows SFC is useless, as is the Memory test.  Gerry has turned of UAC, with regards to AVG.

If there was a virus, then I would have other issues, such as crashes and programs not working. Panda works.  I have run various anti-malware programs and there are no issues.

Panda is rated very highly.  Also, I don't have £25 to spend on buying AVAST IS, which I would have to use, if I wanted to replace Panda.

To say that SFC/Scannow can be wrong must mean that you don't trust Windows, so maybe you should be using Apple software.

As I have already pointed out, I was told by Panda, that this issue is a Windows issue and I have been told by a Windows tech support person that there are problems, with regards to some anti-virus programs not being reported.

Emma

Turning of User Account Control does not affect whether VIrus protection is detected and on.

Select Action Center, Security, and look under Virus Protection. Mine reports AVG and this is with UAC turned off. My earlier comments were made on earlier experiences and do not reflect the current situation on my computer.

The situation is a little strange here regarding what is reported when the View installed antispyware programs link is opened. It say AVG is On and Windows Defender is Off. No problems with those entries.What I do not see reported is Malwarebytes Free and Superantispyware.

The reason for the non-reporting of these programes may be that  they are used as backups and are not set to actively monitor my computer. Is your Panda set to automatically scan and is it set to provide real time protection? In AVG real time protection is called the Resident Shield.

Emma

Turning off UAC does not so far as I am aware result in non-detection of the installed anti-virus. This based on UAC being turned off on this computer and AVG being detected and displayed in the Windows Security Center.

Your problem on non-detection may lie in the settings you have selected in Panda. Is it set to automatically scan at a scheduled time? Is it set to provide real time protection?

Select Action Center, Security, View spyware protection programs -see under Spyware and unwanted protection programs.