| Author | Messages | |
brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
 | | 12/01/2006 11:07 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer
Department of Information Technology
G&P Trucking Company, Inc.
803.936.8595 Direct Line
800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595)
803.739.1176 Fax | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/01/2006 1:41 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
Just to update... I was finally able to catch this in
action. It stopped as soon as I unplugged the wireless keyboard/mouse device
from the PC. It appears that one particular person's wireless mouse is crossing
signal with select others, but none of the nearby mice are the culprit. It still
occurs after the affected devices are reset with the "connect" button on the
kb/mouse receiver. This could get interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07To: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their
cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one would
suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one
person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in
there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was
just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but
I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced this
problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and
good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard,
working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was detecting
office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do
thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I
don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs
and the only person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine
that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not
heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet
baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions.
Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces again?
If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist
buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer Department of Information Technology G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/01/2006 3:22 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
It was moving in a directed fashion. The places that they clicked and
pointed didn't really make sense on the screens where I witnessed this, but it
was very much what I would call "normal" mouse activity.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Laura A.
RobinsonSent: Friday 01 December 2006 12:55To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Was
the cursor moving in what appeared to be a directed fashion (as if somebody
invisible was moving the mouse), or was it moving around
unpredictably?
Laura
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 11:07 AMTo: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their
cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one
would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to
watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I
was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before --
it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is --
but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced
this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short
range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have
standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was
detecting office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated
commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I
disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I
checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS remote control was
me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So
far today I have not heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still
curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions.
Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces
again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist
buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer
Department of Information Technology
G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release
Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM
--No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG
Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date:
12/1/2006 6:36 AM | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/01/2006 3:35 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
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Since this morning, we've ruled out the possibility of the USB mice being
affected as well. Apparently those folks with USB mice who complained were not
having the same kind of cursor movement -- it was just the seldom jumpy cursor
(where it spasms between 2-3 pixels while idle) usually seen only with optical
mice. Fortunately I've been able to see it in action today, and it definitely
seems to be coming from someone else's mouse as it appears to be normal mouse
movements. The affected users are roughly 30-40 feet away, so we're checking to
see if there is someone between of all of them who has a wireless
mouse.
I
like the idea of prohibiting the devices altogether. Would definitely save a lot
of time -- I've not been able to get much serious work done
today.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Scott
KlassenSent: Friday 01 December 2006 12:57To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Usually
I see this from interference using wireless mice. Usually its caused by
people with other wireless devices close by and they are both operating on the
same channel. RF can operate through walls, so interference doesnt have
to be line of sight and can come through walls, from above or below if
transmitting omnidirectionally. Just had this recently where a bunch of
staffers with laptops got wireless external keypads, all the same make and
model, and found the range of these things was 20 feet. Cell Phones,
Microwaves, and other common items may also cause this for the same
reasons. I no longer allow wireless devices in my environments just to
save the hassle.
You
say this also happens with some wired usb mice? Have you tried moving
these to a different USB port on the system, preferably connected to a different
USB controller?
Scott
Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org]
On Behalf Of Brian ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 10:07
AMTo: Active Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir]
OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we
had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own, but
not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a mouse
issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that
the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the
same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in
there.
Now I can't
begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common
denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or four).
Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no problems
otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this
before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through
the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on
the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a
built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS
remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been
remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more complaints, but
nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have
updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start
looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the corporate
chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline,
Applications Developer Department of
Information Technology G&P Trucking
Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct
Line 800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176
Fax | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/01/2006 4:38 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
Yep, that was it. The one guy sitting between them all replaced his
batteries a few days ago, which is when the problems began. I almost took a
sledgehammer to that thing :-)-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 13:42To: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Just to update... I was finally able to catch this in
action. It stopped as soon as I unplugged the wireless keyboard/mouse device
from the PC. It appears that one particular person's wireless mouse is crossing
signal with select others, but none of the nearby mice are the culprit. It still
occurs after the affected devices are reset with the "connect" button on the
kb/mouse receiver. This could get interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07To: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their
cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one would
suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one
person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in
there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was
just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but
I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced this
problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and
good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard,
working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was detecting
office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do
thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I
don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs
and the only person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine
that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not
heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet
baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions.
Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces again?
If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist
buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer Department of Information Technology G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax | | | |
| amulnick
Posts:142
| | 12/01/2006 5:01 AM |
| Easy enough: stop using wireless devices. If that's not an option, bring in some equipment to measure the rfi and see what you can do to reduce it.
I've seen mobile phones and microwaves interfere with such devices as well. Not always resulting in the same symptoms you saw, but...
On 12/1/06, Brian Cline wrote:
Just to update... I was finally able to catch this in action. It stopped as soon as I unplugged the wireless keyboard/mouse device from the PC. It appears that one particular person's wireless mouse is crossing signal with select others, but none of the nearby mice are the culprit. It still occurs after the affected devices are reset with the "connect" button on the kb/mouse receiver. This could get interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07
To: Active Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer Department of Information Technology G&P Trucking Company, Inc.
803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax | | | |
| laurarobinson
Posts:96
| | 12/01/2006 5:29 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
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When I
go near wireless mice/keyboards, they stop working. (I can provide witnesses to
this.) Want me to visit your office? ;-)
Laura
P.S.
How densely clustered are these users? Does one user's interference stop if you
turn off the other user's mouse? Seems like it'd be a quick way to verify that
it's not somebody between them before you start cubicle
crawling.
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 3:36 PMTo:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Since this morning, we've ruled out the possibility of the USB mice
being affected as well. Apparently those folks with USB mice who complained
were not having the same kind of cursor movement -- it was just the seldom
jumpy cursor (where it spasms between 2-3 pixels while idle) usually seen only
with optical mice. Fortunately I've been able to see it in action today, and
it definitely seems to be coming from someone else's mouse as it appears to be
normal mouse movements. The affected users are roughly 30-40 feet away, so
we're checking to see if there is someone between of all of them who has a
wireless mouse.
I like the idea of prohibiting the devices altogether. Would definitely
save a lot of time -- I've not been able to get much serious work done
today.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Scott
KlassenSent: Friday 01 December 2006 12:57To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Usually
I see this from interference using wireless mice. Usually it’s caused by
people with other wireless devices close by and they are both operating on the
same channel. RF can operate through walls, so interference doesn’t have
to be line of sight and can come through walls, from above or below if
transmitting omnidirectionally. Just had this recently where a bunch of
staffers with laptops got wireless external keypads, all the same make and
model, and found the range of these things was 20 feet. Cell Phones,
Microwaves, and other common items may also cause this for the same
reasons. I no longer allow wireless devices in my environments just to
save the hassle.
You
say this also happens with some wired usb mice? Have you tried moving
these to a different USB port on the system, preferably connected to a
different USB controller?
Scott
Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org]
On Behalf Of Brian ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006
10:07 AMTo: Active Directory Mailing ListSubject:
[ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday
we had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own,
but not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a
mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she
noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was
exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was
actually in there.
Now I
can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common
denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or
four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no
problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have
seen this before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard
noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem
persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that
particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only
person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone
else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any
more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet
baffled.
All PCs
have updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to
start looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the
corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian
Cline, Applications Developer Department of
Information Technology G&P Trucking
Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct
Line 800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176
Fax
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release
Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM | | | |
| laurarobinson
Posts:96
| | 12/01/2006 5:48 AM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
The
mouse, or the guy?
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 4:38 PMTo:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yep, that was it. The one guy sitting between them all replaced his
batteries a few days ago, which is when the problems began. I almost took a
sledgehammer to that thing :-)-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 13:42To: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Just to update... I was finally able to catch this in
action. It stopped as soon as I unplugged the wireless keyboard/mouse device
from the PC. It appears that one particular person's wireless mouse is
crossing signal with select others, but none of the nearby mice are the
culprit. It still occurs after the affected devices are reset with the
"connect" button on the kb/mouse receiver. This could get
interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07To: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their
cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one
would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to
watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I
was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before --
it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is --
but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced
this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short
range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have
standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was
detecting office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated
commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I
disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I
checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS remote control was
me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So
far today I have not heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still
curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions.
Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces
again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist
buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer
Department of Information Technology
G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release
Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM | | | |
| kevingent@comcast.net
Posts:3
| | 12/01/2006 6:22 AM |
| bluetooth devices can be a pain as
well......
----- Original Message -----
From:
Al Mulnick
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 5:01
PM
Subject: Re: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Easy enough: stop using wireless devices. If that's not an option,
bring in some equipment to measure the rfi and see what you can do to reduce
it.
I've seen mobile phones and microwaves interfere with such devices as
well. Not always resulting in the same symptoms you saw, but...
On 12/1/06, Brian
Cline
wrote:
Just to update... I
was finally able to catch this in action. It stopped as soon as I unplugged
the wireless keyboard/mouse device from the PC. It appears that one
particular person's wireless mouse is crossing signal with select others,
but none of the nearby mice are the culprit. It still occurs after the
affected devices are reset with the "connect" button on the kb/mouse
receiver. This could get interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of
Brian ClineSent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07 To: Active Directory Mailing ListSubject:
[ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that
their cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as
one would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote
tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor
moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was
moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is --
but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who
experienced this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice
with a short range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas
the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where
the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through the
microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on
the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model
has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used
the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would
have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more
complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware
definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this
problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain
bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer
Department of Information Technology
G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax | | | |
| beads
Posts:22
| | 12/01/2006 6:57 AM |
| Happens with my father and watches as
well. The man cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks. But thats
another story. If you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or even the
remote chance its a bad ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause occasional
problems with old CRTs), etc. Atleast you can start to wittle things down
a bit. But in this case it sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there is one
mouse that is emitting too strong a signal.
I was a bit thrown this morning though
when I thought I read that this was happening with corded devices as well.
Brent Eads
Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.
Office: (312) 762-9224
Fax: (312) 762-9275
The contents contain privileged and/or confidential information intended
for the named recipient of this email. ETSI (Employee Technology Solutions,
Inc.) does not warrant that the contents of any electronically transmitted
information will remain confidential. If the reader of this email is not
the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any use, reproduction,
disclosure or distribution of the information contained in the email in
error, please reply to us immediately and delete the document.
Viruses, Malware, Phishing and other known and unknown electronic threats:
It is the recipient/client's duties to perform virus scans and otherwise
test the information provided before loading onto any computer system.
No warranty is made that this material is free from computer virus or any
other defect.
Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's responsibility.
Liability will be limited to resupplying the material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro | | | |
| laurarobinson
Posts:96
| | 12/01/2006 12:55 PM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
Was
the cursor moving in what appeared to be a directed fashion (as if somebody
invisible was moving the mouse), or was it moving around
unpredictably?
Laura
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 11:07 AMTo: Active
Directory Mailing ListSubject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday we had several people complain that their
cursor was moving around on its own, but not erratically or quickly as one
would suspect might be the case of a mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to
watch one person's screen, and she noted that the way the cursor moved while I
was in there checking things was exactly the same way it was moving before --
it was just as though someone was actually in there.
Now I can't begin to describe how odd this is --
but I can't seem to find any common denominator for the folks who experienced
this problem (so far, three or four). Some have wireless mice with a short
range and good batteries with no problems otherwise, whereas the others have
standard, working USB mice. I have seen this before where the language bar was
detecting office and keyboard noise through the microphone as dictated
commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the first PC after I
disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a built-in mic. I
checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS remote control was
me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been remoting it either. So
far today I have not heard any more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still
curious yet baffled.
All PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions.
Does anyone have ideas on where to start looking if this problem surfaces
again? If it continues we'll have the corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist
buddy.
Brian Cline, Applications Developer
Department of Information Technology
G&P Trucking Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct Line 800.922.1147 Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176 Fax
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release
Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM | | | |
| klas9574
Posts:1
| | 12/01/2006 12:56 PM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
Usually I see this from interference using wireless mice. Usually
it’s caused by people with other wireless devices close by and they are
both operating on the same channel. RF can operate through walls, so interference
doesn’t have to be line of sight and can come through walls, from above
or below if transmitting omnidirectionally. Just had this recently where
a bunch of staffers with laptops got wireless external keypads, all the same
make and model, and found the range of these things was 20 feet. Cell
Phones, Microwaves, and other common items may also cause this for the same
reasons. I no longer allow wireless devices in my environments just to
save the hassle.
You say this also happens with some wired usb mice? Have
you tried moving these to a different USB port on the system, preferably
connected to a different USB controller?
Scott Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 10:07 AM
To: Active Directory Mailing List
Subject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we
had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own, but
not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a mouse
issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that
the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the
same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in
there.
Now I can't
begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common
denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or four).
Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no problems
otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this
before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through
the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on
the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a
built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS
remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been
remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more complaints, but
nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have
updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start
looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the
corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline,
Applications Developer
Department of
Information Technology
G&P
Trucking Company, Inc.
803.936.8595
Direct Line
800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595)
803.739.1176
Fax | | | |
| solinear@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/03/2006 10:47 AM |
| There are some wireless mice/keyboards that can potentially support hundreds of non-interfering devices - if they want to have wireless, make them use what has been 'approved' or nothing at all :)
On 12/1/06, beads@emptechsolutions.com wrote:
Happens with my father and watches as
well. The man cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks. But thats
another story. If you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or even the
remote chance its a bad ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause occasional
problems with old CRTs), etc. Atleast you can start to wittle things down
a bit. But in this case it sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there is one
mouse that is emitting too strong a signal.
I was a bit thrown this morning though
when I thought I read that this was happening with corded devices as well.
Brent Eads
Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.
Office: (312) 762-9224
Fax: (312) 762-9275
The contents contain privileged and/or confidential information intended
for the named recipient of this email. ETSI (Employee Technology Solutions,
Inc.) does not warrant that the contents of any electronically transmitted
information will remain confidential. If the reader of this email is not
the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any use, reproduction,
disclosure or distribution of the information contained in the email in
error, please reply to us immediately and delete the document.
Viruses, Malware, Phishing and other known and unknown electronic threats:
It is the recipient/client's duties to perform virus scans and otherwise
test the information provided before loading onto any computer system.
No warranty is made that this material is free from computer virus or any
other defect.
Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's responsibility.
Liability will be limited to resupplying the material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro | | | |
| CrawfordS
Posts:50
| | 12/04/2006 2:35 AM |
| v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
I agree. I’m also curious about the
security side of this. Are the transmissions encrypted? Apparently not very
well if one mouse affects another’s pc. Just open notepad on an affected
PC and you have a poor man’s keylogger.
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006
11:39 AM
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
To be honest I'm not sure why those guys have wireless
devices to begin with. They were problably given to them at the time solely
because it was the latest and greatest. Not too big a fan of that doctrine
myself.
--
Brian
Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On
Behalf Of Matt Hargraves
Sent: Sunday 03 December 2006
22:48
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: Re: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
There are some wireless
mice/keyboards that can potentially support hundreds of non-interfering devices
- if they want to have wireless, make them use what has been 'approved' or
nothing at all :)
On 12/1/06, beads@emptechsolutions.com
wrote:
Happens with my father and watches as well. The man
cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks. But thats another story. If
you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or even the remote chance its a bad
ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause occasional problems with old CRTs),
etc. Atleast you can start to wittle things down a bit. But in this case it
sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there is one mouse that is emitting too strong
a signal.
I
was a bit thrown this morning though when I thought I read that this was
happening with corded devices as well.
Brent Eads
Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.
Office: (312) 762-9224
Fax: (312) 762-9275
The contents contain privileged and/or confidential information intended for
the named recipient of this email. ETSI (Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.)
does not warrant that the contents of any electronically transmitted
information will remain confidential. If the reader of this email is not the
intended recipient you are hereby notified that any use, reproduction,
disclosure or distribution of the information contained in the email in error,
please reply to us immediately and delete the document.
Viruses, Malware, Phishing and other known and unknown electronic threats: It
is the recipient/client's duties to perform virus scans and otherwise test the
information provided before loading onto any computer system. No warranty is
made that this material is free from computer virus or any other defect.
Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's
responsibility. Liability will be limited to resupplying the material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro | | | |
| MikeGuest
Posts:10
| | 12/04/2006 5:21 AM |
| v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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Your father is probably mild….
http://amasci.com/weird/unusual/zap.html
these guys (if you believe them) have real problems.
Mike Guest
IT Solutions
HML
Padiham DDI: +44 (0)1282 682550
Internal Extension: (61) 2550
From:
beads@emptechsolutions.com [mailto:beads@emptechsolutions.com]
Sent: 01 December 2006 23:58
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
Happens with my father and watches as well. The man
cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks. But thats another story. If
you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or even the remote chance its a bad
ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause occasional problems with old CRTs),
etc. Atleast you can start to wittle things down a bit. But in this case it
sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there is one mouse that is emitting too strong
a signal.
I
was a bit thrown this morning though when I thought I read that this was
happening with corded devices as well.
Brent Eads
Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.
Office: (312) 762-9224
Fax: (312) 762-9275
The contents contain privileged and/or confidential information intended for
the named recipient of this email. ETSI (Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.)
does not warrant that the contents of any electronically transmitted
information will remain confidential. If the reader of this email is not the
intended recipient you are hereby notified that any use, reproduction,
disclosure or distribution of the information contained in the email in error,
please reply to us immediately and delete the document.
Viruses, Malware, Phishing and other known and unknown electronic threats: It
is the recipient/client's duties to perform virus scans and otherwise test the
information provided before loading onto any computer system. No warranty is
made that this material is free from computer virus or any other defect.
Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's
responsibility. Liability will be limited to resupplying the material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro
*******************************************************************
This email is intended only for the addressee named above. As this email may contain confidential or privileged information, if you are not the named addressee or receive this message in error, please notify us immediately, delete it and do not make use of or copy it.
This message is protected by copyright. HML accepts no responsibility for viruses found in this message or any file attachment.
Homeloan Management Limited
Registered in England No. 2214839
1 Providence Place, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 2HL
******************************************************************** | | | |
| laurarobinson
Posts:96
| | 12/04/2006 9:05 AM |
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The
watch thing happened to me until the East Coast blackout of 2003. I used to have
baskets of dead watches. Since the blackout, I've been able to wear watches.
They still die a lot faster than they do on other people if they're
battery-powered, but at least I can wear 'em now. I also beta tested a watch for
Timex (I kid you not; who knew they beta test watches, anyway?) that had a
battery that was supposed to be guaranteed to last three years. It made it nine
months on me, which is a personalrecord.
I also
have street light, um, issues. However, I have never been kidnapped by aliens.
Born of them, perhaps, but not kidnapped by any. :-)
Laura
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Mike
GuestSent: Monday, December 04, 2006 5:21 AMTo:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Your father is
probably mild….
http://amasci.com/weird/unusual/zap.html
these guys (if you believe them) have real
problems.
Mike GuestIT
SolutionsHMLPadiham DDI: +44
(0)1282 682550 Internal Extension: (61) 2550
From: beads@emptechsolutions.com
[mailto:beads@emptechsolutions.com] Sent: 01 December 2006 23:58To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Happens with my father and
watches as well. The man cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks.
But thats another story. If you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or
even the remote chance its a bad ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause
occasional problems with old CRTs), etc. Atleast you can start to wittle
things down a bit. But in this case it sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there
is one mouse that is emitting too strong a signal. I was a bit thrown this
morning though when I thought I read that this was happening with corded
devices as well. Brent
EadsEmployee Technology Solutions, Inc.Office: (312)
762-9224Fax: (312) 762-9275The contents contain
privileged and/or confidential information intended for the named recipient of
this email. ETSI (Employee Technology Solutions, Inc.) does not warrant that
the contents of any electronically transmitted information will remain
confidential. If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient you
are hereby notified that any use, reproduction, disclosure or distribution of
the information contained in the email in error, please reply to us
immediately and delete the document. Viruses, Malware, Phishing and
other known and unknown electronic threats: It is the recipient/client's
duties to perform virus scans and otherwise test the information provided
before loading onto any computer system. No warranty is made that this
material is free from computer virus or any other defect.Any
loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's
responsibility. Liability will be limited to resupplying the
material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro
*******************************************************************This
email is intended only for the addressee named above. As this email may
contain confidential or privileged information, if you are not the named
addressee or receive this message in error, please notify us immediately,
delete it and do not make use of or copy it.This message is protected
by copyright. HML accepts no responsibility for viruses found in this message
or any file attachment.Homeloan Management LimitedRegistered in
England No. 22148391 Providence Place, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23
2HL********************************************************************
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/565 - Release
Date: 12/2/2006 9:39 PM
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No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006 7:18 AM | | | |
| klas9574
Posts:1
| | 12/04/2006 9:12 AM |
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OT: Possessed PCs
It can be even more amusing with wireless keyboards.
Somebody is typing up an email and random characters begin appearing.
Scott Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 3:38 PM
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yep,
that was it. The one guy sitting between them all replaced his batteries a few
days ago, which is when the problems began. I almost took a sledgehammer to
that thing :-)
--
Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday 01 December 2006 13:42
To: Active Directory Mailing List
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Just
to update... I was finally able to catch this in action. It stopped as soon as
I unplugged the wireless keyboard/mouse device from the PC. It appears that one
particular person's wireless mouse is crossing signal with select others, but
none of the nearby mice are the culprit. It still occurs after the affected
devices are reset with the "connect" button on the kb/mouse receiver.
This could get interesting...
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday 01 December 2006 11:07
To: Active Directory Mailing List
Subject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday we
had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own, but
not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a mouse
issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she noted that
the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was exactly the
same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was actually in
there.
Now I can't
begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common
denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or four).
Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no problems
otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have seen this
before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise through
the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem persisted on the
first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that particular model has a
built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only person who used the SMS
remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone else would have been
remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more complaints, but
nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All PCs have
updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to start
looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the
corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian Cline,
Applications Developer
Department of
Information Technology
G&P
Trucking Company, Inc.
803.936.8595
Direct Line
800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595)
803.739.1176
Fax | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/04/2006 12:29 PM |
| OT: Possessed PCs
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Please do! :-)
They sit in an area that is somewhat densely clustered with cubes.
However, the first two of the affected users sat in cubes next to each other
with a direct line of sight to the problem source roughly 15ft away, and have a
near direct line of sight to a third affected user that was about 25ft and two
walls away from the source of the problem. The fourth affected user was also
about 25-30ft and three walls away from the source, in the opposite direction of
the third user. The row of VP offices directly across from the fourth user's
office were not affected (whew!).
And of course once we told the problem user what was going on, he had a
little bit of fun with it first.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Laura A.
RobinsonSent: Friday 01 December 2006 17:30To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
When I
go near wireless mice/keyboards, they stop working. (I can provide witnesses to
this.) Want me to visit your office? ;-)
Laura
P.S.
How densely clustered are these users? Does one user's interference stop if you
turn off the other user's mouse? Seems like it'd be a quick way to verify that
it's not somebody between them before you start cubicle
crawling.
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian
ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006 3:36 PMTo:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Since this morning, we've ruled out the possibility of the USB mice
being affected as well. Apparently those folks with USB mice who complained
were not having the same kind of cursor movement -- it was just the seldom
jumpy cursor (where it spasms between 2-3 pixels while idle) usually seen only
with optical mice. Fortunately I've been able to see it in action today, and
it definitely seems to be coming from someone else's mouse as it appears to be
normal mouse movements. The affected users are roughly 30-40 feet away, so
we're checking to see if there is someone between of all of them who has a
wireless mouse.
I like the idea of prohibiting the devices altogether. Would definitely
save a lot of time -- I've not been able to get much serious work done
today.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Scott
KlassenSent: Friday 01 December 2006 12:57To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Usually
I see this from interference using wireless mice. Usually it’s caused by
people with other wireless devices close by and they are both operating on the
same channel. RF can operate through walls, so interference doesn’t have
to be line of sight and can come through walls, from above or below if
transmitting omnidirectionally. Just had this recently where a bunch of
staffers with laptops got wireless external keypads, all the same make and
model, and found the range of these things was 20 feet. Cell Phones,
Microwaves, and other common items may also cause this for the same
reasons. I no longer allow wireless devices in my environments just to
save the hassle.
You
say this also happens with some wired usb mice? Have you tried moving
these to a different USB port on the system, preferably connected to a
different USB controller?
Scott
Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org]
On Behalf Of Brian ClineSent: Friday, December 01, 2006
10:07 AMTo: Active Directory Mailing ListSubject:
[ActiveDir] OT: Possessed PCs
Yesterday
we had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own,
but not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a
mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she
noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was
exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was
actually in there.
Now I
can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any common
denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or
four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no
problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have
seen this before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard
noise through the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem
persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that
particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only
person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone
else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any
more complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet
baffled.
All PCs
have updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where to
start looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the
corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian
Cline, Applications Developer Department of
Information Technology G&P Trucking
Company, Inc. 803.936.8595 Direct
Line 800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595) 803.739.1176
Fax
--No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by
AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release
Date: 12/1/2006 6:36 AM
--No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG
Free Edition.Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date:
12/1/2006 6:36 AM | | | |
| brian.cline@xxxx.yyy
| | 12/04/2006 12:38 PM |
| To be honest I'm not sure why those guys have wireless devices to begin
with. They were problably given to them at the time solely because it was the
latest and greatest. Not too big a fan of that doctrine
myself.
-- Brian Cline
From: ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org
[mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Matt
HargravesSent: Sunday 03 December 2006 22:48To:
ActiveDir@mail.activedir.orgSubject: Re: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
There are some wireless mice/keyboards that can potentially support
hundreds of non-interfering devices - if they want to have wireless, make them
use what has been 'approved' or nothing at all :)
On 12/1/06, beads@emptechsolutions.com
wrote:
Happens with my father and watches as well. The man
cannot wear a watch without it dying within weeks. But thats another story. If
you can isolate the symptoms to time of day or even the remote chance its a
bad ballast (flouresent lighting used to cause occasional problems with old
CRTs), etc. Atleast you can start to wittle things down a bit. But in this
case it sounds like RF overlap. Perhaps there is one mouse that is emitting
too strong a signal. I was a bit
thrown this morning though when I thought I read that this was happening with
corded devices as well. Brent EadsEmployee Technology Solutions,
Inc.Office: (312) 762-9224Fax: (312)
762-9275The contents contain privileged and/or confidential
information intended for the named recipient of this email. ETSI (Employee
Technology Solutions, Inc.) does not warrant that the contents of any
electronically transmitted information will remain confidential. If the reader
of this email is not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any
use, reproduction, disclosure or distribution of the information contained in
the email in error, please reply to us immediately and delete the document.
Viruses, Malware, Phishing and other known and unknown electronic
threats: It is the recipient/client's duties to perform virus scans and
otherwise test the information provided before loading onto any computer
system. No warranty is made that this material is free from computer virus or
any other defect.Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is
not the sender's responsibility. Liability will be limited to resupplying the
material.
Message scanned by TrendMicro | | | |
| segan
Posts:0
| | 12/04/2006 12:54 PM |
| v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
OT: Possessed PCs
RF is funny stuff. Depending on the strength/frequency
of the carrier wave, walls, current-carrying wires within those walls, and even
rebar within concrete can act as waveguides. Toss in a healthy dose of
multipathing and BFO’s (Beat Frequency Oscillators) and you have a
nightmare in cubicle-land. You have to walk around with a Spectrum
Analyzer to appreciate what goes on in the RF spectrum in an office building,
believe me. Add a “rogue device” that’s spitting stuff
out too “loudly”, or at just the wrong frequency, and stir.
Your brains. Because you can’t figure out the @#$%^$-ing
problem. The sledgehammer solution works just peachy! We banned all
this stuff, and our service calls went away. No more “broken”
keyboards and mice.
Wireless ain’t what it’s
cracked up to be because there are now too many devices using the very narrow
spectrum. Just ask the FCC…
Steve Egan
Purcell Systems
System/Network Administrator
desk 509 755-0341 x110
cell 509 475-7682
fax 509 755-0345
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006
9:30 AM
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
Please do! :-)
They sit in an area that is somewhat densely clustered with
cubes. However, the first two of the affected users sat in cubes next to each
other with a direct line of sight to the problem source roughly 15ft away, and
have a near direct line of sight to a third affected user that was about 25ft
and two walls away from the source of the problem. The fourth affected user was
also about 25-30ft and three walls away from the source, in the opposite
direction of the third user. The row of VP offices directly across from the
fourth user's office were not affected (whew!).
And of course once we told the problem user what was going
on, he had a little bit of fun with it first.
--
Brian
Cline
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Laura A. Robinson
Sent: Friday 01 December 2006
17:30
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
When I go near wireless mice/keyboards,
they stop working. (I can provide witnesses to this.) Want me to visit your
office? ;-)
Laura
P.S. How densely clustered are these
users? Does one user's interference stop if you turn off the other user's
mouse? Seems like it'd be a quick way to verify that it's not somebody between
them before you start cubicle crawling.
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006
3:36 PM
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
Since this morning, we've ruled out the possibility of the
USB mice being affected as well. Apparently those folks with USB mice who
complained were not having the same kind of cursor movement -- it was just the
seldom jumpy cursor (where it spasms between 2-3 pixels while idle) usually
seen only with optical mice. Fortunately I've been able to see it in action
today, and it definitely seems to be coming from someone else's mouse as it
appears to be normal mouse movements. The affected users are roughly 30-40 feet
away, so we're checking to see if there is someone between of all of them who
has a wireless mouse.
I like the idea of prohibiting the devices altogether. Would
definitely save a lot of time -- I've not been able to get much serious work
done today.
--
Brian
Cline
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Scott Klassen
Sent: Friday 01 December 2006
12:57
To: ActiveDir@mail.activedir.org
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT:
Possessed PCs
Usually I see this
from interference using wireless mice. Usually it’s caused by
people with other wireless devices close by and they are both operating on the
same channel. RF can operate through walls, so interference doesn’t
have to be line of sight and can come through walls, from above or below if
transmitting omnidirectionally. Just had this recently where a bunch of
staffers with laptops got wireless external keypads, all the same make and
model, and found the range of these things was 20 feet. Cell Phones,
Microwaves, and other common items may also cause this for the same reasons.
I no longer allow wireless devices in my environments just to save the hassle.
You say this also
happens with some wired usb mice? Have you tried moving these to a
different USB port on the system, preferably connected to a different USB
controller?
Scott Klassen
From:
ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org [mailto:ActiveDir-owner@mail.activedir.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cline
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006
10:07 AM
To: Active Directory Mailing List
Subject: [ActiveDir] OT: Possessed
PCs
Yesterday
we had several people complain that their cursor was moving around on its own,
but not erratically or quickly as one would suspect might be the case of a
mouse issue. I used SMS remote tools to watch one person's screen, and she
noted that the way the cursor moved while I was in there checking things was
exactly the same way it was moving before -- it was just as though someone was
actually in there.
Now
I can't begin to describe how odd this is -- but I can't seem to find any
common denominator for the folks who experienced this problem (so far, three or
four). Some have wireless mice with a short range and good batteries with no
problems otherwise, whereas the others have standard, working USB mice. I have
seen this before where the language bar was detecting office and keyboard noise
through the microphone as dictated commands to do thing, but the problem
persisted on the first PC after I disabled it, and I don't think that
particular model has a built-in mic. I checked the event logs and the only
person who used the SMS remote control was me, so I can't imagine that anyone
else would have been remoting it either. So far today I have not heard any more
complaints, but nevertheless I'm still curious yet baffled.
All
PCs have updated virus and spyware definitions. Does anyone have ideas on where
to start looking if this problem surfaces again? If it continues we'll have the
corporate chaplain bring in his exorcist buddy.
Brian
Cline, Applications Developer
Department
of Information Technology
G&P
Trucking Company, Inc.
803.936.8595
Direct Line
800.922.1147
Toll-Free (x8595)
803.739.1176
Fax
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 6:36
AM
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006 6:36
AM | | | |
|
|