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Strange Computer Problems

Posted on 07/28/2005 1:12:22 PM PDT by savedbygrace

I am having the weirdest computer problems and I need help. I built this computer myself a couple or three years ago, a P4 2.4GHz with 1GB RAM, WindowsXP Service Pack 1 (I won't go to SP2).

Everything was working fine all of yesterday. Last night when I shut down, it was a normal shut down. This morning, after I booted up, Mozilla Thunderbird would not open. It loads fine, as I can see it taking up more than 6,000KB in the Processes tab of Windows Task Manager. It just doesn't open.

I discovered later that when I disable Zone Alarm Pro 5.5, ThunderBird suddenly opens and downloads mail without a problem. I can use Mozilla Firefox 1.0.6 without a problem.

However, Internet Explorer 6 is a major problem. It opens, but doesn't do anything. I don't think it's fully loading. I tried going to Windows Update, which only works in IE, but I can't even get there, so I can't reinstall IE, or get any updates.

I have tried Safe Mode, no help.

I have looked an msconfig, and nothing nefarious is set to load at start up.

I have run a virus scan with Grisoft AVG Professional 7 (the paid version) with the latest definitions. No problems.

I have run a Microsoft AntiVirus scan with the latest defs. No problems.

I have run Cleaner 4.0.1 to scan for trojans. No problems.

Now, it starts to get weird. Thinking Zone Alarm Pro was the problem, I tried to install the latest version, v6. It won't install. It gets ready to install and then just sits there. It's still running, according to Task Manager, so it's not in a state of Not Responding.

So, I then tried to install a different update, WordPerfect 12 SP2. Same thing happened.

There's more: Every time I Shut Down (or Restart), it won't do it. Three or four processes need to be manually stopped (none of these processes are nefarious), then after Log Out, the Saving Settings message just stays on the screen, but it never saves the settings and never shuts down. I've let it run with Saving Settings on screen for as long as 15 minutes.

I googled for that shut down problem, and the only solution Microsoft has is to install SP2. First, I'm not going to do that, and second, I can't access Windows Update so even if I would agree to SP2, I couldn't access the update.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
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To: savedbygrace
No need to uninstall ZoneAlarm
rt click on tray icon & shut it down, then see if there's a difference
21 posted on 07/28/2005 1:38:56 PM PDT by AlBondigas
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To: jdm

Yea, im not happy with Nortons newer products... My brother bought this... so... thats is what is on it.


22 posted on 07/28/2005 1:42:35 PM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: AlBondigas; NormB; SaveTheChief; jdm; ShadowAce; Echo Talon; bgnn32; Xenophobic Alien; ...

Now it gets even worse. I cannot acess System in Control Panel (or through a right-click on My Computer in Start.

Nothing happens.

I think something in the Registry has gotten hosed, but . . .


23 posted on 07/28/2005 1:44:25 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: savedbygrace

format C: reinstall... update...


24 posted on 07/28/2005 1:45:33 PM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: savedbygrace
oops

fdisk /mbr
format c:
install XP

Update to sp2 and get remaining updates.

25 posted on 07/28/2005 1:46:51 PM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: savedbygrace

Seriously--get your Windows CD and just re-install everything from scratch--I'd even delete the partition and re-partition the drive, just to be SURE that everything's gone.


26 posted on 07/28/2005 1:47:14 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Echo Talon; savedbygrace

Whoa, let's not go nuclear just yet. Even in a worst-case scenario, you're better off with an install-in-place. Did we try rolling the system back with System Restore?


27 posted on 07/28/2005 1:49:45 PM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
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To: general_re

I am unable to access System Restore. Other than the System Restore Wizard, how else can I run it?


28 posted on 07/28/2005 1:51:08 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: savedbygrace
Can you >start >all programs > accssories > system tools > system restore
& pick a date before trouble started ?
29 posted on 07/28/2005 1:51:39 PM PDT by AlBondigas
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To: general_re

I like "going nuclear" :D fixes the problem everytime... Takes
a little time, but the system always runs better afterwards. :D


30 posted on 07/28/2005 1:52:42 PM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: savedbygrace
I had a similar problem a couole of years ago with Zone alarm.
Long story short, I uninstalled Zone Alarm, defragged and cleaned up and my problem went away.
31 posted on 07/28/2005 1:54:44 PM PDT by Publius6961 (Liberal level playing field: If the Islamics win we are their slaves..if we win they are our equals.)
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To: savedbygrace

Can you boot into safe mode at all?


32 posted on 07/28/2005 1:54:47 PM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
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To: Echo Talon
I like "going nuclear" :D fixes the problem everytime... Takes a little time, but the system always runs better afterwards. :D

Well, yeah, but let's be safe and assume that there is important data on the drive that needs to be preserved ;)

33 posted on 07/28/2005 1:56:25 PM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
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To: AlBondigas

Nope. When I do that, and click on System Restore, I see the hourglass pop up on my mouse cursor for maybe 5 seconds, then it goes away, and nothing loads. I see a little bit of drive activity (drive activity light on the case) while the hourglass is up, but then it ceases.


34 posted on 07/28/2005 1:56:35 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: general_re

Yes, I can boot into Safe Mode. Or, I could boot into Safe Mode earlier today.


35 posted on 07/28/2005 1:57:06 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: Publius6961

Are you still using Zone Alarm?


36 posted on 07/28/2005 1:57:53 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: savedbygrace
If you have to "go nuclear" make sure you copy all of your important stuff..."pictures" "taxes" whatever to a CD, or a different drive/partition.
37 posted on 07/28/2005 1:58:09 PM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: savedbygrace

Can you get at the System Restore from Safe Mode?


38 posted on 07/28/2005 2:01:40 PM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
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To: general_re

I'll try it now. Be back.


39 posted on 07/28/2005 2:02:34 PM PDT by savedbygrace ("No Monday morning quarterback has ever led a team to victory" GW Bush)
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To: savedbygrace
If you can't > safe mode >Sys restore

Try > control panel >folder options> view tab >& uncheck ..hide protected op sys..

then launch Windows explorer & scroll to c:\system vol..info > rt click > properties > uncheck read only >apply
then check the dates & pick one to dbl click

40 posted on 07/28/2005 2:15:42 PM PDT by AlBondigas
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