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?
I just didn't look for any restore points earlier than 7/26.
You may eventually be forced to. If and when that happens, have the information from the following website handy. It will eliminate a great many issues arising from laying down Win XP SP2. I've prepared my slipstreamed XP SP2 disk and used it to install SP2 and have had zero problems thusfar.
Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
As for your problem...two suggestions.
1. Uninstall Zone Alarm altogether and then download and install Outpost Firewall from Agnitum.
It's free and it's leaner and better than Zone Alarm. (in my opinion and I've used them all.)
2. If you still have problems...go visit Computing.net Forum. It is absolutely loaded with folks who have seen it all and love to help you fix your stuff. Do a search for keywords describing your problem and you'll likely find someone who has seen it before. Good luck.
any good tech will just reformat. If you have data that you can't loose that is your fault for not backing up regularly.
Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out, eh? I think we might have different ideas on what constitutes a "good" tech ;)
OK, I think I've included everyone who posted to this thread. Here's what I ended up doing:
After trying pretty much everything that had been suggested, both on the thread and on FReepmail, I repartitioned and reinstalled WinXP. Then I updated to SP2.
The only casualty so far seems to be the Epson Perfection 1650 scanner. The software just simply will not install. It keeps getting hung up at 78%. I don't see any physical problems with the CD itself, so I don't know what the problem is.
There is one software problem, and I think that is fixable. Calendarscope refuses to accept my registration number. I've emailed tech support, but they're in Russia, so I'm hoping they can fix it. (After I get it back, I'll spend the next few months copying appointments and tasks to Mozilla's free calendar app, which is called Sunbird 0.2 right now. It's supposed to be ready by the end of the year, and I'm using it now.)
Anyway, I had to repartition and reinstall because, in the final analysis, the system wouldn't let me install anything, a WinXP Repair install didn't correct any of the basic problems, and because it wouldn't Save Settings, I could never make any solutions stick.
Thank you, every one who posted here, even those who said they couldn't help, but whose posts bumped the thread to the top where others could see it.
Thank you.
I have an Epson Perfection 2400 scanner and it loaded fine.
Load the software before you plug the scanner in and see if that helps.
I tried that. Still no banana. Later today, I'll try downloading the files from Epson's DL page. That might tell me if the CD is bad.
go to epsons website... maybe they have new drivers...?
The driver isn't the problem. It's the software. The TWAIN driver is the most current, and it installed without a hitch. The software installs a control panel for controlling the scanner.
Epson want $10 for tech support on out of warranty scanners.
I'll try to install the software on another WinXP box in the house to see if the problem is the CD or my computer.
if you have photoshop, and the driver installed ok... open photoshop and click file import... choose your scanner... and see if that works... If you dont have photoshop you can download a free 30 day trial from adobe.com
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