PC computer problems...HELP, please!

2-18-04 | thefactor

[July 4th]

Naturally, a complete reformat and reinstallation of XP will solve your problem - assuming it's not a hardware glitch. But there's probably an easier way.

First, check out your spyware. Others have posted links for the two good programs - Spybot and Ad-Aware. Use them both - each will catch things that the other won't catch.

If that doesn't solve your problem, there may be some internal issues with Explorer. I'm not sure if the error box you're getting is the one that Explorer pops up when it's got a problem. Frequently, corrupted Explorer files can be fixed by updating your Explorer software, or re-installing it. Updating can be done via the Windows Update option in your start menu, while a complete re-install, I believe, can be done through a full download of the latest Explorer edition from the Microsoft website.

[PeteFromMontana]

i was running windows ME originally but that was beyond awful so I spent $100 and "upgraded" to XP

_______________________

Ditto, same here. I love the upgrade and was so impressed with the original system I bought a new Dell with XP installed on it for the daughter.

I run Norton and Ad-aware and followed Windows advice on installing their firewall. With good advice from Freepers I keep up to date on Windows Update and have not had any significant problems even though Norton has detected a few viruses and did a good job of isolating and eliminating them.

Good luck on getting your system fixed successfully.

[red-dawg]

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.hllw.gaobot.removal.tool.html

[thoughtomator]

I was hoping the humor value would at least be worth it. May I recommend an Atari 400?

[steplock]

If files have been destroyed, sometime the RESTORE function works pretty well - then you have to delete all the old restore files and run AdAware, spybot, antivirus, etc at least twice each!

I've had to resort to using the restore several times on client machines where they have not backed up their files and the virus has destroyed them - it did a surprisingly good job at restoring 90%+ of the files.

The best way to recover? Back Up often! the old Rule of Thumb from way back in the olden days (pre Janet Jackso) was to back up as often as you do not want to retype. If you do a lot of writing, programming etc - even a daily backup can be necessary.

[Brad C.]

I recently had to reformat and reload, but fortunatly I had taken steps when I first set up my machine. It has a 40G hard drive, which I partitioned into 25G, 10G and 5G drives. All of my data resides on the smaller partitions, and all of operating system and programs reside on the large partition. Net result was absolutly no loss of of data, a clean load after I formatted C, and a system that works great.

However, after reloading everything I went out and got a second drive and partitioned it the same way. I now regularly back up all of my primary drives to the second. Drives are cheap, its the data on them that can be valuable.

[beckysueb]

I have a Dell with Windows XP and I am having the same problem. When I click don't send, it shuts my program down.

[gatorgriz]

Go to the McAfee Web-site and download the latest version of Stinger; I believe its version 2.0.2; run it to clean you machine...

The URL is:

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger

GOOD LUCK!

[TSgt]

"Here is my issue: I have a Dell"

Yup, that's the problem...

[gatorgriz]

Further info for those IT users out there; Netsky.b has been introduced today, yet another virus/worm. McAfee has released two dat files to update their virus software today; the latest, at least on my version is dat 4326. I'd update ASAP if I was running McAfee.

[SengirV]

Yep, so glad I left that world behind. It's nice to have a computer be something other than a source of irritation.

[backhoe]

Alternative browsers:
http://www.mozilla.org/
http://www.opera.com/

Free anti-viral protection:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Popup ad killers:
http://www.bayden.com/popper/

Close that Messenger in Windows XP:
http://grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

Spyware removers:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM:
http://mailwasher.net/

Script Defender ( stop that nonsense from running unwelcome scripts ):
http://www.analogx.com/welcome.htm

Once you are certain- positive- you have a clean machine, either by removing the bugs, or a clean reinstall on a formatted drive, consider using a spare hard drive to make a mirror copy ( clone ) of your system. Most drive makers offer free drive-to-drive copy software on their sites, or Norton Ghost or xxcopy ( free ) can be used. You then remove the spare, date it, and set aside to swap out in an emergency.

[nopardons]

BTT

[Concerned]

The FIRST THING to do is IMMEDIATELY go to
http://www.safer-networking.org/
and get Spy-Bot to get RID of the spyware, etc.

I am planning to also get a new email address because spammers/attackers got my email address and make it look like I am SENDING email which I am actually RECEIVING. I don't know if others are getting email "from" me like that or not.

Lockdowncorp.com lets you issue a new email address off the top of your head---at the moment you need a new one---by allowing yout to have an email address like anythingyouwant@yourchoice.spam-stopper.net

ALL email going to yourchoice.spam-stopper.net goes to you and if someone sells your email address, you'll KNOW WHO---and you can give them a piece of your mind!

http://lockdowncorp.com/manual/StartupPrograms.htm
http://lockdowncorp.com

[Fiddlstix]

I don't use XP but I'll Bump the thread to help out

[12chachacha]

Most Dells have a flip up panel on the front.
Open this up and you will see a sticker with
a service code number on it.

[Deltaforceeoo7]

Help!! I try to post a problem like the one above but it won't post, requires a URL and I don't even know what that means... I want to ask if KAAZA is a Spyware. I need a good place to download music. Used to find good music on a Google Search, but nothing much there anymore.. Also, if someone can tell me exactly how to post something instead of just replying it would be appreciated.

[beckysueb]

I just talked to my daughter. She has a Hewlett Packard with Windows XP and she is having the same problem. I ran the virus scan and it says its clean.

[TSgt]

You know...

I'm almost finished with my B.S. in IT. I'm a MCSE, MCSA and HP ASE and have over 8 years of experience with network operating systems and server class hardware.

I'd walk away from it today if I could make at least 75% of what I'm making now by farming or selling trinkets at a gift shop in Gatlinburg, TN.

I enjoy being challenged but am sick of constantly worrying about my job.

[pageonetoo]

Macintosh G4, or G5; Macinosh OS-X, with all of its goodies. Best of all, it almost never crashes...and it is rarely affected by viruses... The smart choice, to a 'T'!

I can think of no better solution!