RandyL

AppData is a hidden folder. You can unhide hidden files and folders to see it. An easier way is to just type in or paste C:\Users\Nick\AppData in the address bar of a browser or folder. This will show the folder even if it's hidden.

You beat me to it Ken. As usual you gave a more complete answer. Nice link.

Windows Defender and Bitdefender are two different things. Windows Defender comes preinstalled on Windows 8. However OEM machines usually have a third party antivirus like Norton installed. Those will turn of Defender. The bad part is that even though you uninstalled Norton, Defender does not automatically turn itself back on. You will have to manually enable it.

In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials. Unlike older versions of Windows you are completely protected for all forms of malware in Windows 8 with Defender. In the past Essentials protected you from viruses. Defender protected you from other forms of infections such as spyware or adware. Both programs are from Microsoft and free. With Windows 8 both are rolled up into Defender and are free. So with Windows 8 you have the complete antivirus, anti spyware, anti malware etc all rolled up into one package which is called Bitdefender in Windows 8.

I like the idea of a laptop cooler stand for any laptop for any reason. I got one for my grandsons laptop with a USB powered fan. Heat is a killer. Laptops have poor cooling. Work the laptop and the end result is not good. My grandson only plays semi moderate games like Minecraft but even that needs more then you think. Even so I also bought him a fairly high end laptop so he could play games like that. For high end games he has a XBOX. For high end games a game device is best cost wise. For medium games a PC might do if the specs are high. For low games like solitare LOL anything will do. But whatever you do I also suggest using a cooler stand with a laptop. Heat kills computers.

If the 2Gb's work on their own (that is the computer starts with just 1 stick) but the new 4Gb does not then either the new memory is faulty or it is an incorrect type. Run the scanner from Crucial to verify the type of memory you need but it appears you need DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 (non-ECC)

That's a legit file nick leave it alone. As for the dll file mentioned in the error it is unknown to me also. However I think Norton may have overwritten or corrupted an important dll file or dynamic library link file. It could also be that Norton detected malware and removed it but didn't do a very good job. A System Restore to before you installed Norton might help but just in case it is Malware I would not do a System Restore unless one of our security guys like etavares approves first.

Give it a try. You can always uninstall it or do a system restore if it doesn't work right. I'm running some old programs on 7. Keep in mind that some functions may not work. I can't remember for sure but I think my old version of Printmaster used the .hlp file extension for the help files. If that is the case then you won't be able to view the help files as 7 does not support the .hlp file type.

Plastic Nev asked the following but you never really answered his question. All we know is that it is some sort of install disk but we don't know what type or if you have used it previosly on this computer. avgidshx.sys says it loaded so it's probably the next file where it hangs. If this is an Acer recovery disk that you used on this computer before then we know the following. 1. Your computer is a Acer Aspire 5738DZG Serial number LXPRK0205800911C932000 which supports XP, Vista and Windows 7. Which version of Windows did it originally have? 2. Your says IDE not SATA. IDE is older. Which version of Windows did it originally have? 3. The drive showing in the BIOS says Toshiba so it is probally a Fujitsu Branded Toshiba hard drive. 4. This has happened before. When and how many times? 5. Startup repair fails. 6. Safemode won't load. 7. Setup starts but then hangs. I would be inclined to run a drive test before trying anything else. Also have a look at the Acer recovery options for your model. There are two ways to recover. Restoring the operating system using the system recovery program or Recovery using CDs or DVDs

MAYNARD LIVES.

All taken care of. :)

Hi. I hope you enjoy our place.

That confuses me. You don't run an installation from within Windows. Windows installation disks are bootable. You put in the first disk and reboot to start the installation.

Hi. 2 disks both fail to read and install Windows. I would rule out disk failures. Does the computer read any other disks OK? It goes to black screen? Is this after Windows was installing from the disks? You tried 2 different hard drives and 2 different installation disks. You are getting the same results as I understand it. To me this only leaves two possibilities. 1. Faulty memory as Synapse suggested in post 15. You have not checked the memory as he suggested have you? 2. Your optical drive has failed. There is only one way to positively check that. Replace it. I would suggest trying the installation disks in another computer but as you said 2 disks failed and you would not want to install Windows on a good computer anyway.

Try taking out a a stick one at a time and see if the fault goes away.

Is this the site? http://activeshooter.co.uk/content/ It does work for me so the site is up. I'm not with Virgin though.

To me it looks like a memory issue and not a driver. The memory probably faulted at loading a driver. You uninstalled Avast and still get the BSOD error message. Try taking out a a stick one at a time and see if the fault goes away. Also run the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Go to Control Panel. Change view by: to icon view. Click on Administrative Tools then select Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Can you roll back your system using System Restore? Pick a date before you installed the interface program. Once that is done if you proceed and get the toolbar and search program again post in our malware section and we will help you remove it safely.

That coding is broke beyond repair. It is so far off that I can only imagine that this is nothing more then a poorly designed site using a a third rate editor for the sole purpose of advertising. I don't even know where to begin to point out all the flaws. Most of the coding does not even display. It's obvious that this is a hack job using a host. I believe the site owner is suspect. I believe this one is a waste of time. I will post the code where only our staff can see it.

Click on Tools and select Manage Add-ons. On the bottom left use the dropdown arrow to select Currently loaded add-ons. On the right click on one of the add-ons to highlite it. Some or all will be enabled. You should now have the option to disable any enabled add-ons you highlited. It's going to be a matter of finding out which one is the culprit. Personally I would start by getting rid of any extra toolbars. It could also be just that one of them needs to be updated. Like flash or java. Trial and error to isolate it first.

If you ran System restore in normal mode you can go back to System Restore and undo the last restoration. If you ran System Restore in safemode that is not an option.

Could this be the recently/frequently played in the History? If so in Media Player right click the top of the toolbar just below the title bar and select Tools>Options. Click on the Privacy tab then click Clear History and Clear Cache.

Try starting IE without add-ons. Look in Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer(No Addons) This could be a toolbar or some other add-on that is not on the other computer. What version of IE do you have?

That will probably cause a problem. A hard drive with an OS on it will likely be an issue as XP should be installed not just put on with the drive.

Windstream in the USA. All three working. I'll try again later.