RandyL

I don't have all the answers either. Perhaps maynard can explain more. I do know that Site Advisor works with Fire Fox too. Perhaps that wasn't always the case. Maybe that's why. Either way I know you have good security programs installed to protect yourself. That's the most important thing.

Yes there are plenty of bugs yet. Good idea to set a Restore point first. Be careful of beta versions of anything.

Hi L69; PUP's (Potentially Unwanted Programs) indicates that you might have dubious software installed. Combine that with the fact you are still detecting Trojans means your system is not clean. Carefully follow the guide. Allow the programs to update. Uninstall any dubious software like P2P file sharing programs first. Follow the last bit of advice about System Restore too. More advancd tools may be needed but I'll let the experts deal with that. Exactly what PUP's and Trojans is Mcafee detecting and what is the location of the infections? That is the file path.

I haven't tried Site hound but I do use Mcafee Site Advisor. With my system and ISP I don't notice any slow down. You could try it and see. These two programs are more advisory tools then anything else. For instance Site Advisor will display info on web searches that the site is not trusted.

Hi Keith; MCE is XP Media Center Edition. I doubt that's the issue unless you did an upgrade but I'll let Daylo or the others handle this.

I think you are right Dave. I think MS changed this in Vista.

cathy if this is just a hired (rented) dvd just take it back for a refund of the rental price. It's not a big deal as your PC plays all other DVD's fine. So it's not your computer. Have you tried it in a dedicated DVD player? If it won't play in that it's likely damaged. I fail to see why a hired (rental) DVD that won't play on your computer is of major concern when all other DVD's play fine. Since you have had this issue with copied DVD's I'm led to believe you or someone else are using ripping software to circumvent copyright protection. You may have root kit software previously installed from a DVD to prevent playback of copyrighted material or this DVD is not legit. Like I said try it in a regular DVD player or just take it back.

All the programs I checked display a different product key than my sticker too. Even the registry shows a different one. I never had this issue either until Vista. Use the sticker if you even need it.

Hi Dave; I don't know why it's still slow in safe mode but it's obvious your program isn't cleaning an infection. Your computer could be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Required Cleanup StepsDisable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF) Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below) Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below) Clear out old System Restore points If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested. The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something. The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed. Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes. The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours. In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer. Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean. For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below. From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range" click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware. http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/printer-selection.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 1 Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode" On the left hand side, Click on Tools Then click on the Resident Icon in the List Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts. Restart your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 2 Follow these instructions carefully. Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware. You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main. For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored Then click on "Empty Selected". http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner02.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 3 Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files. You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next. You can leave the automated check for updates on. You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information. DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings. On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button. Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives. Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. __________________________________________________ STEP 4 Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes - (direct download) Accept all defaults for the installer Allow the program to update the definitions Click on the Quick Scan and click Next. If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 5 Run an online scan with ESET from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan. If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you must first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the popup context menu. Accept the terms and click "Start". Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications". Click "Start" to begin the scan. When completed restart your computer __________________________________________________ Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating. At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted. If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool. Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one. Please follow the instructions here How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

Hi Adele; Right click an empty area of the desktop and left click Personalize. On the left side of the screen under Tasks click Change desktop icons. Put a checkmark in Recycle Bin and click Apply then click OK.

Hi Adele. We will patiently await your return.

Hi PASH. Glad you found us.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Error: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll

It just goes to show I'm not all business all the time. I like the silly comedy stuff too. I'm glad you do too. It helps keep us young.

Call me silly but I liked this movie. (Remind you of anyone?) The Three Amigos

Programs, program remnants and who knows what else might still be residing on the drive. It is scary. Even a format and reinstall can't stop the experts from retrieving a lot of information. And since AVG and Open Office are on it I doubt they even did that.

Hi Mara; It won't mess up your computer and I would install it if I were you. It's more secure. But if all you do is use it to update Windows IE6 will do fine. But you might actually like it if you try it.

There is no auto update feature for Office 2000. So you can rule out that possibility.

Hi steve; Sorry but yes your post is confusing. Exactly what version of Office is this? 97, 2000, 2003, 2000 Pro etc? that you installed? Let's deal with that first. Then we will look into other possibilities. Such as where did you get this version of Office and how many computers have you installed it on.

Hi everyone and pardon me for jumping in. Gav I see you have just built a new PC. I don't know your hardware or settings. I'll let Dalo deal with that. He is better then me. My concern is your XP disks. Are your disks a full retail version of XP that can be used on any computer? Or are they a version of XP that was meant for the computer that you pulled the hard drive out of? If your XP disks are not the full retail version (that is OEM or Recovery disks) they will likely not install and or validate. Many of those type of disks have to match all the hardware on your computer. Either way it will have to be installed on the new computer. Also since this is a new computer you really should buy a version of Windows that will be supported for longer such as Vista. XP is old and is nearing the end of life cycle support from Microsoft. All hardware issues aside you need to have a legit copy of Windows installed on the new computer not just the drive and it really should be Vista at this point.

Defragging is not needed like it used to be Doug. The old DOS and small drive days are gone. In my opinion it should be done rarely these days.

Yes you really shouldn't do anything else while burning. All was fine until recently? Burning is hit and miss? Playback is an issue? Only do one thing at a time as you may be taxing the system as Dave says. If it still has problems then I suspect the same thing as maynard. Your dvd/cd drive is failing. Run some tests and let us know.

I agree with maynardvdm and Dalo Harkin. AVG is not good enough. Why do you think the staff uses Mcafee? Windows Defender is an active spyware blocker and scanner that ships with Vista but I also suggest not to rely on that alone. Spybot and Adaware might be good for backup scanners but they are not top of the line anymore. SuperAntiSpyware will catch more.

From DOS to NT I've never had a problem with the Windows defrag. It's always done the job. As far as speed goes that's a matter of the system specs and how long it's been. (other variables not included) Third party programs should always be suspect unless you are absolutely sure. An expert might know but for the average user stick with what is known.

Did the Windows defrag actually complete? Or is it that you just don't see a change?