RandyL

I hardly ever scan. There's no reason to. I can't get it to find anything on my computer. Since I have protection and don't install dubious software my system is always clean. As for my old computer there is no way I would run a startup scan ever. Way too slow.

Rofl

Hi jackie; I'm not familiar with the software but Kelly is. Kelley is a top notch person so pay attention to anything he says. He might tell you that you need to install the program on your XP as he stated. Especially since you 'downgraded' from Vista I assume. In any case post back all information and wait for ideas. Like I said Kelley uses this program and might have an idea with what you post back. If I read your posts wrong feel free to correct me. RandyL

Please be patient and seth or AdvancedSetup will get back to you on your log. In the mean time take a look at this and see if you think it might apply to your situation. RandyL

Hi ONY; Please go here and download HijackThis and install it. Run the program and choose scan only. Please copy and paste that log back here. HijackThis Home Page This will help us to analyze what else might be running on your computer that could potentially be causing the problem. RandyL

Hi ONY; That 'other device' appears to refer to a HP printer. Do you have a HP printer installed? Older models of HP printers have been noted to generate the Generic host process error message. RandyL

Hi ONY; Just a quick question. Have you updated Windows after reinstalling XP? Run the scans maynard suggested but also update Windows if you haven't already. RandyL

Hi viking; This looks like a classic case of a bad uninstall. This happens with programs that have poorly written uninstallers. Option 1. Do a system restore to before this program was installed. Option 2. Reinstall the program then exit the program before uninstalling it. The plus version from here states To uninstall Download Accelerator Plus, either use the Uninstall utility under DAP's program group in the Start menu, or the Windows Control Panel "Add/Remove Programs" utility. The change will take effect after you restart your browser. NOTE: Please make sure to exit Download Accelerator Plus before starting the uninstall operation. Option 3. Try an IE repair. Control Panel>Classic View>Internet Options>Advanced>Restore advanced settings. Hopefully one of these options will work. Let us know please. RandyL

Look at page 38 of the Owners Manual(.pdf) (997 KB) from Dell . Do you have the Dell Diagnostics utility partion on your computer? Just a thought that might be worth trying

Hi again centry; It would really help AdvancedSetup if you could be specific about the results of your scans. Did they find malware? Did CHKDSK report anything? Also while your waiting for an examination of the HJT log consider running the Dell diagnostics tool if you can. Report back on the results. See you soon. RandyL

Hi centry; You could try running the Dell diagnostics utility. You can download it if you don't have it. Since you ruled out malware it has to be something else. As AdvanceSetup said it could be many things. Perhaps the hard drive. Hang in there. RandyL

Hi mikey; I have seen that before. I see you are also using AVG. AVG is OK but not completely reliable. As such your computer could be infected with Malware. Malware is the term used to describe computer infections such as Adware, Spyware, Viruses, and Trojan Horses. You will need to run at least two malware scanners as well as an Antivirus scanner that are listed in the following instructions. Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus scanners perform different tasks. 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. Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 30 and 90 minutes. The Eset online scan should take between 1 and 3 hours. In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer. 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 Follow these instructions carefully. Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove "junk" 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 Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from www.superantispyware.comAccept 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" and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from this link. Malwarebytes - click to directly download the application Accept all defaults for the installer and then click on the Quick Scan and click Next. If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer. Disable your internet security by right clicking on its icon (usually located in the system tray next to the time display) and choosing "Exit", "Disable", or "Shut Down". Run an online scan with Eset from http://www.eset.com/onlinescan You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan. 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 computerMake sure your internet security is enabled, and then please return to ExtremeTech.support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

Hi upgrader; Welcome to ExtremeTech.support - Free PC Help. We all look forward to helping you if you need it. Have a look around. RandyL

I just downloaded it from NeoSmart and tried it. It seems to work pretty good. It's similar to the XP Recovery Console. You can auto repair startup. Do a System Restore. Restore from backup. Open a command prompt. Check memory. This might be a good tool to have for Vista especially on some OEM machines. I think on my HP my only option if Windows won't boot is a system restore or a full restore. RandyL

Well worth it to read those two Microsoft articles. A good follow up Ron. I'll check my drivers and as usuall create a restore point first. Thanks.

Thanks Ron. I'm getting it now. You even linked me to the full stand alone package. Hopefully they didn't screw it up.

Disable your popup blocker or hold down the ctrl key when you click on it.

Hi backlead; If you're using Internet Explorer you might have to change your settings. Try the easy way first. Control Panel>Internet Options>Security tab>Internet icon>Reset all zones to default level. See if that helps. RandyL

Hi quaytec: As you can see I moved your post in order to start a new thread. Please let us know the exact problem you are having. Include as much information as you can. Look at the Hints on posting to get a general idea of what might be helpful to us. We're all looking forward to helping you; RandyL

Nice pic Ron. That should make it clear.

Hi mikey; In the Control Panel click on Internet Options. Select Use Current if it isn't grayed out. Or you can enter the url you want. Click Apply-OK as needed.

Have you done ALL the scans and removed EVERYTHING they found ? This is important to know. If malware was found and removed then there still might be damage that needs to be fixed after removal. I like maynardvdm could not find anything on the dll error at startup. Post another Hijack log after the cleaning but also consider you may need to repair your system. Your repair options will vary depending on your system. This might also be a matter of what programs you have now or in the past. Seth might know more about this so wait for his reply. RandyL

Hi AS and seth; So there is software that can do it if needed? I'm not going to ask what software in case it's not for everyone unless they know what they're doing. For instance registry cleaners can cause harm if not used carefully. You might want to let seth know what they are though. I'll ask you if I ever need one if you don't mind. Thanks for the insight seth and AdvancedSetup; RandyL

Hi Donna. Welcome to ExtremeTech.support - Free PC Help. You've come to the right place.

Hi gaffer; From the Vista help files: If you have a mobile PC, you can see a list of available wireless networks, and then connect to one of those networks, no matter where you are. The wireless networks appear only if your computer has a wireless network adapter installed and the adapter is turned on. In Control Panel Home click on Network and Internet. Under Network and Sharing click on Connect to a network. In the Show list, click Wireless. You'll see a list of the wireless networks currently available. Click a network, and then click Connect. If you don't see the network you want to connect to, click Set up a connection or network. A list of options will appear that includes manually searching for and connecting to a network, as well as creating a new network connection. Some networks require a network security key or passphrase. To connect to one of those networks, ask the network administrator or the service provider for the key or passphrase.WarningWhenever possible, you should connect to security-enabled wireless networks. If you do connect to a network that is not secure, be aware that someone with the right tools can see everything that you do, including the websites you visit, the documents you work on, and the user names and passwords that you use. RandyL