RandyL

Hi zephyr; If maynards idea doesn't work try a repair reinstall. Look at this link. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm At least you were able to get into the recovery console. This is a good as Dell appears to only have the Symantec Restore which resets to factory condition causing all loss of data. As such you have more options so don't give up. Let us know how it goes please.

Hi bobby; What happens when the PC fails to boot? Can you describe it? Do you get any error messages? If so exactly what are they. I have a wild guess but it's sure to be wrong without knowing more. Also can you tell us more about your PC such as the operating system you use, make/model etc. Please post back; RandyL

Hello; Does this computer have a Recovery CD/DVD Creator? If it does and a disk has never been made you can create one.

Hi; What is the make and model of your computer? It might be possible to recover from a partition on your main drive.

Hello; I have moved the log to the Hijack This forum. You can find it HERE

THE ORIGINAL THREAD CAN BE FOUND HERE RandyL Okay, here's the logfile. Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 21:46:28, on 26/02/2008 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe C:\Program Files\WiFiConnector\NintendoWFCReg.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\DOCUME~1\LADY_R~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for HiJackThis[1].zip\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.google.co.uk/ig/dell?hl=en&clie … bd=0071127 R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/ R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/defau … &s=gen R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Page_URL = http://www.google.co.uk/ig/dell?hl=en&clie … bd=0071127 O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iSUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iSUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PDVDDXSrv] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dscactivate] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\gs_agent\custom\dsca.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [workflow] D:\installs\workflow.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe" O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [spybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-300750998-3622755951-1321931969-1007\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background (User 'Angela') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user') O4 - Global Startup: Run Registration Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\WiFiConnector\NintendoWFCReg.exe O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing) O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing) O16 - DPF: {5C6698D9-7BE4-4122-8EC5-291D84DBD4A0} (Facebook Photo Uploader 4 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/Fac … oader3.cab O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} (DivXBrowserPlugin Object) - http://go.divx.com/plugin/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft AB - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (dellsupportcenter) (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe O23 - Service: stllssvr - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe (file missing) -- End of file - 6673 bytes

I'm with AdvancedSetup on this one. Obtaining a password versus resetting it are two different things. I think it's best left to the pros lest it be used for the wrong purpose. Besides, even though I've heard of some of these free programs I haven't tested them. The issue does appear to be different as stated above too. Keep up the good work people; RandyL

Hi ward; How did you install XP without a CD?

Hi ammar; This appears to be a networking issue but I'm not sure as this is not my field. Please check back for other input. If you do insist on reinstalling Vista post back with more info. Do you have a retail copy of Vista? Do you have the recovery CD's? If not post the exact make and model of your computer so we can determine your recovery options. By the way welcome to ExtremeTech.support - Free PC Help

Hi Sparx; If you think it might be an online gaming issue uninstall the games and see how it runs. That might point you in the right direction. Maybe it's just me but I'm not familiar with Bullguard. So to me it's suspect as to it's worth. Or maybe it's just a British program or one bundled with a broadband service. Either way I would perform some additional steps to check for malware. Malware is the term used to describe computer infections such as Adware, Spyware, Viruses, and Trojan Horses. You will need to run two malware scanners that are listed in the following instructions. The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection, but typically the SuperAntiSpyware scan will take between 30 and 90 minutes, and the Eset online scan will take between 1 and 3 hours. In most cases, those scans will suffice to disinfect your computer. For best results print the following instructions. To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents of below. From your browser select the "print selection" option to print out these instructions for removal of malware. Follow these instructions carefully. 1: Download ATF Cleaner from http://www.snapfiles.com/download/dlatfcleaner.html to remove "junk" files from your computer that contain malware. When you run ATF Cleaner, uncheck "Cookies" and "Recycle Bin", then click "Empty Selected". For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab and uncheck "Cookies" and "Recycle Bin" before clicking on "Empty Selected". 2: Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SuperAntiSpyware from http://www.superantispyware.com Accept any prompts to allow SuperAntiSpyware to install the latest infection definition files. DO NOT allow SuperAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings. Double click the yellow "bug"icon in the system tray. Click on "Scan Your Computer". Make sure there is a dot on C:\Fixed Drive. Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. 3: 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". 4: Run an online scan with Eset from http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ You must use Internet Explorer for this online 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. 5: Restart your computer, make 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. At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list.

I'm sure I'll get re-educated for saying this but that's ok with me. I think DDR SDRAM or DDR RAM for short is meant to be run in pairs. For best results I think it's preferable to also pair up by size. For instance 512x512 and 1024x1024. To pair up different sizes might reduce the functionality. RandyL

Hi mersey; Was your boot error fixed? Were there any problems turned up by the scans that could not be fixed? HiJack This logs are not my specialty so you may want to wait for seth to look it over. However there are a few things that come to mind by looking at it. I see remnants of Symantec products listed. Since you use TrendMicro See if there is anything to uninstall in add/remove programs. Also run this tool http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039 Also there are way too many programs running at startup. Uninstall any you don't need. Next use the programs options to stop them from running at startup. Next use msconfig to stop unwanted programs from running. Click start, run. Type msconfig and click ok. Click on the startup tab. Uncheck anything related to Adobe such as Photoshop. Uncheck Quicktime items such as qttask. Uncheck Google Updater if it's listed. Uncheck any Microsoft Office programs listed. What is Kontiki and the Download accelerator you have? How much memory do you have? I'm sure seth will suggest more but I would at least try these first. RandyL

Hi Sparx; The usual causes are infections and startup items. Have you checked your system for malware? If so what programs did you use?

AS doesn't miss a trick. Sometimes it is just as simple as a cap lock.

I've seen that but laughed again as you reminded me. Good job.

Hi; In XP this could usually be done quite easily via safe mode. Otherwise there were programs that could be run from bootable cd's although some cost money. I do see programs that are not free that claim to work on Vista but I've yet to see evidence. Vista was designed to be more secure. The way it handles logon passwords is one way. A default Administrator Account in safe mode does not exist (at least in Basic or Home Premium) so you can't change or remove passwords from there. Unless you're running Ultimate you can't even enable the Super Admin account if you could get into windows. To the best of my knowledge if you are using Home Premium and didn't create a password reset disk then your best hope is if you have a second account set up as admin. Otherwise you could try programs that worked on XP that claim to work on Vista. I don't know if they will so I won't offer advice or links to them. Wait for more input from others but you might be out of luck as Vista was designed to be more secure whether we like it or not. RandyL

Hi; Not entirely true. I get the AutoPlay notification for my CF card and USB thumb drive. Go to Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Autoplay. If Control Panel is in classic view just open AutoPlay. Put a check in “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices” Select your AutoPlay default actions. Not all devices will be listed in the device section at the bottom per the Vista help files that you just mentioned above. Save your selections and exit. RandyL

Hi bobby; With XP getting closer and closer to the end of support a used pc is not a good buy in my opinion no matter the cost. A PC that runs Vista needs to have massive hardware upgrades. Since most older pc's can't handle an upgrade (which would cost money anyway) the best bang for the buck is to just buy a new one at this time in my opinion. I know that's not your question but it is good advice. RandyL

Hi bc; Sorry you had to start over. If you need any advice on how to keep it working good now or in the future let us know. Startup items and malware are the usuall culprits. RandyL

Hi Tippyfrank; Jamey supplied a good link to your first question. If this is an unrelated topic start a new thread as maynard suggested please. Can you also be more specific with your second post or issue? Such as what is the icon? Thanks; RandyL

As a last resort you could look into this option. Acer Home page. http://global.acer.com/index.asp The following links are Americas based. The UK support site sucks. Hopefully the information is still valid. The last I looked the Acer site is working good again. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/webpage.cfm?siteid=7117&areaid=2&website=AcerPanAm.com 1. Support Solutions start page. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?website=AcerPanAm.com&siteid=7117&areaid=2&formid=3390&LINKTEXT=Support%20Solutions 2. 5630 search results page will load after entering your specs in the above link. 3. Acer eRecovery Facts link. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?recordid=853&formid=3390&website=AcerPanAm.com&siteid=7117&words=all&keywords=&areaid=2 4. Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load link http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?recordid=1218&formid=3390&website=AcerPanAm.com&siteid=7117&words=all&keywords=&areaid=2 5. Link to PDF users manual for the 5630 and 5680. And 3690. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?recordid=1115&formid=3425&website=AcerPanAm.com/us&siteid=7293&words=all&keywords=&areaid=7 6. Link to eRecovery Management Guide PDF file. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?recordid=639&formid=3425&website=AcerPanAm.com/us&siteid=7293&words=all&keywords=&areaid=7 7. US based link to order eRecovery CD http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/webpage.cfm?siteid=7293&areaid=7&website=AcerPanAm.com/us It appears you might be able to restore to factory settings by using Alt and F10 keys at bootup. “The system can recover from the hidden image on the hard drive (PQService partition) or from CD/DVD media.” Read links 3 and 4. Download and save the PDF files from links 6 and 7. Print the relevant information. See what options you have via this method. Be warned if you do have the option to reload to factory conditions you will most likely lose all your data. There may be other fixes but if all else fails this might be the only option left; RandyL

Hi seth; I went to acers site here. http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/webpage.cfm?siteid=7117&areaid=2&website=AcerPanAm.com then clicked on Support Solutions. I plugged in the Aspire 5630 and clicked Search. Then I clicked eRecovery. However their server keeps timing out on me now when I click Search. RandyL

Can you recover from the hidden partition? http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal20.cfm?recordid=853&formid=3390&website=AcerPanAm.com&siteid=7117&words=all&keywords=&areaid=2

Without knowing the exact model and dealing with a site that's only partially in english it's hard to tell if it's vista compatable or if there are newer drivers available from the website. However on the model I linked to it appears the install instructions for the drivers are rather specific. If it is your model or the driver install instructions are the same for yours then read on. Go to the download page and print the PDF file and try to install via that method. Digitus The direct link for the PDF download is here. PDF file RandyL

Since I haven't heard back yet I'll add more here. In the future though start a new thread if the problem is unrelated. Otherwise keep it in the same thread. Foxit is a PDF reader and uses small file sizes. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php Adobe Reader or it's earlier versions often are installed on OEM computers. This can also be used to open and save PDF files. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html RandyL