Plastic Nev

Thanks for letting us know and glad that all is well in the end. Nev.

OK, thanks Ken, You should be OK with that for the sound card Markus, the other peripheral may be needed for if fitted perhaps, something like a card reader, but that is all. Nev.

Hi again. OK you have hopefully ruled out the PSU, have you tried the RAM? that is basically the next thing to check out. If you have exactly the same type of RAM on one of the other computers, then swap it and let us know. If on the other hand you have already tried that, then please list everything you have tried so far, it saves us asking you to try something you have done already. Nev.

If you do genuinely wish to upgrade to Windows 7, Microsoft do produce the disk or even a direct download from the Microsoft website, it means that then your money is going to the correct people and not a possible criminal type. You can also buy the correct and therefore legal disk from most reputable computer dealers too. As for the disk you have been given, give it back and just say you don't want it. I would like to tell you to destroy it, but the person might want money from you, especially if you did. Nev.

Hi and welcome Tom, any help given to another member is always welcome, and as Ken says, in an area we know little about, all the better. As for any problem you encounter, just ask and we will do our best, it is what the forum is for. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. When the normal start button is pressed, the first thing that has to start up is the power supply, if for any reason the power supply is beginning to fail, it may not be fully turning on, and will give the symptoms you are seeing. Can you borrow a similar sized power supply to test that? if not it may mean buying a new Power supply without being sure that is the problem. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Claira, by the restart, do you mean actually trying the restart from the shut down, or do you mean after putting the laptop into sleep mode and then tryning to restart it? Nev.

Hi, after thinking about this, there is a small possibility that the Malware Scam that Microsoft cleared, may still have something left that hasn't been fully cleared. Considering we don't know what methods they used, I had a quick word with one of our security and malware experts. What we would like to see is what is called an OTL log, this lists all the important operating system files, but also any files, or even odd part files that may just be left behind by that malware that may not have been fully cleared, it will also show us what files are there which are to do with the printer/scanner. I will give you a link to download OTL, and instructions what to do with it, Starbuck or etavares can then look it over and let you know if there is anything that shouldn't be there, and help you to get rid. Download OTL to your desktop. right click on the link (the blue OTL is the link) and select 'Save Link/Target As'. if you have problems, try this download link: OTL Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted. When the window appears, underneath Output at the top change it to Minimal Output. Check the boxes beside LOP Check and Purity Check . . http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new/Otllatest.png Now copy the lines in bold below. DRIVES netsvcs msconfig %SYSTEMDRIVE%\*.* %systemroot%\system32\Spool\prtprocs\w32x86\*.dll %systemroot%\*. /mp /s %systemroot%\system32\*.dll /lockedfiles %systemroot%\Tasks\*.job /lockedfiles %systemroot%\system32\drivers\*.sys /lockedfiles %systemroot%\system32\*.exe /lockedfiles %systemroot%\System32\config\*.sav %PROGRAMFILES%\* %USERPROFILE%\..|smtmp;true;true;true /FP HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows\WindowsUpdate\AU hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /rs hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /64 /rs CREATERESTOREPOINT right click in the Custom Scans/Fixes window (under the blue bar) and choose Paste. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/scan-fix.png . Click the Run Scan button. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/runscan.png Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long. When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt. These are saved in the same location as OTL. Please copy (Edit->Select All, Edit->Copy) the contents of these files, one at a time, and post them with your next reply. Note: Running the above script with OTL will : turn on your system restore and set a new restore point (XP only) set a new restore point (if system restore is turned on) Vista & Win7. In your next reply, please submit: Both reports from OTL Next question. Do you have Malwarebytes by any chance? If not it will not hurt to download and install it as it is a very good program for detecting and removing the odd nasties that get past your ordinary anti-virus. Download Malwarebytes from this site, click the download now button for the free and trial version, you don't need to pay for it. The trial reverts to the free version after the time period. http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1 Double-click on Download_mbam-setup.exe to install the application. When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings. When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked: Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware [*]Then click Finish. [*]MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue. If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install. [*]On the Scanner tab: Make sure the "Perform Full Scan" option is selected. Then click on the Scan button. [*]If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button. [*]The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient. [*]When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found". [*]Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process. [*]Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found. [*]Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. [*]When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below) [*]The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM. [*]Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM. If you could do this and post the Malwarebytes log as well, it may help. Nev.

Just to pop in here, we have been discussing an Asus sound card in the sound cards threads here= http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/14295-Good-and-cheap That card, typical of Asus sound cards by the way, requires a four pin power supply, can you confirm Ken, having looked at the PSU in question, that it will have that supply plug available? I know a lot of modern PSU units have more spares than the QE2 would need, but it would be nice to know for sure. Nev.

Hi Markus, to save confusion I will let Ken help you with the PSU side of things, but I will say that most newer and bigger units will more than likely have the required plug for the Asus card. Just be sure to let Ken know about the card and need for that plug. Nev.

That is strange that the software for one printer/scanner, is messed up by the software for an ordinary printer by the same makers. Possibly not rare though as similar can happen where one program, which may be badly written, stops another from working. However, if a total uninstall using Revo and then reinstall just the scanner/printer worked last time, I see no problem in trying it again, Just leave the Photosmart off this time and leave it maybe a few days, just to make sure it is that which is causing the problem and not something else. Nev.

Hi, glad you got there in the end, the probable cause for the old driver being there may be because you did do a complete reformat, Windows will have put its own drivers in, which may well have been well out of date for that card. Also, now we know you did find a lot of fluff and dirt or dust, that may have been the original cause of the problem in the first place. At least between us we got there in the end and hopefully all will be OK. Nev.

On the plus side the Asus looks a better card, plus it does have 7.1 surround available, the sound blaster doesn't. The only down side is that the Asus does need an extra four pin power plug, though as I said in the edit, with a new and bigger PSU, it shouldn't be a problem. I have since found the full details of both cards from their respective manufacturers, have a look at the spec for both and see what you think, http://us.store.creative.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-XFi-Xtreme-Audio/M/B000IZC0GO.htm http://uk.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_DX/ Nev.

Hi Markus, just seen the update on your Graphics card thread, and as you now know the original sound card is not going to fit, I found this instead though, but it looks a bit high, hope it will still fit, have a look here= http://www.scan.co.uk/products/creative-labs-sb-x-fi-xtreme-audio-pci-express-x1-new-version?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=google+shopping Also, and although this is an American dealer, and therefore prices in dollars, at least proof that Asus do something reasonable too. Edit to add, the Asus card needs extra power, though with a new PSU, should be no problem. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006&name=Sound-Cards

Hi, if the choice of "check for new software" is a click on icon or similar, it won't hurt to see if it does lead to an update. I had hoped though that bit of program, would first of all have been removed, then reinstalled with the rest of it when you reinstalled from your disks. Does it show in the programs list as a separate item, I mean the list that Revo shows rather than the normal uninstall list. If it does, then use Revo to remove it, then reinstall from the disk, as it will be on there as a choose-able item I think, or at least hope so. I used to have a HP all in one, a 1210 I think, but it died a long time ago so struggling to remember what was originally on the software disk that came with it, but do remember that there was the memories disk creator, just can't remember if it was a separate part that could be installed on its own or not. If on the other hand it is something you don't use anyway, then you can delete the icon if you wish, but that is all that will be deleted. Nev.

Hi Marcus, you will find all sorts of music software here on this site, including open source freeware, shareware, and fully paid for stuff. http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/ Also there is Band In A Box by PG Music, that software is awesome but paid for, have a look here http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.htm Nev.

Because the ultimate aim is to eventually re-install first the HP all in one, then if that proves successful, the HP Photosmart, then please carry on, the whole point of the full uninstall is to remove any and all chances of corrupt files on the system so that the new install is a start from the beginning again. The mention of other camera's though is OK as unless those camera's are HP ones, I see no camera software in the uninstall list you show. Nev.

OK Markus, all the best with it. If as you say you fancy the idea of creating your own electronic music, there is tons of software to help with that, some basic and free, others very complex but paid for. Let us know if interested. Nev.

Hi, sorry, I should have mentioned that to select the moderate mode comes up once you have selected to uninstall an item. I find the quick way is double click on the item that is shown in the list of installed programs, It then asks are you sure you want to uninstall it, click yes, the box that opens then is where you select the moderate mode, it usually is already selected by default anyway. Just click "next" after that and follow the instructions afterwards. Nev.

Hi Markus, MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, the sort of equipment that would use this for input to a computer would be a musical keyboard or electronic organ, and specially adapted guitars, with sometimes other instruments. There is actually a fully digital saxophone would you believe, it needs a computer and MIDI input to work. If however you see no need for that sort of input, which you would need to be heavily into sequencing or notational software as well, then plain ordinary sound card will do, the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy you have been looking at is fine for now. If you do eventually get into serious music creation by electronic means, with Windows 7 that sound card plus USB input from a keyboard may be OK for starters, but come back and ask for whatever help you need when it gets to that point. Nev.

The guy on the left can be a little monster if he doesn't get the cream. Nev.

The only thing I will add, with Windows 7 it has automatic defragmenting, turn it off as defragmenting on an SSD is both pointless and can actually shorten the life of it. Nev.

OK, thanks for the other information. It looks like some part of the system may have been corrupted somewhere by whatever malware that was originally on it. We may have to get our malware and security experts involved at some point later. However, first let's see if we can get a clean start, as you say you have all the installation disks for both printers lets get them off completely first. if you do not have Revo Uninstaller, please download and install the free version from here- http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html Make sure you download the free version, it is all we need to use. Once installed and opened, find all the HP software, then select the moderate mode. The advanced mode will find other odd bits, but can sometimes mess up other parts of the system by removing shared files, so is only to be used when sure of what you are doing. Use it to remove both printers software, though I doubt there will be much to remove for the Photo Smart as that is a printer only. Once Revo has done its thing, try re installing the all in one printer scanner first and see if the scanner section works then. Nev.

Hi, the range of cards is quite large, so it would help if we know what you want to use the card for, if all you want is just better quality of sound, then fine for the cheaper Creative's sound blaster range, if however you are like me a musician and need things like MIDI input then things get more complex. Nev.

Hi, and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. A couple of questions to help us understand what has happened first, what exactly was done via Microsoft help and what was the reason for this? Secondly, the printer in question will print but I guess it will not scan is that correct? also the other printer, the Photosmart 7762, does this work OK or is there problems with that as well? I think it is possible that the drivers for the scanner may not be working. Have you had a look in device manager? If not and not sure how to find it, here is the quick way, first click start, then "Run", then type or copy and paste- devmgmt.msc in the box and click OK. look down the list for "Imaging devices" as this is where the scanner should be, click the arrow on the left to expand, is there any red or yellow marks, question or exclamation? Nev.