KenB

This confirms that your laptop cannot communicate with your router. If you right click on Atheros AR5B97 in Device Manager > Properties Does it confirm that the device is working properly? Start > type in .......services ......ENTER ( hope this is the same for Win7 ) Scroll down to Wired Autoconfig - should be Manual or Auto WLAN Autoconfig - should be Auto Are they? ======================= Use cmd again - Run as Adminitrator Type in ipconfig /all .......note the space You should get a long list. In the top corner will be a small black icon > right click > Edit > Select all > copy Use CTRL + V to paste the list here. =========================== Can you access the net if you use an ethernet cable directly to the router from the laptop ?

Open your browser ( click on the icon ) In the address bar at the top ( where http:// etc is ) type in 192.168.0.1 Does this give you access to your router? ( you may need the login name and password ) ===================== Start > type in ......cmd.....at the top of the page right click cmd and "Run as Administrator" At the prompt type in .......ping http://www.google.co.uk You should get 4 packets sent and received. What results do you get? ==================== At the same prompt type ......ipconfig /release ( note gap after ipconfig ) then type .....ipconfig /renew

When you use F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options - is Startup Repair an option? If it is - click on this. You may have to select your user name and enter a password. You may be prompted re. options and it may need restarts during the process. If this is not an option you need to locate the disk.

err ...................etavares http://www.animationplayhouse.com/big_grin.gif

I am not sure that Everest will help with this one. I cannot see a reason for this. If we try this and it fails then you will not be able to access the system at all. Try a "Startup Repair" See here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html This is assuming that you have the installation disk and not recovery disks.

Is 192.168.0.1 the usual path to get you into your router software? Can you access the router software? Are there any other wireless machines that ARE able to connect ? Try repairing the connection. See here: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-repair-a-network-connection-in-windows-7.html

Hi, Try last known good configuration from the same list as Safe Mode ( tap F8 ) If that fails boot up in Safe Mode Start ........type in .......cmd ( do not press enter ) At the top of the screen cmd will be highlighted > right click on this > run as administrator At the prompt type .......chkdsk /r ........ (note the space before /r ) This should check the hard disk for errors. This is an outside chance as I do feel that your problem is hardware related .........but working on a laptop is not easy.

Start > Run ...type in ....devmgmt.msc ....ENTER Click the > next to Network Adapters. Do you have anything with Wifi / Wireless listed ? Any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ?

Hi, Post the log. I am not qualified to diagnose malware problems - but I know a man who is :)

Hi GRANDAD, This is certainly worth looking at. I don't think that RachieA would be able to send any packets with the ping 192.168.0.1 if the wireless was switched off. But - let's wait for RachieA's reply before we try anything else - this may explain why there is no icon :)

Hi and welcome. Try resetting the router. Switch off > leave for 1 minute > switch on again. Also try right click on monitor icon ( bottom right of screen ) and select "Repair" Can you access the net with this laptop if you use an ethernet cable direct to the router?

Hi and welcome. Download MBAM from here: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_pro Click on "Products" then you want the free option. Install > Update and run it. It does a better job than Spybot. If it finds anything post the log here. Starbuck or Etavares will probably advise after that.

Wolf has a wonderful way with words :)

Hi, From the list that you select Safe Mode from .......select Enable Low Resolution Video. Does it boot up with this? Not in Safe Mode. You may have access to USB with "Low Resolution Mode" if it will boot.

Just to confirm what Wolf has already said .... You can take the hard drive out with no loss of data or damage at all. I was thinking that it may have been shaken loose and there is a bad connection.

Just to allay your fears: The scam is to get you to part with your cash ( which thankfully you didn't ). It is unlikely that they have put anything on your system - other than the software to give them remote access. I assume that you have remeoved the installed software? To confirm this I will PM one of our security experts and ask him to take a look at your system for you - just to be sure. To be on the safe side I would advise that you change any passwords to banks etc. I would also inform the banks / credit cards what had happened - they will have more advice. If you don't keep delicate information on your system then you should be perfectly OK. However, again just to be certain, DO NOT use that particular machine to access bank details etc. until you get the all clear from Starbuck or etravares

The easiest way is to buy a can of compressed air ( any pc shop ) Give it a blast through the vents. As already stated - it is a confined space so you may not shift it all - but it is worth a try before you decide to take the thing apart ( not the easiest of tasks ).

Hi, You could check the easy options first. Take the hard drive out and re-seat it. Do the same with the RAM modules. Clean the contacts with a pencil eraser before you put them back. They will be easily accessed from under removable panels on the base of the machine.

I suggest that etavares takes a look first - get the all clear - and then address the other problems. It doesn't look as if your tech person has done a very good job getting rid of the malware.

Hi, If you prefer to try to sort the problem rather than re-install ... These are not the software of choice by security experts. They are a bit dated. Download MBAM from here: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html Install - update and run it. If it finds anything post the log here. If you cannot d/l and run it in normal mode try Safe Mode with Networking. Switch on and constantly tap F8 once per second. You will be able to select Safe Mode with Networking from the Advanced Startup Options.

Wel - well - well ........after all these years of not having an icon Thanks J-B as I have already said ......you learn something every day :)

You learn something eevery day :) I will take a look .........

Hi again J-B I have not disabled it. Is this an option in XP?

You certainly have - go stand in the naughty corner. More to the point - you have discovered the answer to your question :)

Hi J-B My Desktop is wired and I get no monitors ?? I have just tried my laptop wireless and connected an ethernet cable .. The monitor icon remains. Hover the mouse over the icon: With both connected I get 2 "Currently connected to ..." Strange ????