[Solved] something stopping this computer operating

[mij]

I am back. SWMBO's Dell studio one is doing the same as before. She swears she's done nowt but then admits to using restore. Won't that re-introduce previous problems? If I want to open a site via Google or firefox it takes for ever where-as my machine fairly zips through my daily sites.

 

She wants a new computer but I'd like to get this operational as I know it can be. Not that she wont get one if she wants one, but she is busy at this moment with other things.

If needs be we can do a complete re-install of the Vista operating system as we should have all the disks.

jim

PS Just in case you have forgotten, this is a Dell Studio One 64bit running Vista Home.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Jim, to save us the time searching the forum, can you link please to any threads where previous problems were dealt with on this machine.

Oh and yes, after a sort out, especially if malware related, a good thing to do is to delete all previous restore points and create a new one from that point.

However, if you have any idea of the time or date when it was last sorted, if that is still in system restore, that might be the best to go back to.

You can also undo the latest system restore as well and hopefully get it back to where it was before she did it.

Nev.

[mij]

I hope I have done this right. I looked for the old thread and copied the URL.

http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/13554-Dell-Studio-One-infection

Yep it's much the same again, just sits there with the hour glass and if I have clicked on the Google short-cut it eventually tells me it can't find it and quotes the URL in full.

I found the last 'restore' and as instructed above have set it to 'undo' that restore. It takes some time so I have left it to get on with it. Would 'restore' explain the shortcuts for Irfan-view and Int Ex just moving off the desktop never to return? That's what she said happened. I had to download irfan-view again today and it would not open anything properly-the hourglass thing again.

jim

jim

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again Jim, that thread wasn't resolved, so how did you get things to work correctly that time? If you look at the end of that thread etavares replied he could see nothing wrong, but there was no further answer from you?? I assume you must have done something that resolved it and forgot to reply and tell us.

 

Anyway what you describe is basically a freeze up of the system, which can have many reasons, driver conflicts, other software conflicts and of course the chance of malware.

How well does it run in safe mode this time round Jim?

If it is OK in safe mode it may well be a driver or other software that isn't started when in safe mode, and there can be quite a lot.

 

Nev.

[mij]

Hi there Nev and thanks for the reply.

 

As I recall in the entering of safe mode and the operating of MBAM and superantispyware a trojan was cornered and quarantined before we ran OTD or whatever it is. A restore to the 12th of the month (I had done mine to the 13th) completed it.

In fact your suggestion above of un-doing the restore point SWMBO applied yesterday put the computer back to what it was - zipping along. But it brought up several programs with OCX0000135 issues. It appears this maybe driver and/or activeX related. SWMBO is unable to access files on MSWORD etc that she needs- hence her attempts at restore. If she had told me first I'd have come here and found out what to do. My decision would be to un-install and re-install the apps. Assuming the files wouldn't be altered.

jim

[Plastic Nev]

Ah, thanks Jim for that error number, I found this help page in Microsoft answers, try first the sfc /scannow as per the instructions in the first answer, then scroll down the page to the answer regarding the .NET Framework fix.

 

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_programs/what-is-this-error-code-oxc0000135/7b9bf100-4ae0-40c6-87b6-f3bacc0a82ac?auth=1

 

If the .NET fix is needed, the link provided goes to the site of the fix creator, read what it does if you wish, then just download the zip file, open it and follow instructions.

 

Let us know if that helps.

 

Nev.

[mij]

Ok and thanks Nev.

 

I've run the sfc /scan now and got the message:-

 

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations

C:\Windows\system32

 

at the end.

jim

[mij]

It was quicker to do a re-install of Vista. However PCtools check up, along with Norton is a pernicious bit of down-loading marketing material that I could well do without at this juncture (well anytime to be exact). It also had something to do with stopping Int Exp from operating properly. I have had to go into safe mode to remove it. In the course of doing this I find the cause of the ad-hoc resetting of the year date- the out of date bios. Version AO9 or later needs to be downloaded, it's up to AO10 though.

Nev if you have any further input to be considered then I'll carry it out but I think today may well be passed by updating drivers and getting rid of the aforementioned marketing sales puff (at every juncture).

jim

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Jim, I have already seen that Starbuck has taken this up. Go along with him first, I think Revo as suggested may do the job, if not, Starbuck will be able to give the right fixes for removing the rubbish. Then do install a decent antivirus. Hopefully that should sort it out.

 

Nev.

[mij]

Thanks Nev.

 

Yes revo did the trick so I'd consider this one solved for now. I think I'll let revo reside on my memory stick. What an effective bit of freeware.

jim

[Plastic Nev]

Being in this position I try a tremendous amount of different freeware programs, just to verify they are OK or not for the purpose so advise can be given when needed. I always use Revo to uninstall them afterwards Jim, it certainly is a cracking tool which does leave the drive a lot cleaner of junk than the ordinary Windows uninstaller.

 

Nev.