Software Problems

[Neville]

Recently, my computer absoƖutely refused to start. A friend got it started, but certain programs are missing and one viz. iTunes cannot be deleted from the "add/remove" list.

 

1. Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

The following error occurs when trying to start the update:-

"Scheduler not loaded".

 

2. Safari:-

When I try to open "Safari" I get:-

Problem with shortcut.

This action is only valid for products that are currently installed.

 

3. Malwarebytes.org

 

When I try to open it, I get:-

 

vbAccelerator SGrid ll Cont...

 

Run-time error '0'. On clicking OK I get:-

Run-time error '440'

Automation error

 

None of the above are in the "add/remove" list, but are still lurking somewhere as none of the same can be re-loaded.

 

4. iTunes:-

When I try to open it I get:-

"This action is only valid for products that are currently installed".

Also "apple application support was not found", try deleting iTunes and re-install.

When I tried to re-load, I got:-

The older version of "Apple software update" cannot be removed. Contact your tech. support group.

I could not delete iTunes from the add/remove list.

"Apple Application Support" is actually "available" in the add/remove list.

 

5. Skype

When I tried to open I get:-

"This action is only valid for products that are currently installed".

However, I was able to re-load Skype and it is functioning properly, although it too was not in the "add/remove" list.

 

6. Gmail/Yahoo

I am using Internet Explorer 8 and am able to send and receive emails, but cannot view "you tube" clips and do not get any error codes.

 

7. Windows Defender cannot check for defininition updates. Error Code 0x80040111.

 

8.Windows media player cannot platy the file because the required "video codec" is not installed on your computer.

 

All of the above were working fine before the incident, these are the only ones I have tried.

 

Hope someone can help.

Thanks!!

[Tootech]

Nev, the first questions are:

 

What was happening (or not) when it would not start

 

and

 

How did your friend manage to 'kick start' it?

 

Can you have a look in Event Viewer>System log and see if there are any hard disk errors - entries relating to bad blocks and /dev/hdd0

 

Oh, and after you got it going did you attempt a System Restore?

[Neville]

Nev, the first questions are:

 

What was happening (or not) when it would not start

 

and

 

How did your friend manage to 'kick start' it?

 

Can you have a look in Event Viewer>System log and see if there are any hard disk errors - entries relating to bad blocks and /dev/hdd0

 

Oh, and after you got it going did you attempt a System Restore?

 

 

Hi Tootech, thanks. My computer would run up to the point before the "welcome" screen, the bar beneath the logo would stop about half-way through. After reading your message, I tried a "system restore", but the only dates availabe were long after the original problem started. As for what my friend did to "kick start" it, I have absolutely no idea. Furthermore, he has gone overseas to work, so I have no way of getting that information in a hurry, if at all. I am actually absolutely incapable of anything technical. I have been trying to get information off the internet, but most of it is beyond my comprehension. However, I was able to get the "Skype" and "Malwarebytes" running again as those instructions were in plain language.

As for the "event viewer>System log" I haven't a clue.

I know this is not going to help, but that's the way it is with me.

[Tootech]

I think your friend may have done a repair install - based on the lack of restore points and some programs working, some not.

 

By the way - do you have any important data backed up should something go wrong? You ought to do, using a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

 

Try to remove Windows Defender from Add/Remove Programs.

 

Run Windows Update - you may need to run it a few times to get up to date and depending on what has actually been done to your computer.

 

Once it is up to date download and install Media Player 11 from here

 

Windows Media Player 11

 

Reboot if it hasn't been done automatically.

 

Then download and attempt to install Avira - it may if you are lucky overwrite the old install or it may remove it first.

 

Do the same with Safari.

 

Youtube problems are probably down to flash player corruption. Download and install the latest version from here

 

Adobe - Web Players (Flash player link is there too)

 

See how far you get, Windows Defender should reinstall ok, iTunes may need Revo Uninstaller Pro to remove.

 

If it doesn't work out you may need to do something called an sfc to check all your Windows files. Do you have a Windows CD that came with your computer?

[Neville]

I think your friend may have done a repair install - based on the lack of restore points and some programs working, some not.

 

By the way - do you have any important data backed up should something go wrong? You ought to do, using a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

 

Try to remove Windows Defender from Add/Remove Programs.

 

Run Windows Update - you may need to run it a few times to get up to date and depending on what has actually been done to your computer.

 

Once it is up to date download and install Media Player 11 from here

 

Windows Media Player 11

 

Reboot if it hasn't been done automatically.

 

Then download and attempt to install Avira - it may if you are lucky overwrite the old install or it may remove it first.

 

Do the same with Safari.

 

Youtube problems are probably down to flash player corruption. Download and install the latest version from here

 

Adobe - Web Players (Flash player link is there too)

 

See how far you get, Windows Defender should reinstall ok, iTunes may need Revo Uninstaller Pro to remove.

 

If it doesn't work out you may need to do something called an sfc to check all your Windows files. Do you have a Windows CD that came with your computer?

 

 

*****************

 

I think your friend may have done a repair install - based on the lack of restore points and some programs working, some not.

 

By the way - do you have any important data backed up should something go wrong? You ought to do, using a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

 

Try to remove Windows Defender from Add/Remove Programs.

 

Run Windows Update - you may need to run it a few times to get up to date and depending on what has actually been done to your computer.

 

Once it is up to date download and install Media Player 11 from here

 

Windows Media Player 11

 

Reboot if it hasn't been done automatically.

 

Then download and attempt to install Avira - it may if you are lucky overwrite the old install or it may remove it first.

 

Do the same with Safari.

 

Youtube problems are probably down to flash player corruption. Download and install the latest version from here

 

Adobe - Web Players (Flash player link is there too)

 

See how far you get, Windows Defender should reinstall ok, iTunes may need Revo Uninstaller Pro to remove.

 

If it doesn't work out you may need to do something called an sfc to check all your Windows files. Do you have a Windows CD that came with your computer?

 

 

*******************

Hi Tootech,

 

Thanks a million for our advice.

This is a hand-me-down "old" computer and I have not saved anything on it. There are 40 icons on the desk-top and I haven't a clue as to the functions of most of them.

 

Removed windows defender from add/remove list.

On trying to re-install I got the same "cannot check for definition updates. Error code 0X80040111.

 

I ran the updates and found that it is on "automatic", so my guess is that it is Okay.

 

Downloaded and installed Windows Media Player 11.

 

Downloaded and installed "Avira" anti virus and "Malwarebytes". Both are up and running.

 

Tried to do the same with Safari, but the installation was interupted and failed, I can't remember the reason for the same.

 

Downloaded the Adobe flash player. Youtube is now playable and email atachments downloadable.

 

No! I do not have the windows CD.

 

As it is my requirements have been met viz. sending/receiving emails, downloading and viewing attachments and conducting internet searches.

 

Please let me know what, if anything I should do now and thanks once again for all your help.

Neville

[Tootech]

Hi Nev,

 

Seems like your are about there for what you need - that is good news!!

 

The only thing you ought to check is the updates status. If a repair install was carried out you should run Windows Update. Automatic updates may take a good while to get you up to date.

 

Try it from here:

 

Microsoft Windows Update

 

Once you are up to date I think you are sorted.

 

Don't worry too much about Windows Defender, it doesn't defend you from much at all. If you need an antispyware program have a look at malwarebytes.

 

http://www.malwarebytes.org there is a free version you can run once in a while.

[Neville]

Software Problems

 

Hi Nev,

 

Seems like your are about there for what you need - that is good news!!

 

The only thing you ought to check is the updates status. If a repair install was carried out you should run Windows Update. Automatic updates may take a good while to get you up to date.

 

Try it from here:

 

Microsoft Windows Update

 

Once you are up to date I think you are sorted.

 

Don't worry too much about Windows Defender, it doesn't defend you from much at all. If you need an antispyware program have a look at malwarebytes.

 

Malwarebytes there is a free version you can run once in a while.

 

Hi Tootech,

Ran the updates through Microsoft Windows Update and finally got this:-

Microsoft - Other hardware - HID Non-User Input Data Filter (KB 911895)

(Download failed).

 

Malwarebytes is already up and running.

 

What steps would you advise me to take now?

Thanks!

Nev

[Tootech]

I had a look at the failed update and you don't need it. You can tell Windows Update not to attempt install - let us know if you want to do that, otherwise ignore it.

 

The only things I can see that need sorting are iTunes and Safari - its worth having a go at reinstall now your PC is up to date.

[Neville]

software problems

 

I had a look at the failed update and you don't need it. You can tell Windows Update not to attempt install - let us know if you want to do that, otherwise ignore it.

 

The only things I can see that need sorting are iTunes and Safari - its worth having a go at reinstall now your PC is up to date.

 

Hi Tootech,

If you think the failed update is not necessary, I think we'll just let it ride.

 

Regarding iTunes, it won't budge from the add/remove list. The windows installer stated "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable"

Click OKto try again or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'iTunes.msi' in the box below.

 

I did just that and got the following:-

The file "iTunes.msi' is not a valid installation package for the product 'iTunes'. Try to find the installation package 'iTunes.msi' in a folder from which you can install iTunes.

 

And finally:-

The path C\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple Computer\Installer Cache\iTunes 7.50.20\'iTunes.msi' cannot be found.

Verify that you have access to this location and try again or Try to find the installation package 'iTunes.msi' in a folder from which you can install the product iTunes.

 

Awaiting your advice,

Nev

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Nev, I think at this point there may be only Revo uninstaller to help you out.

There are two types, the free and the pro version. The free version is excellent, but the pro version gives you even more power to hunt out and remove the traces that are preventing you from re-installing the full version of I-Tunes or other programs.

Fortunately the full pro version is available on a free 30 day trial from here--

 

Revo Uninstaller Pro - Uninstall Software, Remove Programs, Solve uninstall problems

 

Have a good read of the page and what it can do before going for the download.

 

After the 30 days are over, though not sure, I think it will either ask you to pay for it, remove it, or revert down to the free version, which although very good, and I use the free version, it doesn't have some of the higher end functions.

From one Nev to another,

Nev.

[Tootech]

Thats where I was going Nev & Nev :)

 

Use Revo Pro, uninstall the remnants of iTunes, reboot and try the install again. Use the Forced Uninstall mode.

[Neville]

Software Problems

 

Hi Nev, I think at this point there may be only Revo uninstaller to help you out.

There are two types, the free and the pro version. The free version is excellent, but the pro version gives you even more power to hunt out and remove the traces that are preventing you from re-installing the full version of I-Tunes or other programs.

Fortunately the full pro version is available on a free 30 day trial from here--

 

Revo Uninstaller Pro - Uninstall Software, Remove Programs, Solve uninstall problems

 

Have a good read of the page and what it can do before going for the download.

 

After the 30 days are over, though not sure, I think it will either ask you to pay for it, remove it, or revert down to the free version, which although very good, and I use the free version, it doesn't have some of the higher end functions.

From one Nev to another,

Nev.

 

 

Hi Tootech and Nev,

Thanks for all the help., my computer is now up and running.

[Neville]

Software Problems

 

Thats where I was going Nev & Nev :)

 

Use Revo Pro, uninstall the remnants of iTunes, reboot and try the install again. Use the Forced Uninstall mode.

Hi Tootech and Nev,

Thanks! My computer is now up and running.

Nev.

[Tootech]

Excellent news Nev :)