Mindboggling weirdness

[Guest Dudely]

Yesterday I wrote:

 

I've been getting nasty blue screen crashes for awhile now, so I'm

guessing I need some new hardware; probably the mamaboard. [i say this

because my mouse is also acting funky. It stops and starts, jumping

backwards, executing random button clicks and drags, and just

generally acting annoying. I cleaned it, that's not the problem.

It's a regular ps/2 mouse.]

 

However, money has been tight for awhile so I've been living with it.

Unfortunately, last night it crashed particularly badly and almost

nothing works anymore.

 

I can't bring up Outlook or IE. I can't open any folders, I can't

open Control Panel. They all crash. I can still run cmd though, and

my ancient Windows Commander still works too so I can transfer files

from my Win2000 machine if I need to. It only goes in one direction

though - it would seem that whatever service it uses on XP isn't

running so I can only pull files, not push them (ie. I can run WC on

XP and copy files from Win2000. My Win2000 machine can't find XP on

the LAN.)

 

I tried reinstalling (upgrade, not fresh install) and for the most

part it seemed to go pretty well, however near the end it tried to

install a bunch of dll files which it claimed it couldn't find. As

best as I remember, there's only one installation disk for XP Pro,

yes? (2002 version "includes service pack 2")

 

After retrying many times, I finally told it to just continue without

the file. It missed easily a dozen files with the same problem. I

guess my CD went bad???

 

I checked the event log and there was mention of 3 files - mshtml.dll,

oledlg.dll and ADVPACK.dll. I figured maybe I could just copy those

off the CD and expand them to the system32 directory. That worked,

but it didn't fix my original problem. Everything is still crashing.

 

So, I tried using expand to copy all of the i386/ dll files to my

system32/ directory and that seemed to work just fine. However, it

doesn't appear to have any effect in terms of fixing my original

problem. I also ran chkdsk.

 

Any ideas on what the problem really is, and how to fix it?

 

For the record, I ran ad-aware which found some tracking cookies

which I deleted. I tried to run spyblaster but it needs an upgrade,

and the upgrade/update won't download as it seems to depend on IE,

which crashes. It just doesn't feel like a virus issue anyway.

 

I got a couple of responses to the above and at someone's suggestion,

I ran SFC /scannow as well as CCleaner. No change.

 

Since nothing appeared to work and I need to get this fixed, I broke

down and bought a new disk today. I did a fresh XP Pro (SP2) install

on it and booted it. The first thing I noticed is there were no icons

- other than the recycler icon. That's not right is it? There were

no errors finding DLLs or anything else so I guess my CD is ok.

 

The next thing I noticed is that I can't connect to the Internet - I

have a DSL connection. In fact, I can't see the Win2000 computer on

my LAN either. I can't ping my DSL modem. IPCONFIG shows totally

blank. Network wizard won't do anything since it doesn't seem to find

the NIC. I unplugged the Ethernet cable just as a brief test, and

sure enough the light on my hub went out, I put it back in the hub

light came back on. So clearly it's not the hardware.

 

Now baffled, I booted XP from the old hard disk with the problem.

Sure enough, the network connection to the Internet works, I can ping

anywhere in the world (except the original problem remains, most

programs crash).

 

So, clearly it's not a hardware issue but the software isn't doing

what it's supposed to do. I'm at my wits end. If a fresh install on

a new hard drive doesn't work what's a guy supposed to do?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Brian A.]

Re: Mindboggling weirdness

 

"Dudely" <ab3331@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:173e2e9b-a3be-42f5-87fc-3d5d96c54673@l17g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

> Yesterday I wrote:

>

> I've been getting nasty blue screen crashes for awhile now, so I'm

> guessing I need some new hardware; probably the mamaboard. [i say this

> because my mouse is also acting funky. It stops and starts, jumping

> backwards, executing random button clicks and drags, and just

> generally acting annoying. I cleaned it, that's not the problem.

> It's a regular ps/2 mouse.]

 

Symptoms appear to be a compromised system.

Run a full system virus scan with fully up-to-date definitions.

 

**It is very important to run the update for each program before running the

app/s to be sure you have the latest definitions.**

Run the programs in Safe Mode after assuring you have shut down all running

tasks except explorer or systray and all apps are fully up to date.

Remove your Temp Internet files: Right click IE. Under the General tab click

Delete Files, put a check in Delete all Offline..., click OK and close when

finished.

Delete all files in c:\windows\temp.

 

Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:

http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

 

For Info on Cool Web Search variants:

http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

 

Download/install/run Ad-Aware SE to detect/rid of any other parasites/spyware

that may be installed. It can be obtained free from:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

After installing Ad-Aware, open it and click on the ref update to get the

latest up-to-date ref file, then run Ad-Aware and delete everything it finds.

 

Download/install/run Spybot - Search & Destroy:

http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download

Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it. Spybot

S&D is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the default settings can

be dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the default settings that are

RED can usually be safely removed. If you are unsure of a found item, do not

remove it and ask for help.

 

If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:

 

http://www.aumha.org/secure.htm

http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/downloads.html

http://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

 

Copy HJT to it's own folder, this is where the log files will be saved. Run

HJT in Normal Mode.

Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove, HJThis

will list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones. Removing items

listed hap-hazardly without knowing what they are can/will create a royal mess.

Read the quick start here on how to create a log file that can be copied/pasted

into a forum that can provide assistance on removal of unwanted pests.

http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick

 

Then post the logs to an appropriate forum where they specialize in

spyware/hijacker removal. Please read any sticky notes for proper posting which

are most commonly posted first at the top in each specific forum. Read any

information under each forum category name for information on what that

particular one is used for, look for the proper one that you post logs to.

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

http://aumha.net/

http://forum.aumha.org/

 

After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine:

It’s also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to HOSTS

File Manager here:

http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm

 

Download/install/run SpywareBlaster which stops the bad boys before they even

get a chance to install:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

>

> However, money has been tight for awhile so I've been living with it.

> Unfortunately, last night it crashed particularly badly and almost

> nothing works anymore.

>

> I can't bring up Outlook or IE. I can't open any folders, I can't

> open Control Panel. They all crash. I can still run cmd though, and

> my ancient Windows Commander still works too so I can transfer files

> from my Win2000 machine if I need to. It only goes in one direction

> though - it would seem that whatever service it uses on XP isn't

> running so I can only pull files, not push them (ie. I can run WC on

> XP and copy files from Win2000. My Win2000 machine can't find XP on

> the LAN.)

>

> I tried reinstalling (upgrade, not fresh install) and for the most

> part it seemed to go pretty well, however near the end it tried to

> install a bunch of dll files which it claimed it couldn't find. As

> best as I remember, there's only one installation disk for XP Pro,

> yes? (2002 version "includes service pack 2")

>

> After retrying many times, I finally told it to just continue without

> the file. It missed easily a dozen files with the same problem. I

> guess my CD went bad???

>

> I checked the event log and there was mention of 3 files - mshtml.dll,

> oledlg.dll and ADVPACK.dll. I figured maybe I could just copy those

> off the CD and expand them to the system32 directory. That worked,

> but it didn't fix my original problem. Everything is still crashing.

>

> So, I tried using expand to copy all of the i386/ dll files to my

> system32/ directory and that seemed to work just fine. However, it

> doesn't appear to have any effect in terms of fixing my original

> problem. I also ran chkdsk.

>

> Any ideas on what the problem really is, and how to fix it?

 

See above.

>

> For the record, I ran ad-aware which found some tracking cookies

> which I deleted. I tried to run spyblaster but it needs an upgrade,

> and the upgrade/update won't download as it seems to depend on IE,

> which crashes. It just doesn't feel like a virus issue anyway.

>

> I got a couple of responses to the above and at someone's suggestion,

> I ran SFC /scannow as well as CCleaner. No change.

>

> Since nothing appeared to work and I need to get this fixed, I broke

> down and bought a new disk today. I did a fresh XP Pro (SP2) install

> on it and booted it. The first thing I noticed is there were no icons

> - other than the recycler icon. That's not right is it? There were

> no errors finding DLLs or anything else so I guess my CD is ok.

 

Right click on the desktop.

Click Properties > Desktop tab > Customize Desktop button.

Under Desktop Icons select the ones you want visible on the desktop.

Click Ok > Apply > Ok.

>

> The next thing I noticed is that I can't connect to the Internet - I

> have a DSL connection. In fact, I can't see the Win2000 computer on

> my LAN either. I can't ping my DSL modem. IPCONFIG shows totally

> blank. Network wizard won't do anything since it doesn't seem to find

> the NIC. I unplugged the Ethernet cable just as a brief test, and

> sure enough the light on my hub went out, I put it back in the hub

> light came back on. So clearly it's not the hardware.

 

On the desktop Right click My Computer.

Click Properties > Hardware tab > Device Manager button.

Is Network Adapters in the devices menu?

If no, you need to install the drivers for your modem/network card/integrated

chip.

If yes, click the plus sign (+) for Network Adapters to expand the tree.

Double click your listed network device to open its properties.

Under the General tab what is reported under Device Status.

>

> Now baffled, I booted XP from the old hard disk with the problem.

> Sure enough, the network connection to the Internet works, I can ping

> anywhere in the world (except the original problem remains, most

> programs crash).

 

See top of response to post.

>

> So, clearly it's not a hardware issue but the software isn't doing

> what it's supposed to do. I'm at my wits end. If a fresh install on

> a new hard drive doesn't work what's a guy supposed to do?

 

See above.

>

> Thanks in advance.

 

 

--

 

 

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest Doug]

Re: Mindboggling weirdness

 

 

"Dudely" <ab3331@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:173e2e9b-a3be-42f5-87fc-3d5d96c54673@l17g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

| Yesterday I wrote:

 

| I broke

| down and bought a new disk today. I did a fresh XP Pro (SP2) install

| on it and booted it. The first thing I noticed is there were no icons

| - other than the recycler icon. That's not right is it?

 

Yes a fresh install of XP will only have the one icon.

 

 

| The next thing I noticed is that I can't connect to the Internet - I

| have a DSL connection. In fact, I can't see the Win2000 computer on

| my LAN either. I can't ping my DSL modem. IPCONFIG shows totally

| blank. Network wizard won't do anything since it doesn't seem to find

| the NIC. I unplugged the Ethernet cable

 

Sounds like you need to install your motherboard chipset drivers and/or NIC

drivers. (chipset drivers first others in any order)

 

 

| Thanks in advance.

[Guest Jeff]

Re: Mindboggling weirdness

 

You can restore system files using the system file checker.

 

open the run dialogue and type:

 

sfc /scannow

 

any system files needing repair will be overwritten. you may be asked to

insert your original install disk or the location of the install files

 

Jeff

 

 

 

"Dudely" <ab3331@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:173e2e9b-a3be-42f5-87fc-3d5d96c54673@l17g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

> Yesterday I wrote:

>

> I've been getting nasty blue screen crashes for awhile now, so I'm

> guessing I need some new hardware; probably the mamaboard. [i say this

> because my mouse is also acting funky. It stops and starts, jumping

> backwards, executing random button clicks and drags, and just

> generally acting annoying. I cleaned it, that's not the problem.

> It's a regular ps/2 mouse.]

>

> However, money has been tight for awhile so I've been living with it.

> Unfortunately, last night it crashed particularly badly and almost

> nothing works anymore.

>

> I can't bring up Outlook or IE. I can't open any folders, I can't

> open Control Panel. They all crash. I can still run cmd though, and

> my ancient Windows Commander still works too so I can transfer files

> from my Win2000 machine if I need to. It only goes in one direction

> though - it would seem that whatever service it uses on XP isn't

> running so I can only pull files, not push them (ie. I can run WC on

> XP and copy files from Win2000. My Win2000 machine can't find XP on

> the LAN.)

>

> I tried reinstalling (upgrade, not fresh install) and for the most

> part it seemed to go pretty well, however near the end it tried to

> install a bunch of dll files which it claimed it couldn't find. As

> best as I remember, there's only one installation disk for XP Pro,

> yes? (2002 version "includes service pack 2")

>

> After retrying many times, I finally told it to just continue without

> the file. It missed easily a dozen files with the same problem. I

> guess my CD went bad???

>

> I checked the event log and there was mention of 3 files - mshtml.dll,

> oledlg.dll and ADVPACK.dll. I figured maybe I could just copy those

> off the CD and expand them to the system32 directory. That worked,

> but it didn't fix my original problem. Everything is still crashing.

>

> So, I tried using expand to copy all of the i386/ dll files to my

> system32/ directory and that seemed to work just fine. However, it

> doesn't appear to have any effect in terms of fixing my original

> problem. I also ran chkdsk.

>

> Any ideas on what the problem really is, and how to fix it?

>

> For the record, I ran ad-aware which found some tracking cookies

> which I deleted. I tried to run spyblaster but it needs an upgrade,

> and the upgrade/update won't download as it seems to depend on IE,

> which crashes. It just doesn't feel like a virus issue anyway.

>

> I got a couple of responses to the above and at someone's suggestion,

> I ran SFC /scannow as well as CCleaner. No change.

>

> Since nothing appeared to work and I need to get this fixed, I broke

> down and bought a new disk today. I did a fresh XP Pro (SP2) install

> on it and booted it. The first thing I noticed is there were no icons

> - other than the recycler icon. That's not right is it? There were

> no errors finding DLLs or anything else so I guess my CD is ok.

>

> The next thing I noticed is that I can't connect to the Internet - I

> have a DSL connection. In fact, I can't see the Win2000 computer on

> my LAN either. I can't ping my DSL modem. IPCONFIG shows totally

> blank. Network wizard won't do anything since it doesn't seem to find

> the NIC. I unplugged the Ethernet cable just as a brief test, and

> sure enough the light on my hub went out, I put it back in the hub

> light came back on. So clearly it's not the hardware.

>

> Now baffled, I booted XP from the old hard disk with the problem.

> Sure enough, the network connection to the Internet works, I can ping

> anywhere in the world (except the original problem remains, most

> programs crash).

>

> So, clearly it's not a hardware issue but the software isn't doing

> what it's supposed to do. I'm at my wits end. If a fresh install on

> a new hard drive doesn't work what's a guy supposed to do?

>

> Thanks in advance.

[Guest Dudely]

Re: Mindboggling weirdness

 

Thanks to all who responded. I'm afraid I'm still getting used to

googles usenet interface so I apologize in advance for the mistaken/

missing followup attributes.

 

In any event, since I'm running off the new hard drive, I didn't run

any virus scans as suggested by Brian. I did however get the network

and icons going. My mamaboard diskette does indeed include network

drivers, but ASUS in their infinite wisdom decided to hide them behind

the graphics drivers. So unless you decide to install the graphics

drivers you never see the network drivers. Therefore, it never

occurred to me that XP didn't provide a network driver. Anyway,

thanks for that!

 

I can now see the Internet, and after some poking around in my head, I

was able to remember how to get my LAN functioning and can see the

other computer in my workgroup. Yay. Victory.

 

Next issue in the saga. I"m now running a new hard drive as you know,

and by mucking with the BIOS I'm able to boot it as drive H: I didn't

know that was possible, yet here I am. And, my old not working so

well installation is still known as C:

 

I like that. It means, in theory - that I don't have to reinstall the

whole world, as the registry will still know where to find stuff - it

hasn't moved. However, I'm reluctant to just experiment without

someone holding my hand. I had planned to do the following.

 

Copy my Desktop folder from C:\Documents and Settings\Dudely\Desktop

to H:\same path I'm assuming, I'll then have my usual desktop

restored, allowing me to go about my usual business.

 

Then I realized, my new version of XP doesn't have the registry

settings, so I still have to re-install everything, right? Any simple

way around that? I know if I was confident that I had a good hive on

the old drive I could probably just copy it over... but, I'm not so I

probably shouldn't. Worse, the newly installed programs may start

referencing as H:, so I'm not sure if that will mess me up or not.

Any ideas on that?

 

Last problem in this saga... when I reinstalled XP, I goofed when I

created the user Dudely, and I put a single quote in as I hit Enter.

So my user is now Dudely' See the quote? I've tried a variety of

methods of getting rid of it, but I can't. I tried renaming the User,

Deleting the user, renaming the directory, adding a new user then

deleting the old one, etc. Nothing works. Do I have to reinstall

this thing yet again in order to fix the user?

 

Thank you all again!

 

 

 

 

On Jun 3, 2:36 am, "Doug" <data...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> "Dudely" <ab3...@gmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:173e2e9b-a3be-42f5-87fc-3d5d96c54673@l17g2000pri.googlegroups.com...

>

> | Yesterday I wrote:

>

> | I broke

> | down and bought a new disk today.  I did a fresh XP Pro (SP2) install

> | on it and booted it.  The first thing I noticed is there were no icons

> | - other than the recycler icon.  That's not right is it?

>

> Yes a fresh install of XP will only have the one icon.

>

> | The next thing I noticed is that I can't connect to the Internet - I

> | have a DSL connection.  In fact, I can't see the Win2000 computer on

> | my LAN either.  I can't ping my DSL modem.  IPCONFIG shows totally

> | blank.  Network wizard won't do anything since it doesn't seem to find

> | the NIC.  I unplugged the Ethernet cable

>

> Sounds like you need to install your motherboard chipset drivers and/or NIC

> drivers. (chipset drivers first others in any order)

>

> | Thanks in advance.