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Computer is doing odd things...

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First off I don't use limewire. My sister does and I can't help it because I've told my parent that she shouldn't have it on there but she does anyway. second why do you think its a virus? When i scan with avg I get a perfectly clean computer, and yes I updated before I scanned. I've also scanned with adaware and spybot too. Tonight I plan to scan with avast with the most thorough setting. I used to have norton but since I'm building a new computer I plan to just wait and then buy norton 2006 for the new computer. But the norton only expired about 1 week ago.

anything else that your mom's business computer doesn't need for doing business with. <- Right now we only have one computer so we all use it. Thats another reason we're building a new computer.
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
First off I don't use limewire. My sister does and I can't help it because I've told my parent that she shouldn't have it on there but she does anyway. second why do you think its a virus? When i scan with avg I get a perfectly clean computer, and yes I updated before I scanned. I've also scanned with adaware and spybot too. Tonight I plan to scan with avast with the most thorough setting. I used to have norton but since I'm building a new computer I plan to just wait and then buy norton 2006 for the new computer. But the norton only expired about 1 week ago.

anything else that your mom's business computer doesn't need for doing business with. <- Right now we only have one computer so we all use it. Thats another reason we're building a new computer.
1) I suggest you back up all the important data on that computer immediately.

2) do you have a router? Yes or no. If you're not sure, name the piece of hardware that the computer is plugged into or wirelessly connected to.

3) will your mom support you if you take ironclad measures to prevent your sister from installing stuff in the future? Y/N.

4) what programs does your mom use for her business uses (list 'em)

5) do you have your software CDs for doing a complete system restore? Y/N.

6) does the system have a CD burner so that you could burn resources onto a CD-R in preparation for a reinstallation (such as Service Pack 2)? Y/N.
 
1) Ok well I've got about 10GB+of stuff to burn on CDs then.

2)I have DSL unto which I have a visionnet box

3)Well seeing that I'm not at home all the time I can't really prevent it. Also she checks email with IE, etc.

4)She tried using Quicken and she basicly wasted about 400 bucks because she couldn't figure out how to work it. And she prefers doing everything on paper:

5)I have the one cd that came with the xp home. Its got the hologram stamp on it.

6) It has a cdwriter thats really old and doesn't burn very fast but it still burns audio cds so ya

EDIT: Also if it is a virus wouldn't any of the programs I'm using pick it up?
Besides if it is or not a virus I still don't get why my computer is actin like this...:
What all should I make on cds to intall on my computer right away if I reinstall the OS
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
1) Ok well I've got about 10GB+of stuff to burn on CDs then.
10GB of essential data? Wow :Q

2)I have DSL unto which I have a visionnet box
Maybe the VisionNet box has a NAT firewall. If you want to be sure that you have firewall protection, then don't plug the computer into the VisionNet box until after you have the computer patched with Service Pack 2 from a CD. When Service Pack 2 is installed, it enables the Windows Firewall and makes it easier to get to, and it also closes a lot of security vulnerabilities.

3)Well seeing that I'm not at home all the time I can't really prevent it. Also she checks email with IE, etc.
Oh yes you can prevent it :evil: If each user of the computer, includng you, uses a Limited user account normally, and the Administrator-class accounts are password-protected and the password is secret, and the Windows Firewall is turned on and set to Do Not Allow Exceptions, then the problem is basically solved. If she did download Limewire, she could not install it to the \Program Files directory. If she installs it elsewhere and tries to run it, the Windows Firewall should refuse to allow it to accept inbound connections without an Adminstrator's say-so. Checkmate. :evil:

4)She tried using Quicken and she basicly wasted about 400 bucks because she couldn't figure out how to work it. And she prefers doing everything on paper:[/quote]Ok.

5)I have the one cd that came with the xp home. Its got the hologram stamp on it.
Excellent 🙂 What about any other programs that you need to install, like Office or Works or whatever?

6) It has a cdwriter thats really old and doesn't burn very fast but it still burns audio cds so ya
Good deal.

EDIT: Also if it is a virus wouldn't any of the programs I'm using pick it up?
Besides if it is or not a virus I still don't get why my computer is actin like this...
If you run a car into a wall at 20mph, and then put it into Reverse and back up, does the car uncrumple? 😉 You can delete the viruses and still be left with a damaged installation of Windows in the aftermath.
What all should I make on cds to intall on my computer right away if I reinstall the OS
I would get the full Service Pack 2 installer and if it were me I'd get a 30-day trial version of Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5.

1) Before you start reinstalling WindowsXP, ensure that the network cable is unplugged. Then install WindowsXP. During installation, create accounts named Admin, Mom, one each for you and your sister, and one named Visitors.

2) Log on as Admin. Next thing right after you reach the desktop for the very first time: leave the network cable unplugged and install Service Pack 2 from the CD you burned it to. Then reboot as prompted. At the reboot, enable Automatic Updates when you see the prompt screen.

3) Keep logging on as Admin. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts and open each account, then reduce each one (including the one that'll be yours) to a Limited account, not Computer Administrator. Leave Admin as a Computer Administrator, and set a password on Admin's account. Make it something like your AT username, that's a good one 🙂

4) Find out the "secret" administrator account's name and set a password on it too. To find it, click Start > Run and put cmd into the box, then click OK. Now you have a command prompt. Use the command net localgroup administrators to list all the Admin-class accounts. You'll see Admin (which you made) and one other one. Let's say the other one's name is Administrator. Run the command net user Administrator harobikes333 to set that account's password.

5) Go to Control Panel > Security Center and click on Windows Firewall. Set it to Don't allow exceptions, like in this pic: no exceptions!

6) Now install your motherboard drivers and reboot the system.

7) After mobo drivers, install your video drivers and reboot the system.

8) Now you can install drivers for anything else you need, reboot, take a snack break, etc.

9) Install the Kaspersky antivirus software, if that's what you decided to go with.

10) Now connect the network cable and update the antivirus software, then reboot. After the reboot, if it's Kaspersky, configure as shown in this video clip I made. This cranks it up to max protection.

11) Run the system through Windows Update manually, repeatedly, until it comes up clean.

12) If you have Office, install it and run the system through Office Update repeatedly until it comes up clean there, too.

13) Start using your own Limited-class account for all daily-driver purposes. Password-protect it if you like. Visitors and friends can use the Visitors account, leave that one without a password so it is available to them. NEVAR use the Admin account EXCEPT when you actually NEED Admin powers (to install a printer, to install a legit piece of software, etc) and then immediately log out of Admin again so it doesn't get abused behind your back.


Sounds like tough love, but it works sweet for keeping people out of trouble 🙂 You can play fast & loose with the other system when you get one, try to remember this is Mom's livelihood here and that you might have to sacrifice some convenience in deference to that.
 
10GB of essential data? Wow
<--Ya I have alot of music^ ^ and some is boughten and some are from alot of my cds. I also have alot of programs I've found on the internet and I've failed to find them again:\ I also like to play emulators so they take up some room too... I've boughten software off internet and downloaded it instead of getting the cd>_<....

Maybe the VisionNet box has a NAT firewall. If you want to be sure that you have firewall protection, then don't plug the computer into the VisionNet box until after you have the computer patched with Service Pack 2 from a CD. When Service Pack 2 is installed, it enables the Windows Firewall and makes it easier to get to, and it also closes a lot of security vulnerabilities.
<--righto I'll do that then🙂

Oh yes you can
<--Thnx🙂

Excellent What about any other programs that you need to install, like Office or Works or whatever?
<-- True my sister bought microsoft office the full thing for alot of $.

I've got an issue..... Ok seeing that my mom has a business. She gets email... and well she doesn't like to delete stuff/ she doesn' check it often enough and has been puting it off well right now she has about 2500 unread emails. So how do I back all those up on cds?

Also I've bookmarks tons of pages on the internet and I've organized them too. How do I put those on a cd and put them back on firefox for when I reinstall?

6) Now install your motherboard drivers and reboot the system.
<--HP made, aka no new mobo drivers:\ lol

7) After mobo drivers, install your video drivers and reboot the system.
<-- Integrated graphics>_<

9) Install the Kaspersky antivirus software, if that's what you decided to go with.
<==So why do you suggest this antivirus..? I'm just wondering🙂

Again thanks for all your time for this reply
 
If your mom uses Microsoft Outlook (full-version Outlook, not Outlook Express) then you can export the emails using the File > Import & Export feature. Make sure to get everything, not just Inbox but also Sent Items and Contacts, when you export. I'd export to the .PST format.

If it's Outlook Express, then similarly use File > Export to export stuff.

I suggested Kaspersky because it's got good detection ratings, hourly updates, installs and uninstalls cleanly, isn't expensive if you decide you want to purchase, plus I have a video showing how to configure it so I don't have to keep repeating myself 😀 And you can password-protect it to keep your kid sister from turning it off (not shown in the video, but that's in the Additional Settings section). If you'd rather try some other brand, I've got links to Norton/Symantec and McAfee trialware on this page if you want to try something else. I may get trial versions of their latest ones so I can do configuration videos for them too... configuration can be important. LOL, RossMAN's going to regret hosting me yet, for all the bandwidth I'll end up using... 😉


What brand & model of HP is it, probably a Pavilion _____ (what exact version)?


If your bookmarks are in Internet Explorer, then go to C:\Documents and Settings\your account's name here\ and simply copy your Favorites list. If it's in a Mozilla browser, then I think you want bookmarks.html, but don't quote me on that 😕 I don't have a Mozilla/FF-equipped system here to check that myself and I'm not on broadband where I can get it quickly.

 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
LOL, RossMAN's going to regret hosting me yet, for all the bandwidth I'll end up using... 😉

Bring it on!

Your bandwidth usage gradually increases every month, December 2005 was 3.35GB out of 10GB. Looks like I'll need to bump you to 30GB for the time being 🙂
 
Xtknight, I downloaded the beta rootkit eliminator but it came up clean:

I think I must hvae bad registry problems:?:\

I think reformating is the answer🙁 But my mom needs to pay some bills before I reformate so...

If I've scanned with avg, avast with thorough settings, ad aware, and spybot search and destroy. not norton though since it is out of date, aka I didn't resubscribe since I'm building a new computer. Do you think she can safely pay a couple of bills on the internet?

Comments? Suggestions? Help? All are greatly appreciated!

EDIT: She wants to pay them now:\ So can I let her?

O and also When I went into the control panel and then to windows security center, this pops up:

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=010720062039079ky.jpg

and then if I press yes this shows up:

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=010720062039301nt.jpg

Any comments about that?
 
thats me... what do you mean ?

EDIT: this can anyone answer this:
Originally posted by: harobikes333
Xtknight, I downloaded the beta rootkit eliminator but it came up clean:

I think I must hvae bad registry problems:?:\

I think reformating is the answer🙁 But my mom needs to pay some bills before I reformate so...

If I've scanned with avg, avast with thorough settings, ad aware, and spybot search and destroy. not norton though since it is out of date, aka I didn't resubscribe since I'm building a new computer. Do you think she can safely pay a couple of bills on the internet?

Comments? Suggestions? Help? All are greatly appreciated!

EDIT: She wants to pay them now:\ So can I let her?

O and also When I went into the control panel and then to windows security center, this pops up:

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=010720062039079ky.jpg

and then if I press yes this shows up:

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=010720062039301nt.jpg

Any comments about that?

so the question is if its safe for her to pay the bill online before I reformat

EDIT: She just got impatient and made me let her:\ I'm pretty much 100% positive though that nothing bad will happen aka she won't get her info stolen, etc. lol
 
Originally posted by: xtknight
What happens under safe mode?

You probably have a rootkit with those "hidden" user names, or bad registry problems. Try scanning with this thing: http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

O and for that did you mean to restart the computer in safe mode and scan...? because I only scanned in normal mode...

also I put a thread on this on a different forum:here

A user suggested I down load this:

Originally posted by Warez Monster
I think it might be a reg change.

Download these one by one and see what happens. You might need to reboot for some to take affect.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/classicdisable.reg]Stuck in Classic View? Undo Now[/URL]


http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/restorethemes.reg]Restore Themes Functionality[/URL]
 
ok I went to start up my computer since I had shut it down since my sister hates the noise and it was her last night her before she went back to college.

The computer booted and I missed the time to press f8 to get into the bio settings to start in safe mode.

I restart the computer and go into safe mode:

This comes up: Prcss is starting<--Not sure what the heck that is! Not good I don't think. I can't remember if thats the exact letters though because I only flashes up there for a sec and even after a couple of reboots I got sick of trying to copy it down.

Then it says:

c:\windows\system32\winotify.dll...<- Another thing I'm going to have to google:\ unless you guys can help me

It never used to show either of those things when I started the computer/ logged into a user.

Also when I logged in onto a different user I hadn't used in a while. I went crt-alt-del and it showed that firefox was running! I mean I has just started the computer up! Why had firefox started!? And it still doesn't show any users🙁

I also tried that f-secure black light program in safe mode. It said that it cannot be used in safe mode🙁

Help with my computer !? Please?
 
Nuke it. Start from the top, get it right, and don't give it one instant of unprotected time connected to a network cable along the way (or wireless either, of course).
 
So basicly I have unknown crap on my computer>_<???

I'll have to reformate. I need to type a report for english first though. So download the SP2 from microsoft onto HDD then burn onto a cd. Just make it like a file cd. Then download some installers for some anivirus programs. Mabe sygates firewall... and all my other stuff I have on the computer.

After all thats done I.....?

Put in cd that came with the OS when it boots up? Or when do I put in the cd? Any suggestions, help? Please?
 
When you go to reinstall, how about first burn it down with DBAN from http://dban.sourceforge.net. Then put in your (genuine, bootable) WinXP CD-ROM and make the computer boot from it, and begin Windows Setup with the network cable unplugged. Then just follow the routine I gave about ten posts ago.
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
ok I have a problem. I went to wally world and bought a 100 pack of cd-r The cd format that my cd drive can burn/read etc. Ok so I put in the cd and then I go: run and type in M: which is my optical drive. Here's a screenshot:

http://img34.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062156311xs.jpg

Help:\????? I'm needing to get this done with. Please
I wonder if your IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service is disabled in your system's Services list? Also, try simply going to My Computer and see if it sees your blank disc via that route.
 
lol I was wondering if I should have taken a screenshot of mycomputer:\ lol

http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062220220ra.jpg

I wonder if your IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service is disabled in your system's Services list?<--Ok so I go into msconfig though I think I've already tried this. I go there and it shows the list and themes are disabled etc. But it won't let me right click or double or anything🙁

So here is the list:
http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062222118le.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062223080dm.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062223309cb.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062223495qb.jpg


Help😱 ????? Please

Also I'm uploading some of my photos onto yahoo photos until I can get this figured out:
http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=011620062224356yp.jpg
 
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