Error message help

[bctbct]

I have a question about a error meassage I just received. I have basic computer knowledge.

I opened a Office Depot ad online. When I clicked on the ad I received the following message


A script is running on this page is causing IE to run slowly. If it continues it may cause an error. Would you like to abort?

My computer froze, new message, MSN has experienced and error and will need to close.

I have been having problems w/ my computer freezing and I get the MSN message but never the MSN pop up about the script error. Any idea what happened? Thanks

 

[robisbell]

well, can you give us more info about you computer? like is it a name brand, and if so exact model number. what operating system do you use? how much memory do you have on it? what version of IE are you using?

 

[bctbct]

dell 4600, xp home, 1 gig, not sure how to tell what version of IE. thanks

 

[robisbell]

in IE, click on help, and then about. it'll give you the version. is this XP Home SP2, SP1, or pre SP?


could you go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com and run a full scan of all files and hard drives on the system?

what Antivirus do you use? what antispyware do you use?

 

[bctbct]

IE 9.5 SP2

Norton spyware and Zone alarm firewall. Both are current with recent updates.

I will try the link. thanks

 

[robisbell]

ugh, norton. I'd recommend AVG for Antivirus, Spybot for Antispyware, and Comodo for a Firewall.

are you sure IE said 9.5?? if it did then your systems infected big time.

 

[bctbct]

version 9.50.0039.19

so far half way through the scan 43 potential threats. Norton has always been troublesome and requires manual updates to fix.

 

[robisbell]

the latest Internet Explorer version is 7.

I would suggest you uninstall all norton/symantec software, install avg and spybot.

you may be looking at having to reload xp, and lose everything on the drive, but we'll see.

 

[bctbct]

so how does the version number increase to 9.5+?

Seems like everytime I scanned with norton the only thing it found was 1 tracking cookie that I would repair. I did the uninstall on the norton. So I should dump the Azone? thanks

 

[robisbell]

good chance you are infected, that why IE is not reading right.

is the Zonealarm the free version or did you pay for it?

just to be sure, you were in Internet Explorer and you clicked on help, and about, and it said IE ver. 9.50.0039.19?

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: robisbell
good chance you are infected, that why IE is not reading right.

is the Zonealarm the free version or did you pay for it?

just to be sure, you were in Internet Explorer and you clicked on help, and about, and it said IE ver. 9.50.0039.19?

You are correct about the version info, ZA is a bought copy.

 

[robisbell]

I'd get rid of norton, you'll need to uninstall it and any syamntec products through add/remove programs, and then download and install AVG (free), and spybot (free).

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/ - avg

http://www.safer-networking.org/ - spybot

I would suggest you backup any documents or dat, because you may have to wipe the drive and reinstall, we'll see.

how much longer on housecall to finish?

 

[bctbct]

68% complete so I will probably have to do the other stuff tomm. thanks

 

[robisbell]

okay, let us know the results. I hope whatever got into the system can be thoroughly cleaned out.

 

[bctbct]

Thank you, appreciate your help.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: bctbct
A script is running on this page is causing IE to run slowly. If it continues it may cause an error. Would you like to abort?

I've had this happen with one of the ad's on SourceForge - don't remember what the ad was. The first time I let it run to completion - something in it is a pig but it didn't hang. So I think this is separate from the other issues.

I've used ZA with unsatisfying results on a w2k pc - slowed it down tremendously. Now using Comodo and AntiVir free edition.

The latest versions from ie:help:about are: 6.0.2800.1106 and 7.0.6000.16546. That 9.5 version is quite troubling. I would back up all data, reformat and reload - it probably needs it anyhow if it's never been done. It would be interesting to see the results of housecall but I'd reload to fix it.

Also check any financial accounts which you may have gotten into online - and change all passwords - from a different pc.

 

[bctbct]

Trend micro found 38 tracking cookies. Msn crashed again but there was no message prior to the incident.

I have no idea to back up data, reformat, or reload. thanks

 

[robisbell]

is there anything on the drive you can not afford to lose data wise?

 

[bctbct]

you mean files, pictures, etc?

 

[seemingly random]

Depending on the amount of data - ie. files you have created, not programs - you could use cd's or dvd's - these should be verified for readability on another pc. One of the easiest ways though is to have another hd. Once the backup is complete, there should be an xp cd that came with the dell. Boot fromit, delete all the partitions and create new one(s). After reinstalling xp and any unique h/w drivers, update the drivers and os. Then reinstall the programs you need.

 

[bctbct]

oh, that sounds above my pay grade. I may have to have a family member do it for me. I think I have a cd snce it was preloaded when i bought it.

 

[seemingly random]

This is a good time to develop some kind of backup strategy. You've been pretty lucky to not have lost anything. Backup's don't need to involve the entire disk - just the irreplaceable things you would be angry or sad about if lost via h/w failure, theft, etc. Even a 4-8gb usb key is better than nothing.

 

[bctbct]

ok, so you just mean transfer the data and then reformat. I will see if my bro can help me do that. Hopefully that will fix it.

Is it possible it is a MSN glich?

 

[robisbell]

I'm concerned that whatever has or is infecting the system will get copied since it's deeply infected the system.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: robisbell
I'm concerned that whatever has or is infecting the system will get copied since it's deeply infected the system.

That's a good point. The best scenario would be to get another hd and install to it - after unplugging/removing the current hd. Then reattach the current one, copy the data to the new one and then reformat the current one. The second hd could then be used to backup irreplaceable files. If there's not room in the dell case, an external case for the hd can be acquired. Still not as a good as a separate backup medium but better than nothing.

This method doesn't completely guarantee clean files though. The files copied should be run through a scanner.

In the meantime while waiting for a decision to percolate, there are many online scanners that could be used right now - I would run as many as you have the patience for.