Thom @ Pewaukee wrote:
OK, I'm going to respond to these items inline. The first thing I want
you to look at is the last thing I suggest about the firewall. Read
that first and test. If you still can't get on line after changing the
firewall settings, the connectivity problem might be caused by malware.
If that is the case, I'm going to suggest you take the machine to a
good local professional (not a BestBuy or CompUSA type of store). I'm
not saying this to hurt your feelings. It is just that it is apparent
from your post that your skillset may not be up to this. I think the
most efficient thing to do is have someone fix the computer for you.
But I will give you my comments and suggestions anyway so you can
decide what is best for you.
1) I deleted my temp and Temp internet files. I couldn't get into
the Safe Mode. I pressed all the buttons, F1, F8, delete, etc., but
couldn't find the button. My XP brochure doesn't tell me either. So
I ran it in regular mode.
To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly tap the F8 key as the computer is
starting up. This should get you to the correct menu. You absolutely
cannot clean up a machine in Regular Mode. You must be able to get to
Safe Mode. If you still can't get to Safe Mode in this manner, then in
Regular Mode do:
Start>Run msconfig [enter]
On the boot.ini tab check the /SAFEBOOT option. Restart the machine and
it will go into Safe Mode. You will need to run msconfig again and
uncheck /SAFEBOOT to get back to Regular Mode when you are finished
scanning.
I'm not sure what you mean by the antivirus. I understood this to
mean the
Spbybot, etc. programs. I do get a window, a microsoft window, that
says my
antivirus program is outdated. I thought my EZ Armor software was
suppose to do that and it's suppose to be up to date, good until
August some time.
Spybot and Ad-aware are not antivirus programs. Your EZ-AV is the
antivirus, and the August date refers to when your subscription runs
out. The reference to "outdated" means that your virus definitions may
be old. Virus definitions must be current to the minute. Of course, if
you haven't been able to get on line, they won't be to the minute.
Hopefully the definitions will only be a few days old though.
2) I ran Spybot S&D and Ad-aware. I did notice that there were a
number of
malware items listed in the scan. I hadn't used the computer since
the
previous scan. So, I presumed they weren't deleted by my previous
scan. I
ran HijackThis and three items came up. None listed malware. Because
I was
concerned with your note about the expert tool. I exited without
deleting anything.
It does rather sound like you might have something on the system, but I
can't tell from the information here. Run a HijackThis scan and post
the log at the AumHa HJT forum (not here, please). Make sure you read
the posting FAQ first.
http://aumha.net
3) I disabled/enabled System Restore. I have Windows XP, Home
edition.
4) Although I could access the internet, I could not access any
sites. I got that error page, can't find site, can't find page,
(Something like that.)
Doesn't sound like you're on line, then.
5) I couldn't find a firewall program. Although, now that I think
about
it, that microsoft window did have a button for firewall. I haven't
paid much attention to the Windows antivirus/firewall/et. al window,
because I never purchased a Microsoft Antivirus program.
XP SP2 automatically enables the Windows Firewall. Since you mentioned
that you have EZ-Armor you probably have EZ-FW in your system tray
also. This is a firewall and you should disable the Windows Firewall
from its applet in Control Panel. *IMPORTANT*: Only do this if you are
sure you have the EZ Firewall installed!
There is no Microsoft antivirus program. You always need third-party
antivirus software, like EZ-AV.
Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
www.elephantboycomputers.com
In Memoriam - MVP Alex Nichol
The world is diminished without him.
