HELP: add/remove programs list corrupted

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doug Blaisdell
  • Start date Start date
D

Doug Blaisdell

I'm not sure how this happened, but the add/remove programs list lists
only about 20% of the programs that were there before, and the
add/remove button on the ones it does display is disabled (grayed
out). I tried looking in the registry Windows...Uninstall but the key
wasn't even there.

This might be from a virus or from running WashAndGo (which deletes
incorrect reg entries), but I ran Norton and AntiVir and no viruses,
and restored all from WashAndGo and the Recycle bin. Still the same.
I'll have to reinstall windows at this rate.

PS. It's win2k with all the latest updates, norton firewall and
antivirus installed.
 
Doug Blaisdell said:
I'm not sure how this happened, but the add/remove programs list lists
only about 20% of the programs that were there before, and the
add/remove button on the ones it does display is disabled (grayed
out). I tried looking in the registry Windows...Uninstall but the key
wasn't even there.

This might be from a virus or from running WashAndGo (which deletes
incorrect reg entries), but I ran Norton and AntiVir and no viruses,
and restored all from WashAndGo and the Recycle bin. Still the same.
I'll have to reinstall windows at this rate.

PS. It's win2k with all the latest updates, norton firewall and
antivirus installed.
Click to expand...

If you have a firewall, why do you need the updates? I seem to be
alone in this, but after getting smitten with a virus when I first
installed Win2K Pro in March, someone suggested a firewall and
after a bit of tweaking of same, I've had no more problems.

To me, there is something very wrong about allowing someone
(in this case MS) to change my software, for isn't that what the
creators of viruses are trying to do? Most of the 'updates' that
I studied in March/April were for specific issues on specific
software and in many cases suggested an alternative: a firewall.
As a result, I have no updates, none at all - and have been problem
free since April.
 
Greetings Doug.

I had that similar kind of thing happen. It is an internal problem of some
sort with Windows NT based systems. The fix I had was to run the two
commands, you will need your Win2k disc

SFC /PURGECACHE
SFC /SCANNOW

Capitalization doesn't matter. Read
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/system_file_checker.asp
for details on SFC. It mentions WinXP, but the command paramaters remain
the same.

If that fails to work, I would suggest reinstalling IE (IE6 available from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie ) -- don't repair, it might bring back
corruption.
If you have a firewall, why do you need the updates? I seem to be
alone in this, but after getting smitten with a virus when I first
installed Win2K Pro in March, someone suggested a firewall and
after a bit of tweaking of same, I've had no more problems.

To me, there is something very wrong about allowing someone
(in this case MS) to change my software, for isn't that what the
creators of viruses are trying to do? Most of the 'updates' that
I studied in March/April were for specific issues on specific
software and in many cases suggested an alternative: a firewall.
As a result, I have no updates, none at all - and have been problem
free since April.
Click to expand...

Sir Alan:

To each their own. A firewall is <GOOD> practice. However, if you have a
flat tire and somebody offered to run alongside your car each time you need
to go somewhere holding up the corner of the car, should you rely on that
alone?

As I see it, the reason MS releases patches are the fact that they found a
bug, and the patch remidies the problem. GENERALLY speaking, I check all
critical updates, but don't install Application Updates (like IE6,
DirectX9b, Windows Media Player 9 -- all classified as "critical updates"
but I don't apply them).

I don't run the latest software for a reason. Older software tends to be
more tried-and-true than brand new software or updates. My Win2k machine
is SP4, IE5.5 SP2, with all win2k hotfixes, WMP 6.4 (I think). Those don't
give me problems either.

Creators of virus(es) try to HINDER or HURT your machine, Windows update is
supposed to HEAL or FIX your machine. Your view differs from mine, and
that's fine, we've both got opinions. You can have yours, if I can have
mine.


GL, Tim
 
Tim Judd said:
Greetings Doug.

I had that similar kind of thing happen. It is an internal problem of some
sort with Windows NT based systems. The fix I had was to run the two
commands, you will need your Win2k disc

SFC /PURGECACHE
SFC /SCANNOW

Capitalization doesn't matter. Read
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/system_file_checker.asp
for details on SFC. It mentions WinXP, but the command paramaters remain
the same.

If that fails to work, I would suggest reinstalling IE (IE6 available from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie ) -- don't repair, it might bring back
corruption.


Sir Alan:

To each their own. A firewall is <GOOD> practice. However, if you have a
flat tire and somebody offered to run alongside your car each time you need
to go somewhere holding up the corner of the car, should you rely on that
alone?

As I see it, the reason MS releases patches are the fact that they found a
bug, and the patch remidies the problem. GENERALLY speaking, I check all
critical updates, but don't install Application Updates (like IE6,
DirectX9b, Windows Media Player 9 -- all classified as "critical updates"
but I don't apply them).

I don't run the latest software for a reason. Older software tends to be
more tried-and-true than brand new software or updates. My Win2k machine
is SP4, IE5.5 SP2, with all win2k hotfixes, WMP 6.4 (I think). Those don't
give me problems either.

Creators of virus(es) try to HINDER or HURT your machine, Windows update is
supposed to HEAL or FIX your machine. Your view differs from mine, and
that's fine, we've both got opinions. You can have yours, if I can have
mine.
Click to expand...

I get the impression, could be wrong, that MS issues service packs to correct
faulty software and their updates to tackle ongoing security issues . . .

<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/jul04/07-02configchange.asp>
Microsoft continues to recommend . . .
1. Use an Internet Firewall on all PCs and Laptops
2. Update Your Computer
3. Use Up-to-Date Antivirus Software

I can't speak for current updates, but in April the descriptions of the
updates, that I read, all suggested as an alternative - a firewall. So really
I'm just following their advice. (Win2K Pro SP4, IE5.0, OE5.5)

People downloading these updates without a firewall should be aware
that they are vulnerable to attack during the download operation, and
running online using the Admin account is just asking for trouble.

I get attempted attacks while downloading antivirus updates, so my
firewall log tells me. Even while I've been writing this I've had 5 external
attempts to connect (TCP) to mstask.exe and 15 (TCP) ownerless
packets probing ports 1048, 1053, 1057, 4952, 1859, 2623 and 1376.

Alan
 
Hi Tim,

I believe Alan is paranoid that M$ is changing code with some or all of it's
Patches.
They only know, but I wouldn't put it past them. Willie knows how to make
money. (Willy Gates)
But look what good he has done inspiring so many to not like his
Entrepreneurial ways.
he's not the same, but it will wreck so many peoples lives at this point
including investors and those that works in the industry that would somewhat
fall to pieces. But not for long.

My two cents is just that.

Happy holidays,
don

Greetings Doug.

I had that similar kind of thing happen. It is an internal problem of some
sort with Windows NT based systems. The fix I had was to run the two
commands, you will need your Win2k disc

SFC /PURGECACHE
SFC /SCANNOW

Capitalization doesn't matter. Read
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/system_file_checker.asp
for details on SFC. It mentions WinXP, but the command paramaters remain
the same.

If that fails to work, I would suggest reinstalling IE (IE6 available from
http://www.microsoft.com/ie ) -- don't repair, it might bring back
corruption.
If you have a firewall, why do you need the updates? I seem to be
alone in this, but after getting smitten with a virus when I first
installed Win2K Pro in March, someone suggested a firewall and
after a bit of tweaking of same, I've had no more problems.

To me, there is something very wrong about allowing someone
(in this case MS) to change my software, for isn't that what the
creators of viruses are trying to do? Most of the 'updates' that
I studied in March/April were for specific issues on specific
software and in many cases suggested an alternative: a firewall.
As a result, I have no updates, none at all - and have been problem
free since April.
Click to expand...

Sir Alan:

To each their own. A firewall is <GOOD> practice. However, if you have a
flat tire and somebody offered to run alongside your car each time you need
to go somewhere holding up the corner of the car, should you rely on that
alone?

As I see it, the reason MS releases patches are the fact that they found a
bug, and the patch remidies the problem. GENERALLY speaking, I check all
critical updates, but don't install Application Updates (like IE6,
DirectX9b, Windows Media Player 9 -- all classified as "critical updates"
but I don't apply them).

I don't run the latest software for a reason. Older software tends to be
more tried-and-true than brand new software or updates. My Win2k machine
is SP4, IE5.5 SP2, with all win2k hotfixes, WMP 6.4 (I think). Those don't
give me problems either.

Creators of virus(es) try to HINDER or HURT your machine, Windows update is
supposed to HEAL or FIX your machine. Your view differs from mine, and
that's fine, we've both got opinions. You can have yours, if I can have
mine.


GL, Tim
 
Back
Top