Help! Deep in Computer hell.

[Guest]

I attempted to install NAV 2007 on Saturday and have been on a miserable ride
since. After 2+ hours on the phone with their support, we manually
completely uninstalled 2007 and my earlier 2005 version. Apparently, Norton
would not install because of a conflict with McAfee. Tried to remove McAfee
through Control Panel - Uninstall. McAfee is listed, but when I click on
Change/Remove, seems there is nothing there to remove.

So, seems like the machine has now been operating without any virus
protection. Noticed that when I visited sites through IE some content was
not populating, or when certain links were clicked on, nothing would happen.
Today I was able to download a trial of McAfee off CNET, but when I click on
install, files extract, but then install window pops up blank. As I'm
getting desperate, was considering a System Restore, but when I click
Accessories/System Tools/System Restor, window comes up blank. Is there a
way for me to save this machine? Really need to protect some of the data
stored on it, so I hope that's possible.

Look forward to hearing any and all suggestions,
Thanks,
Christine

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Pull the plug on your modem connection first. Then backup any important data to removeable media. (CD/DVD/External hard drive)

Next plug the modem back in and go to the following website and get a real anti-virus product (for free) and quit trying to install these products that think they need to completely take over the system.

AVG Anti-Virus Free:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

 

[Guest]

Ronnie,
Thanks for your suggestions. I backed up as you said and installed the AVG
Anti-Virus software. It successfully installed and ran a scan. Results were
NO virus, infections, threats, etc. I'm pleased with this software and the
scan results. However, I'm still missing content and abilities in IE. For
example, I attempted to login to this newsgroup site and was unable to.
Clicking on the Signin button has absolutely no effect. As such, I'm posting
this follow-up from a computer other than the one experiencing the problems.
What should be my next step?
Christine

 

[Daave]

Thanks for your suggestions. I backed up as you said and installed
the AVG Anti-Virus software. It successfully installed and ran a scan.
Results were NO virus, infections, threats, etc. I'm pleased with this
software and the scan results. However, I'm still missing content and
abilities in IE. For example, I attempted to login to this newsgroup
site and was unable to. Clicking on the Signin button has absolutely
no effect. As such, I'm posting this follow-up from a computer other
than the one experiencing the problems. What should be my next
step?

First of all, congratulations on using AVG.. Make sure you keep it
updated.

Regarding removing your other AV apps:

http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq.asp?frames=1&docid=68717

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

You might also want to look at
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fully_remove_norton_antivirus_from_my_system.html

Which XP service pack do you have: SP2?

Which version of IE are you running?

Have you tried repairing IE:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378

Or http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/support/default.mspx for Version
7.

Finally http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm is very
comprehensive. And you should set a System Restore point for future use:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=799204

HTH.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Christine

Follow the advice that Dave posted here. He has pretty much covered all the bases. If you still have no joy with a solution, post the details of what has happened so far to the Internet Explorer newsgroup. Click the following link to go there or copy/paste the URL address in the address bar of the browser.

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

 

[Guest]

Dave (and Ronnie)

I appreciate your help and am eager to try all that you suggested,
unfortunately, I'm not having any luck. BTW - running SP2.

Prior to your response I had considered that there was a problem with IE - I
could not determine exactly which version was running, since a right click
and check of Properties showed a blank in response to version (but it was
probably 5 or 6) - so last night I downloaded and installed 7. I was
hopeful! But to no avail, I still cannot click on links, some content is
missing, etc. And that recurring problem is what is making it impossible for
me to follow the steps you outlined. If I type the urls that you gave me in,
I get a "cannot display the webpage" error. The simplest route would be to
pull up your response in the newsgroup and click on the links, however, I
cannot even view the newsgroups. So, I'm sitting here viewing your response
on my laptop, while trying to implement the steps on the desktop.

Here's how I've progressed with your first step, the McAfee removal:
My initial attempts at installing NAV 2007 caused me to try the automatic
uninstall - control panel/add remove programs. I don't think it worked
successfully as I would get a message to the effect that in order for McAfee
to be uninstalled Security Center had to be uninstalled first. Started there
again today - looks like simply Security Center was listed - clicked Remove,
believe it removed successfully. I then attempted to follow up on the
remaining steps just to be sure (however, could not download the registry
cleanup file). Removing Virus Scan Shortcuts was successful - Deleting the
Virus Scan Files - under Program Files/Common Files, there was no Network
Associates folder present. Here's where another problem arose - Delete Misc.
McAfee Files - clicked on Start / Search - Search box comes up, but no
options - the Find Files dialog box does not appear. Tried a Restart - same
situation.

I will move on to attempting to follow the Symantec steps, but I imagine I
will encounter problems there as well.

This is making me very miserable and I appreciate all help.
Thank you
Christine

 

[Daave]

I get a "cannot display the webpage" error. The simplest route would
be to pull up your response in the newsgroup and click on the links,
however, I cannot even view the newsgroups. So, I'm sitting here
viewing your response on my laptop, while trying to implement the
steps on the desktop.

You will need to use your laptop for browsing, downloading, and burning
discs containing the software you need for your laptop.

My initial attempts at installing NAV 2007 caused me to try the
automatic uninstall - control panel/add remove programs. I don't
think it worked successfully as I would get a message to the effect
that in order for McAfee to be uninstalled Security Center had to be
uninstalled first. Started there again today - looks like simply Security
Center was listed - clicked Remove, believe it removed successfully.

At this point, did you try again to uninstall VirusScan via add/remove
programs?

I then attempted to follow up on the remaining steps just to be sure
(however, could not download the registry cleanup file).

I understand; so you will need to use the laptop for this; those
registry files (in this case) really need to be addressed.

If you haven't done so already, print out all the links from my previous
e-mail. They should contain all the info/downloads you need.

Then again, you could always backup data and settings, make sure you
have all the necessary drivers and perform a clean install. (And then
remember to create a Restore point! Actually, creating an image of your
pristine hard drive at that point would be even more beneficial.)

 

[Guest]

Dave - an update/response

At this point, did you try again to uninstall VirusScan via add/remove
programs?

When I view Add/Remove Programs, there are currently no McAfee or Symantec
programs listed.

I understand; so you will need to use the laptop for this; those
registry files (in this case) really need to be addressed.

I went to your "how can I fully remove. . ." link and attempted to follow
the steps. Obviously, I could not conduct the "Search" for Norton files, as
my Search box is not functioning correctly. However, I proceeded to your
last step, going to the Registry. I removed all files for McAfee and
Symantec under the Current User and Local Machine.

At this point it appears that there are no Symantec or McAfee files on the
machine. Unfortunately, I'm still experiencing missing items on websites. I
have noticed that everytime I click on IE, as it opens, the address bar
states "http://runonce.msn.com/runonce2.aspx" despite the fact that I set the
home page as aol.com. If I click on the home link in IE it will take me to
the appropriate site, but upon opening IE, I get a blue screen with the above
mentioned address.

I will backtrack and download the McAfee and Symantec removal tools, via my
laptop and install on the desktop, if you think that still needs to be done
even though I went through the registry to remove all files.

I would gladly have done a System Restore on this machine days ago, but as I
believe I mentioned, clicking on System Restore from the Performance and
Maintenance screen brings up a completely blank screen. For comparasion I've
visited System Restore on my functioning laptop, and you're provided with two
options, Restore my computer to an earlier date or Create a restore point.
If System Restore were functioning on the desktop (not even my computer, my
fathers) I would select that first option (restore to earlier date) in a
heartbeat.

Thanks Dave
Christine

 

[Daave]

At this point it appears that there are no Symantec or McAfee files
on the machine. Unfortunately, I'm still experiencing missing items
on websites. I have noticed that everytime I click on IE, as it
opens, the address bar states "http://runonce.msn.com/runonce2.aspx"
despite the fact that I set the home page as aol.com. If I click on
the home link in IE it will take me to the appropriate site, but upon
opening IE, I get a blue screen with the above mentioned address.

Whoa!!!

Now *I'm* having problems, too, Christine!

I entered the above URL as a search term in the Google Groups archive
interface. No matter which thread (containing that URL in its name) I
clicked on, instead of going to that thread, it went to that Web page!

Using my OffByOne browser, I fortunately was able to click on the links
without the above behavior. I noted the following potentially useful
fixes.

First, try:

IE Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Browsing>Enable third-party browser
extensions (uncheck & reboot).

If no joy, then try:

1) Go to "Run", type regedit and hit OK
2) Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Main\
3) Right click in the right side panel and click on "New" and choose
"DWORD
value"
4) Add RunOnceHasShown in the area provided, hit enter, then double
click it
and change the value from "0" to "1"
5) Lastly, do the exact same thing but type RunOnceComplete and change
it's
value from "0" to "1".
6) Open up IE7 and it should go to your home page instead of that
annoying
blank blue page with errors.

Also, it would be a good idea to try another browser (even if only
temporarily). Although down the road, you may want to try Opera or
Firefox, for now why don't you try OffByOne (it's a pleasantly small
app):

http://offbyone.com/offbyone/

In the meantime, *I* will start a new thread addressing this weird
http://runonce.msn.com/runonce2.aspx phenomenon. Googling this tells me
that most people experiencing this problem are running IE 7. FWIW,
currently I'm using a 98SE machine with IE 6.

I'll address the System Restore issue in another post.

 

[Daave]

I will backtrack and download the McAfee and Symantec removal tools,
via my laptop and install on the desktop, if you think that still
needs to be done even though I went through the registry to remove
all files.

Absolutely. These programs can really screw up systems, especially if
they are not totally removed. It's quite possible your System Restore
issue is related to one or both of these programs.

I would gladly have done a System Restore on this machine days ago,
but as I believe I mentioned, clicking on System Restore from the
Performance and Maintenance screen brings up a completely blank
screen. For comparison I've visited System Restore on my
functioning laptop, and you're provided with two options, Restore my
computer to an earlier date or Create a restore point. If System
Restore were functioning on the desktop (not even my computer, my
fathers) I would select that first option (restore to earlier date)
in a heartbeat.

I found a fascinating five-page thread on this "white screen of death"
phenomenon:

http://www.ntcompatible.com/System_...several_fixes_none_of_them_worked_t33879.html

Or http://tinyurl.com/y8gue3

For those interested, it pretty much covers all the possible causes and
solutions. A brief summary:

Internet Explorer is an integral part of Windows and thus System
Restore. The solution seems to involve either a repair of IE or
addressing whatever it is that is interfering with IE. Could be as
simple as JavaScript or an anti-spyware application overreaching. Could
very well be alteration of certain files courtesy of McAfee or Symantec.
Possible fixes (there are many!) include registry fixes, _completely_
removing McAfee, and upgrading to IE 7. The fellow who started the
thread and had unsuccessfully tried just about everything under the sun
decided to run his HP system's built-in System Recovery console -- which
suggested he try System Restore! However, clicking on *that particular*
button in *that particular* interface actually worked for him!

Weird, wild, stuff...

 

[Daave]

Whoa!!!

Now *I'm* having problems, too, Christine!

I entered the above URL as a search term in the Google Groups archive
interface. No matter which thread (containing that URL in its name) I
clicked on, instead of going to that thread, it went to that Web page!

FWIW, I figured out what my problem was. Apparently, WebWasher's
standard filter, which affects html referers, causes the links to
change.

 

[Guest]

Dave -
First, belated Happy Thanksgiving.

Sorry, didn't want you experiencing problems too!
Tried both of your suggestions for the "runonce" page fix, no joy - neither
worked.
Did you start a separate thread on that issue? If so, where can I find it?
Since I don't have WebWasher, I need to find out what's causing my problem.

For the time being will work with another browser.

Thanks
Christine

 

[Daave]

Dave -
First, belated Happy Thanksgiving.

And a belated Happy Turkey Day to you, too, Christine.

Sorry, didn't want you experiencing problems too!

Nah, that would have happened, regardless.

Tried both of your suggestions for the "runonce" page fix, no joy -
neither worked.
Did you start a separate thread on that issue?

Actually, there was no need to since I discovered WebWasher was the
direct cause of my situation.

Since I don't have WebWasher, I need to find out what's
causing my problem.

Be sure to check out the link in my other post:

http://tinyurl.com/y8gue3

It pretty much covers all the bases. If none of those suggestions work
(be patient; there are five pages!), you should probably do a repair
install:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Dave-

Be sure to check out the link in my other post:

http://tinyurl.com/y8gue3

Was probably doing that as you posted. . .
Just back inside after a little leaf raking - eyes needed a break after
reading the five pages of posts. Saw some hope there - especially as one
poster had both the System Restore and Search blank page problems I'm having.
Fingers crossed, gonna try some of those remedies.

Keep you posted.
Thanks,
Christine

 

[Guest]

Dave -
Just wanted to let you know - it's all OK! System Restore, Search and IE
all working fine. In fact, computer now faster than it used to be. I didn't
even need to resort to working through the five page posts - once I was able
to run the McAfee and Norton uninstall programs everything cleared up. I was
surprised by two things - that the McAfee, rather than deleting items,
actually added a registry entry from a temp folder and that the Norton tool,
despite prior painstaking manual removal, found more than a few files to
delete.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Appreciate your patience.
Christine

 

[Daave]

Glad it worked!

--
Dave

Dave -
Just wanted to let you know - it's all OK! System Restore, Search
and IE
all working fine. In fact, computer now faster than it used to be.
I didn't even need to resort to working through the five page posts -
once I was able to run the McAfee and Norton uninstall programs
everything cleared up. I was surprised by two things - that the
McAfee, rather than deleting items, actually added a registry entry
from a temp folder and that the Norton tool, despite prior
painstaking manual removal, found more than a few files to delete.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Appreciate your patience.
Christine