help menus will not open

[Guest]

In every program that I have (eg. Outlook Express, McAfee, Internet Explorer,
HP Printer) I try to open their Help menus.
I get a list of the items available but when I click on them, on the
righthand side a page comes up with the message *page not available* or
*action cancelled*.
I've been able to get into these help menus before without being connected
to the Internet so I don't understand what this problem is.
My problems started when my son downloaded a p2p program which I have since
deleted.
I have XP Home SP2 edition ~ it's also a brand new computer!

Can anyone help me please?
~ judy

 

[Malke]

In every program that I have (eg. Outlook Express, McAfee, Internet
Explorer, HP Printer) I try to open their Help menus.
I get a list of the items available but when I click on them, on the
righthand side a page comes up with the message *page not available*
or *action cancelled*.
I've been able to get into these help menus before without being
connected to the Internet so I don't understand what this problem is.
My problems started when my son downloaded a p2p program which I have
since deleted.
I have XP Home SP2 edition ~ it's also a brand new computer!

Can anyone help me please?
~ judy

Since your son was doing file-sharing, there is a high probability that
your computer is infested with malware. Here are general steps to go
through systematically to ensure that your computer is clean:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

After you've done those things, if you are still having problems see
this link from MVP Kelly Theriot:

Restore Help and Support Service (Line 235 Left) -
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your help, Malke. Sorry I've been away, but in the end my
computer was so badly infected I took it to get cleaned out.
~ judy

 

[Malke]

Thank you for your help, Malke. Sorry I've been away, but in the end
my computer was so badly infected I took it to get cleaned out.
~ judy

I'm sure that was the right decision for you. Thanks for updating the
thread. Here are some links to help you and your son stay safe on the
Internet. BTW, file-swapping like he was doing is one of the prime
causes of infection, so you should be firm about him not doing that or
you will quickly be right back where you were - infected again.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971 - So How Did I Get
Infected Anyway?
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2006/02/05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - Eric Howes on
Rogue Antispyware Programs
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp - Protect Your PC
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/ - Home Computer
Security

Malke