problems with windows after re-install.

[Guest]

I had the misfortune of a hard drive crash. Fortunately, although a repair
wasnot possible, a re-install was. After installation, I also reinstalled
several programs which i use for security. Including Lavasoft Adaware and
Zonealarm. When running these applications I cannot see some of the controls
(buttons) although moving the mouse to where they buttons should shows that
the area is receiving focus and selection can be made. The text does not
appear. In other areas of applications there are areas of text missing. On
all windows the "title" is missing from the top of the window frame. In
internet explorer and firefox - some pages are not correctly displayed.
Google for example all the results consists of the text missing from the
title of the site or the description in some places where text should appear
are shown as underlined but no text.
After this long winded expaination, can someone please explain what is going
on and a possible remedy.

thanks in advance..
tam2tam

 

[Ted Zieglar]

A virus or spyware is always a possibility.

This is all too common with a reinstall, since many people install their
filtering software too late in the process, and it can take literally
seconds for an unprotected computer to become infected. The internet is that
overrun with malicious software.

How'd you like that hard disk crash - pretty scary, right? Now's the time to
get backup religion. I'm a devout follower myself.

 

[Guest]

Fortunately Ted, I always back up my material, which why I was not all that
bothered about the hard disk failure (once I found out it was not
catastrophic as in replacement ). The only time that the system was left
vulnerable was during the installation where i had to use dial up to
re-activate XP. As soon as it was installed I then installed zonealarm from
disk before connecting broadband. Thats when i first noticed the problem with
some buttons text not showing. Second installation was adaware. Third was all
the windows updates including SP2. I do consider myself IT literate, although
not a guru. I suspect the problem maybe with some missing dynamic link
library specific to buttons and text. I have experience in developing
windows, all be it at student level. Hence the reason I am here. Forget the
problem with web pages not being displayed properly. The fact that in windows
itself the title is not shown on the frame top where the minimize AND
maximize buttons are. "My Documents". "Control Panel" ect.

Thanks in adavance.

 

[Guest]

Come on good people at Microsoft, any clues.

Fortunately Ted, I always back up my material, which why I was not all that
bothered about the hard disk failure (once I found out it was not
catastrophic as in replacement ). The only time that the system was left
vulnerable was during the installation where i had to use dial up to
re-activate XP. As soon as it was installed I then installed zonealarm from
disk before connecting broadband. Thats when i first noticed the problem with
some buttons text not showing. Second installation was adaware. Third was all
the windows updates including SP2. I do consider myself IT literate, although
not a guru. I suspect the problem maybe with some missing dynamic link
library specific to buttons and text. I have experience in developing
windows, all be it at student level. Hence the reason I am here. Forget the
problem with web pages not being displayed properly. The fact that in windows
itself the title is not shown on the frame top where the minimize AND
maximize buttons are. "My Documents". "Control Panel" ect.

Thanks in adavance.