XP updates

[Peter]

I am trying to repair a friend's computer. She has XP SP1. I have an SP2
disk that came with another computer. Can I use that disk to repair and
update her computer? The problem she is having is that Internet Explorer
opens then closes right away, so I cannot get on-line to manage the updates
she needs.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

1. Format & reinstall WinXP, using either the CD(s) that came with her
machine or the hidden Recovery partition. (A Repair Install will not help!)

2. If the reinstall leaves the machine running WinXP SP1, skip SP2 (all
post-SP2 updates) and install WinXP SP3 manually.

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

3. Now do Method 1 and/or Method 2 here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

4. Go to Windows Update and install all security updates offered.

NB: I do NOT recommend installing IE7 via Windows Update or Automatic
Updates!

5. Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled and properly configured:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

6. Take care of everything else on this page:
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Or take the machine to a local, reputable, and independent (i.e., not
BigBoxStore USA or Geek Squad) and have them do all of the above.

 

[Peter]

So, if Internet Explorer is the only program not working, a full reinstall is
the only option?

 

[The Real Truth MVP]

No it is not, don't listen to that PA Bear drunk. Use my free FixIE Tool.
Download it here http://pcbutts1.com/downloads/tools/tools.htm You can save
it to a usb stick and run it from there. If that does not work then you can
download IE7 here but you need to install SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3385-447C-8A30-081805B2F90B&displaylang=en
or get IE6 full version http://www.updatexp.com/download-ie6.html or
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.mspx


--
Ignore posts made by the person called Leythos, he is a stalker who's been
obsessed with me for years ever since I spurned his advances towards me.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please ignore this imposter. Do NOT download anything from the website!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

That'd be the fastest way to resolve the problem, yes. (IE isn't
"infected," Windows is!)

Or you could run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your
hijackthis log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

[HeyBub]

I am trying to repair a friend's computer. She has XP SP1. I have
an SP2 disk that came with another computer. Can I use that disk to
repair and update her computer? The problem she is having is that
Internet Explorer opens then closes right away, so I cannot get
on-line to manage the updates she needs.

Immediate closing of a program is NOT an indicator that the program is
damaged. If it was damaged, it usually won't open at all - at least not
without a very loud moan or error message.

No, the program is doing what it is told to do. Your task is to ferret out
who or what is telling it to close.

The most obvious category of something amiss is malware, especially since
you don't know the history of this box.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

No it is not, don't listen to that PA Bear drunk. Use my free FixIE Tool.
Download it here http://pcbutts1.com/downloads/tools/tools.htm You can
save it to a usb stick and run it from there. If that does not work then
you can download IE7 here but you need to install SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3385-447C-8A30-081805B2F90B&displaylang=en
or get IE6 full version http://www.updatexp.com/download-ie6.html or
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.mspx

Nobody should use anything from your site..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Peter]

Thanks for the responses. It looks like the computer is so near lease
expiration she'll use Firefox and get a Mac laptop.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Who leased it before this? <eg>

Thanks for the responses. It looks like the computer is so near lease
expiration she'll use Firefox and get a Mac laptop.