Posts by Catweazle - Page 69

Boot into 'Safe Mode' and log in as 'administrator'. You should have full permissions for performing the work from there.

The second article contains links to articles outlining 'How to use Regedit'

Oh dear!

Simon, you DID turn off your PC and disconnect the power cord before touching anything inside it didn't you? There is power in the motherboard even after you've told Windows to "Shut down" unless you do that!

You may have a damaged RAM module. Try a different module in the PC to see if that makes a difference.

Tools -> Internet Options -> General

Click on 'Delete Files' to clean out your Internet cache. Also ensure 'Show Pictures' is enabled as mentioned previously.

That may not work, but often an excess of 'temporary internet files' will cause problems like this. You could also try a repair of Internet Explorer.

Could you provide the make and model number of your monitor please, and also the scren resolution and refresh rate you are using.

Your problem certainly sounds like one which is related to the monitor itself.

Here is the Microsoft article with step by step instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314060&Product=winxp

This one has links to step by step articles about using the Registry editor:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;256986

Enjoy!

1. Obtain a legitimate copy of Windows XP
2. Set your BIOS boot order to 'CD-ROM - 1st Boot Device'
3. Pop the Windows CD in the drive and Reboot. Press a key to Boot from CD when prompted
4. Install

Definitely do NOT delete the thing. That will only make things worse. Please try reinstalling the program then uninstalling it again.

That's certainly worth a try. I was hoping the trial version would overwrite the earlier install to start with....

...........Can anyone tell me what went wrong and what I should do to fix it? ......

What's gone wrong is that the uninstall log for your earlier installation has either gone missing or is corrupted. The error you are getting is one which is commonly seen when people have deleted things from their PC without first checking if it was something important.

The only thing which will 'fix' it is reinstalling the program to renew the uninstall log, or manually removing traces of the program from both hard drive and Registry.

Check that the display card or the RAM modules have not worked a bit loose in their slots. Those are the most likely options.

Try downloading the trial version from Adobe:

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopel/

Install that and then try an uninstall. Should work, and it can't really make it any worse! A command line isn't going to help you if the uninstall log is corrupted or missing!

The next one was supposed to be:

Terrible

[img]http://groovycool.com/images/photos/Butch_as_Ginger/This_is_truly_terrible.jpg[/img]

Doesn't matter, I did it! :) Here's the next challenge:

Flying fan

Now there's a point! If onboard graphics are a must, then suitable alternatives from ABit's range could be the IS-10 or !S-20, with integrated Intel Extreme2 graphics, or the SG-71 or SG-72 with integrated SiS graphics.

Of course, equivalent boards from other manufacturers are suitable alternatives as well.

In addition to the tools already linked in this topic, here are a couple more which might just prove useful for those persistent infestations which the 'Standard' tools above just don't seem to be successful with:

Trojan Remover http://www.simplysup.com

( A stand-alone tool designed to rid a system of a number of ‘back-door trojans’ which prove difficult for AntiVirus or Anti-Spyware programs to remove once they’ve been ‘triggered’.)

Stinger http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger

( A stand-alone tool provided by MacAffee which is designed to rid a system of quite a few specific Trojans and virus infestations.)

The use of a combination of tools is often necessary to successfully 'clean' an infested system. If the tools you are using don't seem to be having an effect, you canb also try booting into 'Safe Mode' (by pressing <F8> before you get to the Windows 'Logo' screen at startup) and try running the tools from there. Reboot afterwards and see if they've been successful.

Learning to protect against 'Net Nasties', and to get rid of them once they've infiltrated, is your optimal course of action.

Cheers.

There's a whole Security section of these forums!

Best place to start is there. Read the 'sticky's at top of page, the responses to questions which have been asked there, and post your own questions to get advice.

Cheers.

The most direct response to the about|blank hijack I've seen is in this topic:

http://daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread5531.html

Some further hints:

First thing to check is the web page itself. If you see a "Print this page" or "Printable version" link or button, click on it. That's the best option of all!

Some, but not all web pages can be 'fixed' by dragging the browser window to a narrower size, and then clicking on 'refresh' before printing off.

When all else fails, 'Landscape' mode is best. Choose 'File -> Print' and then click on 'Printer Preferences -> Page Layout' (or whatever is there for your printer) and choose 'Landscape Mode' instead of 'Portrait Mode'. Just make the change and click 'OK' to continue. If yopu click on 'Apply' you'll end up changing the default settings for your printer!

I would suggest a Pentium 4 'C' class processor, for it's increased front side bus bandwidth, and you should purchase at least a 2.4 GHz unit. P4C 2.8GHz and 3.0GHz processors are now quite affordable, and the first of those is probably the best 'bangs for bucks' option.

A good option for a motherboard would be the best you can afford from the ABit IC-7 series. Any motherboard with an i865PE or i875P chipset will be fine, really, but I'd suggest you avoid actual Intel brand motherboards, as they generally have most of the 'tweaking' functions disabled that later allow you to squeeze extra performance out of your system.

You should also match it with a couple of 'Branded' modules of PC3200 DDR RAM. Avoid unbranded 'generic' modules, for fear of low quality. The 'budget' lines of manufacturers such as Kingston or Geil are the best choices amongst lower cost alternatives.

Hi,

You've got 2 basic options:

1. Determine the maximum speed and type processor your motherboard will accept, find one for sale on eBay or similar, and use that as the basis for your upgrade. This is hard to do, as most people will have 'maxxed out' their motherboards of that vintage by now if they are keeping them, and the necessary processor will be a keenly sought item which would probably cost more than it's worth.

2. Replace the 'heart' of your system - motherboard, processor and RAM, to give yourself the basis of a modern system upon which you can build as you have funds available.

My recommendation would always be the second option.

If you are interested in pursuing the first option, you will need to supply details of the make/model of your PC, or of the motherboard if it's not a 'Name Brand' system.

Moved to the 'Hardware' section, by the way

Have you got all your Windows Updates downloaded and installed? Are you using up to date AntiVirus protection? Are you regularly using Spyware/Malware detection and removal tools?

This problem will most likely be recurring because of your Computing habits.

Does this behaviour occur immediately when you've used your Recovery CD to set you system up fresh and used Windows Update to download and install all your updates?

If so, you either have a hardware problem or you have changed some hardware items and neglected to correctly install the relevent drivers.

If not, and the problem only occurs after you've used the system for a while, it must be something that you are doing yourself:
Installing a poorly written or incompatible program?
Allowing the system to become virus infected?
Allowing the system to become malware infested?

After you've used the 'Recovery CD, install things slowly, one by one, and check that the system is still stable after each addition or change. Ensure that your Virus/Spyware/Malware/Firewall utilities are the first things you load.

Edit:
You've mentioned power problems causing a shutdown. If this is a common occurrence in your area, you should purchase and use an "Uninterruptible Power Supply" unit to 'condition' the power supply to your PC.

Sorry - I see what you're on about now.

On the General tab for Internet options, ensure that "Days to keep pages in History" is not set to "0".

If there's a time limit displayed there, and you don't get the 'Most Recent Pages' arrow on the Address Bar, then IE is corrupted, the PC spyware/malware infested, or a combination of both, I'd imagine. A clean-up and a re-install of IE sounds in order.

Edit: I've not heard mention of it happening, but it seems to me that if a freebie "Hide what I've been doing so no-one knows I'm looking at p0rn" style program is being used, it might just be a poorly written one which is causing problems :confused:

On the Advanced tab, Jimmy, under 'Browsing', ensure that "Use Inline Autocomplete" is checked ;)

You also forgot to read the Forum Index page carefully. All 'Hijackthis' logs are to be posted in the 'Security' forum section!

Hi boogy,

Your problem could relate to just about any of a thousand and one things, and is most likely related to several of them at once.

You could start by reading through some of the documents to be found from this Google search:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Windows+xp+freezes+after+restart

You could then work through some of the more technical issues mentioned in these Microsoft Knowledgebase articles:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?InCC_hdn=true&Catalog=LCID%3D1033%26CDID%3DEN-US-KB%26PRODLISTSRC%3DON&QuerySource=gASr_Query&Product=winxp&Queryc=troubleshooting+startup+shutdown&Query=troubleshooting+startup+shutdown&KeywordType=ALL&maxResults=25&Titles=false&numDays=&InCC=on

But if you're continually reverting back to the previous day or similar, I'd hazard a guess that you've got some quite well-entrenched system corruption, and perhaps a format and clean install would be the best move for you. Get rid of everything on your hard drive and put Windows back on it clean and fresh for a new start.

What make and model of PC do you have? Do you have a Windows CD, a 'System Recovery CD' or some other medium to refresh or clean install your system?

You can open your internet opyions when you IE in the 'tools' section

heh heh.......

I hardly see how that's going to help with wiping the hard drive clean and starting over with a fresh install of windows ;)

Made me wonder what the hell had happened to my system, Dani :D

Good ole Internet Explorer to the rescue! I turned the feature off, and now it looks all neat 'n' clean again.

(I really don't like the look of those lines everywhere. Makes it messy looking in my view.)

caperjack and crunchie.

You fellas have got it covered quite a bit more comprehensively than I did when I put together the 'Sticky' at top of page about 'Helping Youself'.

Would you consider adding the bits I've missed out on to that topic? It would only need a simple link to one spot then, to cover these situations.

That's what I did caperjack.

The Google results indicate NOD32 has included this trojan in their signature files since version V.1.730

heh heh..... Looks like it's me standing still, I reckon. I'll leave this to others more knowledgeable than myself. All I know is NOD32 has never let me down, and I've seen reference to its signature files including mention of this particular trojan.

**** whistles and wanders off, awaiting developments......

:D

NOD32 can't clean it because it's a trojan. Delete instead! There's quite a few other AntiVirus packages which should be able to deal with it, as far as I can determine. I doubt if any of them would clean rather than delete, though.

NOD32 AntiVirus should be able to clean that one - it's included in the signature file for it!

Your best option by far, given that you have a network, is to use an all-in-one Cable/ADSL Gateway/Router/Modem. Full anti-intrusion protection, no software overhead, and you can now purchase them at a quite low price.

You should also check to see if you have your network configured appropriately. Just because it works doesn't necessarily mean it's properly configured to work well.

I's also check, if you have Windows XP, to make sure you're not using the inbuilt Windows XP Firewall as well as your Norton one. Having both running can slow things down. If you're simply getting a reminder message that you need to renew your subscription, I'd doubt very much that it would impact on performance.

The Files and settings transfer wizard is not designed for the purpose you're trying to put it to.

It's for transferring your settings and data to a different computer you intend to use Windows XP on, and which you intend to use as a replacement system.

You'll find a very good guide to setting up and using DCC at the link I've provided in this article:

http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/661725D4C744FCFFCA256E720018B86F

Detailed instructions can be provided. There are quite a few very good 'Help yourself' articles published on the Web.

But to enable the best advice/links to be given, please supply:

What is your Windows version?
Is your PC a 'Name Brand' one or a locally assembled PC?
Have you backed up your data, and do you need assistance with this?

Wiping your hard drive clean and installing Windows fresh will eliminate everything you have there. You need to be prepared before starting - afterwards is too late!

You almost certainly have a spyware/malware problem which is causing your system to be unstable.

Check the 'Helping yourself' stickied topic in the 'Security' section of the forum, and if you still have unresolved issues after working through the suggestions there you should repost your topic in the 'Security' forum.

The best practice to follow when problems arise uninstalling a program is to reinstall and then uninstall it. The problems such as the one you mention generally only arise when files are missing or corrupted, and reinstallation should fix that. You can then uninstall again successfully.

If you mean that Windows was already installed on the HDD, then the HDD was installed in the system, then that's the wrong way around to do things. Format and install again if that's the case. Windows XP does NOT handle motherboard change at all well!

Try this site:

http://www.sentryfirewall.com/docs.html

Sentry Firewall CD is a bootable CD-ROM which you can use in an old PC to configure it for operation as a Linux-based hardware firewall/router.

I've linked the 'Documents' page of the site, and you sould read the documentation before starting. The CD is downloadable as a compressed ISO image file, which must be extracted and burnt to CD.

There's a bit of a 'learning curve' involved with getting it set up and going, but the documentation available for download is comprehensive, and the free product is well worth the effort. You can have it running on an old system, you don't even need a hard drive in it as the program creates and uses a 'RAM disk', and so long as you leave the old system running 24/7 you'll end up with complete hardware protection for your network, and save the costs of dedicated hardware.

Recommended!

Not is, Tekmaven, "Was".

The 266MHz fsb 2800+ was only ever a very small, and I think special purpose, production run. In effect, you might as well say they 'don't exist', and AMD has removed the entry from their specifications page now also.

http://139.95.253.214/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=73,E=0000000000080998698,K=6715,Sxi=15,Case=obj(1224)

(It used to have an entry there until recently ;) )

Reinstall Internet Explorer then.

I have NEVER found an instance where this regular and common problem couldn't be fixed by clearing the Internet cache. I would also advise avoiding the use of gimmicky utilities. Regular use of the inbuilt maintenance tools is always the best policy to follow.

Your Athlon 2800+ should run at 2083MHz. (It may vary a few MHz from that but it should not be more than about 5MHz difference.)

In BIOS setup, it should be set to a core clock speedof 166MHz and a core clock multiplier of 12.5x. You should also have your RAM set to run at 333MHz.

Check BIOS setup for the settings you have for those to ensure it's configured correctly. If those are correct, then please discard any utility programs which are misreporting it. If they're not correct, then change them.

****56K warning ****

If there are numerous images on the page, load times for Dial-up users may be slower.

*******************

Time for a new game perhaps? The last 'images' topic I tried proved popular for a brief while, but it wasn't designed to be ongoing. How about this one?

Pick a ridiculous situation.
Post a picture found with Google image search that illustrates it.
Pick the topic for the next person to do.

I'll start it off with "Dog wearing sunglasses"

[img]http://www.theorientalcaravan.com/images/Postcard%20Japan%202003/dog_in_sunglasses_shopwindow.JPG[/img]

You make the image appear by displaying it full size from your Google results, right-clicking it and choosing 'Properties', and copy/paste the address shown for the image into the dialogue box you get from the 'Insert image' button above the Post entry/edit box. (You'll need to use the 'Reply' function, not the 'Quick reply' or you won't get the Image Insert button)

Next picture:

"Banana on holidays"

Edit: In retrospect, it's apparent that I've not explained the 'intent' of the game fully.

Simply put, the next image merely needs to 'fit' with what's been asked for. You're not restricted to only using the term asked for as a Google search criteria. Use lateral thinking and creative use of Search Criteria to 'find' an image which illustrates the term requested, using Google Image Search.

Sometimes, simpling using the request as a Search criteria will bring an immediate …

Not quite correct, tommi. Optical drives have a habit of 'going missing', particularly when changes have been made to the installed burning software.

For starters, bones50, try opening up Device Manager (Right-click My Computer, and choose Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager)

Find the entries for your Optical drive(s) select them and choose Uninstall for each.

Reboot your system and allow them to be redected and installed again. Report back if there's still a problem please.

Hi Laura,

C:Program Files\Common Files is a necessary Folder to your System's operation. I'm sure crunchie meant C:\Program Files \Common Files\slmss

The items mentioned all referred to the list above those instructions. Have a look at them again and check that you've got the correct ones when you made changes.

Hi nik,

If you use the 'Search' function to look for topics about 'svchost.exe' I'm sure you'll find quite a number of discussions that may prove relevent to you. Please read them and if you still have not found a solution then start a separate thread for your problem.

Pigy-backing questions on the end of an earlier discussion can lead to confusion, rather than the assistance you're seeking.

Welcome to TechTalk, by the way!

moral, please start a new topic for separate questions.

I've just recently answered that one at another forum I frequent:

http://forums.networknext.com/pcpp/viewtopic.php?t=22688

Hi mate.

Have a chat to the TV/Electronics repairmen in your area and see if you can find one who will have a look at it for you at an affordable price.

Virtually all monitors have an internal adjustment which controls brightness, as well as the one on the front. With a bit of luck, you just might be able to get a bit more out of it, and extend the life of that old monitor a little more.

Don't, under any circumstances, try to pull it apart and fiddle with it yourself. Unless you know what you're doing, you can end up DEAD!! There are many, many thousands of volts running around inside the thing, and you have to have it turned on while it's being adjusted.

If you can find someone who'll give it a 'tweak' for you for about $40 or $50, then it's well worth a try!

That's Australian dollars I'm referring to there, but you get the drift, I'm sure. If you've got screen brightness turned right up, but your monitor no longer reponds, that's worth a try.

Sure you haven't adjusted the monitor brightness down all the way to black? Might sound silly, but I've seen sillier things happen.

Do either of these systems work with a different monitor connected? A different monitor cable? Does the monitor in question work OK on a different PC?

Edit: Sorry, please disregard that - I just reread your question a bit more attentively.

Have you tried using a PCI or AGP add-in display card with them?

Well, there's no way to do that inbuilt with Windows XP. you've most likely tried and noticed that the 'color' setting is blanked out for icon text. But it can be done using a utility program. Here are a few alternatives for you to consider:

12Ghosts SetColor (Windows, $29.95 shareware):
http://12Ghosts.com/ghosts/setcolor.htm
Quote: "Set the text color of your desktop icons. You may also make the background transparent. Although Windows does not allow changing these colors, this special tool can, automatically and easily."

SillySot Software's Iconoid (Windows, sillyware):
http://www.sillysot.com/
Quote: "Iconoid is a Windows desktop icon manager.
Make icon backgrounds transparent
Select any color for icon backgrounds"

CursorArts' ActivIcons (Windows, freeware):
http://www.cursorarts.com/ca_aifw.html
Quote: "ActivIcons makes it simple to change properties for various icons on your Windows desktop and in Explorer, plus attributes for many other desktop settings. You can save and restore the desktop layout, repair corrupted icons, increase the size of the Windows icon cache to prevent future problems, and much more."

I can see your title, marceta, but could you please also explain just what your problem is?

Are they changing and you don't want them to? Do you want to change them and don't know how to? Your question is a bit vague.

It most certainly will NOT boot without a processor fitted.

Are you absolutely certain that the RAM and display card slots are clean, and that the components also have clean connectors and are firmly and fully inserted?

If that's the case, and you've also checked that those components work fine, and that your monitor and monitor cable are also in good order, then yep! Either a dud ppppower unit, a dud processor or a dud motherboard. If you haven't got another system to swap 'n' change components with for checking, then it's off to the repair shop it seems.