computer burped...

had a dumb blond day around the 12th of March, yanked Norton from my computer. problem is, it was part of the computer's original package, and I learned a long time ago that you don't mess with the original package...but I ditzed and here I am. computer doesn't work so well, now. doesn't boot up or shut down from the tower button, have to turn it on and shut it off at the power strip. fortunately my guy knows a little about computers and did a registry clean with a disc he'd downloaded from MG a while back, and at least I can get online, now. I also lost, in the process, my Compaq Connection Agent (see why you leave the original package alone? yank one thing and some of the domino's fall down....and sometimes they ALL fall down. sigh) which I'm not sure what is but think I may need it to acquire things like Acrobat upgrades. I know something's important with it because some advanced programs on websites are having major hicups when I try to use them. need the upgrades to use tools in the websites, and can't get them-IE chokes and all my windows close after I get a notice first that I need an upgrade and then that an error has occured.
well, one day I decided to heck with this, I'd go back to an old registry....only it was no longer available. all of the early registries were no longer available. only ones made since I yanked Norton. so I'm still getting Norton's start-up window (I absolutely DESPISE Norton, it's a manipulating, controling, interfering program that tried to shut down my computer when I used to use it as AV and my subscription was coming due-mafioso "pay up or we'll shut down your computer". I didn't pay up and I never shall again. grrrr!) and now I have a gimpy computer. it's Norton 2004, and I've no idea if I can download it (well, duh, then the little monster's would want me to buy it which I'd rather....never mind.)
anyway, is there any way I can clean up the computer myself rather than take it into the shop (wish I made the kind of money tech's make, then maybe I could afford to take it in!) I'm no geek, just a bumbling fool...at least, I was when I yanked Norton. ain't broke, don't mess with it...too late.

 

i don't understand why you don't like norton... it's the best anti-virus out there... it only looks into all aspects of your computer to protect you and your files making it a "controlling program" but anyway sounds like you have a virus. clicking this link will bring you to a symantec page and you will see a picture that says"Symantes secuoty check. click it and click virus scan and installing the Active-X controls will do a scan on your computer and let you know for sure. the scan takes a long time but it is worth the effort. afterward symantec may offer a free removal tool for the virus if you have one. if you have a virus and cannot find the removal tool just post the virus name and i will post you a link for the removle tool if alailable.:major

 

One word says it all, but not enough COMPAQ. Please post information about your system when you ask questions.

From your description of events I think your problems are more deep seated than 'just a virus', although you may also have some of those.

Have you got the Compaq recovery disks for operating system and drivers. If not back that stuff up from your hard drive pronto. Also make a boot floppy if you have a drive. BEFORE YOU DO ANY MORE NORTON REMOVAL.

Having secured your future post some basic information about your pc and operating system and list the symptoms. We can then help effectively.


Studio T

 

oh, dear. well, I went and uninstalled norton before coming here. computer still doesn't shut down properly.
no, I don't have any cd's that should have come with the computer. traded for it and they swear nothing but the printer (which they kept) was ever taken out of the box.
Compaq presario WinXP home edition, version 2002 Service Pack 1 intel Celeron CPU version 2.6, 120 MB ram. need anything else? not sure where to find it...
so, now that I've jumped the gun, and I have no cd's, and it isn't shutting down or booting up correctly, what do I do? order cd's from Compaq, for one, I guess.

 

btw, I don't have a virus, although Norton behaves like one to me-and that was on another computer. I use AVGFree 7.5 for my av program, and I'm quite happy with it. Norton infultrated my computer near the end of my annual account with them. they had made it impossible for the entire year for me to upload a large file to a website where I have a storage facility for my data. when the account came close to the end, Norton started shutting down all sorts of areas of my computer, until it barely functioned at all. this was before MG got up and running, so I had to take it into the shop to get Norton removed and my computer functioning again. I attempted to contact them on several occasions regarding the problem, and they never replied to a single one of my emails. Zone Alarm pulled the same thing on me, but just the shutting down my computer as my account came close to its end. I could still upload my file to the www. they were pretty good at first, but later on ignored me. so I have written both companies off. I won't go back to a company who doesn't respond to their customer's issues.