Dell Inspiron E1505 running slowly

Ugh!! I just tried to go into the Comodo settings, and it's giving me an error message as well, saying that the firewall isn't functioning properly. It gave me this diagnostic log:

 

Apparently the log isn't working. Grrrrrrr....

 

I saved the Comodo file as a .txt file. Before, it didn't save with a file ending. Weird.

 

Yeah, it did ask me if I wanted to fix the problem - it gave me the log after I clicked yes, when it said it couldn't fix the issue.

 

No, I just installed Comodo last night when you gave me the link.

 

Okay.... I have BIG issues now. I realized that I didn't install the CIS AV, just the firewall. So I went through the installation again trying to add that feature, then rebooted. My system now COMPLETELY freezes up. I've tried rebooting 4 times. It loads up my desktop, but I can't click on anything or open any programs. All I can do it click on the desktop icons to highlight them, nothing else. When I tried to boot in Safe Mode, I got this error message: "User Interface Failure: The Logon User Interface DLL msgina.dll failed to load. Contact your system administrator to replace the DLL, or restore the original DLL." Right now I am on my roomie's laptop.

 

Have you tried
'Last known good configuration'

from the safe mode boot screen (F8)?

 

I was called away earlier whilst preparing this post.

I am going to post it anyway in the hope of continuing when we have solved the msgina problem.

I see from the logs that you have comodo av running.

812 C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cfpconfg.exe
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntdll.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\UxTheme.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\ADVAPI32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\RPCRT4.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\Secur32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\GDI32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\msvcrt.dll
* C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\framework.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\comdlg32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\COMCTL32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHLWAPI.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WINSPOOL.DRV
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\oledlg.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\ole32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\OLEAUT32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WS2_32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WS2HELP.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.Windows.GdiPlus_6595b64144ccf1df_1.0.2600.5581_x-ww_dfbc4fc4\gdiplus.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\FLTLIB.DLL
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSAPI.DLL
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\imagehlp.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WINTRUST.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\CRYPT32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSASN1.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\dbghelp.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\VERSION.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\SETUPAPI.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WININET.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\WINMM.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.2600.5512_x-ww_35d4ce83\comctl32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\logishrd\LVPrcInj01.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\RICHED32.DLL
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\RICHED20.dll
* C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\Themes\CFP.theme
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\msimg32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\appHelp.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\CLBCATQ.DLL
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\COMRes.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\System32\cscui.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\System32\CSCDLL.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\USERENV.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntshrui.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\ATL.DLL
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\NETAPI32.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\LINKINFO.dll
* C:\WINDOWS\system32\xpsp2res.dll

You will not be able to install another AV whilst this is true.

I also see that you have Viewpoint. I'm suprised Tim didn't suggest you remove this as it is a recognised route in for unwanted software on one's pc.

I note that the AVG remover found and removed some registry entries

2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Processing registry SOFTWARE\AVG\AVG8
2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Key SOFTWARE\AVG\AVG8 ForceRemove
2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Processing registry SOFTWARE\AVG
2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Value SOFTWARE\AVGumpType Remove
2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Value SOFTWARE\AVGumpType is not present
2008-11-23 13:47:56,187 MELISSA Processing registry SOFTWARE\AVG
2008-11-23 13:47:56,203 MELISSA Key SOFTWARE\AVG Remove

You can see this because the 'not present' was not reported for all in the list.

I was also reviewing your earlier thread in the malware forum.

Firstly is your pc now running at proper speed?

Secondly what antivirus were you using before you tried to install AVG?

Thirdly I have contacted Tim about the possibility of hidden registry entries, but this is a road I would rather not go down.

 

I've just tried 'Last known good configuration' and it seemed to work for the first few seconds, then froze up again. Comodo is giving me an error message and saying that the program needs to close; I don't know if this has anything to do with the current issue.

I'm not sure what Viewpoint is, which means I don't us it, so I'd be happy to uninstall it! I'm all for getting rid of stuff I don't use... if only I could get the laptop to do anything at all.

Before trying to install AVG, I was running Norton.

I'm at a loss here, as I can't do ANYTHING on this thing right now.

 

Unfortunately I can't get to that link, because I can't get my laptop to do anything. :-( It seems to be okay for the first 10 seconds or so when I boot up, then I get a message that CIS isn't working, and then nothing works at all. What can I do to get the laptop to do anything at all?

 

No, because when I try to boot up in Safe Mode, I get that error message about the missing DLL. The only option it gives me is to click "Restart."

 

try booting with the shift key held down, both to normal and safe mode.

 

I tried both normal and safe mode while holding shift, and it didn't seem to do anything different than when I am NOT holding shift.

 

Pity,

Holding the shift key down bypasses the startup group and can sometimes get you out of a hole if you can nearly boot.

I'm afraid the 'cure' for the msgina problem involves booting to the recovery console and replacing the file, not the easiest proceedure.
Do you have a windows cd available?

 

The system came with a slew of CDs that I've never used. Which one do I need? I have CDs for: OS - Reinstallation DVD for Windows XP Media Center Ediion 2005 with Update Rollup (this CD is red, the others are blue, if that mans anything); Drivers & Utilities - For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron and XPS System Software; Drivers & Utilities - For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron Computer Software; Application - Dell Media Direct 3; Application - For Reinstalling Dell Tools System Software; Application - For Reinstalling Del Media Experience 3.1

 

Since you have the full Dell set, much as I hate to admit it, your best bet is a reinstallation of Windows.

Is there data on the pc that you can't loose?

 

Oh gawd... ummm... yes actually, the programs that I use to work from home (VPN networks) which I can have tech at work reinstall when I go back to the office, but it would be a real pain. I'd be sad to lose some of the programs that I have but... if I must, I must.

Then again, since I am still under warranty, would it make more sense for me to just call Dell and have them send me a new hard drive?

 

I was thinking of the data your programs generate, not the programs themselves.
If programs can be installed once they can be installed again, so long as you have kept the CDs or source.

If your data has been stored on a work server through the VPN all well and good.

If your data is stored on the laptop then you need a means to get it off.

You can install a second copy of XP onto the hard drive, without removing the first.
You can then copy your data elsewhere and perhaps even repair the original installation (you won't have any programs in the second one) and then delete the unwanted installation.

But all this takes time. (probably several hours) It is much slower than simply reinstalling.(about 1 and a half hours)

You might ask your tech to replace the copy of msgina using the repair console and your red disk. This is 10 minutes work.
I doubt that this will help because it will only let you boot if msgina was corupt. I suspect that the comodo service is interfering with the logon (msgina) rather than you having a corrupt file.

For reinstallation you will need the red disk and the drivers and utilities disk.

As the pc is Dell you won't need to worry about product activation on the Windows, but you will probably need to copy the key of the microsoft sticker to somewhere handy.

 

g'nite all

:zzz

 

Yeah, I'm just gonna give Dell a call then and see i they can just send me a new one instead of spending several hours when I don't really know what I'm doing. Thanks a lot for all of your help... I'll keep you updated!

 

I'm sure Dell will only offer a blank hard drive, if anything at all, but good luck.

That means you will still need to install Windows and stuff from your CDs.

If need help with that, we are still here for you, but please only install Windows and the drivers, don't install all the extra stuff or you will get Norton back, amongst other undesirable things.

I don't recommend personal firewalls, most users don't need them. If you want to discuss a security strategy, feel free to use the pm system.

Keep us posted.

 

Thanks guys.