help!!!! please!!!

Okay I have a problem with my computer when I try and turn it on in normal mode it starts up then flicks off and goes to the bsod with the error message irq-not-equal-to-less well something like that. I really don't know anything about computers and I don't know how to fix it , I can only access my computer in safe mode. Please excuse my inept way of explaining.... but if you can please help I would be very gratefull

I have windows xp home edition.

 

It's a very good sign that you can access safe mode.

What changes to software or hardware have you made just before it stopped working properly?

Have there been any recent updates?

It is likely that your error is memory related. Either some memory cells have become faulty or some program (eg a new driver) is trying to access memory it shouldn't.

 

I downloaded bearshare and that was when weird things started to happen, I alos just installed a usb thingy that lets me get on the net....... How do I start to fix the memory thing? I have deleted bearshare and the music I downloaded and a load fo other rubbish I didn't need, but I don't have a clue how to fix it. Thanks for replying.x

 

I suggest System Restore. You can do this from Safe Mode.

Start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore.

Restore to a date before your new gadgets and software.

How did you get on the net before the 'usb thingy' and what is is called?

 

opps forgot to mention that I have tried system restore several times and it didn't complete. The usb thingy I think is called a dongel????? I don't need a phone line with it, it works like a mobile phone. Dial up was how I got on the net before.

 

Have to tried going to the safe mode screen but select "last know good configuration" instead of safe mode?

 

yeah have tried that but again didn't work!!!! Thanks though.

 

It's very important that you are precise when you do or say things in computing. Computers are very unforgiving of human imprecision.

Did you delete or uninstall?

Next time you are in safe mode go to the control panel and choose add/remove programs.

Look for anything recently installed and uninstall it. Tell us if anything refuses to go.

Then start>run>typein

msconfig.

choose diagnostic startup
apply and choose restart now.

Allow normal start, what happens?

 

I had uninstalled it, sorry!! It wouldn't let me go into the diagnostic start up so I did the selective start up and am now waiting to see what happens.......................yay I am in normal mode and it haqsn't sent me to the bsod. THANKS!!! Do I have to do anything else or is it all fixed now???????
THANKS.X

 

I suggest you download ccleaner slim

http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

And clean registry issues.

What is listed in your startup tab on msconfig?

 

Don't know whether this is the info you wanted but here go's

selective start up
process system.ini file ( which is ticked)
process win ini file (which is not ticked)
load system services (which is not ticked)
load start up items(which is ticked but in a grey colour, the other ticks were black)
use original BOOT INI( which is ticked)
So will I be able to access the net now then?
Thanks again.x

 

Well this was not exactly what I meant but it is useful information nonetheless.

If you look at the tabs along the top you will see the names you listed.
Can you post screenshots of the win.ini and startup tabs like the ones I have appended.

Yours may not look quite like mine, since mine are from Windows 2000.

Although it is not good practice to run Windows with msconfig on selective startup, I have seen users do this for years without harm.

I would guess someone at sometime in the past had a problem and 'cured' it by suppressing the difficulty with msconfig. This is only a diagnostic program and has not effected a permanent cure. Perhaps the old problem has resurfaced.

 

Argh I don't know how to do it, but I had a look at mine and it is a lot longer than yours and bearshare is still appearing in the start up, when I have double checked I uninstalled and deleted it! I hardly reconise all the start up programs! Sorry I can't do the screen shot thing! Please say you can still help. My general tab is exactly like yours though. Thanks again you are being really helpfull.

 

I only suggested the screen shot because it is a deal less work than copying out the list.

Unfortunately you can't produce a textfile output from msconfig.

To make a screenshot


Hold the key shift key down and press printscreen.. (this will make a copy of the screen on the clipboard)
Unless you have a better graphcis program, like paint shop pro

start>programs>accessories>paint
ctrl key +v
yes to increase canvas size.
Save file as a jpg

I think in your version of paint you can crop the picture to make the file smaller than 97k, which is the max at MG.

Back at MG, choose 'go advanced' under the reply box
click on the paperclip
choose browse and navigate your computer to choose the screenshot
choose upload

you can test it with preview. You will need some text in the reply box as well.

 

I am on a different computer as my comp can't access the net at the mo, so I am afriad I am going to have to copy it all down, sorry!

start up item command location

dumprep o-k %systemroot%\syste HKLM\SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentver

ALCXMNTR ALCXMNTR.EXE SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


bearshare " c:\program files\bea SOFTWAREmicrosoft\windows\currentversion\run

bittorrent " c:\program files\bit t SOFTWAREmicrosoft\windows\currentversion\run

 

e c:WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

hkcmd c:WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


HPWuschd2 crogram files\hp\h SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

hpsysdrv c: windows\system\hp SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

igfxtray c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

KBD c:HP\KBD\KBD.EXE SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

dumprep o-k %systemroot%\sys SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

lanmanwrk c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

wkdetect crogram files\micro SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

msmsgs crogram files\mes SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


MsnMsgr c: program files\ msn SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

RUNDLL32 RUNDLL32.EXE.NvQT SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

nwiz nwiz.exe/install SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


I only have ten more to write down just thought I would post these in case you can see the problem from these.x

 

The thing to remember is that msconfig can't keep up with changes to your pc in selective mode, only in normal mode (general tab).

So bearshare etc may be a leftover and will correct itself when we get back to normal mode. (note this is not the same as safe mode verses normal start)

Meanwhile let's work on your internet connection.

Please confirm that you can now get normal startup as well as safe mode?

If so what happens with your Internet connection?

Is everything else working?

 

Don't know where the smilies came from sorry!

launchapplication c: \ program files\ nokia SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

Pcsync2 c: \program files\ nokia SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

alt c:\ WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


ps2 c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

RECGUARD C:\WINDOWS\SMINST SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

sbodyzfhdza c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

sgtrayc:\program files\VER SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

jusched c:\program files\JAV SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

ddrive c:\ Documents and setttings startup

hp center c:\PROGRA 1\HPCENTER common startup


Hope this helps, I know I am a pain but am very gratfull to any help you can offer. Thanks Emma.x

 

lanmanwrk c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run


This one is malware

I don't see any antivirus program yet is it in the other 10?

 

If you haven't got typists cramp, how about answering my questions in post#17.

Try unticking the following lines in msconfig startup tab and restarting the pc.

sbodyzfhdza c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
&
lanmanwrk c:\WINDOWS\system SOFTWARE\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

If this doesn't help try selecting 'disable all' (and restarting) This will not affect the core of Windows.

 

Yeah I can get into normal mode now but only through the selective start up thing. I deleted norton anti virus a while ago, someone told me I didn't need it!
Everything else seems to work fine, when I plug my usb internet thing in nothing happens! How do I get rid of that malware? I did this scan thing yesterday called mart and That said it had removed all the malicious software?

 

Sorry don't know what I need to untick?

 

Doing without Norton is generally a good thing; doing without antvirus/antimalware is not. Especially since you visit torrent and share sites, which are a prolific source of problems.

What I am trying to do here is to get you going again so that you can visit the proper Major Geeks forum for malwae removal and let Chas and the boys give you the works.

The two lines you should untick are listed in my post 20. They were copied from your posts 16 and 18 - what I take to be the list from your startup tab in msconfig.

I have not heard of 'mart' scan (do you mean wal mart?) perhaps they set msconfig and stopped some things which includes your USB internet.

 

They were already unticked in selective start up. So I disabled all and have re started, now it is taking forever to shut down.

 

opps mrt which is mircosoft malicous removal tool,

 

Yes they like to slip it in with updates these days. It is good for the malware it hits, but is far from comprehensive.

Is this a wireless connection or a modem with a usb link cable to your pc?

 

It works like a mobile phone and dials it up ,my usb has a sim card in it and that is how I get on the net it is like any other conection except I don't need a phone line. Right when you said normal mode did you mean not selective start up coz I think I got confused, I can't come out of selective start up as it sends me back to the bsod, I am so so sorry for being a numpty!

 

From the list in your post 11.

please confirm that services are not ticked.

If so it is likely that this is the cause of you loss of internet. I don't know why these were stopped but some are essential to windows and some are essential to internet connection.
If you are using wifi it will not work if

'wireless zero configuration' is disabled or stopped.

So ticking at least all the microsoft services in the services tab and then enabling 'load system services' in the general tab should get you internet running.

then head over to the malware forum for a proper AV checkup.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

do the read and runme first.
Then look at Chas' advice on protection.

It's gone half past midnight here so I'm signing off for today (tomorrow)

I'll look again tomorrow and see how you got on.

 

Normal is confusing

When you get to the screen, before windows boots, which offers safe mode, normal mode etc etc this refers to different versions (modes) of windows xp that you can run. Safe mode is much simpler than the mode you normally use (normal mode you know and hate)

I aassume you can now get to this?

Safe mode is simpler because, amongst other things the internet does not work. For this you need the next mode up - Safe mode with networking.

OK now for the confusion:

Msconfig regers to normal startup and selective startup.

Normal startup is into normal mode or safe mode or whatever mode, with everthing switched on.

Selective startup is into normal mode or safe mode or whatever mode with some things switched off. You can select what is on and what is off.

But remember Msconfig only runs within windows after it has booted into some mode or another. And the items you have selected to switch on or off are only switched at next boot.

 

Thanks for that, I could get into normal mode but with selective start up! I did a disk clean thing and then restarted it, then a message appeared saying windows had recovered from a serious fault and to send an error report , so I tried to get on the net and it worked recognized my usb thing and it could not send the error report as it was corrupted and then as I was waiting for major geeks to load so I could do what you advised it blue screened again!! I am begining to think it is a lost cause or that I can't fix it!

 

I did the misconfigure and am now back in normal mode selective start up and have not been sent to the bsod .....yet.

 

Leave msconfig in selective startup until the underlying problems have been fixed.
Have you restarted the services?
If you can now get on the internet, report to Chas and Tim as earlier indicated.

Refer them also to this thread by copying the address bar and pasting it into your new thread in malware removal.

 

I did get on the net but half way through loading the majorgeeks website it blue screened, do I give it another try?

 

I understand that you may be having difficulty accessing the internet, with whatever other working connection you are using, but try to make your answers as complete as possible.

I am having to do a deal of guesswork as to your settings and on unanswered questions and this is makeing the whole process much longer.

Can you not download the antimalware tools on the other connection and transfer?
Many of the tests will run in safe mode. You do not need the internet to actually do them, only to download getrunkeys, combofix etc and to post the results, which you can also do with your other connection can't you?

 

my connection works fine and I can access the site but when I try and download it sends me to the bsod. I am on my brothers laptop , that is how I am getting on the net and staying on the net and posting all these posts! Did you mean download them on here then transfere them? Sorry if my answers are unhelpfull I am trying to answer you as best as I can, but I am really rubbish at the whole computer thing. Thanks for putting up with me and trying to help.

 

Yes use a usb memory stick or something.

Once you have downloaded the programs don't put the stick back into the laptop.

 

So I need to get a memory stick? Is that the only way to fix it then as I don't have one and would have to wait till I can get one!!!

 

Perhaps he can put them on CD?

 

cool, like a cd that you can copy music onto? If thats the case I can do it right now as I have lots of those cd things!

 

Just to be an even bigger thorn in your side....what are the things I need to download then copy to cd, I am sure you have already told me but just want to be sure as you know I muck things up very easily.

 

I'm afraid there's lots of instructions to follow here.

Print some paper copies offto help follow and read all Chas' links before you start so you can downlaod everything on to one CD.

You are at the stage of needing to properly remove the malware.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Incidentally, I have forgotten, do you have the windows XP recovery disks?

I noted from you logs that you have an HP machine with a protected recovery partition.

It may be simpler and quicker to reformat the hard drive and reinstall windows, after making copies of any data you don't want to loose.

It will be F10, F11 or F12 on your system

 

yeah I have the disks and the only thing I have of importance on my computer is photos of my kids and I don't know how to get them oof the pc? Okay I just tryed to copy them to a disk but it is saying that there is no disk in the drive.....grrrrrr this is a pain in the butt.

 

use your camera as a usb store?

CD?

Email them to yourself/your brother?

Dare I mention a usb memory stick again, they are very useful.

does your brother have an external (usb) hard drive store?

 

I took them with my mobile phone I don't have a digital camera yet! But I did manage to download a registry cleaner and have installed it on my pc via the cd, when it ran it said I had 700 and something problems, but it only cleans the first six sections for free so I am now in the process of looking for what else I need to do on the read me run me , I had already done some of the steps before I posted in here , but I am going to go through it all again and make sure I haven't missed anything. One of the things it tells you to do in the read me run me thing is to come out of misconfigure but I can start uo in normal mode as it sends me to the bsod so I have to start up in selective start up , is that okay? Will let you know how it go's. Thanks.x

 

Another thing Chas said is don't download other cleaners or anti stuf -for good reason.

If you are talking about ccleaner, you usually have to run the scan several times but you should never be asked to pay. It's free.

As regards the setting of msconfig, just state that you can't boot with normal startup setting, when you post in the malware forum. If you look through the threads there you will see that people are always having to state that they couldn't finfish or do a particular test etc. Just so long as you tell them they cna account for it.
Incidentally the correct full name is 'System Configuration Utility', but most people call it msconfig for short.

 

I got confused when I clicked on the link for ccleaner and then ended up with something called registry cleaner, aren't they the same? opps have I just downloaded a load of stuff I don't need? So do I need to post a thread in there then?

 

Still confused as to what I click on it just keeps sending me to different sites offering cleaners but not ccleaner, I think maybe I amclicking on the wrong one, you must be so sick of me by now!

 

You should be downloading this Ccleaner: http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

and following this Read & Run Me Guide here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Start with Step 1 follow steps till you get to Step 3, click Windows XP Cleaning Procedure. The blue underlined text is hidden links in the Guide, you click on them and it opens the correct download link, detailed directions or the next step. Everything you need is linked or contained in the guide and free.

It might be easier if you print the Guide and check off the steps as you do them. Just take it slow and read directions a few times. Think you're just overwhelmed...take a break then look at the printed guide.

I attached screenshot of the blue hidden links in the guide and what to click on to download software, hope that helps. If you click on the Blue text in the Guide that reads "Ccleaner" you will get the next screen that is the "download", then click on the link for the download to start. (hope this makes sense)

If you have trouble understanding the next step, ask and someone will answer. Don't feel bad we've all been confused at one time or another

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Cat_w_9_lives/Hiddenlinks.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p121/Cat_w_9_lives/downloadtostart.jpg

 

Okay Thanks the screen shot really helped as I now know I was clicking on the totally wrong thing. Will get on with all the steps now as I have had a good nights sleep and feel ready to get confused some more!!!lol