Not sure what to do from here!

Hi there. I am new to all this so bare with me. I originally posted this in the Malware section and was informed I didn't have malware issues and to post here. This was my original thread:

I went thru the Read & Run Me instructions and I hope I have what you needed. Before I attempt to attach everything you requested, I will tell you my problems (at least just the computer ones) and hopefully we can fix my problems before I drop kick my computer off my deck. I should also let you know that I still have prehistoric 56k dial-up and it takes a while for me to do things...like 3 days to do your Read & Run list!

My computer info: (being a computer retard, I will just give you all info I can find, just incase)
* I have a Powerspec AMD Athalon processor, 999 MHz, 312 MB of Ram
* 56k dial-up
* File System FAT32
* Free space 2.25 GB, total size 9.30 GB
* I use Spybot S&D, Avasti AntiVirus, SuperAntiSpyware, CCleaner and Windows firewall (I tried Agnitum Outpost but It didn't seem user friendly and it totally bogged down web surfing!)


Situations:
* Unable to use the cd drive on my tower. Had system troubleshoot it and it shows no problem.

* Everytime I try to use Acrobat Reader (5.1) I get a message "Acrobat can't open "---" because it is either not a supported file type or has been corrupted..."

* Had Advance System Optimizer 2.10 installed and am trying to get rid of it cause I don't think it works and takes up too much space. Cant uninstall it. Keep getting an error msg "Cannot delete ShellExt.dll. Access denied".

* "Service Manager not available" message keeps appearing when I try to open files of programs still on my system (ie. Star Office 6.0).

* For a while I kept getting "missing Winzip.hlp" message. I uninstalled what I had an re-installed winzip 11.1. I think this is working now.

* I ran your tests and will attach the requested info. I did find viruses and a trojan horse (learning so many new words these last few days) and am at a loss as to what to do from here. I think I got rid of them (must have as Malware said I didn't have a problem)

I stopped before "toggle system restore in Win xp" cause I didn't think I was problem free. thought I would check in to see what to do from here.

I am so done with this computer! It has taken 3 days to do all the Read & Run Me stuff (which is usually done in the evenings when my kids are finally asleep) and I want to get this system back in order so I can just open a darn e-mail without things going wrong everyday! Humm...I think my desperation is showing!

Thanks,

Karen

 

Hi Tafjen,

1. Can you give more detail as to what happens when you try to use your CD drive? Any error messages, noises from the drive itself etc

2. Just to check, are you uninstalling software using the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs option?

3. You version of Adobe Reader is several versions old. Try unistalling it through the Add/Remove Programs option, then reboot your machine and installthe latest version from this link http://www.majorgeeks.com/Adobe_Reader_d3852.html This should solve your problem.

4. Are you logged in as the Administrator on this PC?

 

Wow, I like the quick response, Thanks!

1. As to the CD drive, it does make nosie and sounds as if it's trying to read the cd, then it just stops. I then try to open the cd by clicking on my comp, (c and trying to open the drive that way and I 'll get a message "insert cd". Here's the thing, the drive will surprise me and work every now and then...just like it did now when I just tried it. But, the next time I turn on my computer and try it again, it doesn't. Most of the time it doesn't work and I use my external cd burner instead.

2. Yes, I have been using the Add/Remove in the control panel and when that didn't work, I also went into programs and tried to manually delete it myself. Both times same results...missing ShellExt.dll error message.

3. I will try to uninstall and reinstall as you suggested...thanks

4. Yes, I am logged in as the administrator.

5. New question. I was wondering if I needed to remove any of the items I had downloaded to do the Read & Run test (ie. GetRunKey, ShowNew, BitDefender, SuperAntiSpyware and hijack This), do I need re-hide my files and folders and enable System Restore (and if so, how do I do that again?)

Thanks,

Karen

 

1. Try running a CD cleaner through the drive. Also check inside the PC that the wires to and from the CD drive are not loose in the connection socket. Let me know what difference that makes, if any.

2. Yes...you MUST re-enable System Restore. Read this link on how to http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=31668 You can re-hide the hidden files and folders if you wish - this is advisable if you aren't confident in file system, yet like to dabble with the DELETE key To do this follow the instructions in this link http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=74220 but this time check the boxes to hide the files/folders.

3. Sounds like the Advanced System Optimizer is still running in the background - it auto runs on boot up - and this is why you are unable to uninstall it. Try this:

• Click on START>RUN and type msconfig.exe
• Click in STARTUP tab of the pop-up window
• Find the Advanced System Optimizer application and uncheck the box on the left hand side. (You should be able to identify it from the text in the "Command"column.
• Click APPLY button.
• Reboot. You may get a "system configuration" window pop up on reboot. That's fine. Just click ok.
• Now try to uninstall via the Add/Remove Programs option.

 

Okay, is there a hidden NARKing system on my computer? Gald you posted remark #2 for those who "aren't confident in file system, yet like to dabble with the DELETE key"...no idea what you're talking about rolleyes!

Thanks for the info. I will try to run cleaner in the cd drive. I assume you are expecting me to unplug and take apart my tower to check the wires! Perhaps you missed the part where I admitted that I was a computer retard! The tower never gets moved, how could the wires get loose? Just curious. This will require my husband taking me off restriction from his tools!

I will try suggestion #3 as soon as my current 44 bps dialup finishes the remaining 58 minutes of the Adobe Reader you suggested I switch to.

You didn't mention my other question...Do I remove the programs mentioned previously that were loaded on to my system to do the Malware check? My hard drive space is limited so I don't want to keep it unless it is neccessary.

Thanks for everything!

 

Heh..to check the wires you would simply need to undo the 4 or so screws holding the computer side panel in place, slide it off and check the big fat tape-like wire running out the back of your CD drive, and the more telephone connector looking wire also out the back. If the tower hasn't been moved at all it is unlikely that they have come loose, so I will leave it as your choice Or maybe you can have your husband check them for you if he is a little dominating over the screwdriver

I'm assuming you have tried several CDs and it is not the CD at fault? I see you said it did work sometimes, so am wondering if it could be CD specific at all? If not, sadly it looks like your CD drive may be on it's last legs. You may wish to start a separate thread specifically about this in the hardware forum

Apologies for missing the question on the malware software you installed earlier. You do not need to keep it on your machine. Uninstall it if you wish. However, bear in mind if you do need it again it would take a long time to download on a 56k modem You may wish to keep some selected software from those you downloaded to run regular malware checks anyway. You can read about the options and preferences here

 

Not sure what the make and model of this burner is. My sister gave me her old one when my c: drive stopped working. It says LACIE on it and I run Roxio Easy CD creator 5 on it. XP did not come with my system, ME did. I upgraded to XP. Not sure if this is any help.

 

Hi again:

Adobe Reader finished downloading and installed okay. Will try to find time to check tomorrow to see if it works.

I have a question regarding your suggestion for my Advanced System Optimizer (ASO) problem. I did as you said but did not find it listed under Start Up. When I go to Control panel, Add/Remove programs, there is no listing of this program. However if I go to the START button - All Programs, there I find ASO. I try to click on it's uninstall option and I get the message...file "c:\Program Files\Advanced System Optimizer\unins000.dat" does not exsist - cannot uninstall. This might have been my fault (ha ha) when I kept getting the ShellExt.dll message when attempting to remove this with the Add/Remove option, so I then went to program files and attempted to delete all the files from ASO on my own (and not all would oblidge!) Any other ideas?

 

Sounds like links have been broken so try this:

Open Windows Explorer (Start > All Programs > Accessories). From your C drive locate the Programs folder and within that locate the ASO folder. Search it's contents for a file called uninstaller.exe or unwise.exe Double click to run this and hopefully it will manually uninstall the program.