Windows XP questions - issues

Discussion in 'Software' started by karenl, Oct 30, 2006.

  1. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    on the heels of trying to get my Win 98 operating better, i've got issues w/my XP, as well.

    the first is that it takes forever to reboot.

    just by accident, we shut the compy off this weekend, let it 'sigh' for a couple of minutes and it started right up!!!

    i just had to shut it down again today, did the same thing (shut it off, let it 'rest', then restarted) and, again, it came right up. (altho it did take a while for it to close pgms running in the bkgrnd, i guess - virus scanner and IE.....)

    the first 'accidental' shut off was because we couldnt even turn it off using the power button. we had to unplug the goofy thing.

    ideas???

    2ndly, i'd had some issues w/it a couple weeks ago, ran CClean for the first time, ran Spybot and Adaware (that hadnt been done in a few weeks...), which seemed to clear up the 'issues'.

    since then, almost twice a day, we get a notice from Limewire (kids...) saying we have no internet connection. the only solution is to reboot (hence us learning about shutting the compy down and letting it 'rest'...). we tried unplugging the modem, but no dice...

    my XP is the master compy and our 98 is a 2nd compy. when we're told on the XP we've lost connectivity, the 98 compy is still connected to the internet.

    we heard that someone got a virus from Limewire but it's been running on our XP for quite a while now w/o this problem. it doesnt seem likely that all-of-a-sudden, its giving us grief.

    any ideas on where to look?
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Would suggest a bitscan with the xp running .....
    Bitdefender agree to the license and then select Scan. DO NOT CHANGE THE OPTIONS TO SHOW ALL FILES SCANNED. That will make your logs huge and we don't need to see clean files. Once Bitdefender completes the scan:

    Click-on the Detected Problems tab. Then select Click here to export the scan report

    When the window comes up to save the report, change the Save as type: box to Text (Tab Delimited) (*.txt) and then in the File name box enter change to bdscan then click save. This will save a file named bdscan.txt in whatever folder you are currently in when you save the file (take notice of where you are at so you can find it later). This bdcan.txt file will actually contain HTML code that we can easily view later while reviewing your log. All we have to do is rename the file to bdscan.html.

    http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #2
  3. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    aaaw. :D you make it sound sooo easy!!!

    do i need to stop doing everything, shut down anything, etc., before i do this?
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Do it with internet explorer and best not to have anything else running ....it takes a while ...
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #4
  5. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    ok. its done and i've saved the file. now what?

    i've not closed that window, either, BTW...
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you have it saved ....first question is did it find anything? If you want ...post it as directed. We'll look at it.

    Oh ....go ahead and close the window
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #6
  7. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    i did save it and i can see it in the files.

    how do i 'post it as directed'?

    yes, it did find 4 things...
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #7
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Underneath the posting box when you reply ...scroll down and you will see a tab for manage attachments ..click on that then in the new window click browse ( you can locate the file on your computer ..click on the file then hit the upload buton ...when it uploads it, close the window then hit submit reply ...
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #8
  9. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    ok...
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #9
  10. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    oops. doesnt look like that wrkd
     

    Attached Files:

    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #10
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Infected with: Trojan.SwfDL.A
    update failed ....
    download this and run the cleaner then the issues ( save the backup when it prompts for it ....)


    CCleaner:
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_d4191.html

    You may need to post in the malware section...the scan removed it ...but it may be lurking other places. After running the ccleaner ....do another scan and see if it is clean.
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #11
  12. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    ok. um. i ran ccleaner last week and lost some real important stuff (i've not been able to make the back-up work in ages...). how do i make sure i dont lose stuff like that again - before i run ccleaner...
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #12
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    It shouldn't lose important stuff ....mostly temp files ...but on the left is a checklist of what it will clean ....we definetly want it to dump your internet temp files .....if in doubt we can do it a different way ....right click start / explore / go up to tools / folder options and enable hidden files / then go down to c / docs and settings / your user profile / local settings / temp internet files and in the right pane control + A to highlight them all ...then hit delete.

    Then run the scan again.
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #13
  14. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    yoy. i'm lost! :eek:

    i've done the start>explore>tools>folder options

    when i get to that window, i have 3 options:

    "general", "view", "file types"

    in "view", i have a folder marked "Hidden files and folders" and the "show hidden files and folders" is marked.

    is that what you're talking about?

    >>> i did look at the list it brought up for CCleaner and dont see anything that would've caused it to delete my MONEY software, but it sure did. blarg.

    (BTW, thank you thank you so much for your time!!!)

    OOps! forgot to ask about the next directions. you say:

    then go down to c / docs and settings.

    uh - where???
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #14
  15. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    oop! once i closed that first 'tools' window, i found the 'where' to find the temp files. so i'm deleting them (but i've got a partitioned HD, so i'll have those temp files, prob, in 2 places, yes?).
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #15
  16. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Under your profile should be local settings with a + next to it ...click that to expand ...then down to temp internet ...wipe all in temp folder and temp internet files ....
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #16
  17. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    NO ....should only be on the c drive ....unless you've directed the temp files to be saved in a folder other than the default setting ....once your done ...do the scan again ....we want to be sure it is gone .....then we'll see how everything is running ...
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #17
  18. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    i've scanned my compy and dont find any more tempfiles.

    so i'm closing everything and running the scan again.

    be back in about 1/2 hr
     
    karenl, Oct 30, 2006
    #18
  19. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Getting past my bedtime ...may have to check back with you in the am ....so along with the scan results, tell us how it is running.:)
     
    TimW, Oct 30, 2006
    #19
  20. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    thank you. scan came up empty and/or clean.

    we;ll use it tonight and let you know tomorrow how its running.

    thnx again!
     
    karenl, Oct 31, 2006
    #20
  21. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    Re: Windows XP - losing internet connection

    well, just lost connectivity again. didn't try to reboot. just shut it off, let it 'sigh' and turned it back on. again, came right back up, so at least that is very good.

    now... just to figure out why we keep losing connection.....
     
    karenl, Oct 31, 2006
    #21
  22. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Ok ....I've slept ...so now it is just that internet disconnects ...puter stays on and is running OK?
     
    TimW, Oct 31, 2006
    #22
  23. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    glad you've slept, lol!!!

    yes, compy runs fine; just disconnects (i mentioned the notice comes from Limewire, so i dont know if the two have anything to do w/each other...).

    we'll be leaving here shortly to hit the tricks-or-treats madness!!
     
    karenl, Oct 31, 2006
    #23
  24. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Must you have limewire? It is problematic .....lots of nasties ....check after you've visited with the goblins.
     
    TimW, Oct 31, 2006
    #24
  25. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    they like to download tunes for free.

    any other suggestions to replace it?
     
    karenl, Oct 31, 2006
    #25
  26. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    My first suggestion would be to uninstall it and see if the issue persists ....I don't use any p2p software ...though some is considered safer than others ...not my balliwick .....and after the uninstall run CCleaner ....are you using I.E. or Firefox?
     
    TimW, Oct 31, 2006
    #26
  27. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You may still have traces of nasties that may or may not have come from things downloaded using p2p ....esp. since the internet is still crashing ....do the read and run first in the malware section ....the results should indicate if you need to post in that forum ....
     
    TimW, Oct 31, 2006
    #27
  28. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    we use IE.

    i'll go over to the malware section. am i looking for something called 'read and run'?
     
    karenl, Oct 31, 2006
    #28
  29. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    Re: (Malware "Read & Run first")...Windows XP questions - issues

    O M G

    :rolleyes:

    i am so overwhelmed!!!

    i think i'm on the first step where it says Special Removal Procedures... good grief. i'd rather just roll up and die!!! i clicked on one link and i think i read it was not a 'good' one to choose. ok, so i click another one. it's instructions are enough to make my mind freeze.

    how in the world do i even make a choice on which to use???
     
    karenl, Nov 1, 2006
    #29
  30. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Nov 1, 2006
    #30
  31. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    you make it sound so simple...

    that is the page i was looking at.

    the fifth bullet point ("before you start the below procedure..."), says to
    check the "special removal procedure" sticky first. that's what i'm totally boggles by.

    BTW, lost connectivity again today and just rebooted. COMPY CAME RIGHT BACK UP!!! hooray!!!

    so i just need to tell my kids we're getting rid of LimeWire.
     
    karenl, Nov 1, 2006
    #31
  32. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Go thru the read and run ( worry about the special removal if asked to ) ..run and post the scans and do the hijack this log exactly as requested ....then have patience for them to get to you ...it is the busiest section ...:)
     
    TimW, Nov 1, 2006
    #32
  33. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    omg. i'm wondering.....

    it seems right around 245-300 PM that i'm losing connectivity on this computer. the other day, i'd posted at 244 that i'd lost it and i just lost it now about 10 to 3...

    is it possible something is running (no, i still havent uninstalled LimeWire...) thats trying to upgrade or something???

    (ok, ok! i'll uninstall LW!! those kids are going to hate me!!)
     
    karenl, Nov 3, 2006
    #33
  34. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    Temp file are typically located within a particular user's profile.

    I.E.

    c:\documents and settings\username\local settings\temp

    This is where the temp files are located.

    an easier way to get there is to Click START, then RUN, then type in: %temp% (press enter). But, ccleaner should take care of most of these, except for the ones that are in use. :)
     
    theefool, Nov 3, 2006
    #34
  35. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    thanks. i'll check out your 'easier way'.

    but i'm wary of using CCleaner as it wiped out my financial program. since i'd had trouble backing it up, i didnt have a current back-up so i was totally screwed.
     
    karenl, Nov 4, 2006
    #35
  36. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    ok - done step #? of Read & Run for Malware - "You MUST be sure that MSconfig is not being used to control Startups....Please go to Start > Run > type msconfig and click OK!
    Select the General tab and select Normal Startup."

    i know mine was set to 'selective' or whatever for a problem i'd had ages ago (for which i cant remember)...

    so i set it back to Normal Startup and now i've got all kinds of weird stuff on my desktop and Quick Start or taskbar or whatever its called (lower right corner).

    the first thing is the goofy microsoft office bar on the right side of the screen that comes up any time your cursor is close to it.

    and in the lower right task bar (quick launch??) are buttons i've never seen before. "number lock on", "capslock off", etc.

    (oh. a bit of egg on face. i right clicked over them and only one gives the key to 'hide' all of them, which i've now done....)

    on to the next step. i'm scared...
     
    karenl, Nov 4, 2006
    #36
  37. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    Windows XP - Temporary Files

    compy is running sluggish so the first thing i did was to dump the temp files again.

    under "local settings"> "temp", there are several folders:
    hsperfdata_karen, messengercache, nsd169.tmp, nsh166.tmp, nss16C.tmp, tempFolder.aaa, VBE, Word8.0.

    do i want to, can i, delete the stuff out of these folders, too? or delete the folders?
     
    karenl, Nov 6, 2006
    #37
  38. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You can dump the files and the folders ....
     
    TimW, Nov 6, 2006
    #38
  39. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    Windows XP compy wont Start Up!

    whoosh. i've left this attached to the rest of the thread, not knowing how much of the posted history has anything to do with this compy not booting up. i've actually unplugged it twice, now and it still wont boot up. i've been working w/it for over 3 hrs.

    its stuck on the screen that says "press DEL to enter set up" at the bottom of the screen. and it just sits there...

    help???
     
    karenl, Nov 11, 2006
    #39
  40. abri

    abri MajorGeek

    Re: Windows XP compy wont Start Up!

    Hi karenl,
    did you finally end up in the Malware section? Or was that for your Win98 computer? Your post preceeding this one is so long ago, that I decided to see if you're really here before I ask you how the READ & RUN ME FIRST went.
    abri
     
    abri, Nov 11, 2006
    #40
  41. karenl

    karenl Private First Class

    i think i only got the first step of READ & RUN ME FIRST accomplished.

    i have no idea where this thread is, lol...
     
    karenl, Nov 11, 2006
    #41
  42. abri

    abri MajorGeek

    karenl,
    If you go to the top of this page to

    MajorGeeks Support Forums / Help & Technical Forums / Malware

    you will come to a group of stickies (permanent explanation and instruction files) among which is the READ & RUN ME FIRST thread. It would be useful for you to post your logs in this forum, rather than here in the Software forum.
     
    abri, Nov 12, 2006
    #42

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