pc genius needed to sort pc problem
 

i don't suppose anyone knows what to do to reverse changes to a pc that result in you not being able to open programes?
my sister has ad aware on her pc and when a window came up asking her if she wanted to block a dodgey programe, she said yes. every since she has been unable to open anything but her cd/dvd player, including system restore, help and trouble shoot. any ideas??
:confused: :confused: :confused:

You may have to start your pc in safe mode(press F8 during loading) and run your av/as from there. You could use system restore but I would do that as a last resort.

We get no error message, if you double click on an icon nothing happens and if you right click where it should say 'open' it says open archive.

We are running avg free edition

And we can't get into system restore either.:confused:

Hi Madmum

I don't know if this might help but give it a try

open your TASK MANAGER (alt+ctrl+delete) hold down alt + ctrl while pressing the delete button.

click on the APPLICATIONS and see if any program is running, if so click on the END TASK to terminate any program your not sure of.
Before doing so write down the name of the program so you can delete from your system later, please only end one task at a time checking your system each time to see which program caused the problem.

If there is no program running or after ending all programs running the problem this still there, open your TASK MANAGER again and click on the PROCESSES and under the CPU you'll see every program that is running DO NOT END any program from this just write down every program and post the results in the reply post for me or other people to check. All programs running will look like 01 or over any looking like 00 are not running so don't write them down.

While in your TASK MANAGER click on NEW TASK and see if you can open your folders though the BROWSER.

GO LUCK
wizliz.

since ad-aware is the problem
uninstall it
let the program run
get microsoft anti-spyware FROM MICROSOFT'S SITE
install ms anti-spyware and be happy

some people are tempted to use p2p to download stuff you can download off of the internet that wouldn't be infested with viruses...

stupid roommate downloaded a wmv porn file off of limewire.
IT WAS A VIRUS. the virus slowly ate up all my disk space so you couldn't run a scan and would kill virus scans when you would run them.

no more limewire on my machine anymore, and my friend now has his own machine he can infect that i'll clean every once in awhile.

Thanx for all your help, but, there is nothing running in task manager and there were no programmes in processes with 01 on them. I can't get into ad aware to uninstall it.

And ive just been onto microsoft site and it says I need to validate it but when I come to download it, surprise surprise I can't open that either.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Hi madmum

Go back into you task manager and click on processes again look for the aware program and right click on it you will have a choice to END PROCESS click and end it, I didn't mean the programs that had just 01 under the CPU any 2 digit numer other than 00 means it's running except SYSTEM IDLE PROCESS it should read something like this = 76. warning only delete the aware file.did you try opening the browser in your NEW TASK and try deleting it from there. Remember if you can end task go straight to you ADD/REMOVE file in your CONTROL PANAL and remove it COMPLETLY.


GO LUCK
wizliz

p.s. if that doesn't work I might have another idea.

The only thing with numbers is system idle which is going between 97 and 99. I can't see ad aware on the process list. Tried the new task thing and it says that ad aware needs to be opened with another file and gives me the option of going online to find a programme to run with. And I can get into control panel but I can't get into add/remove programmes.

Hi madmum

Is it possible to click on your START on the bottom left hand corner
if so click and open SEARCH

click on ALL FILES AND FOLDERS

type in the name of the problem folder and if it appears try deleting it.

If not sure of name type aware and continue.

If more than one file, folder or .dll appears delete them one at a time.

If any file can't be deleted please write it down the way it appears and post it in the reply thread


GO LUCK
wizliz

p.s. if that doesn't work I might have another idea.

Ok done that, ad aware is gone. But still can't get into anything. Still saying open archive instead of open.

Hi madmum

Turn your computer off and then on and see what happens please keep a pen and paper handy and write down any systems that run when you restart your computer some systems still run until you restart your computer

GO LUCK
wizliz

p.s. if that doesn't work I might have another idea.

Have restarted, still no joy, no programmes run on start up. Ever since I deleted ad aware my internet connection keeps freezing

Hi Madmum,

I'll be happy to fix you up at:
http://www.norbiesworld.co.uk/computerhelp

If you're unsure, take a look at the forum, I've helped hundreds of other people.

Been on norbies, downloaded hijack this and I still can't open it from desktop and if I go into task manager new task it tells me I need to open it with another programme. This is doing my head in now:confused:

try renaming hijackthis.exe to something different eg hjt123.exe

if that doesnt work, what is the error message it gives you?

can you get a screenshot?

Hi madmum

Go back into SEARCH and type in rstrui if a funny shape item comes up click on the right side of your mouse and click run hopely this will open up your restore program if so go back as far as possible and restore

good luck

wizliz.

Norbie, I don't know how to get a screen shot. The error message is:-

Windows cannot open this file

File hjt123.exe

To open this file, windows needs to know what program created it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a list of programs on your computer.

What do you want to do

*Use the web service to find the appropriate program
*select program from a list.

When you choose the web one ity comes up with CKNOW.COM

Wizliz

I tried the search thing and it comes up with 3 different things but I don't realy understand what you mean by a funny shape item. Sorry

Try following these instructions:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exefile.htm

Then if that fixes it, post a Hijackthis log on my site :)

Hi, it is my pc I am having problems with. I tried the command thing as per norbies instructions. I can't do that either, when I try it, it says:-

16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem

C:/WINDOWS/system32/command.com
C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/AUTOEXEC.NT The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.
Choose 'Close' to terminate the application

There is a bit at the bottom of the page that says if that doesn't work, try something else but I don't realy understand where I need to type it.:confused:

1. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\repair, and then click OK.
2. Right-click autoexec.nt, and then click Copy.
3. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\system32, and then click OK.
4. Right-click anywhere in that folder, and then click Paste.
5. Right-click the Autoexect.nt file that you just copied, and then click Properties.
6. Click to select Read-Only, and then click OK.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to copy the Config.nt file as well.

OMG I can't thank you enough, We cracked it at last. Done what you said then done the MS-DOS one and now we are back up and running. Thanks again:D

You're welcome :)

You should still post a Hijackthis log on my site thouigh for a checkup, as the problem you had is usually caused by an infection.

Formatt C: Reinstall Windows...







_____________________________
When all else fails hit ALT+CTRL+DEL

wow that was a useful addition to this topic :(

reinstall
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tylertyler
[B]Formatt C: Reinstall Windows...


I'm sorry tylertyler I'm not sure what you mean could you be more precise.

Good luck
Wizliz

If you have XP installed you can go back to last known good configuration by pressing F8 before windows starts up and select last known good configuration, if that does not work you'll have to start up in safe made and get rid of what ever causes the problem, to get rid of the adware you have to remove the source file of it first and then go in the registry (regedit in run box) and remove all entries concerning the adware or spyware, to make it easy you can use Bazooka adware remover it shows you what you have to remove it is free and finds all spy/adware on your PC but make sure you have udated the Bazooka ad/spyware scan list first. If that does not help you can try to let windows repair itself with the cd but most of the time that is a waste of time and a re-install might be the best thing for your pc.
PS
If you remove entries in the registry make sure you remove the correct ones, removing the wrong ones can cause complete system failure and a re-install has to be done then.
I hope this will help you out.