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World Community Grid Forums
Category: Retired Forums
Forum: Member-to-Member Support [Read Only]
Thread: Hoping I don't need to wipe my computer. |
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Thread Status: Active Total posts in this thread: 16
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Yeah I'm a bit of a computer n00b. I know enough about my computer to do damage, but not enough to fix it.
So, here's what happened. I was running Mcaffee on my computer and hating it because it was runnin the buffer overflow protection, no matter how many times I disabled it, and thus interrupting with WCG. It was blocking IRC communications, no matter how many times I dissabled it, and I would get cut out of chat every 20 minutes. I got really pissed because it's a windows XP standard program and no matter how or how many times you uninstall it, or delete it, or attempt to corrupt its files, it always retores itself on your computer a half hour later. I thought this thing was worse than a virus. I got angry. This time, I uninstalled Mcafee and I went straight to the registry and deleted anything named "Mcafee" or "Network Associates" (The Mcafee program folder). BIG MISTAKE. Now my internet explorer doesn't work - I'm stuck using firefox which at times has its disadvantages. I can live with this, BUT, my Windows Media player won't function either. I've tried wiping and reinstalling the programs, doing rollbacks, everything. Windows media pops up with a "Internal application error" and Internet explorer will work, but if you click any kind of link, nothing will happen. What in gods name short of wiping my hard drive and reinstalling XP (one week and 50$ - time and money a uni student can't afford) can I do to save my computer? It's not done yet though, you're going to hate me even more in a second....wait for it.... I've never done a system backup. Help would be appreciated, infact if someone can help me save my computer, I will... make an animated banner or something for them. Anything. I'll go out with your ugly cousin, please help. |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
 Hi AlainI had a similar situation before Christmas So I rebooted with my Window XP Operating System CD and reinstalled it over the top of itself and it restored my corrupted Win XP programs for me I guess you could give it a try, as it cannot do any harm and it just may solve your problem Make sure you have your Windows XP Serial # handy as it will probably ask you to type it in on reinstalling you Windows XP I hope this helps Regards PS I have just had a thought Also try reinstalling Mcafee first and then uninstalling it As it may help to fix the registery problem As MarySduby points out below, stop using Mcafee and try Norton Internet Security It has proven a lot more stable for me [Edit 3 times, last edit by Former Member at Jan 28, 2005 4:02:19 PM] |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Use firefox. It's fine. And use winamp instead of windows media player
---------------------------------------- Okay, I'm not sure about this, but... mcafee is NOT a windows standard program, and can (suppossedly) be safely removed using the uninstall in the add/remove programs menu. That aside, yes, mcafee internet security can damage the internet, as well as the rough removal of it, because it's a LSP - layered service provider. This is why uninstall is the best way to go. Hmmm.... *thinks about it* Since you've already kinda "ripped it out", I', not sure what now, although if you hadn't, you could simply prevent mcafee from running in windows instead of trying to step on its head and kicking it in the groin. Simply use the msconfig utility, and the services.msc controls, but I guess it's too late. So now to repair the damage... hmm... Gimme somemore time to think about this one. Graham's suggestion is a good one, too. [Edit 1 times, last edit by Former Member at Jan 28, 2005 3:33:34 PM] |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
you can also go to help and support --let someoneaccess your computer there is dr watson program on your comp--get rid of mcafee use norton ihad problems with that program and had to complety remove it--good luck
----------------------------------------[Edit 1 times, last edit by Former Member at Jan 28, 2005 3:42:36 PM] |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
This is one of the problems of the all in one programs. If any small part of it goes wrong, then it can all go badly wrong.
Personally, I would recommend a hardware firewall. Configure this, run an AV (and keep it up to date) on your machine, exert common sense and all should be OK. |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
I would not recommend using norton. Norton is about as intergrated as mcafee into the computer. As a utility, it's good, but as an antivirus, I found it terrible compared to mcafee. However, AVG Grisoft is a free antivirus that is rather good in many aspects (except the heal engine).
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ Spybot S&D automatically creates restore points and back up the registry when you start it, and it's a decent spyware remover too. http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp As far as possible, try not to use programs intergrated into windows, as it can give unneccessary problems and headaches. |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Graham's suggestion to reinstall Windows XP over your system without wiping anything sounds good to me. Be sure you have firewall protection. Go out on Google to find a free version of Zone Alarm. Then after reinstalling update your Windows at Microsoft. Then add antivirus (try Grisoft AVG Antivirus for freeware. Then any of many anti-spyware programs. Yes, Spybot Search & Destroy is good, but beware of anything running permanently in the background, such as the Innoculate feature in Spybot, because they often cause problems. Actually spend the hours required to check your disk for viruses and spyware. Then Google the net for the most recent Regclean (register cleaner utility) because the reinstall of Windows will probably have left some old useless entries in it. When you are all set and comfortable with your system, run a disk clean from your systems folder and then defragment overnight. Oh yeah, remember to go out to SUN to download Java. An amazing number of people do not keep their Java up to date. They seem to think it is a Microsoft program and part of the OS!! [Grin]
----------------------------------------Added: As far as I know, your problem with McAfee was with Version 8. I have avoided your problem using Version 7 and currently Version 9. I skipped version 8. [Edit 1 times, last edit by Former Member at Jan 28, 2005 5:14:16 PM] |
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davidhobbs
Senior Cruncher England Joined: Dec 30, 2004 Post Count: 151 Status: Offline Project Badges: 
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Perhaps before you go re-installing software it might be worthwhile trying a System Restore? (Go to All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore, and choose the Restore option. I've found this has got me out of some fairly deep holes from time to time.
As far as anti-virus is concerned, I've been very comfortable with Trend Micro Internet Security. They seem to be ready with pattern files to beat new virus threats very much sooner than Norton. I generally get updates most days, and it's all automatic and transparent. It's quite comprehensive and very easy to set up and use, and includes personal firewall and spam filter too. Go to http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/index_consumer.php for more info. (note the hyphen between micro and europe is part of the address. regards, David. |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Just as another possible solution:
Try downloading and installing a new version of IE and WMP and see if that corrects it. Also, since you've still got access to your computer, you should back up all your school files and stuff in case anything else goes wrong. Then if you do have to wipe it, you'll at least have the stuff that can't be replaced. I think it's kind of good sometimes to just start over from scratch and customize the computer without making mistakes (or installing software I never use) I made when using it the first time. Of course, I've only done that when I've had to, I wouldn't really do it as a fun weekend activity or anything. |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Feedback:
nelsoc, I've already tried what you said. And I've backed up school files but I consider my music more important which is 5gb I can't back up. davidhobs I can't do a system restore because I've never done a backup, so there's nothing to roll back to. Graham, can't install windows XP :X I bought the laptop as a package with the school and I don't have access to the software, as far as I know. Back home I may have access to some XP software, but then that's 5 months that I have to deal with crappy winamp. Also, Mcafee is purchased software, and I'm not gonna pay to download it just to remove it again on a hunch. Also, the S&D Recovery system only recovers files that S&D removed, so it's useless for restoring my registry. So far it looks I'm going to have to find somewhere to put my files and get a wipe, but I can't afford to do that until summer, which sucks. |
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