Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual

Feb 25, 2004 4:07AM PST

OS: Windows XP Professional

First off, certain programs like Netscape and Windows Messenger won't open even after repeated clicks and only open for a short period after the computer is shut down and restarted. Secondly, IE isnt working right and will only load the homepage (it doesnt matter what the homepage is) when you open a second instance.
What could the problem be? There are more small problems that happen if they'll help. Could it have anything to do with a bad memory chip or something. Thanks. Help!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 25, 2004 4:46AM PST

I'd start by checking to make sure you don't have a massive spyware infestation. Download AdAware, Spybot, the works... Run each of them twice minimum and clear out anything they find.

After that, I'd make sure you don't have a viral infection. Make sure your antivirus program is up to date, and if you don't have an antivirus program, now would be an excellent time to get one. There's the freeware AVG, commercial AVG, McAfee (which I personally don't like because it seems a bit excessive on the resource use) and Norton. Pick one, make sure all updates are applied, keep making sure all updates are applied.

There's a very good chance that one of those two will clear up the problem. If not, come back and mention what you tried and that it didn't work and someone will take another crack at it.

- Collapse -
Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 25, 2004 4:46AM PST
- Collapse -
Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 25, 2004 6:50AM PST

I ran Spybot, Adaware, and they found a few things that i promptly removed and Norton AntiVirus found nothing in its scan. the netscape and IE problems remain and i don't know where to go from here. The computer also takes a long time to load windows from opening very quickly mere weeks ago. Thanks Again.

- Collapse -
Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 25, 2004 7:42AM PST

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Restore to a date when the computer was working properly. May or may not work, but it is easy enough to try.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 26, 2004 1:10AM PST

System Restore is not an option for me. The computer is still doing what i said in the above messages but it seemed to be a little better since yesterday. i need help!

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 26, 2004 3:13AM PST

1. Bob Anti-Parasite Suite lists 5 programs, you reportedly only ran 2 (+ Norton) which is less than the half.
2. Please explain why System Restore is not an option.
3. This doesn't look like a hardware problem, but you might have a look at www.memtest86.com for a program to test the RAM memory, if it helps you feel better.

Let's hope that format/reinstall is an option for you. It proves beyond doubt if it's a software or a hardware problem.
If you've got problems losing your data, consider buying a hard disk on ebay to experiment with the OS, and later store your data during the format of your main hard disk. A 10 or 20 Gb hard disk wouldn't cost so much, and might be worth the added safety.

Kees

- Collapse -
Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 26, 2004 4:22AM PST

I had a virus on my computer the other day and i went to the Symantec where i read that i should shut off the System Restore in order to prevent the virus from being resurrected. In doing so it erased the restore points. Or did it? Anyway the computer is still messed. One more thing, i just wanted to know if it was a memory problem Kees Bakker, just say it probably isn't. I'm not a IT professional here. Thanks.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 26, 2004 4:35AM PST

This is the first time you tell about a virus. Did the problems start when it infected your computer? Then it's collateral left-over damage, or damage done by incorrect removal of the virus. That's an easy diagnosis. If so, tell more on the virus!

And you don't have to be an IT professonial to run the memory test. All you need to do is (a) download the program, (b) have a empty diskette, (c) run the program to install something on the diskette, (d) boot from the diskette, and (e) check that error counter stays zero.

Kees

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 26, 2004 6:15AM PST

I should have mentioned the virus, my mistake. Anyway there was a virus on the computer it was the "Backdoor.blarul" virus and i removed it. I'm not really sure if it started after the virus but i suppose it could have actually. I scanned the computer last Sunday and it found nothing but i thought the problems started before the virus and thats why i didnt mention it. Thank You.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Re:Whats Wrong With My Computer, Its Acting Unusual
Feb 27, 2004 1:52AM PST

Could the Backdoor.Blarul virus cause similar problems as the ones i am experiencing. Also, i seem to be seeing that this virus was a hoax, any truth to that?

- Collapse -
Computer, acting unusual??
Feb 27, 2004 2:05AM PST

1. IMO, regardless of whether your reported virus could or could not or whether it's a hoax, we and probably you by now have no idea what was totally done when using the Semantic site for supposed removal and then what happened inside the computer.

2. As Kees mention much earlier, the suites of checks for junk that get on the computer and the fact you haven't reported running them -- forget Norton, then I cannot see that any resolution is possible until you factually state those suites have been run -- the system is free, I've turned "Restore" back on, I've run "System File Check", ran "Chkdsk", etc., and here is the remaining anomalies I need help with:

a. ......

b. ......

Bill Gaston