PC problems

shellyd_3

This PC is very old(5 yo) I am in safe mode at the mo don't know what that is
but the only way I can get on the Net to ask you about this. everytime I try to connect I get server can't be found. I rang ntl she put me in safe mode and said It could be a firewall problem, I have pervx, ewido and AVG. should I uninstall them in safe mode the try to connect and reinstall.
Also the pc is very slow and wont shut down at all, I have to unplug to close down.Sorry I don't know anything about techie, even the ntl girl gave up on me. I am I ok surfing in safe mode. Also noticed the desk top has Icon for Ad.aware se personal can you tell me what this is, and do I need it.

Hope someone can help

Michelle

Sorry forgot to say That the last time I checked ( fri) I was virus free.

Fran

I don't think you can connect to the Internet while in safe mode. Try rebooting if you have done what they told you and try again. I wouldn't uninstall anything, it's more likely to be an internet connection problem to do with your ISP or a firewall setting like they said (what firewall have you got?)

Yes run AdAware.

intel

Ok whilst in safe mode run a AVG scan do that for starters as thats the best way to scan..... Then run Adaware it scans for scumware, you will have to disable System restore, what Operating System are you using,, i.e WindowsXP?

paxy

Rather than uninstalling your software try just closing it down (normally right click - exit in the task bar at the bottom right hand side of the screen).

If you find shutting down one solves your problems then it could be the source of your problem.

Adaware is a tool for detecting and deleting some spyware. It won't do any harm being there and normally doesn't run all the time.

Fran

This is what the Symante website says:

"Safe mode" comes with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP. Safe mode lets you turn off unnecessary computer programs so that you can find the cause of a problem. When you are done, you can turn on the programs again.

Safe mode looks and acts differently than normal Windows. In Safe mode:
You cannot connect to the Internet.
Windows looks different.
Many programs that start with Windows will not start

Are you sure that you are in safe mode? Try restarting the computer and going into safe mode again.

Fran

Are your Prevx and Ewido updated? If not you will have to do this while connected to the internet, before going into safe mode to run them.

Have a look at these threads:-

My computer won't shut down

shellyd_3

Fran thank-you for your quick reply. Like I said I am a pc dummy, I thought Pervx was my firewall, just checked in my programs and I have sygate, and it says firewall, so that must be it. not sure if it is working though. I haven't got the little box on the bottom right showing. I am sure it used to before. The mode I am in at the moment~ what I had to do was start up and keep pressing f5 key, then i clicked safe mode with networking. I am sure she said it was safe mode. the screen colours are not normal.

I have already tried stop and restart (twice) since I spoke to the ntl girl but it still has the server error.

Thanks Michelle

Chippy_Minton

Fran wrote:

Safe mode looks and acts differently than normal Windows. In Safe mode:
You cannot connect to the Internet.
Windows looks different.
Many programs that start with Windows will not start[/I]

With Safe Mode with Networking you can. It's one of the options on the F8 screen.

shellyd_3

So many replies so quickly, thank-you all, I am just going to try doing some of the things you advise, then I will be back.

I am on windows XP.

Thank-you

Michelle

JimArnold

As mentioned safe mode bypasses some of the start up files - for both software and hardware

If you are running Ok in Safe mode then a piece of hardware or software which is normally installed on startup is malfunctioning. Finding out which is a PITA

Its certainly worth running a virus check and an adware check I'd also run a chkdisk while in safe mode

The next step is to disconnectr from the network, reboot F5 and try the step by step option to see if you can find out where the problem lies

jakemuk

yes you can browse in safe mode

symantec lol answers it