Problem - Generic Host Process for Win32 and other laptop issues

davb

Trying_to_be_good wrote: »

Thanks for all the help so far.

After the reboot last night, and still this morning the laptop won't connect to the Internet at all, claiming my BT Home Hub 2 has an issue, but I'm on the wi-fi with my phone typing this now. Any ideas, please? All the usual blue lights (blue is good) are on, but I'll restart that anyway, too.

Happy Sunday morning, everyone!

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that the Network Connections bit from the Control Panel isn't launching properly, nor is the Security Center (sic). The little icon in the tray in the bottom right hand side by the clock is also missing, and was yesterday when I was managing to be online asking you lovely people questions and running the scans.

Good Morning!

It sounds like you still have an infection there. The obvious solution here would be to update Malwarebytes and scan again, but if there is no internet connection, and you don't have another PC, then it's not going to be easy.

The first thing to do is to check your DNS server settings are set to auto (assuming your IP is set to auto as well). Control Panel > Network >Network Connections >Right Click on the your adapter and select properties > General Tab >Internet protocol > Properties.

If that is not the issue, then the infection has messed something up, and it may be easier to boot into safe mode and see if you can do a system restore to before last weekend.

Trying_to_be_good

Thank you for being there with me this morning!

Good news - I have my husband's laptop now, so am connected on that whilst mine is sat next to me not playing.

The Network Connections bit on my laptop won't launch (nor will Security Center). Someone is messing about with the inside of it good and proper. Is there another way to get to Internet Protocol? I can get to Internet Options from the IE (Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage) window.

I've just put credit on my 3G memory stick thing, but it won't connect to the internet with that, either.

Trying_to_be_good

paddyrg wrote: »

I'll bet you're never lending him your laptop again! But if you do, create a limited user account for him, one with no install capabilities, it should keep things cleaner!

All he was (supposed to be) doing was installing the CD from a Dinosaur book he'd bought from Waterstone's with Christmas money - it might be coincidental, so he's not (yet...) getting the blame!

Trying_to_be_good

I've found a Network Diagnostics bit on the left-hand side of the Network and Internet Connections - the system scan shows a WMI error for each of:
Internet Explorer Web Proxy
Computer System
Operating System
Version
Modems
Network Adpaters
Network Clients

All with - unable to connect to WMI service '\\.\root\cimv2'

Does that help any diagnosis?

davb

Trying_to_be_good wrote: »

The Network Connections bit on my laptop won't launch (nor will Security Center). Someone is messing about with the inside of it good and proper. Is there another way to get to Internet Protocol? I can get to Internet Options from the IE (Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage) window.

Try booting into Safe mode with neworking - hit F8 as the PC is starting. See if you can access the network connections then, as the virus won't fully load in safe mode.

Trying_to_be_good

Thanks - do I need to hold down F8 during the whole start-up process? Sorry to be clueless.

davb

Trying_to_be_good wrote: »

Thanks - do I need to hold down F8 during the whole start-up process? Sorry to be clueless.

No, you need to tap it every second or so as soon as something shows on the screen - if you see the windows logo you have missed it. You should get to a black screen with a number of menu options in white text.

Trying_to_be_good

Yes! I have the black and white screen and have selected Safe Mode with Networking, then Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition...

Now, Administrator role or Me, please?

davb

Trying_to_be_good wrote: »

Yes! I have the black and white screen and have selected Safe Mode with Networking, then Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition...

Now, Administrator role or Me, please?

Either would be fine, as you will be an administrator - but if you know the administrator password try that, as it won't load anything from your profile.

Trying_to_be_good

Yep, I'm there. Now, the special diagnostic in safe mode, or straight to System Restore?

Many thanks for keeping me sane and smiling.