Should I restore my desktop back to factory settings?

katies_mum

A few weeks ago I had router problems which I thought we had got over (apart from still not getting my printer working wireless). The last few days the desktop has been really playing up. Internet is always going off, Inernet Explorer has is not connected even when internet is on, Firefox not much better, I can`t print even using USB, passwords on sites such as this are all disappearing and I have to log on every single time, its slow....etc etc.

Yesterday the computer somehow restored itself.. and the message was it couldn`t repair! I then tried to go back about a month doing the system restore and still can`t do anything, printing, log into internet etc.

I really don`t know what I am doing, but feel that everything I`m trying is just wasting time (because I don`t know if it actually does anything to help) so was wondering if I might be better cutting my losses and just trying to do whatever you do to wipe everything and start again.

I don`t have any discs or anything that came with the desktop so not really sure what to do (hope I didn`t have to make any special discs when I got it) - any advice would be really great...

At the moment I am backing up all my files to a HP pocket media drive which came with the desktop (I know naughty girl - I should do this on a regular basis). can I get all my info back from this disc and is it easy to reload?

Only had the desktop just over 2 years so its not that old.

Many thanks

m5rcc

Restart the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key while the computer is starting. If the Recovery Partition is accessible, the HP Recovery Manager will start (assuming you have an HP desktop - you dont say).

If you do, click on "OK" when prompted to back up any user files before beginning Recovery and wait for this backup to finish. The Recovery Manager will then open. Click on "Next," and then click on "System Recovery." Your computer will restart. Click on the "System recovery" option on the screen which appears when your computer restarts and click on "Next." Click on "No" if a prompt asks if you want to use the Microsoft System Restore program, then click on "Next.". Click on "Continue without backing up your files" (because you backed them up earlier) and then click on "Next.". Click on "Next" when a box saying "Recover without backing up your files" appears. The recovery process will now begin. This could take up to several hours. Your computer will restart when the recovery is complete.

Otherwise, call HP (I presume it's an HP if you have a media drive given with the desktop) and ask for a replacement copy of the disc. They should give it for free and then (after backacking everything up) restore it to factory settings.

closed

or do a full scan with malwarebytes, fix anything found before closing, and post a hijackthis log

If you do wipe it, make sure you can read and access the backup, and backup really important data to dvd as a secondary copy

katies_mum

Thank you both for taking the time to reply, its all so confusing when you don`t know what you are doing.
I`m running a full scan with malwarebytes, I`ll let you know what it says (on laptop at moment) so will have to type what the outcome is.
m5rcc yes it is a HP Pavillion Slimline desktop that is playing up.
Don`t really understand about backing up as its something I have neve done before (should have learnt my lesson as lost a lot of stuff 2 years ago when old computer packed up overnight) how do I test if the info I put on the HP media pocket drive has worked? I have some sony DVD-R discs will these be ok to use. Only really want to save `my docs` `my pictures` and list of favourites if thats possible.

Thanks

birkee

Think someone needs to clarify that the 'desktop' is not an indication of what's in the computer system or how it's set up.

Also, You use Internet Explorer (or substitute) to connect to the Internet, not the internet to get into Internet Explorer. It's IE that has the details of your 'Home Page' etc. What part of the internet do you connect to, unless IE tells it? (Homepage)
Software installation may give the instructions on what site to connect to, if IE is not used, via the website address in the software installation procedure.

closed

if anything is found, fix them before closing malwarebytes.

dvd-r should be fine

how are backing up, using software, or copying files in explorer? Look to see what files are on the backup drive

most of your problems appear to be related to connecting to the router, try it wired if you are using wireless

katies_mum

birkee, yes IE is what I click on to get onto the internet. Its in my list when I click on the windows button bottom LH corner of screen., I also have firefox in that list as well..couldn`t get either of them working last night.

closed - its a new Beliknin N300 router (I use Virgin broadband). It is working fine with the laptop. Desktop is upstairs and router is downstairs, I can`t wire it up. It set up ok 2 weeks ago when I bought it.

Malwarebytes is still running. I just hate it when `computers` don`t work, I can building flatpacks, wallpaper, knock down walls but anyting technical is beyond me and makes me a bit stressed as I`m getting out of my depth. Please bare with me if you think I`m a little vague.

Many thanks

katies_mum

Scan is completed and it says `no malicious items were detected`. I`m assuming this is a good thing.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version 3838
Windows 6.0.6002 Service pack 2
Internet explorer 8.0 6001.19019
25/03/2011 1:40:37
mbam - log - 2011 -03 -25
Scan type Full scan

any suggestins as to what to try next, as I don`t really want to wipe everything off. Could it be a problem with IE, should I try and load the router CD again I`ll try all suggestions.

thanks again

birkee

Perhaps when the computer 'reset itself' (?) it lost it's reference to which network it should connect to.
Open 'Control Panel' and go into 'network and sharing' settings, and ask it to check for errors, or tell it to connect to your network.

Don't worry about being 'green', there are many posters willing to help.
One thing to bear in mind, ... we were all green at sometime, it will sink in a bit at a time. The biggest learning curves, are when you are resolving problems.

katies_mum

I have done that and its come up with a yellow triangle and says Press the configuration button on your access point! help... any ideas where it might be?

aliEnRIK

katies_mum wrote: »

Scan is completed and it says `no malicious items were detected`. I`m assuming this is a good thing.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version 3838
Windows 6.0.6002 Service pack 2
Internet explorer 8.0 6001.19019
25/03/2011 1:40:37
mbam - log - 2011 -03 -25
Scan type Full scan

any suggestins as to what to try next, as I don`t really want to wipe everything off. Could it be a problem with IE, should I try and load the router CD again I`ll try all suggestions.

thanks again

After all the times youve run malwarebytes, i'd have thought you would have realised by now it needs UPDATING first

Yours is that old id recommend uninstalling, installing the latest version (From filehippo.com), UPDATING then scannng