Internet Explorer cannot be displayed.

sally2489

Brief summary is I followed nearly all of the steps to make my laptop faster, from this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

I installed avast anti-virus, got rid of my old anti-virus, and installed ccleaner and malwarebytes, but now my internet explorer cannot be displayed at all.
It is nothing to do with the internet connection, because I am using firefox fine right now.

sally2489

closed wrote: »

Could you start a new thread to fix this issue, to avoid cluttering this one up with loads of diagnostics.

What do you mean by the other option?

Hi.
Sorry for cluttering up other thread.

The other option of run in separate memory space is ticked.

closed

no problem, just gets messy if everyone does it.

just to be sure, you are holding down the shift key on the exe, right clicking, then you can't run as admin (by left clicking)

could you try downloading the executable version, if you have done the installer version

http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/hijackthis/beta/HijackThis.exe

sally2489

Yes, it wasn't working when I did that, but using your link worked.
Here is the hijackthis log.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 00:51:24, on 04/06/2011
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.19048)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Windows\ATK0100\HControl.exe
C:\Windows\sm56hlpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\WrtMon.exe
C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TimounterMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe
C:\Program Files\EPSON\Creativity Suite\Event Manager\EEventManager.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe
C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\WrtProc.exe
C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Windows\ATK0100\ATKOSD.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Consumer Input\dca-ua.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony Picture Utility\PMBCore\SPUVolumeWatcher.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
\Users\Salma Hussain\Downloads\HijackThis(2).exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = Preserve
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.wbs.uk.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.wbs.uk.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: DCA - {B49699FC-1665-4414-A1CB-C4A2A4A13EEC} - C:\Program Files\Consumer Input\dca-bho.dll
O2 - BHO: Bing Bar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: @C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll,-100 - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O3 - Toolbar: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HControl] C:\Windows\ATK0100\HControl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMSERIAL] sm56hlpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DNS7reminder] "C:\Program Files\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking9\Ereg\Ereg.exe" -r "C:\ProgramData\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking9\Ereg.ini
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WrtMon.exe] C:\Windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\WrtMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TrueImageMonitor.exe] c:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AcronisTimounterMonitor] c:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TimounterMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis Scheduler2 Service] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EEventManager] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Creativity Suite\Event Manager\EEventManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebViewWatchDog] C:\Program Files\WebViewLSPService\GacelaWatchDogService.exe /Debug
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NielsenOnline] C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [StartCCC] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R285 Series] C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATICKE.EXE /FU "C:\Windows\TEMP\E_S9D48.tmp" /EF "HKCU"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Consumer Input Update] C:\Program Files\Consumer Input\dca-ua.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - Startup: CCC.lnk = ?
O4 - Startup: PMB Media Check Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony Picture Utility\PMBCore\SPUVolumeWatcher.exe
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1004 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1003 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O16 - DPF: {D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8} (Virtools WebPlayer Class) - http://3dlifeplayer.dl.3dvia.com/player/install/3DVIA_player_installer.exe
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {EBB176D2-AF75-4706-832F-4C8448F72757} (TNSClickerc.Clicker) - http://www.shopandscan.com/TNSClickrc.CAB
O18 - Protocol: wlpg - {E43EF6CD-A37A-4A9B-9E6F-83F89B8E6324} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\AlbumDownloadProtocolHandler.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: CopySafe Helper Service (CSHelper) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\CSHelper.exe
O23 - Service: DM1Service - OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. - C:\Program Files\Olympus\DeviceDetector\DM1Service.exe
O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Nielsen Update (NielsenUpdate) - The Nielsen Company - C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe

--
End of file - 10204 bytes

closed

Could you uninstall eset/nod32

reset IE to defaults again

and reboot

which brand of camera are you using at the moment?

how much ram is installed, (right click my computer, properties)

Some of these you may have already done, can't tell from the log

Install and run ccleaner (untick the google toolbar during the install). Untick the "windows log files" box, under the system heading before cleaning. Also Tick the java cache tick box under CCleaner, applications, internet to wipe the java cache which sometimes hides infections. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/slim

Install and run startuplite, accept suggested changes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/StartUpLite.exe

Click the java icon in control panel, updates, untick check for updates

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

In the firefox address bar, type about:config then right click, new boolean, create a key called config.trim_on_minimize set to true

Using Hijackthis, tick and fix these entries

O16 - DPF: {D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8} (Virtools WebPlayer Class) - http://3dlifeplayer.dl.3dvia.com/pla..._installer.exe
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {EBB176D2-AF75-4706-832F-4C8448F72757} (TNSClickerc.Clicker) - http://www.shopandscan.com/TNSClickrc.CAB

O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll (file missing)


__________________________________________________

Uninstall any IE toolbars (browser helper objects or BHO's) in Control panel, or Firefox plugins that you don't need. This is a list of the IE BHO's evident in the log

O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: DCA - {B49699FC-1665-4414-A1CB-C4A2A4A13EEC} - C:\Program Files\Consumer Input\dca-bho.dll
O2 - BHO: Bing Bar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll

Disable (vista/W7) or uninstall (XP) Windows Defender. To disable windows defender on vista or windows 7 - from the start menu, windows defender, tools, options, untick use real-time protection, under administrator options, untick use windows defender and untick allow everyone to use windows defender, click save to save settings. XP users can either do this or preferably uninstall it in control panel instead.

__________________________________________________

Unless you need them running all the time, use the startup tab in msconfig to disable these items from running at startup (they can always be run manually if needed)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NielsenOnline] C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenOnline.ex e
O4 - Startup: PMB Media Check Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony Picture Utility\PMBCore\SPUVolumeWatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TrueImageMonitor.exe] c:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Consumer Input Update] C:\Program Files\Consumer Input\dca-ua.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis Scheduler2 Service] "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebViewWatchDog] C:\Program Files\WebViewLSPService\GacelaWatchDogService.exe /Debug
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EEventManager] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Creativity Suite\Event Manager\EEventManager.exe

Unless you use media sharing across the network, disable it in media player, library, media sharing, or options media sharing, untick find and share media

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This is a list of (or remnants of) security software evident in your log, you may wish to uninstall these in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features) to keep your PC running smoothly, too much overlapping or bloated security or useless tuning software can have a drastic effect on performance - always leave one resident scanner running (eg avast/avira etc)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
__________________________________________________

Uninstall gacela

---

(unless you really need it)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebViewWatchDog] C:\Program Files\WebViewLSPService\GacelaWatchDogService.exe /Debug

__________________________________________________


__________________________________________________

start, run, msconfig, select services tab, disable these services UNLESS you use them. (make a note of any services you disable,if you have any problems related to these services subsequently, simply re-enable them)

SSDP Discovery Service
Remote Registry
WebClient
Distributed Link Tracking Client

Also disable these services if you don't use them by running msconfig, services tab

O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe

O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe

O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe

O23 - Service: Nielsen Update (NielsenUpdate) - The Nielsen Company - C:\Program Files\NetRatingsNetSight\NetSight\NielsenUpdate.ex e

sally2489

Thank-you so much!
I uninstalled eset, reset ie to defaults, and IE works again!!

RAM is: 2.00GB
System type: 32-bit operating system

I am using a sony cybershot camera.

Just going to reboot now, and then continue with the rest of the steps.

closed

System may have got confused, as you had 3 virus scanners, possibly with their own firewall installed, the norton/mcafee/eset firewall may have caused the IE issue. Too much security software isn't good for performance.

make sure windows firewall is on in control panel

You've also got some Olympus camera detection software installed, which you may wish to uninstall

If you get it running nicely at the end of all this, I suggest doing a disk image backup, as you have acronis installed

sally2489

Thanks for all the advice, really appreciated!

Just afew queries:
"Click the java icon in control panel, updates, untick check for updates" - I can't find the java icon on my control panel, and after testing whether i have java or not at http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp
It says no working java was detected on your system, you can install now.

Also a disc image back-up - is that like saving all my photos on a usb/hard-drive?

closed

(after fixing the file missings) install java, then untick the check for updates - the previous java config seemed corrupted so this should cure it.

disk image backup backs up everything, windows, programs, photos and all data to a usb hard disk, so if your hard disk failed or you couldn't boot, or got infected, then you would boot using the acronis cd, then restore the whole system from a backup stored on the usb drive.

I also recommend storing another copy of photos and anything else important on dvd.

Any speed improvement yet?

sally2489

:oSorry disc image backup is confusing me a tad, and the acronis cd.
Are they both cd's, or something i should already have or need to purchase?

Yes thanks, it seems alot faster than before.

closed

You have acronis true image installed, when you have finished cleaning the system up, try running it and it may make more sense, or google disk imaging.

It just a backup program, that takes a snapshot of your whole hard disk, and dumps it to a file somewhere (eg on a usb hard disk)

If your internal hard disk failed tomorrow, you would be able to go to a shop, buy a new hard disk for £30+, install it, and restore the snapshot (ie image) to the new hard disk. - everything would be exactly as it was before your hard disk failed - you wouldn't need to install windows, or programs, or restore your data, favourites, music, it would be all there.

To enable you to do a restore when you have a completely empty/corrupt/infected c drive (as in this scenario the old one failed), you would need to boot from a bootable cd first, this runs the recovery program, which you then point at your backup snapshot, and restore, the acronis program has the option to create this cd on the menu.