Windows woes

beefster

My daughter advised her laptop was playing up this afternoon...

On start up it went into windows update configuration and appeared to fail, restart and try to configure again... then get stuck in a loop.

I tried it and restarted the pc using the start up repair facility.
Now we can start the PC but there are numerous issues.

1. We have BT netprotect plus in use. A pop up says "Macafee security centre has stopped working"
2. other pop ups show "message centre has stopped working" and "Skype has stopped working".
3. On trying to use internet explorer this causes another pop up saying that has stopped working!
4. Google chrome is ok.
5. loaded AVG and did a computer scan - nothing found.
6. Windows updates shows a failures for Int Explorer 8 and silverlight update.

Windows Fixit fails everytime i try it - pop up saying it has stopped working??

Any pointers welcomed.
Thanks

closed

backup any important data to dvd/external hard disk

do a system restore to a few days ago, if that doesn't work post a hijackthis log

reset Ie to defaults under tools, internet options, advanced.

If the machine has a factory restore partition, or a windows disc, or a program to create the windows disc, the easiest solution is to backup any data, then reinstall windows.

having multiple av programs won't help things, I'd uninstall the lot, and stick avast free on.

beefster

Tried a restore.
Oddly there was only one listed to choose from for 25th??

Will try the other bits now.

Not that techie minded...

CaptChadd

Sometimes if a windows update has corrupted or not installed properly then this can be the problem. Have a look at the last few updates that windows has install and maybe uninstall them and redownload them again. You can see the list if you go to uninstall a program and check the show windows updates box.

macman

BT Netprotect is McAffee-and utterly useless. Replace with Avast, Avira or MSE for free and stop paying a fortune for it each month.

chunter

macman wrote: »

BT Netprotect is McAffee-and utterly useless. Replace with Avast, Avira or MSE for free and stop paying a fortune for it each month.

XP? ...rootkits, rootkits rootkits....

beefster

1. BT netprotect is free to me.
2. I have already said i have installed AVG - I have avast on my Laptop. Get that point.
3. I have found her C drive is virtually full? Weird?

Tried to use the "free dish space" tool but that wont work either.

rubaduck

AVG is awful.....support opensource and google clamwin. I've been using it for years on XP but have now been converted to Ubuntu and will never look back. Still use XP in a virtual machine though.

C:\ drive is full after you've just restored to factory settings?

debitcardmayhem

Two a/v's will not work very well together , also try emptying the recycle bin, and get rid of any system restore points too since they don't seem to have helped. If you are really short on disk space XP will not like it at all

robmar0se

Hi,

It does sound wierd!

I think we need to go back to basics.


1. Hopefully now you have only one AV ie AVG on your system now - having more than one creates its own problems - the McAfee footprint is quite large xo if you still have it uninstall it - if it won't uninstall, run MCPR from here - http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe.

2. Lets try and clean up the system - you may have to switch this element round with the next if you hit probs - downlaod CCleaner - http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

3. One of the causes of your problems may be some malware, so would like you to download and run Malwarebytes from here - http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

When you've done that then come back and see if more needs to be done,

Good luck

Naf

A favourite way of mine to get a system back up and running right is to install Tune Up Utilities (google it).
The free trial lasts 15 days, which is plenty of time to get it to fix a load of problems, free up disk space, do lots of checks and then remove it before the trial expires. In combination with malwarebytes (freeware) I have managed to solve the vast majority of system issues that the average person comes up against.
And definitely install Avast antivirus. It's free, it's effective, and seems to use less system resources than its rivals.