The best thing to do in this situation

maz

I originally posted this in the virus/hijack forum and the guy helping me told me I was virus-free. I was instructed to post here for additional assistance.

Hello,

Two weeks ago I got a strange message from my firewall, then the firewall abruptly stopped working. Then, worst of all, when I click start>programs, the programs folder shows up empty. Also, no applications show up when I go to add/remove programs, but I can run just about everything as usual, except Win accessories applications like IE, Windows Media Player, and any Microsoft updates The bad part about not being able to access IE is that I cannot access my company's network because I am forced to use another browser (Mozilla). I've run a Microsoft System check on start-up, and everything says I'm ok, but I know I'm not ok!!!

Another strange thing is that when I go to the Microsoft website for updates, it says it cannot validate my software. I am especially having problems with my Windows Media Player. It will play some files, but it won't stream from my XM Satellite account among other things.

Before I took any further measures, I'd like to find out what to do from people better versed in Windows.

BlackHawk

Have you tried doing a system restore or repair installation?

maz

No. I was wondering which of these two would be the best; or if a clean install would be even better. Have you ever heard of this?
Thanks.

profdlp

Black Hawk wrote:

Have you tried doing a system restore or repair installation?

maz wrote:

No. I was wondering which of these two would be the best; or if a clean install would be even better. Have you ever heard of this?
Thanks.

System restore is much easier to perform, but somewhat less effective. It only looks for screwed-up files, then replaces them

A Repair Install replaces the whole kit-and-kaboodle, whether it finds a problem with a particular file or not. It leaves your data intact (which is good), but is somewhat more drastic and time-consuming.

Before doing either, running the diagnostic program from your hard drive manufacturer would be a good idea. A few passes of Memtest-86 would be a great idea, too.

Hang in there. If none of these ideas fix your problem there are a few more tricks we can try.

maz

Thanks for all the help. The system repair worked a treat! I have my start programs listed, my add/remove prgrams are displayed, and I can run my defrag again.

I still have one slight issue and I wasn't able to figure it out. I can't access the internet. My computer does not recognize any network connections, wireless or LAN. I generally connect through a wireless network when I'm out and about. My computer has always been able to connect to any broadband connection without any hitches before I performed the repair.

My wireless card is plug and play, my system recognizes the card, but when I go to set up the wireless network I get a strange message:

run dll error
wzcdlg.dll
missing entry: flashconfigcreatenetwork

Like I said, I've always connected to a network with no troubles. Any clues on this one?

profdlp

What type of wireless router and card are you using?

The research I did leads me to believe that it's a conflict between the built-in Windows wireless support and the drivers for your particular card and router. Have you reinstalled the drivers for them yet?

maz

Well I am using a public wireless network, not a router. I don't have internet access in my home at the moment. I'm using an older Orincoro notebook card. I kind of remember the card being plug and play because I've had two notebooks since I've had the card, and I never remember having to install drivers. Either way I don't have a disc and since I can't access the internet with my laptop, it'll be pretty difficult to get the drivers onto my laptop. It will be possible, just time consuming.

profdlp

It may not be the drivers so much as the configuration program. I think it may be worth the effort to try and get yourself a disc with both drivers and add-on software and try running the setup wizard for your particular wireless card, not the built-in Windows Wireless Wizard.

My sister just went to a wireless configuration and had a world of trouble getting it going. The problem turned out to be that her wireless card was very picky about the way it was setup, and didn't get along with the Windows Wizard at all.

maz

OK, everything is pretty much back to normal after the WinXP reinstall. A few more things and I'll let this thread die.

Thanks for all the help. Everything here has worked well!

I am looking to optimize Win XP, particualrly for audio/audio processing, but any optimiztion checklist will do. I used to have the checklist on a backup disc but now I can't find it. I've also done some searches and haven't found any good ones.

Also AVG Free won't allow updates because my proxy settings aren't correct. I know there are instructions in the help files and I've tried them, but they don't work for me. I've never understood how proxy settings work.

I also know there are various threads on the best firewall, but I'd like to know what is the most user friendly, streamlined firewall that's light on usage, and won't block my sites or anything like that. One that I can set and forget, free or otherwise.

Thanks again!

profdlp

My favorite guide to tweaking WinXP is the one from Black Viper. Unfortunately, his site is undergoing some changes and is down at the moment. If you send me a PM I may be able to help you out.

As for the proxy, how do you connect to the Internet?

For firewalls, we have a nice thread going about that very topic.

profdlp

By request, attached is Black Viper's WinXP Services guide.

My advice would be to change only one thing at a time - that way if you have a problem you'll know exactly what to undo.

maz

Wow, registry stuff...slightly too techy for me. I don't think I have enough guts to try this without baby step by step instructions, but thanks anyhow!