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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 11 to 35 of 35. Go back in thread:
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 28, 2004, at 8:58:57
In reply to serious computer troubles, posted by alesta on December 27, 2004, at 16:45:31
>
> hey, you guys,:)
>
> i awoke thursday to find that *none* of the programs on my computer were working (including internet software), and that my computer speaks german now. i spent about 5 or 6 frustrating hours trying to fix the problem unsuccessfully.I hope you're running Windows XP. You need to boot in safe mode. When you power up, just keep tapping the F8 key. You'll get a series of weird messages, but be patient. You'll get to a screen that allows you to boot under an earlier version of your operating system's registry ('start Windows under earlier restore point', or something like that). Select a date that precedes the beginning of this crappola, but not too far back in time.
If this works, go instantly online to: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
This site will do a remote virus scan on your computer (so your computer won't know it's happening.....some viruses are activated by antivirus software...), and it will fix and delete the virus as it goes. Getting a restore point to work does not get rid of the virus. It just temporarily disconnects it from the computer's active files.
If you have to delete some files to eliminate the virus (the Housecall program will prompt you to make that decision, but only if needed), make sure you write down the filenames in case you have to restore them from the original Windows disk(s).
I think Nikki mentioned in another thread where you can get free updated antivirus software. But you should also get and run Spybot Search and Destroy, and install Spywareblaster (both free, but donations accepted by the authors).
Lar
Posted by 64bowtie on December 30, 2004, at 2:18:32
In reply to serious computer troubles, posted by alesta on December 27, 2004, at 16:45:31
...if you have 98 or 98SE, tap F8 several times during boot-up and a menu appears. Select 3 (boot in safe mode). When all the whizzing and buzzing ends a big dialog box appears. Tap <enter> key... Then <start> -> <restart> -> <enter>. If it dosen't work the first time, try, try again (3 times Is good)... If it is still booting into "Eastern-Madigaskar", and you have the ability via "emergency boot Disk" to get to the CDROM drive, put your Windows 98 CD in the drive. Ask around your friends for an emergency boot disk and Win 98 CD if can't find your originals.
Now, if you have NT, 2000, or XP, you have to use your recovery disk. If that doesn't work, ask around for a system-ghost disk... If you have people say you need meds because they've never heard of "Ghost", ask them if they have their distribution set of disks that were sold with their machine.
If you can't "Ghost" your hard drive (takes 20 minutes), then set aside 3 to 4 hours to reimage your hard drive with the original factory disks... After doing this work for several thousand years, you can imagine I love "Ghosting" machines, and hate "reimaging" machines...
This thread makes me SO happy that I took the plunge to go back and get my PhDEd. Don't gotta work late night with these nasty, schnarley, 'puter thingies. I just punch the keys and hope for the best, these days.
In the distant past, I would actually heat up my soldering tip and get out my needle-nosed pliers, and get ready for computer surgery, unholster my 10 inch long Snap-On #2 phillips scewdriver to begin disassembly.... So glad those days are in my dim past!!!
I reluctantly suggest that you go to the yellow pages. Comp-Usa and Fry's both do OK work; Fry's I trust, and approach Comp-USA cautiously. If you work in a big enough company to have network staff, ask a couple of them who they trust in the private sectar.
Rod
Posted by verne on December 30, 2004, at 2:55:34
In reply to For computer troubles... Like Lar said unless » alesta, posted by 64bowtie on December 30, 2004, at 2:18:32
Please don't do what this guy is saying. It's not that complicated - even if your computer is speaking german.
When people start talking about the ghost of your hard drive, give them a wide berth.
I think Lar is right on with his analysis.
You don't need to get into the ghost psychic of a piece of junk.
verne
Posted by verne on December 30, 2004, at 12:17:25
In reply to Re: For computer troubles... Like Lar said unless, posted by verne on December 30, 2004, at 2:55:34
Sorry all,
I was getting cranky again. Took way too many supplements and ended up drinking to deal with the shock to my system.
At some point all I do is look around for something to grouse about. Not a mean drunk, just a cranky one.
Amy, I hope you're making progress with the computer problem.
verne
Posted by 64bowtie on December 31, 2004, at 2:11:40
In reply to Re: For computer troubles... Like Lar said, posted by verne on December 30, 2004, at 12:17:25
Like I said, I'm so glad I no longer work in the computer industry and don't have to put up daily with newbies calling me names and denying my knowledge and experience. 25 years of all kinds of computers and data processing has taught me to remain silent around folks like that, until they leave the room so I can get back to my work! I have learned to be patient with them!
Here in "the Silicon Gulch", Sunnyvale CA, I have coffee with hardware, software, and firmware developers often. They sometimes need help with their relationships and I sometimes need updates on technology. Quid pro quo! And, just a local phone call away.
I'm also a computer anachronism. I have used a 137.5 Baud (not KBaud, Baud) KSR workstaion in 1976 (no screen - It printed both sides of the conversation). I declare that this knowledge makes me officially a "Computer Anachronism".
Also, I really, really, really didn't want to post my solution. I did it in a moment of weakness. It wasn't wrong... It was complete, sorta, but complete makes people run away screaming.
Rod
PS: We here at Babble are working our (what the CIA labels) wetware; brains are wetware. Another label bandied around computer circles is vaporware, that which triggers large investing but never sees the marketplace, because...., it "isn't". Newbies solve computer problems with their wetware on vapors; another kinda vaporware.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 31, 2004, at 8:26:55
In reply to Hey, Verne..., posted by 64bowtie on December 31, 2004, at 2:11:40
> I'm also a computer anachronism. I have used a 137.5 Baud (not KBaud, Baud) KSR workstaion in 1976 (no screen - It printed both sides of the conversation). I declare that this knowledge makes me officially a "Computer Anachronism".
I remember sending telex messages on paper tape, and 11" floppies. I think they were 11". The memory fades.
Lar
Posted by 64bowtie on December 31, 2004, at 13:15:25
In reply to Re: Hey, Verne... » 64bowtie, posted by Larry Hoover on December 31, 2004, at 8:26:55
Lar,
I was going thru storage a couple of days ago and found a box of 8" floppies. I'll put them on [Bidville] over the weekend.
Windows in MSDOS mode, still recognises paper tape. Wooopeee! Also, "Compaticard", I have one, reads 8" floppies. Win95 even came out on 8" floppies. What was Bill Gates thinking back in August of 1995?
Sad! Very sad!
Rod
PS: The "cookie", which is the round record thingy inside the floppy disk holder, 8" cookies make great nerf-frisbes. You CAN'T poke out any eyes throwing one around the office. Why would I know that? Sad! Very sad!
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:10:31
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » alesta, posted by verne on December 27, 2004, at 22:42:37
hi, verne!:)
man, it's good to be back, if only for a moment. that was so sweet of you to try and help me.:) thanks verne!! i am totally lost without my internet buddies. i'm totally isolated right now, and am getting pretty depressed and out of it. my car still hasn't been fixed, so i'm really in a bind right now. it was like pulling teeth to get my ex to drop me off so i could get online, and i only have a couple hours to do everything i need to do here. anyway, sorry for rambling..i just had to divulge that i'm not doing too well.i'm at the employment commission and just found out that their computers won't let me access the sites i posted my questions to. bloody perfect. i believe i probably got either a nasty virus or a spyware problem. i can't access the control panel. most of my programs don't work. i am probably going to have to reinstall *everything*, including scandisk, although if i get really lucky scandisk might do the trick on its own, although i doubt it.
good to hear from you, verne. i'm gonna go ahead and check out your other post on this thread, too.
amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:16:19
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles/check this out » alesta, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 28, 2004, at 0:40:33
> Hey Amy I went to my control panel and went to "reginal and language settings" and sure enough I was right you can set those to ANY language...sooo you may want to check those..someone in your home who doesn't want you on the puter may have set them knowing you would not know what to do...I am sure hackers could do that too but try that first in case its someone at home playing games. I have my puter set to where you cannot get to the first screen without a password IF someone reset yours at home you may wanna do that too
hey fallen:)
thanks much for the tip, but unfortunately the control panel doesn't work. lol. (also, my computer "speaks" 2 languages, rather than just one.) but thank you! i appreciate your trying to help. stay cool.:)amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:22:28
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » alesta, posted by Larry Hoover on December 28, 2004, at 8:58:57
> I hope you're running Windows XP. You need to boot in safe mode. When you power up, just keep tapping the F8 key. You'll get a series of weird messages, but be patient. You'll get to a screen that allows you to boot under an earlier version of your operating system's registry ('start Windows under earlier restore point', or something like that).hi lar:)
thank you very much for your help! will the above work for windows 98 instead of xp? i guess i'll check and see when i get home. thanks for all the info dear! you rock!amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:33:13
In reply to For computer troubles... Like Lar said unless » alesta, posted by 64bowtie on December 30, 2004, at 2:18:32
well, thank you, rod! looks like you answered my question to larry! fantastic. ok. i'll give it a shot. *much* appreciated. thank you!!!amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:36:52
In reply to Re: For computer troubles... Like Lar said, posted by verne on December 30, 2004, at 12:17:25
> Sorry all,
>
> I was getting cranky again. Took way too many supplements and ended up drinking to deal with the shock to my system.
>
> At some point all I do is look around for something to grouse about. Not a mean drunk, just a cranky one.
>
> Amy, I hope you're making progress with the computer problem.
>
> vernelol. hey, your apology is accepted man, i'm sure. a little temperamentalness keeps things interesting around here:)..thanks again for the computer well wishes.
amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:42:26
In reply to sounds like a virus to me, posted by crushedout on December 28, 2004, at 0:31:47
>
> but what do i know?
hey crushed:)
thanks for the tip, lol.:) hope things are well with you. i really appreciated how you helped me out a couple weeks ago. you're good people. it was a really nice feeling to know that someone would vouch for me like you did. thanks again.:)amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 18:50:25
In reply to serious computer troubles, posted by alesta on December 27, 2004, at 16:45:31
well, to anyone who's curious (verne, i know you, at least, wanted to know what the solution was), the advice i was given by a tech web site is below. as the 8-ball would say, "outlook not so good." i guess i have to buy a new computer. (unless i can get a hold of that computer technician who lives next door to me. maybe he could help.)
here are the 3 pieces of techie advice i was given:
1."Sounds to me like your drive is going (or has gone) bad. You should try to hook it up as a slave in a working computer ASAP and save as much of your data as you can."
__________________
--
2."AND, you could also try going to the DOS before you get into windows at the start up and type in chdsk or. orr. orrrrrrr, mmm scandsk. I think, is that correct?"3.another techie from a different site tells me to reinstall my programs, although i don't know if my computer will let me install anything.
take care,
amy
Posted by Angel Girl on January 6, 2005, at 20:55:37
In reply to the computer advice i was given.., posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 18:50:25
Alesta
Sorry to hear that your computer is sick and that you probably need a new one.
AG
Posted by Dave001 on January 7, 2005, at 13:46:57
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » alesta, posted by alesta on December 27, 2004, at 17:34:57
> OMG, i don't suppose anyone here is a computer expert...i need help pronto. microsoft charges $35 for support, which i currently do not have. i posted on the tech support guy forums, but god knows when they'll get back to me. i don't know when i can come back to the library. my ex still hasn't fixed my car, even though i gave him the money to do so ages ago. and he won't let me take his car..i snuck it away tonight. oh sh#t.
>It looks like I'm a little late, but if you haven't yet solved your computer problem, I can help. What are the problems? If you have a link to a post where you've already described the problem in detail, please post it or copy and paste the text to avoid having retype everything.
In the meantime, until the problem is resolved, you could have a friend download and burn you a copy of Knoppix (it's free) from linuxiso.org. It's a Linux distro that runs completely from CD. It has Mozilla on it so you can browse the Web and use e-mail, even without a hard drive.
Dave
Posted by Dave001 on January 7, 2005, at 14:19:18
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » Larry Hoover, posted by alesta on January 6, 2005, at 10:22:28
>
> > I hope you're running Windows XP. You need to boot in safe mode. When you power up, just keep tapping the F8 key. You'll get a series of weird messages, but be patient. You'll get to a screen that allows you to boot under an earlier version of your operating system's registry ('start Windows under earlier restore point', or something like that).
>
> hi lar:)
> thank you very much for your help! will the above work for windows 98 instead of xp? i guess i'll check and see when i get home. thanks for all the info dear! you rock!
>Nope. Micro$oft included "System Restore" with Windows ME and XP, but not 98 or earlier. Personally, I think the "feature" is crap; it doesn't restore all of the registry hives or files, and thus doesn't restore your computer to an exact point in time. It also wastes a lot of disk space and slows the computer down. Arguably, the best method of backup and recovery involves the use of drive imaging software that does sector based backups with support for incrementals. Imaging software allows you to do bare metal your system to an exact point in time. My backup software takes incremental snapshots of sector changes every hour and saves them to a separate computer on the network. Even if both of my hard disks were physically erased, I can quickly restore everything to exactly the way it was, losing at most one hour of work.
Dave
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 7, 2005, at 14:43:43
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles, posted by Dave001 on January 7, 2005, at 13:46:57
> It looks like I'm a little late, but if you haven't yet solved your computer problem, I can help. What are the problems? If you have a link to a post where you've already described the problem in detail, please post it or copy and paste the text to avoid having retype everything.
It's the very first post in this thread. When you read this, scroll down, and it's the first post at the top of the list.
Lar
Posted by alesta on January 16, 2005, at 12:38:20
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles, posted by Dave001 on January 7, 2005, at 13:46:57
hi, dave!:)thanks so much for offering to help me!:) sorry i took so long to respond! i truly appreciate it. here is the link where i describe the problem in detail:
http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?t=312248&goto=newpost
btw, some additional info: i tried to reinstall microsoft word, but the computer wouldn't let me. i wonder if it would let me reinstall scandisk (probably not?), and if that might possibly help fix the problems? i don't know..i'm totally clueless here unfortunately. also, the only program that works out of all the ones i've tried is Notepad.
thanks, dave, if you're still around, lol. i hope you are! i know it's been a little while since your post. in any event, i really appreciate your offer, even if we can't fix this piece of @#$#$ computer.:) and i will definitely get back to you sooner this time. hope you haven't left the building..
take care,
amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 16, 2005, at 15:08:02
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles, posted by Dave001 on January 7, 2005, at 14:19:18
hi, again, dave,
this link gives a much more thorough explanation of my computer's 'issues':http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/post82237.html#post82237
a thousand thanks!!
amy:)
Posted by alesta on January 16, 2005, at 15:31:11
In reply to Re: the computer advice i was given.. » alesta, posted by Angel Girl on January 6, 2005, at 20:55:37
> Alesta
>
> Sorry to hear that your computer is sick and that you probably need a new one.
>
> AGhey, angel girl:)
lol, thanx for the kind sentiment, angel.:) hope you're doin' okay.:-)take care,
amy:)
Posted by Atticus on January 17, 2005, at 18:48:12
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » Dave001, posted by alesta on January 16, 2005, at 12:38:20
We have just GOT to get you back online here on a regular basis. Place isn't the same. No one to write stories with about Mountie koalas and other serious issues of the day. Miss you. ;) Atticus
Posted by alesta on January 21, 2005, at 13:14:41
In reply to Re: serious computer troubles » alesta, posted by Atticus on January 17, 2005, at 18:48:12
aw, thanks atti.:) i miss you, too, funny guy! finally gained access to a computer again, but i have to leave again shortly...bullocks, as you say, lol.:-) so good to hear from ya!:) i'm sorry to hear of your recent illness, and i'm glad you're okay, bud. stay cool! i'll be back, stirring the pot, soon enough. (kidding):-)
take care you,:)
amy
Posted by Atticus on January 21, 2005, at 15:08:50
In reply to hiyeee » Atticus, posted by alesta on January 21, 2005, at 13:14:41
I'll be glad when you're back on a permanent basis, Amy. You know where to find me. ;) Atticus
Posted by alesta on January 25, 2005, at 15:15:01
In reply to Re: hiyeee » alesta, posted by Atticus on January 21, 2005, at 15:08:50
thanks, atti.:) me, too, luv. looks like you've become quite popular over here already.:) stay chilled, hon. amy:)
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