Help! I've a problem with my PC

Pete Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 10:53 AM

If any of you kind people could give me some advice on a computer problem, I'd be most grateful. I'll continue to search the internet for help, but I know other people have been given computer advice here before.

For some reason, when I started my PC this morning I couldn't get either Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook to open. They both just generated one of those 'Sending Error Report to Microsoft' windows. I tried Mozilla Firefox - that opened, but then just hung.

I tried a few other applications - games, photography stuff, MS Word - everything else seemed OK. The broadband link seemed OK. It just seemed that any application involving the internet failed to open.

I decided to do a system restore - but when I went to 'Start' and clicked on 'Help and Support' no window came up! Eventually I restarted the PC and hit F8 to go into safe mode and did a system restore from there. But when it restarted the PC, it came up with a message saying system restore hit a problem and needed to close!

At least Mozilla Firefox now seems to work. But when I tried to import my favourites,etc., from Internet Explorer it hung.

I've exhausted my limited knowledge of PC's - any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Tobyh · #2 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 11:14 AM

Hmmm...could be a few different things Pete, bit of a weird problem.

Which Operating System are you on? Is your Antivirus and firewall working properly and..under the task manager are you seeing any strange looking processes running that you can't account for (unsure if you are familiar with this bit) - this is where I first check as soon as something strange happens.

Have you had any other issues at all? has this suddenly just started? Is it after you have installed any other software - there may be a conflict somewhere for instance.

There's a few questions to start

_

TobyH

Mercadante · #3 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 11:24 AM

I wonder whether you have automatic updates turned on, and something like IE7 has just installed itself? That made my mother's system fail until I removed it. (I'm afraid I can't remember the exact symptoms, but system restore certainly failed.)

Pete Collins · #4 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 12:00 PM

Thanks very much for the suggestions so far.

The operating system is XP. I haven't installed anything recently, and the sytem was working fine last night - the last thing I did before shutting down last night was to use Internet Explorer to visit WAB!

The firewall and anti-virus seem to be working OK, and a scan for malware showed nothing. I did discover that the XP firewall was on, as well as the ZoneAlarm one - I have turned the XP one off now, I thought it was off before.

IE7 seemed to install itself successfully about a month ago. The last update for it was several days ago (according to 'Add/Remove programs').

The problem does seem to be with Internet Explorer - it fails to start, and any program that tries to access the internet through IE has a problem.

Stewy · #5 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 12:19 PM

What about un plugging the router and leave for 5 minutes and try again?

It works for me when I can't get on the internet.

Billy Wobble Dagger · #6 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 12:22 PM

Make sure that Zonealarm is set to allow access to Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook. If it's been disabled you will not be able to access either and you will get an error report.
I hope this is some help.

BWD

Pete Collins · #7 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 12:48 PM

Thanks Stewy and BWD.

There's no problem with the internet connection - I'm typing this on my PC usuing Mozilla Firefox (another internet browser). It's just Internet Explorer 7 that seems to be the problem, along with things like Outlook that somehow use IE7.

I did check ZoneAlarm (my parent's are forever disabling IE and other necessary programs on their PC!), and both IE and Outlook are enabled.

I've thought of uninstalling IE7 and downloading it again, but the Add/Remove Programs thing warned that a lot of pograms have been installed since IE7, and I don't want to muck things up further.

I could live with using a different browser, it's the fact that Outlook and other programs linked to IE7 are failing that is the real problem.

Lance Morgan · #8 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 01:08 PM

You should be able to repair your installation of IE without removing it completely. I think you get the option to do this when you click uninstall from the add/remove programme menu you probably have some conflict issues with IE and outlook.

Pete Collins · #9 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 04:53 PM

I didn't get an option to repair the installation, but in desperation I went ahead and uninstalled and then re-installed Internet Explorer 7. Made no difference. It still won't open (seems to be trying to open a Microsoft page, rather than my home page).

Now my Microsoft Frontpage is also messed up and won't open, so I can't update my web site. I suspect I made things worse by making Opera my default browser - and of course I can't open IE7 to make that the default again!

I did get a load of messages saying the problem might be cured by updating my Microsoft Office applications. But when I go to the site, using Opera, it says it will only work if I go there using Internet Explorer! I think that's what they call 'Catch 22'!

I am really cheesed off with this. It was working fine last night, I've not changed anything or installed anything. I can only think that some automatic update from Microsoft has somehow stuffed things up.

Mercadante · #10 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 05:32 PM

Actually you've reminded me - the way it's looking for a page sounds just like what happened on my mother's machine. She had to revert to IE6 permanently - no great loss I thought. Did you try after uninstalling and before reinstalling IE7?

Pete Collins · #11 (**permalink**) 21-04-2008, 06:11 PM

Phew! Panic over!

In frustration I decided to shut the PC down. When I did so, it said there were 3 updates to be installed (I'd seen it had been getting updates, but I hadn't had a message saying I needed to shutdown and restart for the updates to take effect).

When I restarted the PC, everything seemed to work OK (IE7, Outlook and Frontpage). Hoorah!

So I'm pretty sure I was right, some updates had somehow corrupted my MS applications and these later updates sorted the problem out.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and help!

Now I can go back to enjoying WAB - are there any photos from Minsmere yet?

Pete Collins · #12 (**permalink**) 22-04-2008, 06:19 PM

Turned on the PC this morning - back to square one! Internet Explorer, Outlook, Frintpage - none of them would run!

So I've spent a second successive day fighting my PC. Ran a program to tidy up the registry, no improvement. Tried doing a system restore again in safe mode - it took ages then when it restarted the PC the system restore program crashed! Now my MacAfee security software won't come up (it's running, but the 'security centre' won't display). Things have gone from bad to worse.

Now I remember why I was so keen to retire early from the computer industry!

At least I managed to take a break from it and wander round Bison Hill at Whipsnade for an hour or so. Lots of cowslips and Peacock butterflies, and a Willow Warbler (I think!). And I think I've just seen a Lesser Whitethroat in the garden!

Billy Wobble Dagger · #13 (**permalink**) 22-04-2008, 07:24 PM

Computers, how did we manage with out them

Brocker · #14 (**permalink**) 22-04-2008, 08:31 PM

Hi Pete,
My wifes computer had a similar problem and would not open IE7. It just suddenly started happening. It took a while but we found a process running in the backgrounsd that turned out to be a trojan. It embedded itself on the system and began to affect anything to do with IE. The way we found it was: Hit ctrl + alt + Delete together and your Task Manager will appear. Hit the processes tab and you will have a whole list of processes. Firstly scroll down and look at any number moving in the CPU column. Most should be 00 if you have no programs running. If you have a process that is changing those numbers, let me know what it is. If there is nothing then try to open IE and see if any numbers change. There was a process on ours that was blocking IE and when we found out what it was we were able to remove it. Give that a go.

Pete Collins · #15 (**permalink**) 22-04-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brocker

Hi Pete,
My wifes computer had a similar problem and would not open IE7. It just suddenly started happening. It took a while but we found a process running in the backgrounsd that turned out to be a trojan. It embedded itself on the system and began to affect anything to do with IE. The way we found it was: Hit ctrl + alt + Delete together and your Task Manager will appear. Hit the processes tab and you will have a whole list of processes. Firstly scroll down and look at any number moving in the CPU column. Most should be 00 if you have no programs running. If you have a process that is changing those numbers, let me know what it is. If there is nothing then try to open IE and see if any numbers change. There was a process on ours that was blocking IE and when we found out what it was we were able to remove it. Give that a go.

Cheers, thanks very much for that Brocker.

I did that, but couldn't see any rogue processes - I used a very useful utility called WinPatrol to check the active processes and they all seemed valid. I'll run a scan for trojans tomorrow first thing, anyway.

It certainly seems a similar problem, as it is mainly MS stuff that's affected (although it's affecting McAfee now too). When I get one of those 'send error report to MS' boxes, they seem to refer to 'msctfime.ime' - I'll try to research errors with that on the web tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Brocker · #16 (**permalink**) 23-04-2008, 07:10 PM

I have just had a lok at the 'msctfime.ime' file and it is possible that some malware disguises itself as this file so beware when seeking it out. It may spread and cause more damage. . . . A friend had a similar problem but it affected his Microsoft OfficeSuite and I had to completely wipe his drive and start over. Make sure you have backed up any valuable phoos and documents before going any further. The new 'Spybot' and 'Adaware' programs are very good at seeking these viruses out.
Let me know if I can help any more. . .

Pete Collins · #17 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 09:36 AM

Thanks very much, Brocker.

Yesterday, when I started the PC all the Microsoft stuff ran OK, but generated an error message whenever I shut them down.

I have managed to run a full MacAfee virus scan and Ad-Aware, with no obvious problems.

This morning, none of the Microsoft stuff will run! It seems it will only work (sort of) every other day, quite bizarre.

All my stuff is backed up remotely by Carbonite, so I won't lose anything valuable.

I'll now try to download a more recent version of Ad-Aware, and try that.

I'll also investigate 'Delivery Manager', as this keeps reporting that it has crashed when I start the PC.

eeyore · #18 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 11:31 AM

I reccomend the boddie solution

last year when andrew had these kind of issues with his laptop , he threw it accross the room then jumped up and down on it in his toe tectors.

okay so this didnt exactly fix the problem , but it does make you feel much better , and gives you a good excuse to buy a new one and start over

Pete Collins · #19 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 03:20 PM

Believe me, I had already considered that option several times, eeyore!

Unfortunately, not all of us are as fabulously wealthy as boddie ...

PMG · #20 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 03:44 PM

Ahh Pete - I'm sorry to hear this - all I can do is sympathise - I don't have a clue and its very scary if you can't system restore - cos thats the get out of jail card I use most

Pauline

Pete Collins · #21 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 06:28 PM

Thanks Pauline! Fingers crossed, everything is working OK today!

Yes, System Restore is very useful. As things seem to be OK today, I just clicked on 'Start' and then 'Help and Support' to see if it now brings up the window where you select 'System Restore'. Reassuringly, that window now appears (it didn't earlier in the week).

Brocker · #22 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 06:44 PM

If you are saving to a restore point then this does not actually remove any malware or reinstate any lost system files. . . . To my knowledge the only way to do this is to create a backup disc, or have the original operating system disc, and do a cold instal by booting from the recovery / operating disc and selecting format. This wipes the entire system and starts again from the original purchase point or from the basic XP system. You will then have to reinstall all your software etc. . . . This i had to do to a friends computer and it cured everything. In fact he swore the computer ran better than when he first bought it. Who knows, it may be your best option.

PMG · #23 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Thanks Pauline! Fingers crossed, everything is working OK today!

Yes, System Restore is very useful. As things seem to be OK today, I just clicked on 'Start' and then 'Help and Support' to see if it now brings up the window where you select 'System Restore'. Reassuringly, that window now appears (it didn't earlier in the week).

Its a very weird sounding problem - don't you just love intermittant probs - I have been trying all week to upload a few to the gallery and mine's having none of it - yet it uploads in seconds to birdguides.com?)

When I have undone a prob and got it going again I set a restore point which tells me all is working (in fact what it usually says is Outlook Express all working) but as Brocker says you may have to flatten the lot and start again if the problem keeps popping up ............ but I hope not

Pauline

Pete Collins · #24 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 09:25 PM

Thanks Brocker and Pauline. You are of course right that I may need to re-install everything - but I hope it doesn't come to that.

When I tried to see if I could access the 'Help and Support' window today (where you select 'Sytem Restore'), my security software asked me if I wanted to allow the 'Microsoft Help and Support Software' to access the internet. That implied that it must have changed (I get the message each time a new program, or new version of a program, first tries to access the internet). So I still suspect that the problems have been caused by some updates from Microsoft, which subsequent updates have corrected.

I hope so - we shall see!

PMG · #25 (**permalink**) 24-04-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Thanks Brocker and Pauline. You are of course right that I may need to re-install everything - but I hope it doesn't come to that.

When I tried to see if I could access the 'Help and Support' window today (where you select 'Sytem Restore'), my security software asked me if I wanted to allow the 'Microsoft Help and Support Software' to access the internet. That implied that it must have changed (I get the message each time a new program, or new version of a program, first tries to access the internet). So I still suspect that the problems have been caused by some updates from Microsoft, which subsequent updates have corrected.

I hope so - we shall see!

In which case - and I may be wrong with this - but I have done it myself and got away with it - if you can restore to a time well before the latest updates it gets rid of the thing/update which might be causing bother - then I go to the Yellow Shield for updates and instead of express - I do the other thing - whatever it offers whereby you can take charge of what it wants to install. I got around the annoying rubbish of it keep telling me I didn't have a kosha copy of windows by not allowing it to install that particular update. I did have the proper copy and I knew I did and if memory serves me right all that turned out to be something silly or a