At wit's end

Buffet · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 10:46 AM

Hello. I'm new to this site. Approximately a week ago, both my "Add or Remove Programs" and my System Restore stopped working. Both will open, but neither will respond. Also the number of programs in the "Add or Remove Programs" list appears to be about half what it was, before all this started. Any and all help woukd be greatly appreciated.
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.....also the "Last Known Good Configuration" in safe mode, doesn't work either?

**Ash** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 10:57 AM

Hi there Buffet,
Firstly, welcome to CompuForums. I hope that you can visit our forum often in the future and post - rather than just receiving our help and advice, and then never visiting again. We provide our help for free, and all we ask in return is that you participate in our forum and refer your friends, or consider a premium membership. Not helping out the site in some way after we have provided our assistance for free is like stealing from every single member who has helped you.

Try using a program like CCleaner [ CCleaner.com ]. It includes a facility that lets you uninstall programs.

**Ultra_Man** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffet

Hello. I'm new to this site. Approximately a week ago, both my "Add or Remove Programs" and my System Restore stopped working. Both will open, but neither will respond. Also the number of programs in the "Add or Remove Programs" list appears to be about half what it was, before all this started. Any and all help woukd be greatly appreciated.
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This user added the following:
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.....also the "Last Known Good Configuration" in safe mode, doesn't work either?

You might want to check for viruses on your computer.Sometimes that is what is causes the problem.

**Ash** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 03:42 PM

Yes, this is likely to be caused by virus/spyware behaviour. What security software are you running?

Buffet · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 03:44 PM

Thanks very much. My AV program scans each day at 8:00A, but, just to be sure, I just ran a complete scan. Results: negative.

**Ash** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 03:51 PM

What AV soffware are you running? Also may I ask if you use any other security programs on your PC?

Buffet · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 03:55 PM

Ad-Aware, AVG Antivirus, AVG Anti-rootkit, Comodo Firewall, SpywareBlaster, WinPatrol

**Ultra_Man** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 08:51 PM

You might want to get rid of AVG as it does not find all types of viruses and trogans, Try Avast 4 Home Edition is is a great anti-virus program. I use it and it works great. Even if your downloading a file it stops downloading if a virus is found in the file and gives you an options to delete the file.

So I suggest Downloading Avast 4 Home Edition you won't regret it.

Here the link to download Avast 4 Home Edition

Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition Download

**Ash** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 08:57 PM

Yep - I also use Avast on my Windows machines, and as Ultra Man pointed out it's very effective and is one of the best products you can get and it even beats some of the paid ones. Be sure to download it and then disconnect your computer from the internet, uninstall all other antivirus software on the machine and then when installing it, when you are asked if you want to schedule a boottime scan, select "Yes". Reboot the computer and let it scan, to pick up any viruses you may have. Then report back to us

DB6150 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 10:02 PM

I would not get rid of AVG , I find it just as effective scanner as avast

but i would still download avast and use it too

**Ash** · #11 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 11:35 PM

But does AVG stop you downloading a virus before it gets on your harddrive, and scan for viruses before Windows is even loaded? Plus it's very easy for people to use and update...

DB6150 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 11:48 PM

my windows is on a secure partition that does not have acess to anythign before it is fully loaded , so even the great and wonderful avast cannot do that

Buffet · #13 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 02:20 AM

Gentlemen, I've heard of Avast before, and, since you make it sound so attractive, I believe I'll check and compare. Thank you. As to my original problem, I am truly at my wit's end, and I now think the only cure is to completely reinstall Windows XP - and everything else I guess. Thanks for all the good advice. Perhaps I can return the favor soon.

**Ash** · #14 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 08:03 AM

Also - did you try out CCleaner at all? It should give you an option to uninstall programs on your computer. However, sometimes a reformat and reinstall is the best way to go.

**Ultra_Man** · #15 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash

But does AVG stop you downloading a virus before it gets on your harddrive, and scan for viruses before Windows is even loaded? Plus it's very easy for people to use and update...

No it does not AVG will download the virus to your computer then if you think there is a problem then you do a scan then find out your computer is infected. As for Avast if your downloading a file and it has a virus in the file Avast will warn you that a virus has been detected and then gives you the option to delete it. AVG does not do that. So in my opinion Avast is much better then AVG.
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffet

Gentlemen, I've heard of Avast before, and, since you make it sound so attractive, I believe I'll check and compare. Thank you. As to my original problem, I am truly at my wit's end, and I now think the only cure is to completely reinstall Windows XP - and everything else I guess. Thanks for all the good advice. Perhaps I can return the favor soon.

Yes I agree if nothing else worked then reinstalling Windows XP is the next best thing. Plus install Avast to prevent viruses from getting in to your computer.

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