Flamin' computers

[p38arover]

I've just started the fourth reformat and reinstall of Windows XP on my laptop in the last 24 hours.

After getting everything installed (for the second time) late last night, I then installed Norton Systemworks 2006. After that, the computer would no longer boot. It appears the file system was corrupted and the Win set up wouldn't recognise the partition. I've had to delete the partition, repartition the drive, reformat and now I'm reinstallling windows.

I'm writing this on an old desktop that doesn't have a CD-ROM or DVD reader.

To top it off, I can't remember the access password for the wireless router so I'm not sure how I can log the laptop onto the home network.

Ron

[LoadedDisco]

Ron,
I had Norton system works on my desktop computer which I didn’t need in turned out to just slowed the computer down and did nothing more than the antivirus did anyway.
I also had Norton antivirus but now run AGV with a few extra programs and all runs up to speed now.

[p38arover]

I've become disenchanted with Nortons over the years. I've been using it since the days of IBM PCDOS.

It's possible the problems were caused by Norton GoBack. I'll not reinstall it. But I do need Internet Security (I think).

I've found the router password.

Ron

[LoadedDisco]

Im just running AGV which is free and occasionally I check the computer with Xoftspy which will pick up everything. It cost about $40.00
I have not had a virus problem. Yet.

Have been running this set up for 12month and have had the computer for 8 years.

Don’t forget XP is also running internet security.

[abaddonxi]

For your router - there's a reset button on the back which will take it back to factory default - usually admin/password or something equally simple, it's in the handbook or not time at all on google.

What's wrong with the laptop? How old? Is it the hard drive that's dying and looking like all kinds of other problems?

Cheers
Simon

[p38arover]

Originally posted by abaddonxi
For your router - there's a reset button on the back which will take it back to factory default - usually admin/password or something equally simple, it's in the handbook or not time at all on google.

What's wrong with the laptop? How old? Is it the hard drive that's dying and looking like all kinds of other problems?

Cheers
Simon

Actually, it was the WEP encryption password for the router I couldn't remember - but I found it when I accessed the router.

The laptop is a 2 year old Compaq Presario X1404AP.

XP was getting flaky and crashing on certain programs that used to run OK, other programs would no longer run. Norton LiveUpdate wouldn't and the Symantec help info was pretty useless.

If I wasn't so locked into Windows with all my apps, I'd have bought a Mac - although I can't drive my daughter's Mac. I'd need lessons.

This old PC needs reformatting and reinstall of Windows 98 SE. It crashes a lot on certain programs, too, but I need the laptop working first to use as a back up the old PC's data.


Ron

[abaddonxi]

WEP password gets wiped by reset.

Sounds like you had adware/virus problems. Aside from hard drive failure it's the most common problem. Particular signs of this are slowing down of system, inability to access programs, browser hijack, and inability of antivirus to update/scan.

A good test - too late now - is to use IE to open: http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default...id=ie&venid=sym

http://www.symantec.com/securitycheck
This is an across the web virus scan of your computer. Tell tale sign is if you can't use it you surely have a problem - virus software starts by blocking this page.

Cheers
Simon

[p38arover]

I run SpyBot, Ad-Aware, Norton NAV, Norton Internet Security, etc., and do regular scans of the system but nowt has shown up.

However, I'll add those addresses to my Favourites.

Thanks, Simon.

Ron

[JDNSW]

And people wonder why I won't use Windows! My last lot of computer problems was caused by a motherboard failure, but the one before that was hard disk.

John

(Posted using Suse 10.0 operating system, number of reinstalls or reboots since installation = 0)

[Tusker]

Hi Ron,

We've had issues with XP on my laptop too.

Tip - running a virus scan in safe mode showed up a couple of virurses that the normal scan didn't.

The IT guy then lost more hair trying to work out how to get rid of them in safe mode..

Now if only my screensaver would work..

Regards
Max P