Posted: 12/19/2005 3:06:38 PM EDT
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Just bought a new computer. My problem is this. When loading up, I am getting about 16 file not found messages. Then when I try to click on any of my programs, Instant messanger, Anti Virus, Adaware and essentially anything non- windows related when I try to open them I essentially get File not found. As well as all of my music, and videos. Also when I try to log off I get WinRAR not responding. What say you Arfcom? |
1st guess. virus totally trashed your system.... complete format down to metal, reload OS and utils from install CD (i do this for a living (well its part of what i do)). 2nd guess. hard drive failure (part of the drive is bad). |
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Step 1: Back up your data to CD or other removable media. Remember that you may have things in other places besides "My Documents". Get them all. Step 2: Reinstall XP from scratch, removing the old partition and creating a new one. Install any necessary drivers from the disk that came with your PC. Step 3: Run all Windows Updates and any AntiVirus updates. Enable the software firewall. Step 4: Install any other needed programs. Step 5: Copy your data back to the hard drive. -Troy |
+1 on Step 1...oh...and on that other stuff too. |
fixed.
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part of install should allow for format of drive. during this step choose complete format (as opposed to quick or some similar wording). That should pick up (fail) disc problems. BTW.. be careful about restoring the backed up stuff. Some things cannot be detected by any normal anit-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware software. once you get back up, google rootkits.... the way i fix computers like yours, is to mount the 'problem' disk in a second computer and scan. after that clears, i reinstall the disk and run hijackthis. But i know what to look for in hijackthis (a fairly arcane program). in your case, since you are actually missing files you are probably beyond this type help. finally, if you dont do so, install and use firefox instead of ie. firefox is not perfect but it is tougher than ie... |
Pisses me off I have been updating my antivirus software everyday, running behind Zone Alarm Pro. |
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Take that pile of crap back to the store and get your money back. Then go buy an Apple. Trust me, you will thank me in a few years when Macs take over the market share and even more large companies start making the switch. A superior product. I have both and find myself using the Mac most of the time. |
roflol EXACTLY!!! You don't have to!!! I rest my case. NEXT!!! Macs: 1 pc's: 0 |
that's not what our customers seem to experience. dude, one word: i-mac. i rest my case |
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I haven't had any problems out of XP. This is the smoothest machine I have ever had...better than the IBM Thinkpad I started my ARFCOM time with. I have used Apples...the grammar school I attended had an Apple IIGS(and no I'm not that old, I'm going to be 20 in less than a month). In Junior High we had I-Macs and we even used an Apple IIE. I sometimes use my sister's Ibook. |
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sounds like you didn't get a new computer. I would reinstall windows as posted above, although i would not suggest deleting the partitions. dells use these partitions as part of thier diagnostics. hp's and others use a hidden partiition to reinstall windows. so just run the cds if provided and not worry about deleting partitions. |
if its a dell, comes we a re-install disk. that disk will reinstall the diagnostic partitions and software. in fact for the average person, having the dell disk that basically does it all for you is better than taking an off-the-shelf copy of xp and going through the install.. of course 12 or months out and that disk now is out of date so's you have to go to ms and do a fairly obnoxious 'windows update'..... |
not what i see everyday. all the dell cd's are is a windows xp cd with a dell logo on it. |
you did not get a sytems or 'dell utilities' CD? to tell the truth i always bought dell up to about 2 years ago. then i started building my desktop, servers, work stations. last dell purchase was a laptop about 2 years ago. but every dell (and i 've had a bunch) came with said cd..... |
Troy, you forgot to make sure he has a chrome lined barrel. |
Doh! Okay: Step 6: Go CHROME or go home. -Troy |