computer help needed

[bobbyfk]

i get this error message when trying to change the screen saver/ background setting on my windows XP laptop, also the same error comes up when checking/changing the calendar/clock



also i can not use system restore anymore, i hit the date i want to restore to and hit next and nothing happens, also my google search has sometime of virus i think, whenever i go to search it re-directs me to a different page than the one i want, i ran AVG and spybot and it couldnt find anything, also my USB ports are not working, i plug in my ipod and it charges but is not found in my computer or Itunes


Help

[j0hnnyv]

you need to run scans in safe mode and disable system restore before doing it. also get hijack this and run it.

[tacomax]

Bobby - it sounds like your computer has been used too much and need a rest. Please stop using that computer for 1 month. Also please don't go near any other computers.

[Tsoprano]

Compaq strikes again

[losturmarbles]

you probably fuked it up by using system restore.

bobby do what johnnyv said

[JBC77]

you need to run scans in safe mode and disable system restore before doing it. also get hijack this and run it.

HijackThis can generate a plain text logfile detailing all entries it finds, and most entries can be removed or disabled by HijackThis. Inexperienced users are often advised to exercise caution, or to seek help when using the latter option,[1] as HijackThis does not discriminate between legitimate and unwanted items, with the exception of a small whitelist of legitimate entries — thus allowing a user unintentionally to prevent important programs from operating, which may cause their system or its peripherals to stop working. HijackThis will, however, attempt to create backups of the files and registry entries it removes, which can be used to restore the system in the event of a mistake.

[losturmarbles]

hijackthis will maybe give him a clue as to what is redirecting his search page.

a reboot will probably fix the windows issue

bobby, get ccleaner and clean your temp files and registry

[Data]

i get this error message when trying to change the screen saver/ background setting on my windows XP laptop, also the same error comes up when checking/changing the calendar/clock

Unzip the attached file into c:\windows\system32 folder.

also i can not use system restore anymore, i hit the date i want to restore to and hit next and nothing happens, also my google search has sometime of virus i think, whenever i go to search it re-directs me to a different page than the one i want, i ran AVG and spybot and it couldnt find anything,

Uninstall AVG (crap) and and install free Avira Anti-Virus (currently the best). http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiV...html?tag=mncol. Then, do the full scan. Also, you might want to try free online scan at www.kaspersky.com.

also my USB ports are not working, i plug in my ipod and it charges but is not found in my computer or Itunes


Help

How about other USB devices? That is more likely hardware problem. Could be on the iPod's side, though.

[G's pks]

Bobby the porn and gambling are really killing you!

[bobbyfk]

Unzip the attached file into c:\windows\system32 folder.

Uninstall AVG (crap) and and install free Avira Anti-Virus (currently the best). http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiV...html?tag=mncol. Then, do the full scan. Also, you might want to try free online scan at www.kaspersky.com.

How about other USB devices? That is more likely hardware problem. Could be on the iPod's side, though.

i tried 2 flash drives with no go, all usb ports don't work, i ran that new anti virus scanner and it did not find anything, the system file you gave me fixed that error...thank you

[InTheHole]

Data...where r u? Post it Bobby...he is the xpert!

[bobbyfk]

i went to install it and it doesn't work, i keep double clicking on it and it doesn't install

[mathdotcom]

Get a mac you tool

[bobbyfk]

[Data]

i tried 2 flash drives with no go, all usb ports don't work,

This more likely a hardware problem but try this. Right-click My Computer icon and select Manage. Select Device Manager. Expand USB section on the bottom on the right hand side. Right-click on each item under USB Controllers and select Uninstall. Once nothing is left select Scan for Hardware changes from Action menu on the top. The USB controllers will reinstall and may start working after restart.

If that does not help let me know what model is your laptop.

i ran that new anti virus scanner and it did not find anything,

Run another one.

the system file you gave me fixed that error...thank you

You're welcome.

[bobbyfk]

This more likely a hardware problem but try this. Right-click My Computer icon and select Manage. Select Device Manager. Expand USB section on the bottom on the right hand side. Right-click on each item under USB Controllers and select Uninstall. Once nothing is left select Scan for Hardware changes from Action menu on the top. The USB controllers will reinstall and may start working after restart.

If that does not help let me know what model is your laptop.



Run another one.



You're welcome.

ran another scan...nothing

that USB uninstall did not work, i am using a Dell Vostro 1000 running windows XP

[bobbyfk]

the ipod/flash drives DO show up under safely remove hardware

[Data]

ran another scan...nothing

You need to scan all files and that should take about an hour.

that USB uninstall did not work, i am using a Dell Vostro 1000 running windows XP

You need to get an Express Card to USB adapter, something like this: http://www.outletpc.com/c5522.html

[Data]

the ipod/flash drives DO show up under safely remove hardware

Do the flash drives have the drive letters assigned to them?

[bobbyfk]

Do the flash drives have the drive letters assigned to them?

they used to when they showed up under my computer but now they don't

[losturmarbles]

bobby, have you done a full reboot?

unplug all your usb stuff, and do a shut down. then reboot.

[Data]

they used to when they showed up under my computer but now they don't

All the signs show that the USB controlled is fried up, so you need to get a USB card as a workaround.

[bobbyfk]

bobby, have you done a full reboot?

unplug all your usb stuff, and do a shut down. then reboot.

yes I have

All the signs show that the USB controlled is fried up, so you need to get a USB card as a workaround.

where can i get one cheap?

[Data]

where can i get one cheap?

Google is your friend, that one seems inexpensive too: http://www.outletpc.com/c5522.html

[AgainstAllOdds]

Data might be the sharpest computer guy on the whole forum. Him and Tom Cowley could do some damage around here. Maybe sbr should hire these two to fix http://www.sbrodds.com/.

[bobbyfk]

will this one work?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6307427&st=USB+Card&type=product&id=1074787928079

[Data]

will this one work?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1074787928079

No, it will not. That is PCMCIA card while you need Express Card. Besides, it is not in stock and somewhat expensive.

[007Fatty]

too much porn...

[G's pks]

Bobby I hate to say it.... Time for a parental block on the computer!

Know the Warning Signs of a Child at Risk

As parents, we are responsible for our kids. We have to feed them, make sure they get to school on time, and keep them from getting into things that kids shouldn’t be getting into. Now you may be like most parents that think the best of their kids. And that’s fantastic. Around here we love our kids too. But too often fishy or inappropriate behavior is dismissed as kids just being kids. And most of the time it is just kids being kids. But we also can’t be naive to the possible warning signs that our children are heading down the wrong track. It’s important that we identify certain behaviors or characteristics that our kids are expressing and deal with it head on.
And listen don’t freak out if you recognize several of these signs in your kids. Let this be a motivating factor to have the porn talk.


A Few Warning Signs and Indicators:

1. Your child is spending large amounts of time online, especially at night. This is kind of a basic one but it is a clear warning sign. If they are spending a ton of time in chat rooms or instant messaging or surfing the web, this may not be a good thing.
2. Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room. If they try to hide what is on the screen then surely it is something that they don’t want you to see. Hmmm. Could it be porn? Good chance it might be.
3. Your teen locks the door when working on the computer. Okay, let’s consider why the door might be locked. It’s probably not so you won’t catch them diligently studying for the Algebra quiz.
4. You catch your child lying about computer use. Honest dialogue happens when there is nothing to hide. Lies are told to you when your child feels like you may not approve of their actions. If your child is being dishonest about computer use you need to address this.
5. If your child becomes isolated or depressed and withdraws from normal family functions. If a child abandons typical things that would bring them joy and withdraws into the cyber world, this must be addressed.
6. You find pornography on your child’s computer. This is sort of a no-brainer but many parents will try and dismiss this. If you find pornography or inappropriate material on the computer it’s time to talk.
7. When you check sites your child has visited, they are all erased. Covering your tracks is a clear indicator that the actions online were not appropriate. The erasing of history is a serious indicator. Make sure that history is checked often and that there are no weird patterns.
8. Listen to how your child or teen talks about members of the opposite sex. Do they have a healthy point of view? Are they expressing respectful comments or do they talk about guys or girls in a purely physical and sexual way. Porn removes respect and distorts a healthy perspective on relationships.

[bobbyfk]

No, it will not. That is PCMCIA card while you need Express Card. Besides, it is not in stock and somewhat expensive.

found out the hard way went to best buy store and bought it and it doesn't work...off to return it and get my $40 back

[losturmarbles]

bobby does your computer have 2 sets of usb ports? like 2 in the back and 2 in the side?

does both sets show the same symptoms?

i'm pretty sure they are separate controllers, so i doubt both of them are fried. (if both are showing the same symptoms then it's probably something else.)

i think its related to whatever damaged your systems files to where you couldnt change the desktop, run restore, and whatever else.

does your hard drive have multiple partitions on it? like a C: and a D: where the D: is like 5-10 GB and C: is the rest?
you probably have an backup image of the original C: saved on D:
go find your dell system restore disc and follow the directions to restore your system to default the way it was shipped to you.

any files, bookmarks, passwords you want to save either burn them to a disc or upload them to a online storage site, restore with dell disc, run windows update, download your files.

i would do that before giving up and going with the usb express card.

[jjgold]

Bobby I hate to say it.... Time for a parental block on the computer!

Know the Warning Signs of a Child at Risk

As parents, we are responsible for our kids. We have to feed them, make sure they get to school on time, and keep them from getting into things that kids shouldn’t be getting into. Now you may be like most parents that think the best of their kids. And that’s fantastic. Around here we love our kids too. But too often fishy or inappropriate behavior is dismissed as kids just being kids. And most of the time it is just kids being kids. But we also can’t be naive to the possible warning signs that our children are heading down the wrong track. It’s important that we identify certain behaviors or characteristics that our kids are expressing and deal with it head on.
And listen don’t freak out if you recognize several of these signs in your kids. Let this be a motivating factor to have the porn talk.


A Few Warning Signs and Indicators:

1. Your child is spending large amounts of time online, especially at night. This is kind of a basic one but it is a clear warning sign. If they are spending a ton of time in chat rooms or instant messaging or surfing the web, this may not be a good thing.
2. Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room. If they try to hide what is on the screen then surely it is something that they don’t want you to see. Hmmm. Could it be porn? Good chance it might be.
3. Your teen locks the door when working on the computer. Okay, let’s consider why the door might be locked. It’s probably not so you won’t catch them diligently studying for the Algebra quiz.
4. You catch your child lying about computer use. Honest dialogue happens when there is nothing to hide. Lies are told to you when your child feels like you may not approve of their actions. If your child is being dishonest about computer use you need to address this.
5. If your child becomes isolated or depressed and withdraws from normal family functions. If a child abandons typical things that would bring them joy and withdraws into the cyber world, this must be addressed.
6. You find pornography on your child’s computer. This is sort of a no-brainer but many parents will try and dismiss this. If you find pornography or inappropriate material on the computer it’s time to talk.
7. When you check sites your child has visited, they are all erased. Covering your tracks is a clear indicator that the actions online were not appropriate. The erasing of history is a serious indicator. Make sure that history is checked often and that there are no weird patterns.
8. Listen to how your child or teen talks about members of the opposite sex. Do they have a healthy point of view? Are they expressing respectful comments or do they talk about guys or girls in a purely physical and sexual way. Porn removes respect and distorts a healthy perspective on relationships.

They locked his fukkin pc? I swear I have never heard of this with a poster. This has to be a first.

[Data]

losturmarbles, no, only one controller drives all the external USB ports.

Yes, there is a small chance that this problem can be fixed by investing 3+ hours of work rebuilding machine. I doubt it is worth it for anybody if the problem can also be solved by purchasing $15 card.

[bobbyfk]

bobby does your computer have 2 sets of usb ports? like 2 in the back and 2 in the side?

does both sets show the same symptoms?
yes both sets show the same problems

i'm pretty sure they are separate controllers, so i doubt both of them are fried. (if both are showing the same symptoms then it's probably something else.)

i think its related to whatever damaged your systems files to where you couldnt change the desktop, run restore, and whatever else.

does your hard drive have multiple partitions on it? like a C: and a D: where the D: is like 5-10 GB and C: is the rest?
you probably have an backup image of the original C: saved on D:
go find your dell system restore disc and follow the directions to restore your system to default the way it was shipped to you.
no clue where that disc is...i have looked

any files, bookmarks, passwords you want to save either burn them to a disc or upload them to a online storage site, restore with dell disc, run windows update, download your files.

i would do that before giving up and going with the usb express card.

answers in bold above

[losturmarbles]

oh well, just a thought i had. good luck