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multiple problems with windows 98 after much money & time



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 31st 04, 03:07 PM
jennifer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default multiple problems with windows 98 after much money & time

i have several problems, some i've had for a while, some new, and need help
badly.

1.right after having my computer crash, and spending 200 to re-load and fix,
i started getting a message about system ini files missing, and device files
missing, which a come up each time i start. i have tried for months to fix
this. when i posted here about it, i was swamped with viruses, and could
never get these files back. it affects my ability to open certain programs,
etc. 2. recently, using symantec, i was informed in ended up at an innocent
looking site, that infected me with trojan start page virus (said it may be
called something else now??) . symantec said it couldn't fix, repair, etc.
and quarantined it along with the original files. i found them, with the
prompt C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\\Content.IE5\4VF3YWt5\file[1].dat.
i found this file, and deleted what appeared to be copies of internet viewed
files, and saved the one it said was a program file only, which i'm guessing
is also altered. did i do the wrong thing? how do i restore the quarantined
system file? i am at a loss, and afraid to even post. i've tried to speak
to alan again, who helped me once, contacting him directly, and again was
swamped with viruses in emails just from trying to contact him through
microsoft personal directory?? how am i getting viruses sent to me just by
sending direct emails to support personel? i'm not listing my current email
address for fear of this as i had to change my address to stop it. i will
bookmark this page and look for a reply...that's all i know to do. please
include instructions for looking for a reply, hopefully from the very kind
and helpful alan, without exposing my email for further problems. i do have
the original windows 98 updated version. scan disc detects no problems after
doing all this. the files i removed are still in my recycle bin if i need
them. i'm also wondering how to avoid this since i NEVER opened any email.
the instructions on symantec are too confusing! 3.i also am unable to
download ANY updates...many people advised this can help in these
situations....it says i need to be an administrator, and i spent hours trying
to do this, only to get the message that i am unauthorized to even download
updates from windows...is this normal? would that help? how do i get to be
able to get these updates? 4.finally, how can i periodically get rid of my
temporary internet files that contain sites visited? it doesn't take them
off when emptying cookies?

i really, really need help, as i depend on this computer, and am at a loss
as to what to do. please include pointers in how i can read responses to
this question, without listing my actual email address...i've posted it
twice, and each time had to change my address because of all the viruses i
started getting. help alan!

jennifer
  #2  
Old August 31st 04, 08:21 PM
Ron Martell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"jennifer" wrote:

i have several problems, some i've had for a while, some new, and need help
badly.


Hi Jennifer.

Your message would be a lot easier to read if you used proper
capitalization and also broke it up into smaller paragraphs,
especially the various questions you have asked.



1.right after having my computer crash, and spending 200 to re-load and fix,
i started getting a message about system ini files missing, and device files
missing, which a come up each time i start. i have tried for months to fix
this. when i posted here about it, i was swamped with viruses, and could
never get these files back. it affects my ability to open certain programs,
etc.


You *must* have an antivirus program installed if you are going to be
using the Internet or email; and you *must* keep it constantly
updated. An antivirus program that has not been updated with the past
week is seriously weakened and if it is a month or more out of date
then it is worse than useless because you think you have protection
but you really don't.


2. recently, using symantec, i was informed in ended up at an innocent
looking site, that infected me with trojan start page virus (said it may be
called something else now??) . symantec said it couldn't fix, repair, etc.
and quarantined it along with the original files. i found them, with the
prompt C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\\Content.IE5\4VF3YWt5\file[1].dat.
i found this file, and deleted what appeared to be copies of internet viewed
files, and saved the one it said was a program file only, which i'm guessing
is also altered. did i do the wrong thing? how do i restore the quarantined
system file? i am at a loss, and afraid to even post. i've tried to speak
to alan again, who helped me once, contacting him directly, and again was
swamped with viruses in emails just from trying to contact him through
microsoft personal directory?? how am i getting viruses sent to me just by
sending direct emails to support personel? i'm not listing my current email
address for fear of this as i had to change my address to stop it. i will
bookmark this page and look for a reply...that's all i know to do. please
include instructions for looking for a reply, hopefully from the very kind
and helpful alan, without exposing my email for further problems. i do have
the original windows 98 updated version. scan disc detects no problems after
doing all this. the files i removed are still in my recycle bin if i need
them. i'm also wondering how to avoid this since i NEVER opened any email.
the instructions on symantec are too confusing!


Anything and everything in the Temporary Internet Files folder is
perfectly safe to delete and you should do so whenever you suspect any
sort of problems with the computer. You should also delete everything
in the \Windows\Temp folder on a fairly regular basis, but only do so
immediately after the computer has been booted up.

Many viruses pretend to be emails from antivirus software companies
and/or various support sites (including Microsoft). Be very
suspicious of anything that comes in an email with a file attached to
it. And again, make sure your antivirus software is fully up to date
at all times. I have mine set to check for new updates on a daily
basis.


3.i also am unable to
download ANY updates...many people advised this can help in these
situations....it says i need to be an administrator, and i spent hours trying
to do this, only to get the message that i am unauthorized to even download
updates from windows...is this normal? would that help? how do i get to be
able to get these updates?


It sounds very much as if your computer is infested with a virus
and/or spyware.

Download AdAware (free) from http://www.lavasoft.de and install it.
Let it do both the update and the full system scan which it will want
to do when the install is completed. Anything and everything that
AdAware identifies as a problem should be removed, and the program
will do this for you.

If you are unable to download AdAware or have problems installing it
post a response back here with this information and we will try
something else.



4.finally, how can i periodically get rid of my
temporary internet files that contain sites visited? it doesn't take them
off when emptying cookies?



Open Control Panel - Internet Options and click on the "Delete Files"
button on the General tab. In the Delete Files window click on the
checkbox for "Delete all offline content" to select it and then click
on OK.



i really, really need help, as i depend on this computer, and am at a loss
as to what to do. please include pointers in how i can read responses to
this question, without listing my actual email address...i've posted it
twice, and each time had to change my address because of all the viruses i
started getting. help alan!

jennifer


Good luck



Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
  #3  
Old August 31st 04, 08:21 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
Ron Martell
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 240
Default multiple problems with windows 98 after much money & time

"jennifer" wrote:

i have several problems, some i've had for a while, some new, and need help
badly.


Hi Jennifer.

Your message would be a lot easier to read if you used proper
capitalization and also broke it up into smaller paragraphs,
especially the various questions you have asked.



1.right after having my computer crash, and spending 200 to re-load and fix,
i started getting a message about system ini files missing, and device files
missing, which a come up each time i start. i have tried for months to fix
this. when i posted here about it, i was swamped with viruses, and could
never get these files back. it affects my ability to open certain programs,
etc.


You *must* have an antivirus program installed if you are going to be
using the Internet or email; and you *must* keep it constantly
updated. An antivirus program that has not been updated with the past
week is seriously weakened and if it is a month or more out of date
then it is worse than useless because you think you have protection
but you really don't.


2. recently, using symantec, i was informed in ended up at an innocent
looking site, that infected me with trojan start page virus (said it may be
called something else now??) . symantec said it couldn't fix, repair, etc.
and quarantined it along with the original files. i found them, with the
prompt C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\\Content.IE5\4VF3YWt5\file[1].dat.
i found this file, and deleted what appeared to be copies of internet viewed
files, and saved the one it said was a program file only, which i'm guessing
is also altered. did i do the wrong thing? how do i restore the quarantined
system file? i am at a loss, and afraid to even post. i've tried to speak
to alan again, who helped me once, contacting him directly, and again was
swamped with viruses in emails just from trying to contact him through
microsoft personal directory?? how am i getting viruses sent to me just by
sending direct emails to support personel? i'm not listing my current email
address for fear of this as i had to change my address to stop it. i will
bookmark this page and look for a reply...that's all i know to do. please
include instructions for looking for a reply, hopefully from the very kind
and helpful alan, without exposing my email for further problems. i do have
the original windows 98 updated version. scan disc detects no problems after
doing all this. the files i removed are still in my recycle bin if i need
them. i'm also wondering how to avoid this since i NEVER opened any email.
the instructions on symantec are too confusing!


Anything and everything in the Temporary Internet Files folder is
perfectly safe to delete and you should do so whenever you suspect any
sort of problems with the computer. You should also delete everything
in the \Windows\Temp folder on a fairly regular basis, but only do so
immediately after the computer has been booted up.

Many viruses pretend to be emails from antivirus software companies
and/or various support sites (including Microsoft). Be very
suspicious of anything that comes in an email with a file attached to
it. And again, make sure your antivirus software is fully up to date
at all times. I have mine set to check for new updates on a daily
basis.


3.i also am unable to
download ANY updates...many people advised this can help in these
situations....it says i need to be an administrator, and i spent hours trying
to do this, only to get the message that i am unauthorized to even download
updates from windows...is this normal? would that help? how do i get to be
able to get these updates?


It sounds very much as if your computer is infested with a virus
and/or spyware.

Download AdAware (free) from http://www.lavasoft.de and install it.
Let it do both the update and the full system scan which it will want
to do when the install is completed. Anything and everything that
AdAware identifies as a problem should be removed, and the program
will do this for you.

If you are unable to download AdAware or have problems installing it
post a response back here with this information and we will try
something else.



4.finally, how can i periodically get rid of my
temporary internet files that contain sites visited? it doesn't take them
off when emptying cookies?



Open Control Panel - Internet Options and click on the "Delete Files"
button on the General tab. In the Delete Files window click on the
checkbox for "Delete all offline content" to select it and then click
on OK.



i really, really need help, as i depend on this computer, and am at a loss
as to what to do. please include pointers in how i can read responses to
this question, without listing my actual email address...i've posted it
twice, and each time had to change my address because of all the viruses i
started getting. help alan!

jennifer


Good luck



Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 




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