Please help with error message when using Internet Explorer with M

Last Saturday, our Dell, which runs ME, started doing two odd things. Most
importantly, whenever we would try to type a new address in the address field
in IE, it would give this error message: "Iexplore has caused an error in
MSHTML.DLL. Iexplore will now close." This message occurred whenever you
tried to change the address field at the top of IE.

I looked at the this website and read the information at
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;265244&sd=dell. This told
me to download IE 5.5 from one of two microsoft websites. I looked at both,
but couldn't find any version of IE 5.5. However, there was a version of IE
6.0 for ME, so I downloaded that. It did not solve the problem at all. I
looked at my version of MSHTML.DLL and it is listed as version 5.5, which may
be part of the problem.

Any help on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.

At the same time, one other thing started happening. Normally, to connect
to the internet, we double clik on IE. This opens IE and a dialog box called
"Connect To" that contains the phone number, account name, and password to
our ISP. Now, the Connect To box appears as soon as we boot up. I've looked
in msconfig and can't find out any command to do this in the start-up tab.
Any help in getting rid of this would also be terrific.

Thanks so much.

It looks as if at some stage you have reinstalled ME over itself, while
still having a copy of IE6 installed - this leads inevitably to what's known
as 'version soup' - and the problems that arise from that are manifold.....

you probably need to totally uninstall IE, and then reinstall it - look here
for details.
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/ReInIE.htm
once you've done that, come back with any further problems, and we'll try
and address them.



--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"cagmo" wrote in message
...
Last Saturday, our Dell, which runs ME, started doing two odd things.
Most
importantly, whenever we would try to type a new address in the address
field
in IE, it would give this error message: "Iexplore has caused an error in
MSHTML.DLL. Iexplore will now close." This message occurred whenever you
tried to change the address field at the top of IE.

I looked at the this website and read the information at
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;265244&sd=dell. This
told
me to download IE 5.5 from one of two microsoft websites. I looked at
both,
but couldn't find any version of IE 5.5. However, there was a version of
IE
6.0 for ME, so I downloaded that. It did not solve the problem at all. I
looked at my version of MSHTML.DLL and it is listed as version 5.5, which
may
be part of the problem.

Any help on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.

At the same time, one other thing started happening. Normally, to connect
to the internet, we double clik on IE. This opens IE and a dialog box
called
"Connect To" that contains the phone number, account name, and password to
our ISP. Now, the Connect To box appears as soon as we boot up. I've
looked
in msconfig and can't find out any command to do this in the start-up tab.
Any help in getting rid of this would also be terrific.

Thanks so much.

Noel, thanks for your help. I read it with great interest. Frankly, your
website frightened me. A lot to do and a lot could go wrong. I was also
concerned because IEradicator said that it would not affect my MSHTML.dll
file, and that's one of the ones causing me problems. On the other hand, I
may have no choice but to try your suggestion. Let me tell you what I did
and you can tell me if you still think I need to do what you suggest. I'm
guessing that you will.

I tried to see if system restore would work. It didn't (I would have had to
go back to December 2001 and didn't want to install everything. My PC is
pretty finicky about new software. When I try to load new softeware, I
frequently get the error message about being unable to update from %1 to %2,
but the microsoft fix (rename wininit.ini doesn't work because I have the
search for wininit.ini comes up empty). However, the computer seems to work
fine after the first boot up with the new software.

I also tried the repair tool on IE, but it did not work. It listed about 10
files, including the dreaded MSHTML.dll that were version 5.5 and needed to
be at least version 6.0. I had hoped that IE 6.0 install would update these,
so I went back and uninstalled IE 6.0 (using add/remove programs) and then
reinstalled it without success. Same problem. I'm thinking that this problem
with old versions is at the root of this whole thing -- I think that is what
you suspect as well.

I did download Mozilla onto the PC and it seems to work fine. However, I'd
like to have IE working again.

So as I sit here now, I have IE 5.5 back on my PC, but I still get the
dreaded Iexpolore has caused an error in MSHTML.dll message whenever I try to
enter a new address in the address field at the top of IE. I'm thinking about
just trying to download IE 5.5 service pack 2, which I have now found on the
internet. Is that a viable option?

Any other ideas given the variety of 5.5 files that I have on my PC that
don't seem to get updated when I install IE 6.0?

By the way, I have run adaware and cwshredder. Adaware found lots of things,
but they were mostly cookies and they have been quarantined. Cwshredder found
nothing.

Thanks so much.

It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I can write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get your patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate, corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore date is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR archive - here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties that you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should find the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64 thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its tricks again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use the following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the following commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to check is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space fillers.
To check this, look for the file C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or go here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance | File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"cagmo" wrote in message
...
Noel, thanks for your help. I read it with great interest. Frankly, your
website frightened me. A lot to do and a lot could go wrong. I was also
concerned because IEradicator said that it would not affect my MSHTML.dll
file, and that's one of the ones causing me problems. On the other hand,
I
may have no choice but to try your suggestion. Let me tell you what I did
and you can tell me if you still think I need to do what you suggest. I'm
guessing that you will.

I tried to see if system restore would work. It didn't (I would have had
to
go back to December 2001 and didn't want to install everything. My PC is
pretty finicky about new software. When I try to load new softeware, I
frequently get the error message about being unable to update from %1 to
%2,
but the microsoft fix (rename wininit.ini doesn't work because I have the
search for wininit.ini comes up empty). However, the computer seems to
work
fine after the first boot up with the new software.

I also tried the repair tool on IE, but it did not work. It listed about
10
files, including the dreaded MSHTML.dll that were version 5.5 and needed
to
be at least version 6.0. I had hoped that IE 6.0 install would update
these,
so I went back and uninstalled IE 6.0 (using add/remove programs) and then
reinstalled it without success. Same problem. I'm thinking that this
problem
with old versions is at the root of this whole thing -- I think that is
what
you suspect as well.

I did download Mozilla onto the PC and it seems to work fine. However, I'd
like to have IE working again.

So as I sit here now, I have IE 5.5 back on my PC, but I still get the
dreaded Iexpolore has caused an error in MSHTML.dll message whenever I try
to
enter a new address in the address field at the top of IE. I'm thinking
about
just trying to download IE 5.5 service pack 2, which I have now found on
the
internet. Is that a viable option?

Any other ideas given the variety of 5.5 files that I have on my PC that
don't seem to get updated when I install IE 6.0?

By the way, I have run adaware and cwshredder. Adaware found lots of
things,
but they were mostly cookies and they have been quarantined. Cwshredder
found
nothing.

Thanks so much.

Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

Type the commands exactly as you see them - with a [return] at the end of
each (so one command for the ATTRIB, one for RENAME)

Disabling Norton isn't required, since from a floppy boot, it's not loaded
anyhow (but my recommendation would be to remove it completely as soon as
you've found something to replace it!)

with two anti-virus packages loaded at the same time you are guaranteed to
have problems - no matter which they are!!!
post back after you've managed the rename and delete and we can discuss this
further (I need to know whether both are loaded and running and whether both
are 'required' by your respective employers - most will take the view that
you have to have their preferred AV installed, but not necessarily active,
and IIRC, it's easier to disable McAffee than NAV - it's certainly easier to
uninstall it properly!)
I also need to know EXACTLY which versions of McAfee and NAV you have
installed (Retail or 'corporate', and which upgrade/update cycle you're
into!)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

Noel,

Here are the results from last evening (all of this is for
my home PC, not my work computer).

First, let me say this: you know your stuff. Sure
enough, C:\_RESTORE had over 64,000 files in it. I did
what you instructed and tested the system restore feature,
which worked. I also installed the patch that you gave me
the link to. (You are correct -- I'm way behind on
updates.) The only thing I want to make sure about is
that I now have no C:\_RESTORE folder at all. The only
RESTORE folder is now at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.

Second, I looked around at the two antivirus programs. I
don't know if this is all that you need, but I have Norton
Antivirus 2000, version 6.20.04. It also had something
called Norton LiveAdvisor. I also have McAfee Virus Scan
Console 3.1.4. Norton had a handy "disable" button, as
well as an uninstall file.

My wife and I both access our office systems over the
internet. I have no idea if you can log in with one of
these programs disabled or removed, but I'd be willing to
try. Neither of these AV programs has been updated for a
LONG time. (I know, not smart.)

Let me know what you think I should do next. I still get
the MSHTML.DLL error when I try to change the address
field in IE. Mozilla works fine. Can I just install IE
5.5 again as Microsoft suggests at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;265244&sd=dell. After all, when I install 6.0, I am
told that I have about 10 files (including MSHTML.DLL)
that are version 5.5 that need to be 6.0 to use IE 6.0. If
you think this is a viable option, where should I download
5.5 from?

Thanks so much for your help.



-----Original Message-----
Type the commands exactly as you see them - with a
[return] at the end of
each (so one command for the ATTRIB, one for RENAME)

Disabling Norton isn't required, since from a floppy
boot, it's not loaded
anyhow (but my recommendation would be to remove it
completely as soon as
you've found something to replace it!)

with two anti-virus packages loaded at the same time you
are guaranteed to
have problems - no matter which they are!!!
post back after you've managed the rename and delete and
we can discuss this
further (I need to know whether both are loaded and
running and whether both
are 'required' by your respective employers - most will
take the view that
you have to have their preferred AV installed, but not
necessarily active,
and IIRC, it's easier to disable McAffee than NAV - it's
certainly easier to
uninstall it properly!)
I also need to know EXACTLY which versions of McAfee and
NAV you have
installed (Retail or 'corporate', and which
upgrade/update cycle you're
into!)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both
are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get
your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore
date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the
following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to
check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the
patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or
go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's




.

NAV 2000 is NOT - and never has been - compatible with Win ME!!
(even Symantec will admit that much - for a change)
You need to replace that with an AV that works with WinME, and is up-to-date
(NAV2000, even if installed into a compatible OS cannot detect many of the
more recent attack vectors)
I would suggest AVG - from www.grisoft.com - it's free! Not only that, but
it's pretty goodg
It's not the best (but what do you expect for free?) - but it causes very
few problems with any version of Windows.
To remove NAV, remove ALL Symantec entries in the Add/Remove Programs
wizard, then download and run the RNAV2003.EXE file from here
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...212100807?Open

McAffee 3.1.4 is also too old - and should never have been installed at the
same time as NAV. - remove it, and any associated McAffee entries in
Add/Remove Programs

WRT your IE5.5/6 problems..... have you reinstalled ME over itself at any
time???? - after installing IE6?
If so, then that is the cause of your PC's confusion, as doing so overwrites
many files with older versions. - post back for instructions if this could
be the case!




--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Here are the results from last evening (all of this is for
my home PC, not my work computer).

First, let me say this: you know your stuff. Sure
enough, C:\_RESTORE had over 64,000 files in it. I did
what you instructed and tested the system restore feature,
which worked. I also installed the patch that you gave me
the link to. (You are correct -- I'm way behind on
updates.) The only thing I want to make sure about is
that I now have no C:\_RESTORE folder at all. The only
RESTORE folder is now at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.

Second, I looked around at the two antivirus programs. I
don't know if this is all that you need, but I have Norton
Antivirus 2000, version 6.20.04. It also had something
called Norton LiveAdvisor. I also have McAfee Virus Scan
Console 3.1.4. Norton had a handy "disable" button, as
well as an uninstall file.

My wife and I both access our office systems over the
internet. I have no idea if you can log in with one of
these programs disabled or removed, but I'd be willing to
try. Neither of these AV programs has been updated for a
LONG time. (I know, not smart.)

Let me know what you think I should do next. I still get
the MSHTML.DLL error when I try to change the address
field in IE. Mozilla works fine. Can I just install IE
5.5 again as Microsoft suggests at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;265244&sd=dell. After all, when I install 6.0, I am
told that I have about 10 files (including MSHTML.DLL)
that are version 5.5 that need to be 6.0 to use IE 6.0. If
you think this is a viable option, where should I download
5.5 from?

Thanks so much for your help.



-----Original Message-----
Type the commands exactly as you see them - with a
[return] at the end of
each (so one command for the ATTRIB, one for RENAME)

Disabling Norton isn't required, since from a floppy
boot, it's not loaded
anyhow (but my recommendation would be to remove it
completely as soon as
you've found something to replace it!)

with two anti-virus packages loaded at the same time you
are guaranteed to
have problems - no matter which they are!!!
post back after you've managed the rename and delete and
we can discuss this
further (I need to know whether both are loaded and
running and whether both
are 'required' by your respective employers - most will
take the view that
you have to have their preferred AV installed, but not
necessarily active,
and IIRC, it's easier to disable McAffee than NAV - it's
certainly easier to
uninstall it properly!)
I also need to know EXACTLY which versions of McAfee and
NAV you have
installed (Retail or 'corporate', and which
upgrade/update cycle you're
into!)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both
are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get
your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore
date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the
following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. - your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to
check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the
patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or
go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's




.

Noel,

Thanks.

I'm fairly certain that I've never reinstalled ME, and
there's absolutely no way that I tried to reinstall ME
after installing IE 6.0. I hadn't even tried to install
6.0 until after the problem began. I only installed 6.0
because the support page from microsoft referenced in my
original post said that to solve my problem, I needed to
reinstall IE 5.5. I couldn't find 5.5 on the microsoft
site, so I downloaded 6.0. As I mentioned, I've
uninstalled 6.0 and am now back to 5.5.

Someone else said that maybe mshtml.dll is corrupted and
needs to be replaced. What do you think? Seems like I
have nothing to lose by trying.


-----Original Message-----
NAV 2000 is NOT - and never has been - compatible with
Win ME!!
(even Symantec will admit that much - for a change)
You need to replace that with an AV that works with
WinME, and is up-to-date
(NAV2000, even if installed into a compatible OS cannot
detect many of the
more recent attack vectors)
I would suggest AVG - from www.grisoft.com - it's free!
Not only that, but
it's pretty goodg
It's not the best (but what do you expect for free?) -
but it causes very
few problems with any version of Windows.
To remove NAV, remove ALL Symantec entries in the
Add/Remove Programs
wizard, then download and run the RNAV2003.EXE file from
here
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT.../pfdocs/200110
0212100807?Open

McAffee 3.1.4 is also too old - and should never have
been installed at the
same time as NAV. - remove it, and any associated McAffee
entries in
Add/Remove Programs

WRT your IE5.5/6 problems..... have you reinstalled ME
over itself at any
time???? - after installing IE6?
If so, then that is the cause of your PC's confusion, as
doing so overwrites
many files with older versions. - post back for
instructions if this could
be the case!




--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Here are the results from last evening (all of this is
for
my home PC, not my work computer).

First, let me say this: you know your stuff. Sure
enough, C:\_RESTORE had over 64,000 files in it. I did
what you instructed and tested the system restore
feature,
which worked. I also installed the patch that you gave
me
the link to. (You are correct -- I'm way behind on
updates.) The only thing I want to make sure about is
that I now have no C:\_RESTORE folder at all. The only
RESTORE folder is now at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.

Second, I looked around at the two antivirus programs.
I
don't know if this is all that you need, but I have
Norton
Antivirus 2000, version 6.20.04. It also had something
called Norton LiveAdvisor. I also have McAfee Virus
Scan
Console 3.1.4. Norton had a handy "disable" button, as
well as an uninstall file.

My wife and I both access our office systems over the
internet. I have no idea if you can log in with one of
these programs disabled or removed, but I'd be willing
to
try. Neither of these AV programs has been updated for
a
LONG time. (I know, not smart.)

Let me know what you think I should do next. I still
get
the MSHTML.DLL error when I try to change the address
field in IE. Mozilla works fine. Can I just install IE
5.5 again as Microsoft suggests at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;265244&sd=dell. After all, when I install 6.0, I am
told that I have about 10 files (including MSHTML.DLL)
that are version 5.5 that need to be 6.0 to use IE 6.0.
If
you think this is a viable option, where should I
download
5.5 from?

Thanks so much for your help.



-----Original Message-----
Type the commands exactly as you see them - with a
[return] at the end of
each (so one command for the ATTRIB, one for RENAME)

Disabling Norton isn't required, since from a floppy
boot, it's not loaded
anyhow (but my recommendation would be to remove it
completely as soon as
you've found something to replace it!)

with two anti-virus packages loaded at the same time you
are guaranteed to
have problems - no matter which they are!!!
post back after you've managed the rename and delete and
we can discuss this
further (I need to know whether both are loaded and
running and whether both
are 'required' by your respective employers - most will
take the view that
you have to have their preferred AV installed, but not
necessarily active,
and IIRC, it's easier to disable McAffee than NAV - it's
certainly easier to
uninstall it properly!)
I also need to know EXACTLY which versions of McAfee and
NAV you have
installed (Retail or 'corporate', and which
upgrade/update cycle you're
into!)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
.. .
Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series
of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I
do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of
these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and
my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both
are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I
can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get
your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton
LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore
date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR
archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties
that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should
find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its
tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use
the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the
following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. -
your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to
check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space
fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the
patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or
go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to
post
messages to NG's




.



.

Noel,

NAV and McAfee are removed. AVG is installed. It found a
trojan horse Dropper.Small.7.AL that I'm having some
trouble removing (everytime I run it, another file is
infected).

McAfee was actually more difficult to remove. The
uninstall locked up and had to do the manual process.

Any thoughts on what do do with IE 5.5/6.0 after all of
this? Like I said below, I don't think that I've
installed ME over itself and I definitely didn't do that
after installing IE 6.0. Worth trying to replace
mshtml.dll with a new version of the same program in case
it's corrupted? If so, how do I do that?


-----Original Message-----
NAV 2000 is NOT - and never has been - compatible with
Win ME!!
(even Symantec will admit that much - for a change)
You need to replace that with an AV that works with
WinME, and is up-to-date
(NAV2000, even if installed into a compatible OS cannot
detect many of the
more recent attack vectors)
I would suggest AVG - from www.grisoft.com - it's free!
Not only that, but
it's pretty goodg
It's not the best (but what do you expect for free?) -
but it causes very
few problems with any version of Windows.
To remove NAV, remove ALL Symantec entries in the
Add/Remove Programs
wizard, then download and run the RNAV2003.EXE file from
here
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT.../pfdocs/200110
0212100807?Open

McAffee 3.1.4 is also too old - and should never have
been installed at the
same time as NAV. - remove it, and any associated McAffee
entries in
Add/Remove Programs

WRT your IE5.5/6 problems..... have you reinstalled ME
over itself at any
time???? - after installing IE6?
If so, then that is the cause of your PC's confusion, as
doing so overwrites
many files with older versions. - post back for
instructions if this could
be the case!




--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
...
Noel,

Here are the results from last evening (all of this is
for
my home PC, not my work computer).

First, let me say this: you know your stuff. Sure
enough, C:\_RESTORE had over 64,000 files in it. I did
what you instructed and tested the system restore
feature,
which worked. I also installed the patch that you gave
me
the link to. (You are correct -- I'm way behind on
updates.) The only thing I want to make sure about is
that I now have no C:\_RESTORE folder at all. The only
RESTORE folder is now at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.

Second, I looked around at the two antivirus programs.
I
don't know if this is all that you need, but I have
Norton
Antivirus 2000, version 6.20.04. It also had something
called Norton LiveAdvisor. I also have McAfee Virus
Scan
Console 3.1.4. Norton had a handy "disable" button, as
well as an uninstall file.

My wife and I both access our office systems over the
internet. I have no idea if you can log in with one of
these programs disabled or removed, but I'd be willing
to
try. Neither of these AV programs has been updated for
a
LONG time. (I know, not smart.)

Let me know what you think I should do next. I still
get
the MSHTML.DLL error when I try to change the address
field in IE. Mozilla works fine. Can I just install IE
5.5 again as Microsoft suggests at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;265244&sd=dell. After all, when I install 6.0, I am
told that I have about 10 files (including MSHTML.DLL)
that are version 5.5 that need to be 6.0 to use IE 6.0.
If
you think this is a viable option, where should I
download
5.5 from?

Thanks so much for your help.



-----Original Message-----
Type the commands exactly as you see them - with a
[return] at the end of
each (so one command for the ATTRIB, one for RENAME)

Disabling Norton isn't required, since from a floppy
boot, it's not loaded
anyhow (but my recommendation would be to remove it
completely as soon as
you've found something to replace it!)

with two anti-virus packages loaded at the same time you
are guaranteed to
have problems - no matter which they are!!!
post back after you've managed the rename and delete and
we can discuss this
further (I need to know whether both are loaded and
running and whether both
are 'required' by your respective employers - most will
take the view that
you have to have their preferred AV installed, but not
necessarily active,
and IIRC, it's easier to disable McAffee than NAV - it's
certainly easier to
uninstall it properly!)
I also need to know EXACTLY which versions of McAfee and
NAV you have
installed (Retail or 'corporate', and which
upgrade/update cycle you're
into!)

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's

wrote in message
.. .
Noel,

Two quick (and basic) questions:

First, for the command at the a: prompt, is that one
command with spaces between them, or is that a series
of
commands?

Second, should I disable Norton and, if so, how do I
do
that? When we got this PC, my work loaded one of
these
virus protection packages on it (I think McAfee) and
my
wife's work loaded another (I think Norton). So both
are
there.


-----Original Message-----
It's really not as difficult as it looks (heck, If I
can
write it up, then
anyone can do it!g) - ask questions first, is the
watchword!

You absolutely NEED IE to be working properly on any
Windows box, as without
it you lose the ability to use Windows Update to get
your
patches.

Your %1/%2 error is caused usually by Norton
LiveUpdate,
corrupting the
System Restore archive - although there are other
possible causes.
Since you say that the only available System Restore
date
is three years
old, the most probable cause is a stuffed SR
archive -
here's my advice on
that.

Open Windows Explorer - check in Folder Properties
that
you are able to view
Hidden and System files (two settings), then Search on
your PC for files
named '_RESTORE' (without the quotes) - you should
find
the C:\_RESTORE
folder - r-click on it, and select Properties.
How many files/folders are there? If it's around 32-64
thousand, then
LiveUpdate (or something else) has been up to its
tricks
again, and you'll
have to completely remove the folder from DOS - use
the
following method,
which seems to be the easiest at present.

Reboot to DOS using your Startup disk enter the
following
commands at the
A:\ prompt.

ATTRIB -R -H -S C:\_RESTORE
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

remove the floppy, and reboot to normal windows. -
your
error should be
gone, and you should now have a new, single restore
point. Go to Windows
Explorer, and delete the C:\OLDREST folder

Since this problem has existed for such a long time, I
suspect that perhaps
you haven't installed many patches - first thing to
check
is the System
Restore patch.....

It's possible that you haven't installed the System
Restore Patch - without
which any current restore points are just space
fillers.
To check this, look for the file
C:\Windows\System\SMGR.DLL - r-click on the
file, and select Properties.
What's the version number? - if it's v4.90.0.3003 then
you have installed
the patch,
if it's v4.90.0.2533, then you need to install the
patch.

To install the patch, either visit Windows Update, or
go
here, and download
the patch for offline install
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q290700
Run the installer, and windows should reset System
Restore at the same time,
clearing your old restore points (which wouldn't have
worked, anyhow), and
creating a single new one.
You should then reset the maximum allocation for SR by
going to the
adjustment slider at System Properties | Performance |
File System | Hard
Disk - most people find that 200-400MB is quite
sufficient for most
purposes, unless installing/uninstalling large
applications such as Office.

HTH


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj
A Happy Xmas, and a Merry New Year to everyone!

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to
post
messages to NG's




.



.