deesl4e

Got my new PC system with windows vista and after installing everything the next day when I fired up the computor I realised I had lost my control panel and other programmes such as windows photo gallery and windows media centre. Obviously I couldn't use my printer as the computer didn't recognise it. Fortunately a system restore retrieved everything but the same thing happened the next day.!!!! Again a system restore worked but I just don't understand why this would happen. Havn't had any problems for a few days now but wonder if anyone else had encountered the problems as I had.

jcgriff2

Hi. . .

Welcome to TSF.

A few questions, if I may:

1. Is this a new or refurbished computer?
2. What is the manufacturer and model number of the computer?
3. Did the initial Vista setup produce any errors?
4. Did you install any non-Microsoft software?
5. Do these incidents occur after every restart?
6. What anti-virus package are you using?
7. Have you looked at the logs from your anti-virus scan?
8. Did you install the printer's software, if any?
9. You have not had any recurring problems for a few days... has the computer been powered-down or restarted?

regards. . .

jcgriff2

mosey

Hi Deesl4e, this happened to me a few weeks ago. Don't know why it happened but here's what I did for a fix.

Control panel,

Default programs

Set Program Access and Computer Defaults (It's the bottom line)

Put a dot in the "custom" box and click the line

In the section "Choose a Default Media Player", make sure there is a checkmark in the box "Enable Access to this Program"

For some reason, mine had deselected Media Player, Media Center, and Windows Mail, so have a look at them all.

Hope this works....moz

deesl4e

1. A new computer
2.No. However I got this new monitor and it gave me a blank screen because I kept turning on the Ipod button instead of the screen button. It wasn't explained to me so I tried rebooting the PC a few times without a proper shutdown. i.e. held in the start button of the PC for 5 seconds. This may have caused the problem but shouldn't have.
3. No. My computer man did all that for me.
4. I'm not sure. What about Nero ?
5. No. Havn't had a problem for a while now.
6. Trend
7. Yes
8. Yes.
9. Yes. I'm not sure what you mean by powered down. I have strictly enforcedd with the kids that th PC has to shut down via the shut down menu instead of just holding in the " box button " for a few seconds.

jcgriff2

Hi. .

Thank you for your answers.

Did you try the suggestion by mosey? I have used this method in the past. What concerns me more so is the missing Contol Panel and the fact that you had to perform a system restore a second time.

So that I may do additional research, please provide the manufacturer and model of your PC, added moniter and printer. The printer problem should be first check out with the Device Manager to assure that conflicts are nonexistant. Also, when I used the term "power down" I was referring to a "shut down". It is simply and older, alternate term.

You mentioned that you are using Trend [Micro] anti-virus. Was anything found during any of the scans? Have you performed scans with any other anti-virus software?

You also referred to the kids. Is it possible that they downloaded some program or file unbeknownst to you? I have four - 17, 13, 9, and 6. Aside from my 13 yr-old continuously hacking my password, I believed I was protected with anti-virus and Windows Defender. This was not the case. An email attachment from a friend was opened and contained "whatever" that wreaked havick on two of their laptops. Given the fact that a system restore works as a temporary fix, your system may be infected or it may be a program installation that is causing a file relation change. Let's see.

When I asked about installed programs, I am looking for the names of any non-Vista installations, such as Nero. I would like to get a better look at the installed programs and the changes made to the file installation. There is a program, Deckard's Security Scan (DSS) that will allow me to do so. However, I can only use DSS for the purpose of checking programs installs and files changes. Should I suspect the presence of malware, I am required to send you over to our security section for a remedy as I am not a member of the Security Team. Please download the following, execute it and post the results:

Deckard's Security Scan - DSS

regards. . .

jcgriff2

deesl4e

Well it's happened again. As for the manufacturer I can't even accass that at the momment. I think it may be a intel core2 duo with a gigabyte ga-g33m-ds2r/s2 motherboard. The monitor is view sonic vx2245wm lcd display. The printer is a canon mp520.
I am working now on the theory that the printer is causing the problems as last night I did some printing and after firing it up this evening the same problem has occurred. Obviously my internet hasn't been affected.

jcgriff2

Hi. . .

Have you checked the Device Manager for red/yellow indictors?

START | type "dev man" (no quotes) in the start search box | select Device Manager

regards. . .

jcgriff2

deesl4e

Had to do a system restore twice to get all programmes back. Tried your above suggestion and all I got was " i don't get it update " and another item in my deleted files folder of windows mail.

deesl4e

Why does control panel not exist in my device manager. Nor does the printer.

jcgriff2

Greetings deesl4e. . .

Apologies for whichever suggestion it was that caused the incease in size of your email deletion file folder.

Diverse areas of experience and varying degrees of learned knowledge exist within this Forum; hence different methodologies of troubleshooting. The techniques that I employ have assisted others in the past. I would very much like to achieve a favorable result for you as well.

I know for a fact that your current predicament is frustrating - I have been there and continue to be at times. The information that I seek and the [order of] suggestions that I recommend may not appear relevant at times, but I assure you there is a sound "raison d'être" behind each. In addition, an issue that you believe to be of paramount importance is not necessarily tangential to me. I am simply attempting to find a common denominator, should one exist, in an attempt to provide a plausible solution.

At this time, I am still trying to understand the sequence of events that led to you computer problems. In your postings you have stated that your new Vista computer was set up by a third party and that ". . .after installing everything the next day when I fired up the computor I realised I had lost my control panel and other programmes such as windows photo gallery and windows media centre." yet you also posted that you "Havn't had any problems for a few days now" not too mention the multiple system restores.

In an indirect manner, I am trying to ascertain the time period between the initial Vista installation and the emergence of any perceived troulble as one portion of the above indicates, to me at least, an elapsed time of less than 24 hours yet another is indicative of a period much greater.

You stated " Obviously I couldn't use my printer as the computer didn't recognise it", yet in a reply you say "I am working now on the theory that the printer is causing the problems as last night I did some printing and after firing it up this evening the same problem has occurred.". I did not know that the printer was functional at all until this most recent post. When was this issue addressed?

My inquiry into the the childrens potential covert activities and the non-Microsoft installed programs would be answered by the informational and file change areas of the DSS logs that are generated by Deckard's Security Scan that I requested. This output would also help me make the determination whether or not to send you to the Forum's Security Center should I suspect he presence of foreign bodies. I am not a member of the Security Team and thus could not assist with a system clensing.

The rather conflicting information provided leaves me in a quandry unable to continue as I simply do not have a handle on the current state of affairs existing within your computer. Given the fact that a System Restore provides a temporary reprieve, one thing is blatently obvious to me - the trouble that you are currently experiencing is most likely, but not definitely, linked to an installed non-Microsoft program; Windows Updates, or the lack thereof; a driver; the introduction of a foreign agent by a yet-to-be determined manner; or a hardware problem.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2