ridiculous mistake

heyyobigbrandon · 01-15-2008, 10:00 PM

There was adware on my computer that my antivirus software continuously overlooked through scanning (and updating) and I was able to locate the files myself and manually deleting them through simply checking the processes listed on my task manager and discovering an unfamiliar one. Upon exploring my files, I noticed what I thought were files that could have also been spyware/adware/virus because they were not program files I had installed on the computer (ex./"create it" a disk labelling software that had never been previously installed on my computer) The ridiculous mistake I made was getting delete happy and apparently I deleted a critical file or two involving mcafee virus scan and possibly java. The problem with my computer is that when I load the mcafee CD rom, it goes to a blank mcafee screen with no ptions to choose from rather than a list of installation options (I've already removed the program completely from my computer before attempting to reinstall it) also the System Restore goes to a blank system restore screen with no options as well. Another thing that happens on the internet is that even though i have Java installed and have reinstalled and updated it, it does not recognize its presence or that it is enabled (yes, i've checked to make sure it is enabled on the internet options and security preferences)... for instance, on my myspace page, it does not load my songs or videos instead it claims that java is disabled, and also oddly when I click on "home" on myspace it does not take me to my profile home page but to the myspace home page (while still remaining signed in) and when I am on my profile page it does not give me the link to my myspace URL as it previously did. I am not sure because of how delete happy I mistakenly got, but I think I may have deleted the critical files from "common files." So Im just trying to figure out how to get back where I was. Whether it be discovering specific files to install, or trying to figure out how to restore deleted files that are no longer in my recycling bin. Im using a Dell 2400 with windows XP and using a newer version of internet explorer for my browser, and mcafee virusscan plus 2007, with the newest java updates available. Also another oddity that has occured since then is that when I google a topic and click on the heading, it does not take me to the URL listed below but to an IP address heading that goes blank (so I have to copy and paste the url from the below rather than click on it).
Thanks for your help in ending my mysery!
Brandon

heyyobigbrandon · 01-15-2008, 11:45 PM

oh and also my windows media player no longer works, even after installing a new version

sapi · 01-16-2008, 01:05 AM

The Java language is different from JavaScript, despite similar names. Myspace uses JavaScript to render a lot of things, and the ability to read back the JS language lies in the browser. You would have to delete files from the C:\Program files\Internet Explorer folder, which I don't think you did because there is basically no reason to go in there. Java is an easy fix, to be honest, as long as you can uninstall the version you currently have. After you do that, just get the latest release here and you'll have solved that. However, do not do this if the only thing you have a problem with is JavaScript. If you can run a game like World of Sand, then you're cool.

I am not knowledgeable in the world of McAfee, and it's a little weird that deleting something on your computer affects the rendering of the autorun menu when you put in your CD. If you are certain you have deleted files that keep McAfee from running properly, see if you can uninstall the program and install it again, bypassing the autorun menu. Most programs have a setup.exe file on the actual disc, which you can access by right-clicking the CD drive in My Computer and selecting "Open" instead of the bolded "Autorun." That should work.

In retrospect, I would highly recommend a different anti-virus program, like the freeware Avast! or AVG. I use Avast!, and I have never had a problem with adware, spyware, or viruses in at least five years.
Avast!
AVG

EDIT: Windows media player? To what was the extent of your deleting? :) Like all my other suggestions, I would have to say you should uninstall the latest version of Windows Media Player and see if you can start it up again. From there, you should be able to get the automatic update thing and return it to its current version. To uninstall the current version of WMP, go to Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, and uninstall WMP 11, if that is your current version. I think on earlier versions, you have to check the box marked "Show Updates" and delete the, uh, subprogram if you will. The way XP is set up, you can never really get rid of WMP.

EDIT EDIT: I also just noticed that this has nothing to do with Networking Support.

01-15-2008, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
heyyobigbrandon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 OS: xp	ridiculous mistake There was adware on my computer that my antivirus software continuously overlooked through scanning (and updating) and I was able to locate the files myself and manually deleting them through simply checking the processes listed on my task manager and discovering an unfamiliar one. Upon exploring my files, I noticed what I thought were files that could have also been spyware/adware/virus because they were not program files I had installed on the computer (ex./"create it" a disk labelling software that had never been previously installed on my computer) The ridiculous mistake I made was getting delete happy and apparently I deleted a critical file or two involving mcafee virus scan and possibly java. The problem with my computer is that when I load the mcafee CD rom, it goes to a blank mcafee screen with no ptions to choose from rather than a list of installation options (I've already removed the program completely from my computer before attempting to reinstall it) also the System Restore goes to a blank system restore screen with no options as well. Another thing that happens on the internet is that even though i have Java installed and have reinstalled and updated it, it does not recognize its presence or that it is enabled (yes, i've checked to make sure it is enabled on the internet options and security preferences)... for instance, on my myspace page, it does not load my songs or videos instead it claims that java is disabled, and also oddly when I click on "home" on myspace it does not take me to my profile home page but to the myspace home page (while still remaining signed in) and when I am on my profile page it does not give me the link to my myspace URL as it previously did. I am not sure because of how delete happy I mistakenly got, but I think I may have deleted the critical files from "common files." So Im just trying to figure out how to get back where I was. Whether it be discovering specific files to install, or trying to figure out how to restore deleted files that are no longer in my recycling bin. Im using a Dell 2400 with windows XP and using a newer version of internet explorer for my browser, and mcafee virusscan plus 2007, with the newest java updates available. Also another oddity that has occured since then is that when I google a topic and click on the heading, it does not take me to the URL listed below but to an IP address heading that goes blank (so I have to copy and paste the url from the below rather than click on it). Thanks for your help in ending my mysery! Brandon

01-15-2008, 11:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
heyyobigbrandon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 OS: xp	Re: ridiculous mistake oh and also my windows media player no longer works, even after installing a new version

01-16-2008, 01:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
sapi Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 12 OS: xp sp2	Re: ridiculous mistake The Java language is different from JavaScript, despite similar names. Myspace uses JavaScript to render a lot of things, and the ability to read back the JS language lies in the browser. You would have to delete files from the C:\Program files\Internet Explorer folder, which I don't think you did because there is basically no reason to go in there. Java is an easy fix, to be honest, as long as you can uninstall the version you currently have. After you do that, just get the latest release here and you'll have solved that. However, do not do this if the only thing you have a problem with is JavaScript. If you can run a game like World of Sand, then you're cool. I am not knowledgeable in the world of McAfee, and it's a little weird that deleting something on your computer affects the rendering of the autorun menu when you put in your CD. If you are certain you have deleted files that keep McAfee from running properly, see if you can uninstall the program and install it again, bypassing the autorun menu. Most programs have a setup.exe file on the actual disc, which you can access by right-clicking the CD drive in My Computer and selecting "Open" instead of the bolded "Autorun." That should work. In retrospect, I would highly recommend a different anti-virus program, like the freeware Avast! or AVG. I use Avast!, and I have never had a problem with adware, spyware, or viruses in at least five years. Avast! AVG EDIT: Windows media player? To what was the extent of your deleting? :) Like all my other suggestions, I would have to say you should uninstall the latest version of Windows Media Player and see if you can start it up again. From there, you should be able to get the automatic update thing and return it to its current version. To uninstall the current version of WMP, go to Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, and uninstall WMP 11, if that is your current version. I think on earlier versions, you have to check the box marked "Show Updates" and delete the, uh, subprogram if you will. The way XP is set up, you can never really get rid of WMP. EDIT EDIT: I also just noticed that this has nothing to do with Networking Support. Last edited by sapi; 01-16-2008 at 01:10 AM.