shopcarney

first timer here - i installed the trial version of bitdefender internet security 2008 and subsequently lost some functions on MSN Explorer (maps, search tool, web bill pay, some log-ins, some online store purchases, etc); i have since uninstalled BD, as well as windows defender and spybot, but no functions have returned. I have tried an XP system restore but nothing happens. BD tech support is "helping" but basically not doing much. Any ideas on what privacy or firewall changes occurred? Do i need to reinstall MSN? thanks!!

ejames82

welcome to TSF
the first thing i would suspect that is causing you problems is a corrupt installation. leftovers from another antivirus could cause a corrupt installation. i am a member at BD forums and visit there often and have seen this happen numerous times, but not just bitdefender, all antiviruses can be corrupted by leftovers during installation. even if there are no leftovers, the installation can still be corrupt.
1. get rid of leftovers (files from the previous AV).
2. uninstall and reinstall bitdefender.

taking advantage of the trial was a very good idea, and bitdefender is a great AV.

shopcarney

thanks for replying. i have searched for any leftover files and will do once again, but should things be back to normal before i reinstall BD or can i expect the reinstall to fix things?

ejames82

most antiviruses offer a removal tool that is supposed to eliminate remnants (leftovers). whatever antiviruses you have had in the past, may require a tool for each one. besides installing firewall and antivirus, i think uninstalling is the most important thing that needs to be done. less is more. because leftovers pose such a problem, i usually recommend keeping an antivirus, and not changeing (unless it's really crap).
did you get this computer new? what antiviruses have you had? have you ever run belarc advisor, a tool that shows what's on your computer?
even after all your work, there's no guarantee that bitdefender will cooperate.

shopcarney

I have searched the pc about 5 times for any AV remnants. I originally had McAffee, then switched to KAV, but decided it was too slow so wanted a change when my time was up. That's when i loaded BD. At this point, I believe I have removed every remnant, but the problems still exist (my computer search function won't work, I can't print, I can't log in to some websites, I can't purchase from some websites, I can't load any maps, I can't get a "response" from system restore). Something changed when I loaded BD and no one seems to be able to find it and fix it. I really don't know where to turn next. Thanks for your input.

ejames82

uh oh.
unless someone with more expertise than i comes along with the correct answer, and it's different than mine, this is registry related. the same thing happened to me when i used revouninstaller to remove KAV against the better advice of kaspersky. when you go start>all programs>accessories>system tools>system restore do you get a blank white page that is useless? is your search option a blank blue page?
do you have any registry backup tools that may have a registry backup? i lucked out with a programme called ERUNT. if you have this programme, you may be saved.
you need to negotiate to the ERDNT.EXE folder. it's in the WINDOWS directory which is hidden. there are backups in there that saved my skin. one is taken at every startup.
if you don't have erunt, do you have any other registry backups? this is seriously bad news you have given me.
i'll be keeping an eye on this topic for your reply.

edit:
don't go into the registry to try to fix this! just let me know what registry backup you have.

shopcarney

The situations you described are exactly the problems I"m having. I don't have erunt. If I have any registry backup software, it's came with XP. I probably have some registry files saved from sometime ago, but I'm not comfortable replacing the current ones (plus, without my search function, I doubt that I'd find the most recent ones). Is registry restoration something that Geek Squad, Best Buy, etc are good at? Thanks for your help. (PS - do you think this is something KAV has caused?)

ejames82

i feel really bad for you, because it wasn't long ago that i was in your shoes.
did you use the kaspersky removal tool to remove KAV? maybe reinstalling it will replace everything in the registry that is missing, and you would also have AV. i very much doubt this will work. this is wishful thinking.
also system file checker may work, but i doubt that too.
there's also last known good, but that didn't work for me either, and probably won't for you.
ccleaner may have a registry backup utility if you have that. as you can tell, i am getting desperate.
i wish badly that someone would come along with a suggestion that would put me to shame (knowledge wise). it would be worth it just to learn another lesson.
there are other quality forums available. i would register and post on every legitimate website available. if just one person has the answer we're looking for, it'll be worth it, because it's overwhelmingly probable that you need to reformat or stay in the situation you're in. if you do somehow sort this out, do me a personal favor and post your solution here at TSF.
just do both of us a favor, and install ERUNT the next time. learn how to use ERDNT.EXE to restore your registry, and make a notepad log for yourself so you don't forget how.
i wish i had better news for you. i'm sorry.

shopcarney

thanks for your input, i'm going to seek "professional help" and i'll post the solution