Problems with laptop - need help please

[FFD824]

Hi. I really need some help with my laptop. It's 1½ year old and I am having the following problems:

-receiving RUNDLL error on startup: "error loading C:\Program Files\Wild Tangent\Apps\CDA\cdaEngine0400.dll The specified module could not be found"
-runs extremely slow
-desktop photo is visible during startup, but once all startup is complete, there is a a solid dark blue desktop
-dial up connection (AOL) is not working → error message: “The connection port is invalid or busy”. Since there is no wireless internet where I am, I currently have no internet access from the laptop.

Prior to running HJT, I installed/ran the following programs: Norton Antivirus (nothing found), CWShredder (no infected files), Ad-aware SE, Spybot S&D, SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard & Cleanup! I couldn’t get updates for any of the programs or run any online scans.

Here is the HJT Analyzer log: Thanks in advance.
====================================================================
Log was analyzed using KRC HijackThis Analyzer - Updated on 4/1/05
Get updates at http://www.greyknight17.com/download.htm#programs

***Security Programs Detected***

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O3 - Toolbar: Norton Internet Security - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: ISSvc (ISSVC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:46:37 PM, on 4/8/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skyscape\smARTupdate.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Dianne Guarnera\Desktop\Spyware Tools\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Dianne Guarnera\Desktop\Spyware Tools\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Dianne Guarnera\Desktop\Spyware Tools\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\HijackThis\HJT.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://channels.aimtoday.com/search/aimtoolbar.jsp
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:ME:LNLK
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WildTangent CDA] RUNDLL32.exe "C:\Program Files\WildTangent\Apps\CDA\cdaEngine0400.dll",cdaEngineMain
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Weather] C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.EXE 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Desktop Weather 3] C:\Program Files\The Weather Channel\The Weather Channel.exe
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Startup: Skyscape smARTupdate.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skyscape\smARTupdate.exe
O4 - Global Startup: AEGIS Client.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 9.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: America Online Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O16 - DPF: {3C648A72-C49A-48EF-9F90-68EF13293F97} (Cacher Class) - http://www.midhudsonmls.com/XMLSearch/XMLCache.CAB
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2...ll/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/is...06/mcfscan.cab
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\acsd.exe
O23 - Service: HP Configuration Interface Service (HPConfig) - Hewlett-Packard - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPConfig.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe


End of KRC HijackThis Analyzer Log.
====================================================================

[tetonbob]

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should not have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that 'Show hidden files and folders' (or 'Show all files') is enabled. Also make sure that 'Display the contents of system folders' is checked. Windows XP's search feature is a little different. When you click on 'All files and folders' on the left pane, click on the 'More advanced options' at the bottom. Make sure that Search system folders, Search hidden files and folders, and Search subfolders are checked.

For the options that you checked/enabled earlier, you may uncheck them after your log is clean. If we ask you to fix a program that you use or want to keep, please post back saying that (we don't know every program that exists, so we may tell you to delete a program that we think is bad to keep).

Reboot into Safe Mode (hit F8 key until menu shows up). Make sure to close any open browsers. Go into HijackThis->Config->Misc. Tools->Open process manager. Select the following and click Kill process for each one if they are still listed (they shouldn't be - but double check it):

C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe

Uninstall the following via the Add/Remove Panel (Start->(Settings)->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs) if they exist:

Viewpoint
WildTangent
WeatherBug - it's adware. If you didn't install this yourself, uninstall it. If you did install it yourself, you may keep it and ignore any fixes/deletions listed below.

Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WildTangent CDA] RUNDLL32.exe "C:\Program Files\WildTangent\Apps\CDA\cdaEngine0400.dll",cdaEngineMain
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Weather] C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.EXE 1
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2\bin\npjpi142.dll
O16 - DPF: {3C648A72-C49A-48EF-9F90-68EF13293F97} (Cacher Class) - http://www.midhudsonmls.com/XMLSearch/XMLCache.CAB

Delete the following Files/Folders (delete folders if no filename is specified) according to their directory (if none, just do a search for them) and delete them if they exist:

C:\Program Files\Viewpoint
C:\Program Files\WildTangent
C:\Program Files\AWS

Reboot into Normal Mode and run new HijackThis scan. If there were some entries that didn't show up in Safe Mode, you may check and fix those that appear now in normal mode (if you do that, make sure to run a new scan again). Save the log file and run KRC HijackThis Analyzer in the same folder to get the result.txt log. Just post the contents of the result.txt file in the forum.

Turn off system restore by right clicking on My Computer and go to Properties->System Restore and check the box for Turn off System Restore. Click Apply and then OK. Restart your computer. After we are finished with your log file and verified that it's clean, you may turn it back on and create a new restore point.

[FFD824]

Hi. a few questions from step 1:
1- In my add/remove programs list, there is Viewpoint Media Player & Viewpoint Manager. Should I remove both of these?
2- When trying to remove WildTangent I received an uninstall error message: "An error occurred while trying to remove WilTangent Web Driver. It may have already been uninstalled. Would you like to remove WildTangent Web Driver from the Add or Remove programs list?"
Thanks.

[tetonbob]

Hi back-

Question 1: yes

Question 2: yes

Please proceed.

[FFD824]

Hi again,
So here's the new log. The RUNDLL error is gone but everything else is the same. I also forgot to mention another problem. It's really just annoying, but I wonder what the cause is. When I start up the system, there is a Windows logon window. I never set this up and there is no password, so I just have to hit enter to proceed. I tried to eliminate it by changing the settings in control panel -> user accounts -> change the way users log on or off. I got the following message: "A recently installed program has disabled the Welcome screen and Fast User Switching. To restore these features, you must uninstall the program. The following name might help you identify the program that made the change: MSGINA.DLL"

====================================================================
Log was analyzed using KRC HijackThis Analyzer - Updated on 4/1/05
Get updates at http://www.greyknight17.com/download.htm#programs

***Security Programs Detected***

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdsg.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton Internet Security - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: ISSvc (ISSVC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:33:23 PM, on 4/10/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skyscape\smARTupdate.exe
C:\HijackThis\HJT.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://channels.aimtoday.com/search/aimtoolbar.jsp
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:ME:LNLK
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Desktop Weather 3] C:\Program Files\The Weather Channel\The Weather Channel.exe
O4 - Startup: Skyscape smARTupdate.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Skyscape\smARTupdate.exe
O4 - Global Startup: AEGIS Client.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 9.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: America Online Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2...ll/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/is...06/mcfscan.cab
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\acsd.exe
O23 - Service: HP Configuration Interface Service (HPConfig) - Hewlett-Packard - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPConfig.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe


End of KRC HijackThis Analyzer Log.
====================================================================

[tetonbob]

Run HJT again, and fix the following entry:

O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/...all/xscan53.cab

Then, re-enable System Restore and make sure it has created a new restore point.

Disable AOL at startup using msconfig (Start>Run>msconfig>Startup tab), then you wont get that message because AOL won't be trying to connect.

Go to the display settings in your control panel
Click on desktop>customize desktop
Click on the web tab.. what is listed there?


Have you recently installed any new programs?

Read this
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;294739

You may need to run the System File Checker to replace your msgina.dll from your Windows XP CD, it is related to windows logon.

[FFD824]

As soon as I get home, I will follow these steps on the laptop. I'm at work and just wanted to reply to a few things in the mean time.

Disable AOL at startup using msconfig (Start>Run>msconfig>Startup tab), then you wont get that message because AOL won't be trying to connect.
Normally, AOL isn't running on startup, but I checked everything in the startup tab of msconfig, so nothing would be missed on the HJT scan. I get this error message when I try to use AOL to connect (because there is no wireless internet at the house I am staying in). It's not happening on its own. I am currently unable to use my dial up modem at all.

Have you recently installed any new programs?
No. I have been getting the Windows Logon since shortly after I bought the laptop. The first time I looked into it was several months ago and I saw the GINA.DLL message then.

You may need to run the System File Checker to replace your msgina.dll from your Windows XP CD, it is related to windows logon.
What is the System File Checker?

Read this
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;294739
The link is not working right now. I will try again from my desktop at home.

Also, I had some concern about the following from the HJT log. The IERESET is what caught my eye. Do you know what they are?
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://qus8l.hpwis.com

Thanks again. I will post the new HJT log later this evening.

[tetonbob]

I'll try to answer your questions...and I may have another Analyst/Windows Expert pop in to assist you.

Sorry about the broken link:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;294739

Also, I had some concern about the following from the HJT log. The IERESET is what caught my eye. Do you know what they are?
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://qus8l.hpwis.com
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://qus8l.hpwis.com

This a an HP hompage setting....If you don't want it, you can fix them, too. They are not malware as such, so I usually leave them in. If any R1 or R0 is to a legit site, I leave it, but you may remove them if you don't want them to be your search or home pages.

What is the System File Checker?

SFC is an onboard tool used to scan for missing or corrupted Windows system files, or used to extract and replace known missing or needed files from the XP CD, or from the I386 folder if it is present on the system.

What happens if you try to connect without using AOL? Just open Internet Explorer....your Dial up connection would have to be set up with a username, password and phone number to dial.

Have you tried contacting AOL or your laptop for tech support?

I'll look in later, and will try to have more support for you then.

[FFD824]

Originally Posted by tetonbob

Run HJT again, and fix the following entry:

O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/...all/xscan53.cab

Done, along with the the other 2 entires

Originally Posted by tetonbob

Go to the display settings in your control panel
Click on desktop>customize desktop
Click on the web tab.. what is listed there?

"My Current Home Page"

Originally Posted by tetonbob

What happens if you try to connect without using AOL? Just open Internet Explorer....your Dial up connection would have to be set up with a username, password and phone number to dial.

I don't have anything set up through Internet Explorer. I don't even know how to set up a dialup connection for IE. I have only ever accessed dial up via AOL, although not often because I usually use cable modem via the wireless setup in my house, which is not available where I am currently staying.

[Geekgirl]

To set up an Internet Account follow these instructions:

Click Start>Settings Control Panel>Internet Options>Connection Tab. You will need your ISP's information to set it up.

For your Desktop, what do you have selected for your background?

[FFD824]

Hello and thanks for your input - you really are a group live-savers (or at least computer-savers! )

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

You will need your ISP's information to set it up.

Where would I find this information?

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

For your Desktop, what do you have selected for your background?

I think I may have solved this problem - I changed it from a personal photo of family to one that came with the computer and its working OK now. However, I still don't know what the problem was because the other photo worked in the past.

[tetonbob]

Without sounding too obvious, you'd get the information from your ISP. (Internet Service Provider).

If you are only using AOL, and now your dial-up connection won't work, you should contact their Tech Support for their recommended actions...it may be required to reinstall whatever software they use to do all the connection setup. If you only had a limited time offer type of dial-up access, it may have expired. If your cable provider is not the same as your dialup provider, than you would run into a no access situation. If both (cable and dial-up) are AOL, you may not be paying for both types of access at the same time. I'm not sure about your particulars, just trying to outline some possibilities. Contact AOL if they are your ISP.

This is one of the things I don't like about AOL, but that is a story for our Rants and Raves forum.

All you really need is a user name, password, and phone number to plug into the places Geekgirl has outlined. You would get this information from whoever you pay to give you access to the internet. Follow her path, and then click on Setup. Or check the settings button and the properties button on that screen.

There are many ways around Windows.

This is how I manually set up a dial up account:

Start>All Programs>Accessories>Communications>New Connection Wizard

When the wizard opens, choose Connect to the Internet, then Set up Manually, then Connect Using Dial up Modem, then type in the name of the ISP, the phone number used to connect to the internet, the user name and password associated with the account. You should then have a dial up connection.

As to your background photo, you may find that if you now re-set it to whatever it was, it may be fine again. Malware has a tendency to mess up things like that.

That's about all I have for you, my friend. I hope this helps.

[FFD824]

Without sounding too obvious, you'd get the information from your ISP. (Internet Service Provider).

Well, duh! I'm feeling pretty stupid. I guess I just never thought about using AOL to connect through IE - I've only ever done it through AOL

This is one of the things I don't like about AOL, but that is a story for our Rants and Raves forum.

There's not much I do like about AOL!!

I followed your instructions for setting up a dial up account and was still unable to connect. The message I received basically said that the COM port is already in use and that I should close the process that is blocking the use of the COM port. Nothing else that I know of is set up to use any of the COM ports. BTW, I usually use my cable provider (not AOL) for broadband and occassionally use AOL for dial up. I don't know of any changes that were intentionally made to cause this problem. Dial up just stopped working one day. At this point it sounds like I needs to bring it back to where I bought it and let them take a stab at it.

As to your background photo, you may find that if you now re-set it to whatever it was, it may be fine again. Malware has a tendency to mess up things like that.

Oddly enough, the photo is no longer on the list. Oh well.... I'm not going to worry about the small stuff.

That's about all I have for you, my friend. I hope this helps.

Is the computer otherwise clean? It's still running pretty slow, but no other specific problems to explain it.

[Geekgirl]

Check that you are not running any Fax, Remote Access, Palm or Handheld software that is monitoring or using the Modem.

The best way to do this is to look at the icons beside your clock in the bottom right of the screen and look for any applications you may have installed.

Once located, open the software and disable it from monitoring the Modem or Com Ports, or close down the application when you wish to access the Internet.

[FFD824]

My handheld connects through a USB port and I don't have a fax or anything else. Next weekend I will bring back to tech support where I bought it. Hopefully they can figure something out.

Is there any other program/s I should run to make sure its clean or to find out why its still running so slow?

And, on a totally separate note, do you know why some of my file names are in blue font while most are in black?

[greyknight17]

The slow speed could be due to a number of factors (bad drivers, software/hardware related, etc.). No single way to narrow this down.

Yes, we can help you with that. Blue folders are usually Windows updates/hotfixes. Others are just normal folders.

[FFD824]

OK, thanks for everyone's help. You're all awesome. Now that I know its not spyware/adware/malware, I'll bring it back to where I bought it and see what they can do.