[BlueGlue]

I'm using a Compaq Presario that has no mirror image yet and am getting issues/problems in its administrative account such as the ff:

1) Noisy hard drive upon start up; sometimes even when all browsers are closed.
2) Blurry (I think) screen. (This is making me nervous, as I think my unit is showing signs of being on the way to blacking out.)

3) Occurring in Admin Account:

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a) Can't connect to the internet using IE, Firefox, and Chrome. Other Users have internet access, though.

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b) Message boxes with “ \newnext.me\nengine.dll “ at the end appear each time I enter my Admin account. It doesn't happen in other user accounts. An example is the following:

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“There was a problem starting C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\newnext.me\nengine.dll
The specified module could not be found.”

It's a different folder each time.

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c) Recently an empty taskeng.exe window keeps popping up upon start-up.


I want to create the mirror image immediately but read in Microsoft Help that if the issues/problems are in the system, you may just recreate them in the mirror image and have them recur when you restore the system. Are the problems I listed part of the system?

Given this, which do you suggest I do first?

Many thanks!

( I'd appreciate answers on the issues too. )

 

[Corday]

Need your System Specs. Is \newnext.me\nengine.dll shown in MSCONFIG?

 

[BlueGlue]

Thanks for replying immediately, Corday.

What System Specs do you need? The processor is a Pentium Dual-Core. Is that it?

Anyway, I do see newnext.me in msconfig. Specifically, the command line is as follows:

C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe "C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\newnext.me\nengine.dll",EntryPoint -m l


I now understand that I'm dealing with malware.

 

[Rich-M]

Making an image file of a system with so many problems will only copy the problems and the image file will be as bad as the original if it even makes it at all. Hard drive issues usually prevent making an image file of a system.

 

[spunk.funk]

Noisy hard drive upon start up

This the a sign of your HDD failing.

Hard drive issues usually prevent making an image file of a system.

Your other issues are Virus/Malware.
Personally, I would back up any personal files you have (Pictures, Music, Documents) etc to an external HDD. I would skip the Image file and just get a new HDD and install Windows and restore your backup and reinstall your programs.

 

[BlueGlue]

Making an image file of a system with so many problems will only copy the problems and the image file will be as bad as the original if it even makes it at all. Hard drive issues usually prevent making an image file of a system.

Thanks, Rich-M. I won't make an image file, then.

 

[BlueGlue]

Thanks, spunk.funk. I don't think I can yet afford a new HDD which to me = new unit, though. Isn't there any way I can rescue this one in the meantime? I may also have to resort to online backup services, of which I will need some recommendation too.

 

[spunk.funk]

You can backup your personal files (Pictures, Music, Documents etc) just drag and drop or Copy and Paste to a Cloud service. (ie) Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive etc. These services typically give you up to 15GB of free storage per service. If you need more, there is a small fee.
Sounds like there are some Malware Issues on your computer and or missing system files, possibly removed from Anti-Virus scans. If you were to make an Image File and restored that image file, you would import all of your current problems to the new install.
As for your HDD, Any drive that makes noise, is a HDD that is beginning to fail. You may not have enough money to buy a new HDD, but it may fail soon whether you have the money or not, so it should be replaced as soon as possible.
If the Screen is Blurry, this could just be in need a video driver from HP's web site. Or it could be an issue with the LCD Screen or the video chip on the motherboard. First try an external monitor. If the issue still exist, then it is an issue with the screen or video chip soldered to the motherboard.
These issues can probably be fixed, but you have so many, that you may just want to start fresh with a new HDD and a Clean install of Windows.

 

[Panther063]

Try running Malwarebytes full scan.