[betctru]

I've uninstalled the ATI Control Panel, the StartNow toolbar (still don't know how that appeared) as well as several other toolbars. Was able to remove most dotNet stuff, with the exception of
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Hotfix (KB886903)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
-Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (KB922770)
-Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (KB917283

Using the cleanup utility now...

[Advertisements]

Well at least I am keeping you out of trouble and away from the bars

In that cas my personal recommendation would be to uninstall the lot and only add the ones you reall need

LOL! Yes indeed...and done....doing dotNet cleanup now...

[betctru]

Well at least I am keeping you out of trouble and away from the bars

In that cas my personal recommendation would be to uninstall the lot and only add the ones you reall need

LOL! Yes indeed...and done....doing dotNet cleanup now...

[betctru]

OK, used the dotnexfix to remove all versions.

Ran dotNetFx35setup;

Got this message:
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 has encountered a problem during setup. Setup did not complete correctly.


Sadness....

Betsy

[Essexboy]

Did it give an error ? Meanwhile back at the ranch - how is the rest of the computer behaving ?

[betctru]

I had not rebooted after uninstalling the various programs and cleaning up all the dotNet installations. And at least one program indicated I should reboot. So I rebooted, and tried the 3.5 install again and it says it was successful.

However, when I try to open Media Center, I get the message: To run this application, you first must install one of the following versions of the .NET Framework: v1.1.4322. Contact your application publisher for instructions about obtaining the appropriate version of the .NET Framework.

As for other error messages, the ATI folder isn't opening, I didn't get any error messages, the system is running faster...I'm still confused the the defragger didn't defrag very much?

Betsy

[Essexboy]

I smell a little success here - ok net framework 1.1 is here

The version we installed is the latest, obviously media centre needs an older version to work

Once we crack this bit we will look at the defrag

After this version of dotnet is installed check for windows updates as it is update tuesday

[betctru]

Hope you've had a great day!

OK, iinstalling what appear to be the last set of optional (hardware) updates now. It's been an interesting process--install a few critical updates, be told that there only optional left, install those, find more critical updates, rinse and repeat.

But it looks like this last set should be it. (Though the last time I checked, I was still getting a uhshell.exe error when I try to run Media Center. But as I have other options for playing media, I guess this isn't a big deal.

While we're waiting for the software update to finish, what next?

Betsy

[Essexboy]

It is nice to get home and have a little play with my hobby after a hard days work

There may be an update to .NET framework that you are downloading now - who knows

OK then I will now remove all my rubbish and then we will look at the defrag... There is a command type option that should work .. I will try and locate the programme now Once the first defrag is out of the way then subsequent ones will be a lot faster and easier

Subject to no further problems

I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but, I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems

Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean

A good workman always cleans up after himself so..The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
  

  :Commands
  [resethosts]
  [purity]
  [emptytemp]
  [EMPTYFLASH]
  [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
  [Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done

Run OTL and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself.

We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View Tab.
• Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

Malwarebytes.

Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Download and install FileHippo update checker and run it monthly it will show you which programmes on your system need updating and give a download link

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated. To keep your operating system up to date visit

• Microsoft Windows Update

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?

OK spiel out of the way : Now I will go and search for that little programme. The cleanup will ask to reboot the computer so it may be best to wait until updates have finished installing before doing this

[Essexboy]

OK got it, it is a little programme made by Rejzor (I know him) that uses the basic windows core but in a more powerfull mode

Download Power Defragmenter zip from this page about halfway down
Extract the file to your desktop and run the programme
If it finds that a necessary file is missing it will download it for you



Press next and select defragment disc



Select the main disc (it should default to that )



Accept the licence and it will then commence defragmenting

[betctru]

Hi, Essexboy!

Thanks for all the information and assistance. I appreciate that I've taken up a lot of your time!

Media Center does open now without error. No other errors upon bootup.

I have some questions... Sorry, I am just trying to get my thoughts together on what happened and what I do now.

I've run the OTL cleanup and then Power Defragmenter, it ran for quite a while.
As it left no log or details, I had the Auslogics defragger program analyze the disk to see how it looked--and it still shows 17% fragmentation? Is this as good as it gets? Back in the olden days when I had a tiny hard drive and was more diligent about defragging, it seemed like the disk image got quite clean.

It looks like the Chinese folders are gone.

The computer seems stable, better than it has been in much too long.

What was the problem causing the .exe files not to execute? I'm assuming a virus? Or just a Windows error.

I've read the "Preventing Malware and Safe Computing" page, and found this section a little confusing. I'm sure it's just me and not enough coffee but..

It is important to have a good anti-spyware program. We highly recommend Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware


SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX, it immunizes your PC against them.


SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts. Make sure you are only running one real-time anti-spyware protection program ( eg : TeaTimer, Windows Defender ) or there will be a conflict.

So I'm running (and have), Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. If I'm running that, I don't need SUPERAntiSpyware, correct?

I can/should also run SpywareBlaster? AND SpywareGuard? or does the warning about running only one real-time antispyware program come into play? Sorry, I'm feeling dense and just want to be clear.

I'm working my way through the other suggestions and will use many of them. I don't use P2P programs, so that's not a problem.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm currently running AVG. Should I switch to one of the recommended anti-virus instead?

Thanks for your patience. As always, Geeks2Go comes through!

Betsy

Edited by betctru, 15 September 2011 - 06:05 AM.

[Essexboy]

The exe problem was caused by a malware file filtering everything that you wanted to run through its own decision making processes, hence if you did not buy the malware programme it would not let anything run thereby trying to make you cough up some pennies for it.

The command line defrag was just to get the main stumbling block that was holding auslogics back, so a defrag with that should now run OK

As you now have IE8 then spywareblaster is not really required as IE is very good with the smart filter.

MBAM should suffice as an on demand scanner for weekly use, so no real need for any other programme

As for antivirus I am not a great fan of AVG but it is horses for courses, whichever one suits you is the best. I can provide links to others if you wish

Looks like the .Net updates are loading just fine now

Let me know how it is running and any other questions you may have

[betctru]

The exe problem was caused by a malware file filtering everything that you wanted to run through its own decision making processes, hence if you did not buy the malware programme it would not let anything run thereby trying to make you cough up some pennies for it.

Thanks!

The command line defrag was just to get the main stumbling block that was holding auslogics back, so a defrag with that should now run OK

Running auslogics now, will let you know how it goes.

As you now have IE8 then spywareblaster is not really required as IE is very good with the smart filter.

I haven't used IE8 as my primary browser in the past--Firefox and Opera were my main two. Should I use spywareblaster since I use those two? Or should I start using IE8 as primary? (Realizing that there is personal preference here, too)

MBAM should suffice as an on demand scanner for weekly use, so no real need for any other programme

As for antivirus I am not a great fan of AVG but it is horses for courses, whichever one suits you is the best. I can provide links to others if you wish

Yes please!

Thanks,

Betsy

[Essexboy]

With regards to browsers I am a bit of a heretic, I do not like Firefox or Chrome as you spend most of the time finding addons to make it work the way you want, whereas IE works right out of the box. The security on IE has increased markedly now compared to the old IE6 version

Here is a comparison chart of the main free antivirus programmes



My personal preference is Avast, but be advised I help out on the forum and could be considered biased

Avast
Avira
MSE

[betctru]

I have heard good things about Avast, so I'll look into that.

I tried auslogics again, and these were the results:
Fragmentation Before 17.86%
Fragmentation After 17.33%

Thanks for the advice!

[Essexboy]

Does it state what the most fragmented file is ? As it may be a system file/folder that cannot be defraged i.e. Hibernation etc