Have really messed up

[creager]

According to all standard programs I have no virus as such.
Running behind a router but removed it when downloading SP2.
I do use Mozilla with Netscape.com.
After the installation of SP2, can't get on the internet.
Go to restore to remove the install to a day before, that remove all the updates that I had with MS and also removed IE and outlook express.
However still have Netscape.com and Mozilla with Verizon e-mail.
Now can not get McAfee or GuruNet, they state I am not connected to the internet or other programs that worked with IE.

If more information may help please contact. This is a about all I can think of at this moment.

Bill Creager

[HyperTF]

Do all your router settings look ok after all these changes? repeating what I said in a recent post, I was having serious problems trying to connect after doing a major change, and found out after much troubleshooting that it was my firewall causing all the problems.

Have you tried pinging yourself and another site...

Start -> Run -> type cmd and press enter -> at the prompt type ping 127.0.0.1 see if al packets get sent and returned ok, then try pinging your isp eg. www.ispname.net

You could also type ipconfig /all and see if anything is obviously wrong

might have to try re-installing your modem/router or renewing a connection...but not just yet.

By the way what version of XP are you using?

[creager]

Using Windows XP Home

As of now did not check the router, started with the pinging and got
"These returns Not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Thanks for the reply (next ?)

Bill

Tried the run with ispconfig and got can not find

[pam123]

I'm not sure what happened with the restore point but you need to pull out your XP cd and do a repair install.
When you get your programs back, and the machine isn't doing anything else flakey, go here and read through this : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357


edit : You said you have no malware but the restore wreaked such wholesale havoc that I'm wondering if you could have missed something.

[creager]

Pam 123, Thank you.

Do not know the word "malware"

I will dig out the XP disk and do as you requested. That sounds very reasonable.
Had not even thought of that, sure can't do any harm.

Bill

[Gizmo]

The term malware is short for malicious software.

[pam123]

In addition to virii, worms and trojans, malware also includes the various spyware and adware programs that plague us all and spyware will mess up an SP2 install big time .
SP2 sets it's own restore point when it installs and no way should you have been looking at anything like what you described when you rolled back the install.
Also, whatever it was did a very selective job, it didn't wipe out your office programs it wiped out IE and OE and rendered your other internet programs non-functional.
It all points to spyware. The kind that hides deep in the registry and when removed can trash your current windows install.

[creager]

Pam 123,
I was told, and did, after the XP2 install that did not work, go to control panel, system restore, and click the box for turn off system restore on all drives, apply and shut down, restart, to control panel, remove the check mark and click apply.

This is when I think all my problems happened.

Can you offer any more help?
Bill

[Panama Red]

My nephew's wife did the same thing on her computer, used the Restore after SP2 didn't work right, and contacted MS for advice. They had her reformat and reinstall. The correct procedure would have been to uninstall SP2 from the Add/Remove Programs menu. Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings.

[pam123]

Panama Red has the right of it. Add/Remove was what you should have done.
But, and isn't there always one, rolling back the install can and does work. I suspect something else is going on there but I've never had one of the comps to check out afterwards.
Whoever advised you was probably one of the people it worked for ( Be gentle with him when you meet again. Computers do things like that. ).
As for your machine, you're still a candidate for a repair install instead of a nuke and pave.

[creager]

Originally Posted by pam123 Panama Red has the right of it. Add/Remove was what you should have done. But, and isn't there always one, rolling back the install can and does work. I suspect something else is going on there but I've never had one of the comps to check out afterwards. Whoever advised you was probably one of the people it worked for ( Be gentle with him when you meet again. Computers do things like that. ). As for your machine, you're still a candidate for a repair install instead of a nuke and pave.

I really appreciate all the outstanding help I have received, thanks to all.
Being a novice at computers I did not understand some words. What I think you are telling me is to wipe my hard drive clean and start with a fresh XP Home install. If that is correct, please verify.
That will mean more trouble as I have used my disk 5 times and that is all Microsoft will allow. So that would mean a new purchase of XP.

[HyperTF]

Originally Posted by creager ..... That will mean more trouble as I have used my disk 5 times and that is all Microsoft will allow. So that would mean a new purchase of XP.

Umm, this is news to me... certainly not saying you are wrong, I have just never heard it before!!! but (A) how could they possibly get away with this and (B) how do they know it has been 5 times, unless it is an internet counter controlled from their site on activation... something doesn't sound right. Can someone please give me a link to an article on this, I have looked but cant find it, Thank you.

[creager]

Originally Posted by HyperTF Umm, this is news to me... certainly not saying you are wrong, I have just never heard it before!!! but (A) how could they possibly get away with this and (B) how do they know it has been 5 times, unless it is an internet counter controlled from their site on activation... something doesn't sound right. Can someone please give me a link to an article on this, I have looked but cant find it, Thank you.

HyperTF
This is Creager that wrote that stuff.
Each time you put the disk in to download the program they give you a new set of numbers to use for the setup. You must call by phone each time, after 5 times they will not give any type of help. As I have messed up before and had to reinstall also one time I changed computers and then I put the parts together for this one. A friend set this machine up. So through all this I have used my 5 times. I don't know if there is a link, but it will happen.
That's Microsoft for you.
Bill

[HyperTF]

Thanks for the reply but I am still persevering with sourcing this information as I think it is very wrong and really have to see it with my own eyes. besides, not that little old me is going to have an impact on the mighty giant, but i'd be inclined to write a letter to them anyway, just to make a point... sometimes people listen... sometimes. Cheers

[pam123]

Originally Posted by creager I really appreciate all the outstanding help I have received, thanks to all. Being a novice at computers I did not understand some words. What I think you are telling me is to wipe my hard drive clean and start with a fresh XP Home install. If that is correct, please verify. That will mean more trouble as I have used my disk 5 times and that is all Microsoft will allow. So that would mean a new purchase of XP.

Ummnnn ...no.
What I asked you to try first was a repair install.
The XP cd will give you 2 repair options. The first, the console repair, you will not be using. The second is an option on the install screen and that is the one you want. Only if that fails will you need to reformat.
I'm curious though, why do you think there's a 5 install limit and then you buy another copy of XP ?
That one isn't true and Microsoft would be in serious legal trouble, even for them, if it were.

[creager]

Originally Posted by pam123 Ummnnn ...no. What I asked you to try first was a repair install. The XP cd will give you 2 repair options. The first, the console repair, you will not be using. The second is an option on the install screen and that is the one you want. Only if that fails will you need to reformat. I'm curious though, why do you think there's a 5 install limit and then you buy another copy of XP ? That one isn't true and Microsoft would be in serious legal trouble, even for them, if it were.

Pam 123,
Just got back to the computer and have not tried your suggestion as yet. Surely will do so today, and will get back with the result. That will be a fine test of what I have said about the 5 install limits.
Again many thanks to all that have tried to help, much appreciated.
Bill

[creager]

Originally Posted by creager Pam 123, Just got back to the computer and have not tried your suggestion as yet. Surely will do so today, and will get back with the result. That will be a fine test of what I have said about the 5 install limits. Again many thanks to all that have tried to help, much appreciated. Bill

Pam 123

Put the disk in (this is a upgrade XP home) went to install and was asked for the Product key, entered the last key they gave over the phone, it was refused. The first four times they gave a phone number to call for a new key. Not this time just a "try again". There is no contact phone that I can find, even went to Google to try, nothing there. Of course being me I did not copy the phone numbers They gave me.
There are a few programs that will not work without IE, but my Netscape and Mozilla all do fine. Was also able to get AVG on for virus protection (McAfee will not work) e-mail works fine, so guess I will stay with this for awhile.
Certainly do thank you and the others for all your efforts for trying to help.

Bill

[pam123]

That's the activation number you're using.
The product key is the number attached to the disk and it doesn't change.
Try that and post back.

[creager]

PAM 123

The number I am using is the product key and on the back of the folder the disk came with. I see no activation number anywhere. put the disk in and get 4 choices.

1 -- Install Windows XP
2 -- Install optional Windows Componets
3 -- Perform additional tasks
4 -- Check system compatibilty

Install Windows Xp is where they ask for product numbers
Optional a list of programs installed on the original install
Additional tasks, remote desk top, networking, transfer files, browse, notes
Compatibily -- as so stated

As far as I can see that is what the disk has on it, no other numbers. The disk is perhaps 2 years old.

[pam123]

Curioser and curioser...
Like you, I have the Upgrade disk for XP Home and mine is also 2 years old.
I have never had to call Micorsoft for a product key.
Once, after replacing my motherboard, I had to call to get the activation number.
Tell me more about your copy.
Why did you have to call Microsoft at all in order to get a product key?
I think I know what you have to do and if you can wait till later this evening I'll try to get the phone number for you.

[pam123]

Found a solution.
Download and run Belarc advisor which will give you the last product key you typed in.
Get it here : http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It will give you the product key number of your current install.

edit : that was for corporate installs of XP pro only.
If Belarc won't work then you're off to the store.

If none of this will do the job then you'll have to decide if it's worth calling Microsoft again : (425) 635-7222
I'm not sure what sort of install disk you've got, though if Microsoft keeps giving you product keys it's legit, but you really might be better off with a standard retail upgrade disk.

[creager]

Why did you have to call Microsoft at all in order to get a product key?

If I understand, on the install I messed up 2 times, changed computers twice, and then put this computer together. Each time I had to call for a new key.
I think I was told the last time I was only entitled to 5 and this was my last. When I tried now they say the key is wrong but give no phone number as in the past.

If you can supply a number I will call and try to explain what happened.
It would certainly be appreciated.

[creager]

Received, again thank you so much.

I do have Belarc already installed.
Think I shall quit for tonight and start again tomorrow. Take a little time to think just how to approach all the information you have been so kind to send. Just can't understand how you can spend so much time and be so prompt with one fellow in trouble.

Btw, I am 86 years old and have not had the pleasure of meeting someone so helpfull.

[pam123]

If Belarc won't do the job then you'll have to go shopping and this time only get the standard retail edition with SP2 already on it, if someone offers you a bargain skip it.
For what it's worth, I think you did get a "limited use" cd and no one bothered to explain it all to you.
I remember reading about them around two years ago and then they disappeared.
They were intended for home networks but the problem with them was the one you just demonstrated, home installs get "blown-up" all the time and need to be replaced.
And there you'd be facing the install limit.
What seemed to make sense, ultimately didn't.
I thought for awhile you might have gotten a 5 license pack but that would have been a corporate bundle and it would have been XP pro and it would have been expensive.
I have lots of patience (well, okay I can snap) and so do many others on this forum. We've all been there at one time or another.

[creager]

PAM 123

You did good, indeed. I used the 25 numbers and letters that Belarc brought up. Only I tried the 25 just to see if they would work and the install started, I could not stop the setup. If I shut down on the restart is was where I stopped. Had to let it finish the install. Would like to have done some back up before the install. However all seems ok, except if I try to use IE there is a message "401 The web site is blocked by the administrator".
Does that mean me, Verizon, or Microsoft? Do you have a solution.

[pam123]

It means you, set as administrator by default.
Head over to User Accounts in Control Panel and see what's what.
Keep track of that Product Key, it's all that stands between you and buying another copy of XP.

[creager]

Users Accounts shows Administrators as Bill (that is the one I use for Mozilla and most of programs I use). There was one for William Creager that will bring up a Microsoft page. A third one for guest.
When through the pull down menus but did not see anything on blockage.

Just don't know where to go or what to do,
More help would be appreciated.

[pam123]

Log in as an administrator and enable IE since you're the one who set access.