Re: problem please help

Just when you thought you'd seen the last of me!
This is very weird. I was in no hurry to give up my 'faulty hard drive' just
yet.
After the first Chkdsk, I noticed things were slightly better, very
slightly. I managed to do a Defrag.
and another chkdsk. Things were better still. So I then did another System
Restore, to a week before the first one, (making it 2 weeks before it went
awol) and now my system is pretty much back to normal!!!
The Window Installer error message is gone, I can get into Disk Manager
which I couldn't before and the speed is how it was.
Only 2 things haven't changed.
1 All text, where you can input or edit and on the internet that isn't
graphic, is slanted and yet not Italic.
2 The icons for all Office programs, Adobe programs and PaintshopPro are
generic and when you rightclick the 'change icon' button is greyed out.
I really want to know if anyone has seen this type of problem before. It's
so virus-like and yet numerous checks from 3 different anti spy programs and
Anti virus ones came up clean.
The HD diagnostic tool came up with Disk failing, but then why have things
improved?
JB





"Ken Zhao [MSFT]" <v-kzhao@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:kBSsyr7%23FHA.3764@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hello Jen,
>
> I know you have problems on the hardware device. If you have any update
> for
> this issue in the future, please feel free to let us know.
>
> Thanks & Regards,
>
> Ken Zhao
>
> Microsoft Online Partner Support
> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
>
> =====================================================
> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> =====================================================
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
>
>
>
>
> --------------------
> | From: "JB" <noone@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | References: <O2oSfhq9FHA.2120@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <#trnnDt9FHA.3804@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <OQP9CMt9FHA.1844@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <bgu1bSx9FHA.3764@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <edIKbKz9FHA.3884@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <#gqmViz9FHA.2320@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> <stGKvUW#FHA.1240@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | Subject: Re: problem please help
> | Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 22:29:30 -0000
> | Lines: 443
> | X-Priority: 3
> | X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> | X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
> | X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180
> | X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
> | Message-ID: <eseUHSr#FHA.1676@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> | NNTP-Posting-Host: host86-137-11-220.range86-137.btcentralplus.com
> 86.137.11.220
> | Path: TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP08.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl
> | Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:1405764
> | X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> |
> | Thanks.
> | Actually that was the very first thing I did.
> | I had posted in the security.virus NG because initially I wanted to make
> | sure the symptoms were not Virus caused, and I was advised to do a
> | diagnostics on the harddrive which I did and that came up as Disk
> Failing,
> | also I've done a chkdsk and it came up with hundreds of errors and
> | unreadable unfixable sectors.
> | Not looking good.
> | J
> |
> | "Ken Zhao [MSFT]" <v-kzhao@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> | news:stGKvUW%23FHA.1240@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | > Hello Jen,
> | >
> | > Thanks for your response!
> | >
> | > Based on your situation, if the problem starts happening recently, I
> | > suggest you perform a System Restore to revert back to the initial
> status
> | > or other correct state.
> | >
> | > Note: If you have some important documents or files which are created
> | > after
> | > the restore point, please copy them to My Document. This is a
> precaution
> | > to
> | > take even if you are back to the initial status, files will still
> remain
> | > in
> | > My Documents.
> | >
> | > To restore your system to a previous state, we can use the following
> | > steps:
> | >
> | > 1. Before you start, please close all open files and close all open
> | > programs.
> | > 2. Click "Start"; Click "Programs or All Programs"; Click
> "Accessories";
> | > Click "System Tools"; Click "System Restore". The System Restore user
> | > interface should appear.
> | > 3. Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and click "Next".
> | > 4. From the restore points available, select an appropriate restore
> point
> | > when your system is working correctly and click "Next".
> | > 5. Click "Next" again. The restore process will run and your system
> will
> | > restart automatically.
> | > 6. After restarting, check whether your system functions correctly
> now.
> If
> | > not, you can undo your last restoration or select another restore
> point
> in
> | > System Restore user interface.
> | >
> | > 306084: How to restore the operating system to a previous state in
> Windows
> | > XP
> | > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306084
> | >
> | > Windows XP System Restore
> | >
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/xpsysrst.mspx
> | >
> | > Also you may use Clean Boot to eliminate third party interference
> | > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> | > It is possible that some third party applications are incompatible
> with
> | > Windows XP. To isolate the influence of additional applications,
> please
> | > boot the system into a Clean Boot environment to see whether this
> problem
> | > continues:
> | >
> | > 1. Unplug all the unnecessary devices, with only the keyboard and the
> | > mouse
> | > left.
> | > 2. Click Start, click Run, type "msconfig" (without the quotation
> marks)
> | > in
> | > the Open box, and then click OK.
> | > 3. In the Startup tab, click the "Disable All" button.
> | > 4. In the Services tab, check the "Hide All Microsoft Services"
> checkbox,
> | > and then click the "Disable All" button.
> | > 5. Click OK and restart your computer.
> | >
> | > 310560: How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility
> in
> | > Windows XP
> | > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560
> | >
> | > 316434: How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows
> XP
> | > http://support.microsoft.com/?id=316434
> | >
> | > Hope that helps!
> | >
> | > Thanks & Regards,
> | >
> | > Ken Zhao
> | >
> | > Microsoft Online Partner Support
> | > Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
> | >
> | > =====================================================
> | > When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader
> so
> | > that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> | > =====================================================
> | > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> | > rights.
> | >
> | >
> | >
> | >
> | >
> | > --------------------
> | > | From: "JB" <someone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | References: <O2oSfhq9FHA.2120@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > <#trnnDt9FHA.3804@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > <OQP9CMt9FHA.1844@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > <bgu1bSx9FHA.3764@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > <edIKbKz9FHA.3884@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | Subject: Re: problem please help
> | > | Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 12:04:42 -0000
> | > | Lines: 267
> | > | X-Priority: 3
> | > | X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> | > | X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
> | > | X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180
> | > | X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Response
> | > | Message-ID: <#gqmViz9FHA.2320@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> | > | NNTP-Posting-Host: host86-137-11-220.range86-137.btcentralplus.com
> | > 86.137.11.220
> | > | Path:
> TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP08.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl
> | > | Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl
> microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:1402663
> | > | X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> | > |
> | > | forgot to say that when I click Ctr/Al/Dlt I instantly get the Task
> | > Manager
> | > | but if I try and right click on the taskbar it takes forever.
> | > | Also I right clicked on one of the desktop shortcuts that's not
> showing
> | > it's
> | > | own Icon i.e. PsPX and when I went to 'Change Icon' a message comes
> up
> | > | saying.
> | > |
> | > | Windows cannot find the file %system.root%Installer{lots of letter
> and
> | > | numbers}icon.exe.ico
> | > |
> | > | Jen
> | > |
> | > |
> | > | "JB" <someone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> | > | news:edIKbKz9FHA.3884@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | > | > I'm trying to do all the diagnostics but rebooting takes 40
> minutes
> | > and
> | > | > every task 10 minutes.
> | > | > The system is not hanging, it's like it's in slow motion.
> | > | > When in Word it's as thought there is no problem at all. And on
> the
> | > | > desktop Right clicking is instant It's Mainly the task bar and
> Start
> | > Menu
> | > | > that's showing the problem. Goinng into Computer Management, I can
> wiz
> | > | > around there with no problem EXCEPT when I click on one of the
> Storage
> | > | > options, Storage management, disk Frag etc.
> | > | > I looked at System Event Viewer and found hundreds of red alerts.
> 2
> | > | > examples below.
> | > | >
> | > | > Event Type: Error
> | > | > Event Source: DCOM
> | > | > Event Category: None
> | > | > Event ID: 10010
> | > | > Date: 02/12/2005
> | > | > Time: 10:26:39
> | > | > User: JENPC\Jenn
> | > | > Computer: JENPC
> | > | > Description:
> | > | > The server {833E4010-AFF7-4AC3-AAC2-9F24C1457BCE} did not register
> | > with
> | > | > DCOM within the required timeout.
> | > | >
> | > | > Event Type: Error
> | > | > Event Source: Application Hang
> | > | > Event Category: None
> | > | > Event ID: 1001
> | > | > Date: 02/12/2005
> | > | > Time: 10:49:22
> | > | > User: N/A
> | > | > Computer: JENPC
> | > | > Description:
> | > | > Fault bucket 126818269.
> | > | >
> | > | > For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> | > | > http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
> | > | > Data:
> | > | > 0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
> | > | > 0008: 31 32 36 38 31 38 32 36 12681826
> | > | > 0010: 39 0d 0a 9..
> | > | >
> | > | > (I'm about to hit the gin)
> | > | > Jen
> | > | >
> | > | >
> | > | > "Ken Zhao [MSFT]" <v-kzhao@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> | > | > news:bgu1bSx9FHA.3764@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | > | >> Hello Jen,
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Thank you for using newsgroup!
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Thanks for our MVP Malke's kindly suggestions. Please feel free
> to
> | > try
> | > | >> Malke's suggestions and let us know the results.
> | > | >>
> | > | >> At this moment, I noticed you also received the following error
> | > message
> | > | >> in
> | > | >> normal mode of Windows XP:
> | > | >> The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can
> occur
> | > if
> | > | >> you
> | > | >> are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is
> not
> | > | >> correctly installed.
> | > | >>
> | > | >> For this error message, the following article may be helpful:
> | > | >> 315353: "The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed"
> error
> | > | >> message
> | > | >> when you install a program in Windows XP
> | > | >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315353
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Hope that helps!
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Thanks & Regards,
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Ken Zhao
> | > | >>
> | > | >> Microsoft Online Partner Support
> | > | >> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
> | > | >>
> | > | >> =====================================================
> | > | >> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your
> newsreader
> | > so
> | > | >> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> | > | >> =====================================================
> | > | >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> no
> | > | >> rights.
> | > | >>
> | > | >>
> | > | >>
> | > | >>
> | > | >>
> | > | >> --------------------
> | > | >> | From: "JB" <someone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | >> | References: <O2oSfhq9FHA.2120@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | >> <#trnnDt9FHA.3804@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | >> | Subject: Re: problem please help
> | > | >> | Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 23:57:36 -0000
> | > | >> | Lines: 119
> | > | >> | X-Priority: 3
> | > | >> | X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> | > | >> | X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
> | > | >> | X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180
> | > | >> | X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
> | > | >> | Message-ID: <OQP9CMt9FHA.1844@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> | > | >> | Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> | > | >> | NNTP-Posting-Host:
> host86-137-11-220.range86-137.btcentralplus.com
> | > | >> 86.137.11.220
> | > | >> | Path:
> | > TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP08.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl
> | > | >> | Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA02.phx.gbl
> | > microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:1402419
> | > | >> | X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> | So relieved to get a reply!. Thank you.
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> | BTW The machine isn't a laptop, it's a Desktop. I'm sorry I
> didn't
> | > make
> | > | >> | myself clear. I was only using the laptop to post message and
> | > wasn't
> | > | >> used
> | > | >> | to its keyboard. :)
> | > | >> | I've printed your reply and will go through it now.
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> | J
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> | "Malke" <notreally@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> | > | >> | news:%23trnnDt9FHA.3804@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | > | >> | > JB wrote:
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | >> Hi.
> | > | >> | >> Never had problems with my pc until yesterday.
> | > | >> | >> Firstly, I'm very careful, have McAfee Security Suite 2006
> | > (updated
> | > | >> | >> last week from McAfee VS9 and FirewallPlus)
> | > | >> | >> Spydoctor (full scan daily) and Microsoft AntiSpy, as well
> as
> my
> | > | >> ISP's
> | > | >> | >> very good Virus and Antispam campaign.
> | > | >> | >>
> | > | >> | >> Yesterday when I went on my machine, out of the blue,
> everything
> | > I
> | > | >> | >> clicked on started to take 1-2 minutes to respond as well as
> the
> | > | >> | >> Windows Programs menu and task manager. I rebooted the
> machine .
> | > At
> | > | >> | >> first it asked if I wanted to go SafeMode, a different
> screen
> to
> | > the
> | > | >> | >> F8 when you can choose. it continued as if to start then
> went
> | > back
> | > | >> to
> | > | >> | >> that odd safe mode thing like in
> | > | >> | >> a loop, It did this 3 times and then started normally. But
> it
> | > took
> | > | >> | >> over 10 minutes to fully load everything. And again
> everything I
> | > did
> | > | >> | >> took ages. This is with Start>Programs (but not Start), the
> menu
> | > | >> opens
> | > | >> | >> but just grey and just hangs for ages, but then ok in
> spurts.
> | > the
> | > | >> | >> right click on any of the system task icons, particularly
> Task
> | > | >> | >> manager. Task manager process didn't show anything with high
> cpu
> | > | >> usage
> | > | >> | >> except windows Explorer. When it 'wakes up' it is fine for a
> few
> | > | >> | >> seconds. IE takes an age. Right clicking on the desktop is
> fine
> | > and
> | > | >> | >> opening program seems ok.
> | > | >> | >> Also a few fonts have gone Italic, and the following icons
> are
> | > gone
> | > | >> | >> and showing generic.
> | > | >> | >> All Office2003 icons, PaintshopPro10, and Adobe. All other
> icons
> | > | >> are
> | > | >> | >> ok.
> | > | >> | >>
> | > | >> | >> I did a Virus Scan and Spy Doctor and Microsoft AntiSpy, all
> | > came
> | > up
> | > | >> | >> with 0. Restarted in safe mode, was just as slow, and ran
> | > VirusScan
> | > | >> | >> while I went to work in safe mode, 7 hours later when I
> | > returned,
> | > | >> | >> McAfee VS stuck on a file.
> | > | >> | >> c:Windows/$/KB899591/update/update_sp2QFE.inf (the slashes
> are
> | > the
> | > | >> | >> other way around but cannot find them on my laptop sorry)
> | > | >> | >> Could minimise it but could not close it except in Task
> manager.
> | > | >> | >> So I then did a system restore to Monday when all was well,
> but
> | > | >> there
> | > | >> | >> is no change at all.
> | > | >> | >> I deleted a lot of stuff in Add/Remove. A couple of things
> came
> | > up
> | > | >> | >> with the following error:
> | > | >> | >> "Windows installer service could not be accessed. This can
> occur
> | > if
> | > | >> | >> you are in safe mode or if the windows installer is not
> properly
> | > | >> | >> installed." but of course I'm not in safe mode. I don't know
> if
> | > this
> | > | >> | >> is all part of the problem but I thought I'd include
> everything
> | > | >> that's
> | > | >> | >> different just in case.
> | > | >> | >>
> | > | >> | >> PC Packard Bell , Only 1.5 years old.
> | > | >> | >> XP sp2,
> | > | >> | >> Office 03.
> | > | >> | >> 40 Gb only 2/3 free space
> | > | >> | >> 448 Mb of Ram
> | > | >> | >>
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > You've done a good job of determining that the problem isn't
> | > | >> | > virus/malware. From your description of the problem, I'd lean
> | > toward
> | > | >> a
> | > | >> | > hardware issue. The newness of the computer is irrelevant; in
> | > fact
> | > if
> | > | >> | > hardware is going to fail it usually does so quite soon - or
> the
> | > day
> | > | >> | > the warranty runs out :-o
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > I'll give you general hardware troubleshooting steps, but you
> | > | >> probably
> | > | >> | > should just call tech support, particularly since this is a
> | > laptop.
> | > | >> You
> | > | >> | > might want to test the hard drive and memory before you call
> tech
> | > | >> | > support so they don't just fob you off with "reinstall
> Windows".
> | > One
> | > | >> | > other thing - check whether your drives are using PIO Mode
> | > instead
> | > of
> | > | >> | > one of the DMA Modes. Here's a link explaining that:
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > 1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust
> | > bunnies
> | > | >> and
> | > | >> | > observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing).
> | > | >> Obviously
> | > | >> | > you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan
> is
> | > | >> running
> | > | >> | > and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > 2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org.
> | > Obviously,
> | > | >> you
> | > | >> | > have to get the program from a working machine. You will
> either
> | > | >> | > download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable
> floppy
> | > or
> | > | >> | > the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the
> latter,
> | > you'll
> | > | >> | > need to have third-party burning software on the machine
> where
> | > you
> | > | >> | > download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do
> the
> | > | >> job.
> | > | >> | > In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will
> run
> | > | >> | > immediately. Let the test run for an hour or two - unless
> errors
> | > are
> | > | >> | > seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > 3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the
> mftr.
> | > | >> Download
> | > | >> | > the file and make a bootable floppy or cd with it. Boot with
> the
> | > | >> media
> | > | >> | > and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical errors,
> replace
> | > it.
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > 4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the
> | > devices
> | > | >> | > you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really
> apply
> | > to
> | > a
> | > | >> | > laptop, although of course the power supply can be faulty.
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > 5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
> | > | >> | > www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it
> | > isn't.
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out
> suspected
> | > parts
> | > | >> | > with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself
> | > and/or
> | > | >> are
> | > | >> | > uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a
> | > | >> professional
> | > | >> | > computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of
> BigStoreUSA).
> | > | >> | >
> | > | >> | > Malke
> | > | >> | > --
> | > | >> | > Elephant Boy Computers
> | > | >> | > www.elephantboycomputers.com
> | > | >> | > "Don't Panic!"
> | > | >> | > MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> |
> | > | >> |
> | > | >>
> | > | >
> | > | >
> | > |
> | > |
> | > |
> | >
> |
> |
> |
>


.