Re: Problems with user account - HELP

Yes I am using Windows XP Home Edition.

From all I can see, the only malware problem I had was with Spyfalcon. I
downloaded the Microsoft Malware program and that was all they came up with.
Also have Nortons Internet Security 2005. Both found Spyfalcon too but the
Microsoft program was the one that seemed to kill the little darling.

What I mean by "his side" is when Windows Starts, you have the option of
logging in as either one of us. I have always referred to it as his side and
mine. Both user accounts have administrative priveleges (is this a good or
bad idea?).

I called my cousin who builds/repairs computers and got some of the same
information from his that you gave. I was in a panic when I found no files
in my companion's document folder so I was able to find the folder, set up a
new folder with a different name and copy all the files. Oh yeah, I got the
same advice....back up all the files to a CD! Amazing how great minds think
alike. And was also told the symptoms are not normal. I am a former Mac
user - don't shoot me :-) - so Windows and a PC are new to me.

I have another question concerning the TaskBar and Start Menu Properties.
Under the Customize Notifications, is there any way to delete the Past Items?
Spyfalcon shows up there and I sure don't want this on my computer again
EVER!

If I don't have a cd-r will a dvd-rw work?

Thank you so much for all your help.

"Malke" wrote:


Without having seen your computer, I have no way of knowing what malware
(besides Spyfalcon) you had and what might have been damaged. I'm going
to assume you have XP Home - if not, tell me.

Make sure you are logged into an account with administrative privileges.
This does not have to be the built-in Administrator account; it just
can't be a Limited account. I'm not sure what "when I go to his side"
means, either. But make sure you can see all hidden files. From the
Folder Options applet click the View tab, click Show hidden files and
folders, click to clear the Hide protected operating system files check
box, and then click OK.

Now go to My Computer, C: (your system drive), Documents and Settings,
Friend's Username. You should be able to see all his documents in his
My Documents folder. Copy all his stuff to a usb thumbdrive or burn to
a cd-r. Since I have no idea what his data is or what he does on the
computer, you'll have to talk to him. Normal data is stuff in My
Documents, Favorites, emails (possibly), Quicken/Quick Books or
Microsoft Money. Naturally, you should be backing up your own data too!

BTW, although you say your user account "works fine", the "minor"
problems you described are not normal and not symptoms of a computer
that is working "fine". So I'm not convinced that your machine is 100%
healthy.

Once you have all his data backed up, you can try and repair the system.
I think I'd probably run the System File Checker and also Chkdsk /r,
and I'll give you those commands BUT what I really think would be best
for you would be to take the machine to a professional computer repair
shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA) and have them retrieve all
data and fix your computer.

Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
(have XP cd handy)

For Chkdsk, see:
http://tinyurl.com/2obcd

If sfc and Chkdsk solve your other issues and the computer now behaves
normally and you've got all his data saved, create a new user account
for your friend and copy the data over to it. If everything works well,
you can delete the old user account.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

.

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