My mom's work computer is really screwed up and I am hoping someone here can help figure out what to do about it. She's seriously thinking about chucking it out the window.

Problem # 1 - They had McAfee Viruscan but now they can't find it on the computer.

Problem # 2 - My mom's BF brought his Norton disk over and they ran a virus scan it didn't find anything (I suspect the software wasn't updated since I had to update mine today) and now the results of the virus scan are stuck on the screen and they can't get it off.

Problem # 3 - My mom said she tried to open a file in Microsoft Word but couldn't because there was an error saying the file was in use by another person. So I think we are dealing with a hacker.

Problem # 4 - The computer does not recognize the Printer, but it is hooked up, nothing is loose and it worked fine before.

Problem # 5 - Everything on screen is larger than normal.

Problem # 6 - It doesn't start up right. They get a black screen asking if they want Normal or Safe Mode. I think she said they don't get there windows screen to come up during startup. They have Windows 95 or 98 not sure which one, but probably 98.

Problem # 7 - They get a lot of illegal operations saying the program needs to shut down.

Please help, they need the computer to print checks. All of there bookeeping stuff is on there and they are trying to set up the annual festival so they need to be able to print the checks to pay the vendors when they come.

This is just my suggestion - it has too many problems to be fixed...I suggest a complete reformat. And if it has 95 on it, dump it. Get 98 or at least 2000 or Me. How old is the copmuter?

I think it's 2-3 years old and all this stuff started happening last week.

Problem # 1 - They had McAfee Viruscan but now they can't find it on the computer.

Me: Well that doesn't sound too good.. viruses once infected on your computer can remove virus scanners and such... But it could be normal...

Problem # 2 - My mom's BF brought his Norton disk over and they ran a virus scan it didn't find anything (I suspect the software wasn't updated since I had to update mine today) and now the results of the virus scan are stuck on the screen and they can't get it off.

Me: Yea it being updated would help...

Problem # 3 - My mom said she tried to open a file in Microsoft Word but couldn't because there was an error saying the file was in use by another person. So I think we are dealing with a hacker.


Me: Well... I don't know if thatd be hacker related or not... You should be able to open a file twice at once...

Problem # 4 - The computer does not recognize the Printer, but it is hooked up, nothing is loose and it worked fine before.


Problem # 5 - Everything on screen is larger than normal.

Me: Sounds like your resolution was changed...

Problem # 6 - It doesn't start up right. They get a black screen asking if they want Normal or Safe Mode. I think she said they don't get there windows screen to come up during startup. They have Windows 95 or 98 not sure which one, but probably 98.

Problem # 7 - They get a lot of illegal operations saying the program needs to shut down.




Well thats certainly a lot of problems... If i was in that position...


I wouldnt reformat right away, I wouldn't want to lose all my files unless I had a backup...



All I can suggest is really



1. Do an updated virus scan...
2. Get a firewall...
3. Defrag
4. ScanDisk
5. Clean Temp Internet Files...




While those may not fix the problems, some of those problems you mentioned just sound like a sluggish computer... Defragging and Cleaning temp internet files could help make a computer faster...



If you think you are dealign with hackers, Firewalls will prevent them... Virus scan would get rid of viruses if some are on the computer.. ScanDisk would find and fix any drive errors...



Imma make another post in just a sec..

Well Firewalls dont prevent them always but can stop them,


For a free firewall I recommend Sygate Personal Firewall or Zone Alarm...

Zonealarm is easier to use... Though make sure you know what you are doing with firewalls...




For a free virus scanner...


http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php


Or you can go to Norton Anti Virus Website


www.symantec.com


Once there go to security response - Free Online Virus and Security Check(Or somethin like that)- Then scan for viruses and itll perform a free updated norton anti virus scan on your computer... The catch is though that if any viruses are found they won't fix it for you... But at least you would know if there are any...



May also wanna scan for Spyware, ugh spyware can make a computer so sluggish...

Thanks I will suggest these things to them and we'll see what happens.

We couldnt get our schedules today because the virus wouldnt print them out.

boot to a safemode - command prompt and at the C:\ type in "scanreg\restore" and press ENTER - then choose the earliest date in there and cross yer fingers, because you definately have a virus, but you also have some system file corruption

Make sure you have, AND KEEP FREQUENTLY UPDATED these things:

A Virus Scanner

A Firewall

A program that finds and deletes "Spyware" and "Adware".

Other tips after you get these:

Don't use "KaZaA" or any other file-sharing program to download full versions of Virus Scanners/Firewalls, just go spend the 40 - 50 bucks and do it right. Like with the registering and everything. The Spyware/Adware removal programs are free, I'm pretty sure, so I guess you can get them from KaZaA. I wouldn't, though. I'd still go to their websites and get them.

Be sure to run the Spyware/Adware scanner, and the Virus Scanner to scan your computer at least once a week. I'd do the Spyware/Adware Removal program scanner at least once a day, especially when you're done using the Internet)

Make sure your Virus Scanner and Firewall are always running, ESPECIALLY if you are on the Internet; and MORE ESPECIALLY, (Not really a real phrase I don't think, lol) if you have any sort of an "Always on" Internet connection such as Cable, DSL, Satellite, etc. And MOST ESPECIALLY have them on if you're using any File-sharing network such as "KaZaA".

Hope this helps! If you want my suggestions on what of each type to use, post and say so. Good luck!

Apparently their McAfee Virus Scanner was a free trial that expired. So they will most likely be upgrading and subscribing to the Virus scanner and the Firewall.

Now they found some computer techie guy so they'll probably have it all fixed soon.

Thanks for all your help.

No prob, and I know what you mean by people who "can't get it through thier heads"; all this info, that is.