Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

[popgun]

I run Windows XP on a Gateway.

About two weeks ago upon startup I started getting this blue screen with white lettering on it just before anything starts to open up.

It says you have 10 seconds to hit any key to stop.

It wants to do a comparison check on all files in the C Drive .

The other day I couldn’t find any key quick enough and it went through a 2 hr and 27 min checkup.

It was finding file records that it says are unreadable, and then deleted them and then replaced them.

I lost my Systems Restore function.

Every time I opened a stored Word Document, I would get this window that would say,

Symantec Norton Anti-Virus had to be uninstalled and reinstalled.

At first when I went through the un-install process it would get about half way and say that it could not continue the un-installation but would give me a choice to abort, retry, or continue. I finally clicked on continue, and was able to uninstall the Norton Anti-virus program and all its components but couldn’t reinstall my 2005 version.

Rather than go without any anti-virus program, I was able to re-install an old 2003 version that came with the computer. My 2005 version does not expire until Sep. 2007.

If I can get the systems restore function back, will that bring back my 2005 version of Norton that I uninstalled?

How do I keep Windows from running this blasted C-Drive comparison thing at start-up?

How can I get my Systems Restore program to function again?( It shows it still in the system, but won’t open up)

Some of the things I have tried says that I need to have Administrator control. Who in the heck is my Administrator? I’m ready to kick his …..

I have now been on the phone for 40 minutes waiting for my turn to talk to someone at Norton, and am just killing time.

….popgun

[buckee]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

When was the last time you reformated your computer?

[popgun]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

Since I don't know what you are talking about, I would guess"Never".

....popgun

[buckee]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

reformatting is something I should do every year, but I manage to do it every 2 years or so.

It requires you to save everything you would like to save from your computer to disks, or on another computer or partition drive in your computer.

Then everything get wiped out, and reinstalled

My buddy Ken always has to help me with this, because it's beyond my comprehension, and requires special software at times, depending what you want to do.

If you don't save things you have done over the years, like photos. downloads (or links to your downloads, along with passwords, etc), important documents, movies, etc, you will lose it all

Sounds like you need a hands-on computer tech to help ya

[HarvDog]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

I tried to rebuild my PC everey couple of years as well. This tends to speed things up and cleanup all the junk left over from uninstalls, reinstalls, temp files, spyware, etc.

[Leo]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

You've got Checkdisk turned on. Right click the drive in "My Computer" pick properties-tools-disk check and turn it off.

System Restore has been turned off. Right click the my computer icon-properties-system restore turn it back on.

If you uninstalled Norton without using their online unistall program, all I can say is you poor guy.

You have to reinstall the version you "uninstalled". Uninstall it with the online tool. And finally reinstall it. Sorry no way around it except a complete system wipe and TOTAL reinstall of everything.

If none of that makes sense to you. Get the computer in front of a tech. 8 out of 10 techs will just throw in the towel and wipe everything. They can't afford not to.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Computer Whiz, Geek or Guru:

Would stronlgy suggest a program from avanquest called fixit utilities. Wal mart carries it for $39.95. It has an antivirus and anti spyware program from trend micro built in, and has utilities that will allow you to custom tailor your startup very easily. Also will fix registry issues and has several other useful utilities to keep your systems running efficiently.