92 replies to this topic

[Doug]

yes to:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - update and run daily
SpywareBlaster - update monthly (do you really like it? I use MVPS Hosts file instead. Think about it.
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Shockwave Player

and OK, yes to Yahoo IM... if you do actually use it. If not don't install it.

Do you actually use and like Gom Player? I'm suspicious of their automated codecs download feature (can easily get junk)

Instead use Windows Media Player Classic, plus K-lite mega Codec pack (Full or Mega version)
http://www.codecguid...wnload_mega.htm

If you need a PDF reader, install the regular Foxit
http://download.cnet...4-10313206.html

Microsoft Windows Defender <-- almost unescapable since it comes monthly with MS updates, but does little for you.

__________________________-

No to
Firefox (for the time-being) (remember how many items tumbled into your Firefox installation listed in OTL scan?0
No to
Internet Explorer 8 (still too clunky for your machine) (may stall-out your browsing)
No to
"any" download manager (again, only for the time-being)
No to
Anything on your list that starts with Portable (and don't install the non-portable versions either, without first consulting)
_________________________________



And now please download and install SP3
IE 8 is not "embedded in SP3, but you will later be prompted to allow upgrade to IE 8. Resist the prompt (for the time being)
_______________________

The above should be enough for you to have relatively full function of computer and internet activity.
do you use any Office utilities? MS Office? OpenOffice? Please let me know.
We can work on that more immediately.

Test drive your machine for a day or two.
Do Not access or use "anything" including documents, media, etc. from that USB Drive. Don't even plug it in.
(We'll get back to that later.)

After a couple of days, we'll assess how your machine is performing.
I will then give you some manual settings to adjust for best functioning.

I hope you realize that the best thing that you could do for that machine now would be to purchase more RAM.
(we can get back to that later)

Please do not install "any" other software until discussed here.
Please do not conduct "any" scans unless discussed here. (except Malwarebytes and Avira)

Best Regards

[Rhineus]

and OK, yes to Yahoo IM... if you do actually use it. If not don't install it.

Do you actually use and like Gom Player? I'm suspicious of their automated codecs download feature (can easily get junk)

If you need a PDF reader, install the regular Foxit

I don't really use these except maybe Gom Player and foxit (or the like, VLC Media Player -It's just to ugly-) to watch downloaded videos off of youtube because my connection is slow so I about have to. And I only download Yahoo IM because of my wife, she likes talking to her friends on there... But it's not life or death for me to wait on that.

do you use any Office utilities? MS Office? OpenOffice? Please let me know.

No, I use either wordpad or notepad.

SpywareBlaster - update monthly (do you really like it? I use MVPS Hosts file instead. Think about it.

It don't take but a second to run the MVPS Hosts file. lol And no I didn't download SpywareBlaster

And now please download and install SP3

lol, I can't download that, its too huge (316MB). Are you sure that I can't have a download manager? I know that I need that update.

I hope you realize that the best thing that you could do for that machine now would be to purchase more RAM.

My dad is bringing down some memory when he comes for Christmas. It's out of his stash, its used but still works, (I think it's maybe 512). But I just got to count the pins and call and tell him.

I have Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave Player and MVPS Hosts file installed.

[Doug]

I do appreciate the importance of Download Manager for Dial-up users. However, there are important security and privacy considerations when using a Download Manager. Obviously, there are plenty of free download managers available on the Internet. Not all of them are secure, private, and reliable. Not all of them will work optimally with your ISP's internet connection. Your machine will connect, download and upload best with only one such utility installed. Therefore it is important to make the best decision about the particular Download Manager you install. _____________________ Will you please contact your ISP phone technical assistance (Internet Service Provider) They may have a specific Download Manager which they specifically recommend as compatible for their customers (you). Please be careful about any recommendation you may receive from your ISP. Sometimes you might be talking to an online phone help person only authorized to assist from a menu of pre-selected answers. Sometimes you might be talking to a technical support person who is "thinking off the top of his head" as in recommending something that he has only "heard about" but has no direct experience. (We can do better than that.) I will do some additional research. Together with your efforts with your ISP and some additional research we should be able to help with the decision. It will help me to know who your ISP is. For instance if it is ATT or Verizon. If it is a small or local ISP, please send their Business name to me in a PM (Personal Message) rather than posting the information in this Topic Thread. Best Regards

[Rhineus]

I did call and it was a tech person and he said that he don't recommend one but he said just for this time he will make me a CD, then I can bring it home and install it then for free. But I will PM you with the info you requested just in case...

[paws]

Until Doug gets back to you, its worth asking Microsoft for a CD with SP 3 on...they will ship to Europe/ Asia/ USA and as an example the price for USA is under $4 (USD)....
Take a look here:
https://om2.one.micr...ocaleCode=en-us
It will sure save some download time to install SP 3 from a CD.
Regards
paws

[Doug]

Thanks Paws. As for the generous tech at your ISP... pretty nice of him/her. Also inspires confidence that they don't recommend Download Managers either. I'm getting closer in my research to be able to give you a safest and most reliable Download Manager to use. Notice I didn't say "safe" nor "reliable" ... I said "est" and "more". Other techs may give me the raspberry for my over-caution, but they haven't had to go through what you have gone through up to this point in recovering your machine. So we will continue to be cautious.

[Rhineus]

Thx paws... In the future I may do that :-)

As for the generous tech at your ISP... pretty nice of him/her.

I know, it is isn't it. We had a lightening storm a while ago, and it did something to the computer, and my dail-up modem didn't work so I called my tech and they had one and he sold it to me for $5, for a new card.

Other techs may give me the raspberry for my over-caution, but they haven't had to go through what you have gone through up to this point in recovering your machine.

Yea, I'm having to do without some things but I don't want to have to go through that again... This (cross my fingers) better be the last time, lol

Edited by Rhineus, 30 November 2009 - 10:21 PM.

[appleoddity]

Great work guys! Everything is looking good here. I reviewed the PCPitStop tests and that all looks great. You guys are really getting somewhere now.

It is certainly a drag to have to update windows over dial-up.

I can tell you that the .ISO install is over 300Mb (this is the file you download to make your own SP3 update CD). However, everytime I try to download SP3 from windows updates (rarely ever), it has only been like 60Mb. That is a lot more reasonable. So, I recommend (if ordering a CD isn't viable) that you set it up overnight to download from http://update.microsoft.com. Be sure to uncheck Internet Explorer 8 if it ever shows up in your list of updates, and when you uncheck it you can also check to hide the update in the future.

It will take some time to get your system up to date, but I certainly recommend that you do this PRIOR to installing any further software.

And, one final note here on this thread. After ALL the trouble and hard work and time it takes for you to perform this procedure, I would strongly urge you to make the investment into Acronis TrueImage Home. I know it is $50 to download (google Acronis promotion codes and you might find a discount - http://www.softwared...eimage2010.html), but it is well worth the money. Acronis will allow you to make a complete back up of your hard drive that you can archive on CD or another hard drive. It will even let you create a "one-button" restore procedure where the recovery information is actually stored on your hard drive and you don't need any CDs or other bootable media to restore your system.

My recommendation is that you get everything updated, and get your ESSENTIAL software installed AND updated. When everything is working great to your liking make a complete backup image with Acronis. You will then have the ability to revert back to that nice fresh system that works wonderfully should you ever have another problem. This will obviously save you hours and hours of headaches and downloads. Well worth $50 if you ask me.

Although I insist that you make a complete image backup with Acronis if you do get it, Acronis will also help you schedule periodic backups of your important data too.

Good luck on your system. It appears you are well on your way to a good functioning machine. But, make sure you add that RAM!

Edited by appleoddity, 30 November 2009 - 10:41 PM.

[Rhineus]

Thx appleoddity, Yea I would hate to have to do that over again. I will think about adding Acronis TrueImage. :-)

Should I update to IE 7 or not?

And should I install these drivers
Optional hardware updates
Agere Systems - Modems - Agere Win Modem
VIA - Network - VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter
S3 Graphics, Inc. - Video - VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP

And these other updates
Optional software updates
Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider Package: x86 (KB909520)
Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)
Windows Media Player 11

Edited by Rhineus, 01 December 2009 - 07:36 AM.

[appleoddity]

Thx appleoddity, Yea I would hate to have to do that over again. I will think about adding Acronis TrueImage. :-)

Should I update to IE 7 or not?

And should I install these drivers

Optional hardware updates --- Never use hardware updates under WIndows XP. The only exception is a modem sometimes. Absolutely never use it for video driver updates, it will NEVER work. Vista, OK, XP, absolutely not. You can ignore all these updates.
Agere Systems - Modems - Agere Win Modem
VIA - Network - VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter
S3 Graphics, Inc. - Video - VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP

And these other updates
Optional software updates
Yes (but not needed, no harm though) - Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider Package: x86 (KB909520)
No - Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP (KB940157)
Yes - Windows Media Player 11


Yes, you should update to IE7 and make sure that you run the update process a couple of times so that all the updates for IE7 are installed also.

[Rhineus]

Ok, thx appleoddity... If I buy Acronis True Image Home, do I need to get the addon called Acronis® True Image Home 2010 Plus Pack... http://www.acronis.c.../plus-pack.html

[appleoddity]

No... The base software has all the functionality you would ever want. The add on pack is for very special situations.

[Rhineus]

Thx appleoddity again

[Doug]

Rhineus

Please consider installing Firefox 3.5.5, which has its own Download Manager.
http://www.mozilla.c...n...&lang=en-US

Please do not install additional add-ons at this time.
___________________________________________

Please consider installing: MetaProducts Download Express 1.9.341
http://download.cnet...60_4-30049.html

This utility will provide download accelleration and management for instances where you use IE.

Please install IE 7.0 if you have not already.
http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

Do not install IE 8.0, and guard against automatic update to IE 8.0, as previously mentioned by myself and by appleoddity.

[Rhineus]

Ok, I will and I have one more windows update to go (Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5 Family Update)