Microsoft update and system restore won't work

I seem to have some malware that no programme has been able to detect: I've tried Microsoft Security Essentials, Avira, Superantispyware, and Trojan Remover to no avail. They all show a clean computer. But there must be something wrong: I can't update Microsoft Windows–it turns the update page blank–and I cannot use my IBM "restore and recovery" programme, which is similarly blank,and the Cd-Rom drive keeps opening of its own accord.. I'd be grateful for some help. Thanks, schalk

Several things to investigate…
_____________-

Clear your Browser Temporary Internet Files and Cookies
______________________

Clear your DNS

Start - Run - cmd - (type) ipconfig /flushDNS - (press) Enter
To leave the command prompt box…
(type)exit - (press)enter
______________________

Open Windows Services
Start - Run - (type)Services.msc - (press) Enter

You now see the list of Windows services.

Look particularly at:
Automatic Updates - Should be Status:Started and StartupType Automatic
Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Should be Status:Started and StartupType Automatic
___________________

If not joy from the above

open a command prompt
Type the following three items then press Enter (each one must be typed and entered separately)

regsvr32 jscript
regsvr32 vbscript
regsvr32 /i mshtml
_________________________________

If no joy post back here with progress or additional questions.

Best Regards

Might be a good idea to go yo our Malware forum to get your system cleaned. Go here then read here.

Thanks very much, Doug. That seems to have solved the problem. The only problem remaining is that the button for telling windows to update automatically is grey and won't respond.

Best wishes,

schalk

Several things to investigate…
_____________-

Clear your Browser Temporary Internet Files and Cookies
______________________

Clear your DNS

Start - Run - cmd - (type) ipconfig /flushDNS - (press) Enter
To leave the command prompt box…
(type)exit - (press)enter
______________________

Open Windows Services
Start - Run - (type)Services.msc - (press) Enter

You now see the list of Windows services.

Look particularly at:
Automatic Updates - Should be Status:Started and StartupType Automatic
Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Should be Status:Started and StartupType Automatic
___________________

If not joy from the above

open a command prompt
Type the following three items then press Enter (each one must be typed and entered separately)

regsvr32 jscript
regsvr32 vbscript
regsvr32 /i mshtml
_________________________________

If no joy post back here with progress or additional questions.

Best Regards

Hello again schalk, Glad to read that you've made some good progress! Before any further steps are taken, we need to know what version of Windows we are dealing with. I've presumed XP, but now we need to know if it is Home or Pro. If it is not XP, please correct me. Thanks

Hi Doug, It's certainly XP. I think it's Pro. is there any way I can check? schalk

Yep. Start - Control Panel - System You will see a panel similar to this one which is XP Home 📎System_Properties.jpg

It's XP Professional, Version 2002, Service pack 3. schalk

Is this where it is "greyed out" ?📎Automatic_Updates_XP.jpg

There are about a half-dozen ways to fix this problem.
Most of them involve changes to the registry, which can be tedious and hazardous if you make a mistake.

Before performing the below recommended solution, PLEASE Set a Fresh Restore Point.
(so that if any difficulties arrive, you can return to this present state, and we can start over with a fresh fix)

The easiest "no-sweat" method is to use a well respected automated Windows fix tool: "Dial-a-fix"

Please know that I do not recommend other auto-fix/optimize/reg-cleaning/etc. utilities….. ever!
"Dial-a-Fix" is the only automated fix that I have ever recommended to Forum Members in the past several years.
(exception: I do recommend ATF-cleaner, TFC, Ccleaner and others… but only for clearing Temporary files to clean up a machine)

Go Here: http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix

Read the page carefully and thoroughly.
You will notice that your particular problem is specifically addressed by Dial-a-Fix.

Download and Run Dial-a-Fix.

Make the selections appropriate to your problem, and let dial-a-fix take the recommended action.

Note: If other problems are detected by dial-a-fix, use your judgment.
If you feel familiar and confident of knowing about the detected problem, go ahead and apply the recommended fix.
If not, post back here with the "exact" detection, for further research.

Best Regards

Hi Doug, When you say read the page carefully, does that mean carrying out all the operations it suggests, or just reading it? Best, David

Back-up your critical Data Create a System Restore Point _________________ next: _________________ Download amd extract Dial-a-fix v0.60.0.24 Click on Dial-a-fix.exe Checkmark to perform: – Empty temp Folders – WU/WUAU - Fix Windows Update __________________ next: __________________ Click on the GO button __________________ When complete, your automatic update selection should have become available. Please let us know.

Thanks very much, Doug, it all seems fine now. There's only one problem left: I have a damaged version of Avira on my drive, which I'm trying to uninstall, but it won't do it. I get an error message instead. schalk

Please post the exact and full Error Message.

Resource missing: rctext.dll schalk