June 10, 2009

Tech Help Requested

Okay, so here's the story... Ph.Duck's laptop has something very strange occurring to it.  About two weeks ago, he installed an update to his antivirus program, then shut down the computer.  The next day, he booted up fine, but if he doubleclicked on anything other than the "my computer" icon, nothing happens.  Opening the "my computer" folder works, but he can't do anything in there.

When booted in Safe Mode, programs and folders can be opened (limited, of course, to what safe mode allows), and files can be moved to a flashdrive.

As it stands, the plan is to dump as many of his important files and pictures as we can to a flashdrive or two, then do a full reinstallation.

A Windows system restore to a date before the antivirus update failed to fix the problem.  The sad thing is that if I could get into the antivirus program, I could roll it back easily (we use the same program), but I can't.  The program won't open either.

Anybody have any advice?  He's using XP Media Center, with SP3 installed.

Posted by: Wonderduck at 09:43 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 184 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I would suggest that the first thing to try is to use safe mode to uninstall the antivirus program. Then see how things go.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 10, 2009 09:55 PM (+rSRq)

2 Alas, I tried that.  No dice.  Safe Mode deactivates the "add/remove program" program... and the program's integrated uninstaller as well.

Surprised the hell outta me.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 10, 2009 10:24 PM (hlGBx)

3 Try the first thing here (the one with shell32.dll)

What's the antivirus program? They might have a standalone uninstaller. If you really need to, you can make Windows Installer run in Safe Mode

Posted by: pxcasey at June 11, 2009 12:15 AM (vN9ed)

4

Safe Mode deactivates the "add/remove program" program... and the program's integrated uninstaller as well.

That doesn't sound right. Add me as a vote for nuking it from orbit.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 11, 2009 04:08 AM (+rSRq)

5 pxcasey, the antivirus program is Trend Micro Antivirus plus Antispyware.  If they have a standalone uninstaller for their products, I can't find it on their website.

I'll give that second one a try... anybody else have any thoughts?

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 11, 2009 06:29 AM (hlGBx)

6 Have you tried this?

Also, sounds a lot like Trend released a bad update again.

Posted by: JP Gibb at June 11, 2009 08:06 AM (en+Q1)

7 Gee, whenever I ask for suggestions with a Windows problem, I always get something like this for an "answer":

"Delete windows and install Linux"

You're lucky to have intelligent readers.

Posted by: Ed Hering at June 11, 2009 09:12 AM (MIDbt)

8 I don't have many readers, Ed, but those that I DO have seem to be above-average in all respects.

JP, I haven't tried the uninstall tool, mostly because I couldn't get ANYTHING to run, let alone an internet connection.  I have it on a flashdrive, though, and when I get to spend some quality time with Ph.Duck's computer (in a small room, with a single lightbulb dangling from a cord, and a length of rubber hose in my hands), I may as well give it a shot in safe mode.

Who knows?  It may even work.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 11, 2009 06:13 PM (hlGBx)

9 I wonder if it would help to run "System Restore" and to retreat to an older restore point.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 11, 2009 08:23 PM (+rSRq)

10 I mentioned that towards the bottom of the post; it didn't help.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 11, 2009 08:42 PM (hlGBx)

11 Sorry, I missed it.

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at June 11, 2009 10:27 PM (+rSRq)

12 'zokay, Steven.  You're not firing on all cylinders, after all.

Posted by: Wonderduck at June 11, 2009 10:39 PM (hlGBx)

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