Computer Help!

liltweety011 · Post by **liltweety011** » May 26th, 2004, 7:26 pm

Okay! Number 1 my computer is set on 16 color and there is no other options for me to chose so right now the color on my computer is not accurate at all. Number 2 my internet explorer wont work. My connection is great its just that everytime I click the internet explorer icon this pop ups..."Explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows.You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created." So with that being said I cannot view my documents,my computer and the recycling bin. I have Windows 2000. This problem occur a month ago. I did download something before this problem occured. I can get my computer up and running in safe mode.Maybe i have a virus but I did not have an virus protection software before this problem occured...i dont know why my computer is acting like this but it would be nice if I get some help here!!!

Smartweb · Post by **Smartweb** » May 26th, 2004, 8:27 pm

Try backing up your data and reformatting. It sounds like a fresh format should help you greatly in this situation.

Also, when you're done formatting, you should use Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox) rather than IE. If you want full reasons why, try http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/why.

And welcome to the forums!

liltweety011 · Post by **liltweety011** » May 26th, 2004, 11:54 pm

Hmmm exactly what do u mean by "Try backing up your data and reformatting" because I have no clue what your saying. I'm not a computer expert so u gotta take me step by step with it. Oh yeah I downloaded Mozilla Firefox , I Like it. It is so much better than IE. Thanks so much! But I still need some help on that data and reforming.

Smartweb · Post by **Smartweb** » May 27th, 2004, 12:02 am

All right. You need to copy all of your files that you have on your computer to somewhere else so that you can wipe your existing hard drive and start over. You'll need your Windows 2000 disk. Boot it, and choose to format your existing hard drive. Do not reformat until your data is backed up or you will loose it. After it formats your hard drive, it will reinstall Windows and you will have a fresh computer when its done. From there, you'll have to restore your files.

To back your files up, either send them to another computer in your house (if you have a network) or copy all your files to CD's.

When you choose to format your hard drive in the Windows setup, you should probably choose to use the NTFS file system, since its more secure than Fat32. Your hard drive is probably formatted with NTFS already.

It's a good idea to get all your CD's for you programs together before you reformat so that they are available after. You'll have to reinstall your programs.

Reformatting is a fool proof method to fix any software situation, though sometimes there are easier ways that don't require wiping the whole hard drive. In this case, it seems that you'd best reformat. After reformatting, your computer should run faster.

And whatever you do not back up will be destroyed during the reformat. All your settings are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\Yourusername. Backing up that folder, and the All Users folder should be enough. If you have more than one user account on your comptuer, back up whichever ones you want to keep.

Hope this helps.

Aggressor Prime · Post by **Aggressor Prime** » May 27th, 2004, 12:10 am

All you need for the graphic problems are drivers. What video card or onboard graphics do you have?

Smartweb · Post by **Smartweb** » May 27th, 2004, 12:25 am

No, he has to reformat for Windows Explorer to work. He can install graphics drivers after.

Sumpin_Wong · Post by **Sumpin_Wong** » May 27th, 2004, 12:36 am

I'm talking to Liltweety atm on Yahoo. I'm trying to find out which video card is installed on his/her comp.
I recommended he/she take it to BestBuy or CompUSA and have them reformat it for him/her.
As he/she stated, they are not too computer savvy.. and I figured it would be the safest, best bet in the long run.

p.s. I Hope it works for ya Liltweet !

Aggressor Prime · Post by **Aggressor Prime** » May 27th, 2004, 12:55 am

He has Adware and Spyware. Download some removal software to solve that problem.

Post by **ccb056** » May 27th, 2004, 1:06 am

Yeah, I would download both Ad-Aware and Spybot, you can find these via Google. I would also recomend getting Norton Antivirus 2004 and keeping it updated. Right now it is probable best to take the computer to a computer shop and have them do that for you, I know at the shop I work at we charge 40 dollars an hour and doing the above will take 1.5 hours maximum.

Tebow2000 · Post by **Tebow2000** » May 27th, 2004, 1:38 am

Search and Destroy in my opinion works the best.. They are all freeware programs.. And by the way, welcome to the forums!

liltweety011 · Post by **liltweety011** » May 27th, 2004, 10:41 pm

okay what program(s) can I download that would prevent me from having a viruse/bug in my computer?

Tebow2000 · Post by **Tebow2000** » May 28th, 2004, 12:49 am

http://www.computerbb.org/about695.html

Read this topic.. This is our May Security Software Update.. It should have the answers you are looking for

etheral · Post by **etheral** » May 28th, 2004, 2:58 am

if you want another good thing to try is knoppix!!!!

better then windows, comes with everythng you need. dont even really have to no linux much.

Smartweb · Post by **Smartweb** » May 28th, 2004, 2:59 am

You mean installing knoppix or running it off of a cd?

Tebow2000 · Post by **Tebow2000** » May 28th, 2004, 3:06 am

uh, stick with linux pal

etheral · Post by **etheral** » May 28th, 2004, 8:16 pm

ok if ur gonna use knoppix as main OS i would very highly suggest installing it... not running off cd...

uh stick with linux pal

knoppix is one of the more popular home computer linux distrobutions

Tebow2000 · Post by **Tebow2000** » May 28th, 2004, 8:40 pm

yeah.lloll