I guess I really did need a new computer

[Mr. Keith]

I have no idea what happened, but I have been having a bunch of random issues with my computer over the last couple of weeks.

First, Firefox just stopped working now I cannot seem to download music off iTunes. The file will download, but at the end, when iTunes "processes" the file, it will not proceed past that.

My computer is pretty old. Like 6 or 7 years, I am not even sure what year I bought this thing, but it was the cheapest Dell I could get at the time.

I mean, I guess I am assuming that I "did" something to cause all these issues, but is it possible for the OS to just start crapping out after lots of use?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Hardware can crap out, but I doubt that's the cause of it.

If it's OS issues, you could do a reinstall. Do you have the CD that came with it (either original Windows CD or the OEM)?

 

[Mr. Keith]

It could need a reinstall, but I am REALLY not in the mood for that. I did it a couple of months ago and did not enjoy the experience.

I am just wondering what could have happened that these weird problems are happening.

I just bought a Velvet Revolver album off iTunes and it finished downloading, yet I only have one song.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Have you installed anything recently, or changed settings?

It's possible you may have gotten a virus. I think Firefox catches most drive-by downloads, there might be one or two that slip by.

 

[Souron]

0I mean, I guess I am assuming that I "did" something to cause all these issues, but is it possible for the OS to just start crapping out after lots of use?

yes, in a way.

There are two possible problems that can be qualified as "the OS crapping out". The first is malware, which includes spyware, adware, and viruses. These can be cleaned up with software designed to remove it.

The second problem is registry corruption. This occurs primarily when installed programs modify the registry in a buggy way. Registry errors like this are hard to trace an can go unnoticed. They are most likely to effect future installations, rather than previously installed programs.

So the two solutions to your problem are:
1) Run the latest spyware and antivirus software on your machine
2) If the above does not satisfy, save your data and reformat your drive. You will then have to reinstall all your programs, but you computer will run like new (barring hardware problems.)

 

[Mr. Keith]

I have SpySweeper with antivirus and it hasn't spotted anything.

I can't really say why, but I just don't think this is a malware issue.

I think Windows did an automatic update a couple of weeks ago but I am not sure if that was this machine or my mother's laptop that I was using. That could be it, but I was having issues with Firefox before that happened.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I sometimes have compatibility issues with video card drivers after update.

Did you try Firefox in safe mode? (That'd be in the start menu folder, I think.) Might be a funny addon.

 

[Mr. Keith]

No I didn't try that, but it is not just Firefox. It is a bunch of random stuff. Like my SpySweeper desktop firewall randomly needs to close.

I am inclined to think Sauron is correct: my registry is somehow effed up.

I guess I am not going to tweak out too much about this. I just bought a new thinkpad and it shipped this morning. I am not going to want to use this piece of crap after the laptop gets here. Might even just disconnect it and throw it in the closet.

 

[Souron]

The thing with antispyware is that every legitimate tool seems to find different spyware. So running only one program does not provide a solid guarantee that there is no spyware. Running multiple tools maximises your odds of finding the problem.

A windows update could cause existing registry problems to surface. I think the consensus is that malware is a more likely cause. Regardless, trying to track done registry errors is not feasable.

 

[Mr. Keith]

I'll run Housecall tonight and see what happens.

 

[Mr. Keith]

Just got done running Trend Micro Housecall.

It detected a few cookies, but no other type of malware.

 

[Quintillus]

I see in your other thread that you've ordered a new laptop - it's probably most practical for IE (or whatever other browser works), and not buy anything on iTunes until it arrives. I would start backing up your data just in case - you'll need to transfer it eventually anyway, and you don't want to lose it a day before your new laptop arrives. Either that or throw it in the closet until the ThinkPad arrives, and then transfer all your files. Although I'd still leave them on the old laptop just in case you get a lemon of a hard drive on the new one - it's pretty unlikely, but it's always better safe than sorry with data.

You also might as well try reinstalling Firefox - that might be enough to solve that issue at least.

Also, the Internet indicates Apple will usually let you redownload songs that you accidently deleted if you contact them about it, and if the problem was during downloading they almost certainly would. I'd call/email them about that, although you may want to wait until your new laptop arrives and you have iTunes installed on it.

 

[Mr. Keith]

Hi Quintillus. Thanks for the advice. Yeah, everything has been backed up already to my external hard drive, nothing to worry about there.

I have to admit Apple was pretty good in helping me out.

I am not sure if I will still have a use for this computer, but if I do I will have to reinstall.

Just a bunch of weird stuff going on. When I clicked on my IE shortcut, Firefox actually started. (Still didn't work.)

And the IE shortcut that was on my start menu had "no add-ons" and even though I followed the directions to get the add-ons going, I was unable to.

Chrome works although it has always been a little buggy.

So I decided to uninstall IE 7 and I have been rolling with the old version of Explorer that came with XP. It's been fine.

So bascially it is just problems all around. At this point I am just venting a little.

I can't wait until the ThinkPad gets here.