Strange Windows 7 Issues 3

[missymarie1014]

I posted this previously in the Virus/Spyware Forum, but my Hijack This log indicates the machine is clean, so I thought I would post here for more information. Let me start by saying a few things. This is my first experience with Windows 7, and this is 32-bit Windows 7. Initially I indicated that this was 64-bit because when I tried to uninstall Norton Internet Security, I got a message indicating the uninstall required a 32-bit operating system. However, System indicates this is 32-bit Windows with 2 Gg Ram. I could wipe the machine and start over, but I'd really like to explore this first.

I am assisting a neighbor with a tempermental machine. This is an Acer laptop that had Windows Vista and has been upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit. I have analyzed running processes, start up options, registry issues, etc, but I cannot determine what is going on.

The machine has some interesting symptoms. It connects successfully to the Internet and allows Internet Explorer 8 and email programs to function properly. Current versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome (I uninstalled the existing versions which were not functioning properly and downloaded current versions) install successfully and load but are unable to render any pages. After removing all virus/spyware/malware programs (Note: I disabled Norton Internet Security by uninstalling all associated programs that would allow uninstall. The main program would not allow uninstall and it produces a bogus message indicating it requires a 32-bit operating system to be able to perform the uninstall. Don't you just love Symantec!!! The software is still present but no longer running), I have downloaded AntiMalWareBytes and Avira personal antivirus software and each program installed successfully, but when asking the programs to update definitions, each program crashed with errors and stopped running. I joined MalWareBytes forum and posted relative to the error I received ... "Error Code 732 (12029,0)". I have received a MalWare specific solution to this problem, but have not tried it yet. I am really interested in fixing the machine, not just one app. In addition, Office 2003 is on this machine. Excel loads properly but Word hangs and does not load at all. Thanks for any assistance and guidance with this situation. If anyone could let me know what aspects of this to attack, I would be very appreciative.

 

[linney]

Have tried properly removing Norton Internet Security by using Norton's removal tool available via their web site?

Norton Removal Tool

http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080828154508EN

Disabling things like Firewalls may not be sufficient as many of the setting remain in effect via the Registry and can still cause problems.

You could also test from "Safe Mode with Networking", or from Normal Mode but with a different user.

Try your scanning from Safe Mode too.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, start by ticking both boxes, in any further rerun.

 

[PRPhx]

I really hate updating from 1 OS version to another. The process always seems to have issues. Saying that, I would back up my data, and re-install and recreate my partition. Make it a CLEAN install.

Nor would I re-install Norton. Actually I would use MS Security essentials (I'm using it on 3 pc's currently and it seems to be as good as Norton and it is FREE). After reinstalling the OS., I would run Chkdsk and do a defrag.

 

[BadBigBen]

I agree, use the Norton Removal Tool...

even though you may have removed part of it, but the major part probably still runs, the Service...

that part may be blocking progs from accessing the internet, due to the fact that they where installed after Norton was crippled, and they do not appear on its whitelist...

all in all, it would be more prudent to start afresh, and reload the OS... Less headache in the long run...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[missymarie1014]

Thanks to each of you for the heads up on the Norton removal tool. Norton Internet Security was the issue that was mucking up the machine. I removed it properly and everything cleaned up perfectly! Thanks a lot!
Incidentally I never use nor recommend Norton. I think it's the world's worst product and just a total hype job!