Expert: Brian Benosky - 2/21/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brian,
  Thank You for the news about Windows Defender in your last reply. I did the elevated command prompt like you suggested. I couldn't really tell that it gave me any results, but the following info:
sfc /SCANNOW
sfc /VERIFYFILE=c:Windows/system32/kerne132.dil
sfc /SCANFILE=d:/windows/system32/kerne132.dil/OFFBOOTDIR=d://OFFWINDIR=d:/windows

sfc /VERIFYONLY
c:Windows/system327

Also ran the PCPitStop:

SummaryPerformanceSecuritySoftwareDrivers
Summary
FixesSystem SpecsInstalled HardwareRankings
Fixes
Recommended Fixes
World Portable Rank = Top 38%  
Test Description
(Click each item for more Detail) Area Result Status
Windows Service Pack Check  Security Update Service Pack  
Delete Temporary Files  Performance 63 MB  
Delete Tracking Cookies  Security 51 Cookies  
Internet HTTP 1.1 Performance Test  Performance   

I also ran SeaTools. SMART test,Short DST, and Short Generic all passed. Those were the only ones I ran.

I'm awaiting your further instructions. Sorry to be such a pain in the arse. Thanks a million, Brian.

Jax

ANSWER: Hi Jax

I'm happy that the hard drive passed...at least we won't need to worry about drive failure and data loss.  I don't believe scannow worked correctly.  It usually takes about 10 minutes to complete and would give you more results than what you listed.  Try running a disk check as follows:

From an elevated command prompt, type the command: CHKDSK /F /R
You will be told the drive cannot be locked, would you like to perform
this on the next boot. Say yes, then reboot.
Chkdsk will be preformed before Windows loads.  Let me know if anything gets fixed.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brian,
Well, I ran Chkdsk and this is what happened. First I got a message from PC Pitstop PC Matic. I'm not sure why I got that first, but it said: "There are 1 out-of-date drivers. Your drive has 92445 junk files totaling 34,776.58 MB. There are 1 low threat malware items located. There are 4 high threat malware items located." AND of course, there's no box to check to fix it. Instead something like no license, buy now! So I don't know where that came from or what it means,if anything.
 Next I got a message from Dell DataSafe Local Backup Update. It said, "Ready To Update. This program will update Dell Data Safe Local Backup on this computer from version 9.4.48 to version 9.4.51" So I proceeded with the update, got the message "Update successful, restart your computer". So I restarted the computer.
 Next I got a message BackupPlg Wrapper has stopped working. "A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available." Then "Unhandled exception has occurred in a component in your application. If you click continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue." Then "This BackgroundWorker is currently busy and cannot run multiple tasks concurrently." After that I kept getting offers from Dell to Upgrade Dell DataSafe Local Backup from basic to premium. For a price, of course.
  Brian, we don't backup or save anything. My partner and I use this computer for e-mail, occasional Facebook use, games through World Winner and Online Vegas Casino, and to look up things of interest. Our son uses it for e-mail, frequent Facebook use, Frequent U-Tube use-he downloads some videos, Ebay, Fauna Classified, Craigslist, Dating sites, Porn, and God only knows what else. BUT...we don't know anything about backing up or saving information. There's nothing we really need to protect.
  Currently, our computer seems to be working OK The only thing is no matter what we try new updates will not install. Also, about a week ago we kept having connectivity issues. The computer would say we were connected, but we couldn't connect to the internet. I think my son and I both used the backup and restore to solve that, and currently we haven't had that problem.
  I can't think of any more information that might be helpful to you. I really do appreciate your research and help. Any advise you give, I'll take it. I trust you, you've helped me fix this computer at least 3 or 4 times now. Thank You, Brian, for all you do.
Jax

ANSWER: Hi Jax

Again, sorry for the delay!  
I'm going to stop recommending PC Pitstop because that program has gone from a useful tool to nagware.  You can go ahead and uninstall it from your Control Panel.  
If you do not use the Dell DataSafe, then I would uninstall that as well, which should remove the errors when starting the computer.
The only problem that I would like to get corrected is Windows Update.  When you are notified the updates can't install, there should be an error code listed.  There may also be a link to log files where we can find more info on the error.  If not, in the Start Search dialog box, type %\windowsupdate.log, and then press ENTER.  You can send me that log directly at numbersix6@yahoo.com if it is too big to copy here.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brian,
 When I try to install Windows Updates I get the error code 646. Windows encountered an unknown error. There is no link to log files to find more info on the error. I tried the %/windowsupdate.log and it came up with no matches.
 I've checked and our computer is set to receive automatic updates. How important is it to install them since for some reason they keep failing to install?
 Thanks again, Brian.          
Jax

Answer
Hi Jax

Windows Updates are important for security and stability reasons.  Microsoft releases updates regularly to fix holes in code which can be used by hackers to access your computer.  Updates can also fix bugs in the operating system or compatibility problems.  So the importance of receiving these updates cannot be understated.  Please try the following:

If you’re using McAfee Personal Firewall Plus, F-Secure Internet Security, Norton Internet Security or another Firewall vendor, see its respective support page for assistance in disabling it (temporarily). If you’re using the built-in Vista Firewall, keep reading.
Open the Control Panel and select Security.
Select Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
Select Off (not recommended), click Apply and then OK.
Back at the Windows Update screen, click the Try again button.
The download(s) and installation should start…
and this time successfully install. If a restart is required, make sure to re-enable your Firewall once your PC restarts.
Though this solution will work for most Vista Update errors, if it does not, please continue below.

Click Start. Type MSCONFIG in the Start Search bar and press Enter.
Note: If UAC window prompts for permission to continue, please click Continue.
Click Tools.
Highlight Disable UAC, click Launch.
Restart the computer and try Windows Updates once again.  If successful, you can re-enable UAC by going into MSCONFIG and click to enable UAC.

Let me know if one of these methods solves the problem.

Brian