About Gary Housknecht Expertise common keyboard shortcuts; internet keyboard functionality; use shift key to undo caps lock; reassign key functions; wireless keyboard questions
Experience 10+ years PC software and hardware tech support.
Expert: Gary Housknecht Date: 12/29/2004 Subject: Virus/keyboard controls
Question Hi- I appreciate your volunteering! I run Windows ME on Gateway computer that's about 5 years onld with a Cleron 700, I think. I have Comcast Broadband. I have been here before for a similar problem and it was solved by the adware I was told to download. Unfortunately my son has once again downloaded AOL (with AIM) and Weatherbug. I had to go through all the steps again; deleting the companion programs that came with them, cleaning out the cookies and temp files, running the adware program several times, scandisk, etc. Last time, I did all this then went into add/remove programs and finally realized I needed to get rid of the AOL/Aim thing. I went to do that this time and few ne obsyicales have come up that I'm not sure how to handle:
1. Most important- my computer will not let me open the control panel! *Please tell me if theres a keyboard command I can use* Clicking with the mouse gets no response- same for my computer.
2. When I click on absolutely any file then the task mgr, it says Explorer not responding, even after I use the task mgr to close AOL/AIM.
3.I seem to remember last time I was told spyware was attached to my registry. I can, for somereason, open that adware program and clean everything. But when I reboot, the AOL/AIM comes back and I cannot get into my control panel to remove it! I can even get on line (very slow, we have broadband), but cannot get anywhere to remove that program that lets all the bad stuff back in when I reboot! VERY frustrating.
4. Additionally, Norton kicked itself in after a few hours of tinkering and found a virus named bloodhound.w32.EP. It was attached to file windows/temp/19262.TMP It gave me the choice to quarentine or delete, but recommended quarentine. I did that.
5. I used the task mgr again to check for Explorer opening without my going on-line and it once again said not responding- like I tried to go online! *The task mgr also said at this time that msgsrv32 was not responding.
I'm just a mom trying to get our computer going again and I just don't speak this language....Please Help! I'm sure if I could get into the Control Panel via keyboard and not mouse, I could get rid of the problem? Can you tell me a way to do this? Do you see a bigger problem than just needing to get rid of AOL/AIM?
P.S. I started in the control panel deleting obvious spyware...I didn't suspect AOL at that time. So alot is gone, AOL/AIM keeps letting it back in!
Thnaks for any advice
Lisa
Answer 1. Use your Windows START key on the keyboard and use your cursor keys to maneuver to Settings then Control Panel, etc.
2. No help. You've probably deleted one or more too many files in your cleanup process.
3. AOL/AIM is not considered spyware so Adaware will not remove it. You need to use regedit to manually remove traces of AOL and AIM. I don't issue registry fixes by email due to the dangers of users making a mistake and crashing their computer. Get a freind that knows how and do it that way.
4. OK
5. You really need to restore some lost functionality in WinME in order to make Explorer work and so forth. And I am not sure you can eliminate AOL/AIM problems just through Control Panel.
If you wouldn't have to go through and reinstall a lot of applications, I would highly recommend a reinstall of Windows. I dislike WinME very much. If you could afford an upgrade to a much better system, you can get an upgrade to WinXP Pro for $179 usually. Even better would be to get a new PC (please do not take offense) as yours is "old" in terms of its OS, CPU, Memeory, etc. You could probably keep and still use the monitor to save money. This would be the time to do it. If you stick with WinME, load the CD and see if it offers a reinstall/repair option. If it does, do it.
