Last Windows Update made problems for me - I think

Question

A week ago I installed the windows update that allowed my computer to be checked to see if my XP Home Edition was legal; it is as it came from Dell so that should not be a problem.  Anyhow, within an hour or so (1) Norton AntriVirus popped up said there was an unexpected error and I was told I had to remove and reinstall to correct the error (legal also) and (2) 'My Computer' display changed completely and I have not been able to get it back the way it was.  I have tried all the options - except the right one I guess(!) and also I am not able to get the left side back to normal.  I didn't use that feature very often but it makes me a little upset that it has gone away.  Norton is OK but those other things bug me.  If my problem(s) weren't caused by that update - or even if it was - can someone give me some insite with regard to my problems?  There is no need to remind me to use System Restore because that hasn't worked for me for quite some time.   My computer is a Dimensions 8400.   Thanks.

Orv67 · Answer

Now I have seen some strange things happening after a recent windows update, about two weeks ago, the second week of March anyhow.  I now have errors popping up that never did before.  I even restored to an earlier time, and the errors persist.  I have a Dell Dimension 8400, with Windows XP Pro, and IE7.  The following are two of the errors, that pop up, that I have never seen before.    1.  Is when I try to do a ping test from the Command Prompt screen, it says:    'ping' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable programe or batch file.   2.  Another is when I go to check my online JUNO email I get a warning.  I emailed their Tech Support, who claim they changed nothing, and it has to be either my my Windows XP or IE7.  The warning that pops up ever time I try to log on now and NEVER was there before is:    There is a problem with this website's security certificate.   So does anyone know what changed or how to fix it? Orv67

bessie · Answer

Orv67, At least I am not the only one having problems.  At least your System Restore still works; as I said, mine doesn't.  But even when your's worked it didn't fix those new problems.  I opened Quicken last night for the first time since that upgrade and, much to my surprise, a new window appeared - one I had never seen before.  I was able to go past it but that was weird.  I have all my financial information on it since January, 1993 and I don't like something messing with it.  Is it just a coincidence we both have 8400's?  Probably is but seems interesting anyhow.   I also find it a little unusual that nobody has tried to explain or help with either of our problems.  It has been my experience for the past 8 years someone always tries to help with any problem I post.  Possibly there just isn't any answer except that Microsoft has messed us up with one or more updates.  I have been known to do a clean install of Windows when something such as this happens but I suspect if I go to all that trouble again I will pick up the very same problem when I install the updates.  A catch 22 situation here it looks like.   I hope you get your problem with your email fixed.  I have never done a ping test so I don't know how important that is to you.   Good luck. Bessie

RoHe · Answer

Bessie,
Try running a system file check:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click OK
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done.

If that fixes whatever problem was caused by the "Genuine Windows" update (lots of people had problems with that one), you can fix System Restore by turnning it off, rebooting, turning it back on and rebooting again. Then manually set a new restore point, reboot and use that restore point to restore the system, so you'll know it works again.

Ron

bessie · Answer

Ron,   Thanks for the sfc /scannow tip.  I believe it worked - at least 'My Computer' now looks like it is supposed to.  Hopefully all else is going to be OK, too, thanks to you.   About the System Restore tip:  I have done that at least 50 times and can restore immediately after I turn it back on.  But in a day or two it goes right back to its' old tricks.  I even did a clean install of Windows in November because of that problem, believing that would correct my problem.  But that was just a waste of time.  I was given a web site that has many tips on how to correct System Restore.  The ones I tried did no good.  But thanks for trying.   Again, thanks a lot.   Bessie

dunedin · Answer

Orv67

1.'ping' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

In Folder Options/View uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”

Open C:\autoexec.bat with Notepad
Add this new line
PATH=C:\winnt;c:\winnt\system32;c:\windows;c:\windows\command
Save the file and reboot

2. There is a problem with this website's security certificate

Click Internet Options on the Tools menu in Internet Explorer.
On the Security tab, click the Internet zone and make sure the setting is Medium.
Now click the OK button, close Internet Explorer.

If that does not work try adding Juno as a trusted site (if you trust it!)

Open Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
Click Trusted sites, and then click Default Level.
Now click the Sites button.
Clear the check box "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone."
Type the Juno URL in this way
e.g. http://Windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Click Add
OK, and then click Apply.

It is also worth checking to make sure the URL does not appear in the "Restricted Sites" section.... Some of the popular spy blocker type software can automatically place any URL in this section..

RoHe · Answer

Bessie,
Glad sfc got you going again. To be safe, go to the MS update site and allow it to scan your system for missing updates. Accept the ones you need, except that Genuine Advantage thing. ;)

Don't know why the System Restore keeps failing but I'd do a couple of things:
1.
Reboot and press F12 before XP starts to load. Run the extended hard drive tests. If you get any error messages, back up your personal files to CD ASAP. And if you're still under warranty, report the errors to Dell and request a new hard drive.

2.
Click start>run
Type in: chkdsk c: /f
Click OK
You'll get a message saying chkdsk can't run now. Accept the offer to run it at the next boot. Then reboot and allow chkdsk to fix any errors on the hard drives.

3.
When you're back at the desktop, defrag the hard drive.

4. Do full scans for malware.

5. Turn off System Restore, reboot and turn it back on. Manually set a restore point and then use it to restore.

Ron

bessie · Answer

Ron, Thanks for hanging in there with me.    I printed your last message and followed it exactly as you suggested.  I first went to MS update to see if there were any missing updates for me; there weren't.   I then went through all the steps to attempt to recover my system restore feature.  Step 5 worked very well and system restore was accomplished.  Once.  About an hour later I tried again and it decided to act up again.  It did this twice.  So I am back to square one with that.  Do you think there may be a conflict between one or more programs I have on my hard drive?  I was thinking of removing some I seldom use one at a time to see what happens.  How does that sound?   In the meantime I had been given the suggestion some weeks ago to use NTBackup.  I installed it at that time and was excited to see it had an advanced option to 'only back up the System State data'.  I wonder if that backs up the same files System Restore does?   I thought  that sounded great so used it; had to back it up to my hard drive then copied to a DVD.  There is an option to set up automatic backups but either I didn't set it up right or it just doesn't work.  I gave up on it at the time but if I remember to backup that System State a couple times a week do you think I would be getting what I am missing with System Restore?  It backs up 2316 files on my computer or, at last count, 427,762 KB.  I would appreciate your opinion.  I tested the restore -  I changed the resolution on my monitor first to see if it really did something and it put it back like it belonged.  Was encouraging.   Thanks so much for your time and advice.   Bessie

dunedin · Answer

Bessie,   Turn System Restore OFF on all partitions except 'C' (ie the one with Windows on it)   I have read that there can be problems if you let it moniotor a Dell Restore partition

RoHe · Answer

dunedin,
I give up, how do you change the System Restore setting so it's only monitoring C:?
I don't see that option anywhere. Mine says under Status "C:, monitoring", and that's the way it came from Dell.

Ron

RoHe · Answer

Bessie,
Don't know NTBackup or what it does so can't comment on it vs. System Restore. Very odd that System Restore works once, but then fails. Sure the system is free of malware?

How much free disk space do you have? Possible your HD is so full there isn't enough room to do the restore?? Try clearing out temp files, browser cache, and other junk, and move photos, music etc to CD for safe storage.

Good luck!

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 04-02-2007 01:40 PM

dunedin · Answer

On some systems the Recovery partition is also monitored.   This applies to HP, Compaq and others too.

bessie · Answer

I only have one partition, 'C'.    Thanks for your interest.

bessie · Answer

No, my hard drive is not too full, in fact it has 85% free space right now.  Usually when I turn off System Restore the space increases but has never gone below 80% free space.  I regularly run Disk Cleanup, all windows scans, and defrag.  Since I have run a clean install of windows twice since I purchased the computer, all the junk that came with it is long gone.  My last clean install was in November.  I did it especially to recover System Restore.  Obviously it did not work.   Thanks for your assistance.   Bessie

Orv67 · Answer

NOPE, neither of your suggestions fixed my problems. :smileysad:   Now without thinking, I let my other PC with Windows XP Pro update a couple days ago, AND sure enough, NOW it has the same problems that this one does.  The PROBLEM is in the UPDATE.  How do I report it?   Orv67

Orv67 · Answer

My Juno Webmail is working again. :smileyhappy:  A half hour ago I checked and rechecked to make sure that I had followed your instructions correctly and still it would not pull up Juno without a certificate error, on both PCs.  NOW 5 minutes ago it comes up correctly with no error.  My suspicion is that even after JUNO Tech Support denied the problem was on their end, I now am convinced it was and they fixed it.  I even noticed a change in there login address, which indicates they did make some changes, so I copied that address to the URL line under my Juno icon properties, and retested both PCs several times and Juno comes up correctly every time.   After checking my wife's PC again, I found out I was wrong, as it has no problem running the ping test, while my PC still is unable to find the 'ping' command.  That one baffles me, could something have corrupted the ping command?  If so, how do reinstall it?    The other quirk that applies to my PC and not my wife's, is when I click on any site that I have stored in my IE7's FAVORITES file; it opens two of those windows almost every time. My Favorites on my wife's PC works normally and I have IE7 on it too.    I appreciate your help, and I am sorry that I assumed the Juno Techs knew what they were talking about when they told me it was a Windows update problem.   Orv67

Windows General

Last Windows Update made problems for me - I think

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