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Hello,
My Dell XPS pc that runs Windows Vista has started acting up. Windows Explorer constantly fails and needs to be restarted, icons on my desktop won't delete (even with killbox), my mouse will highlight things sparatically and sometimes double click when I only click once, and Windows Internet Explorer will not let me download files anymore (the dialog box suddenly dissappears, but firefox still works). I have a feeling something is very wrong with my computer, but McAfee SecurityCenter does now identify anything. Perhaps someone here could share their l337 computing skills and help me fix my computer....
I think a good idea here would be to get Spybot S&D (if you haven't already) and run it to see what it weeds out. If it still doesn't identify anything, then check your startup programs using something like Startup control panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) If you can't find any dodgy looking culprits using that, then I'd suggest checking your disk for errors, as some files may have become corrupt, although with some of the behaviours and goings ons your list, I would doubt this to be the case.
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Alright I will check that out...in the meantime, is there anyway for me to remove those two files on my desktop? Whenever I try to delete them a dialogue box says: Cannot delete because the file is open in another program (even though its not, one is a video file and the other is a codec file).
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Update: My computer won't let me install Spybot Search and Destroy... even when I run it as Administrator.... "Exception EAccessViolation in module is-SU160.tmp at FFF0527C. Access violation at address 00306498. Write address 00306498." --Please help..!
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Ah, now it seems it could be something more serious. Firstly, did you run a CHKDSK /F?
You might want to test your memory - grab MemTest86 from http://www.memtest.org/ and let it run for a few passes. If there are any errors then this indicates the problem.
On a less serious note, have you installed anything lately? Software? New drivers? When did this start happening?
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Update: Good News and Bad News
-Good: I ran the memtest 86+ and there were no errors. (I let it pass through 3 times.)-Bad: My computer is getting worse; hardly any programs run, explorer.exe is constantly closing, files won't delete, and now programs fail to load because of Data Execution Protection....
-Indifferent: I am in the process of using chkdsk, we'll see what that uncovers.
In response to your last question, I began to notice the mouse problems with highlighting after the Windows Update about two weeks ago. It has gone downhill from there.
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Update:
-Good news #2: chkdsk reports that "windows has checked the file system and found no problems".....what other options are there to do?
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You already mention you have a virus scanner. I assume you are using the latest update definitions? I would say try one of those online virus scanners, but by the sounds of it you won't be able to run a browser to do so.
As the RAM and disk checks have passed, I can only come to the conclusion (in my opinion, maybe someone else can chip in here too) that the Windows Update you installed has caused some severe problems, and as it is only 2 weeks ago, you may well be able to run system restore - have you yet tried this?
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Update:
Ran system restore-- didn't work. But then I googled Data Execution Prevention, shut it off via cmd prompt, and now everything seems to be working. I was able to delete the files, start up browsers, and run programs. My explorer.exe has not crashed yet. I don't think my mouse is working properly yet--it acts weird when I try to highlight text but that I can live with.My only problem now is that prior to the system restore, I had un-installed many programs in hope that they were the problem. After the system restore, however, these programs are still listed in the Programs and Feature. I cannot uninstall them (because in reality they don't exist). Would you recommend doing another system restore back to where I started so that the programs are gone, and then doing my Data Execution Protection shut-off thing, or is there a way to manually remove programs from the Programs and Features?
BTW, you have been very helpful, thanks! :)
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in my experience when Mcafee gets corrupted it really causes havoc. In many cases a full system repair installation is needed. Uninstall and reinstall Mcafee.
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought, which they avoid" - Soren Kierkegaard.
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Whilst turning off DEP has somewhat fixed your problem, it is concerning that you have to turn it off in the first place - maybe someone else here can help you with finding the root of that problem, as unfortunately i don't know anything about DEP really.
Obviously leaving the programs listed on "Programs and features" won't cause any harm, but if you want to remove them there is a way. Download CCleaner and install, then look on the tools screen for an easy way to delete invalid entries from programs and features.
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 IE7 - Right Click Close ...
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hard drive enclosure work...
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