Hello - long time no post! I'm having a problem with my friends' computer. See, her computer was running XP + SP2. She asked me to perform a spyware -n- virus check, which I gladly did for her. Some spyware bugs were discovered, but I deleted them with no problems at all. On the next restart (after I removed all spyware and adware), her firewall wouldn't turn on. (The XP firewall bundled with SP2.) I tried doing a System Restore to the previous day, with no avail. A week back didn't succeed either. I then decided to uninstall and reinstall SP2. I uninstalled SP2 with no problems and the ICS (Internet Connection Firewall with the original version of XP) seemed to work OK. I then did some cleaning (disk cleanup, etc.) and reinstalled SP2. It looked like my hard work was at a loss, as the firewall STILL wouldn't turn on, AND her wireless connection wouldn't work - it said that it required the "Wireless Zero Configuration" service needed to be running - but it was running already. I tried restarting the service, then the computer - but to no avail. I decided to uninstall SP2, as it was causing many problems, then once I got back to SP1, her wireless connection still wouldn't work. As a matter of fact, clicking on ANY Internet-connection dialog made Explorer freeze up - Network Connections in Control Panel, Internet options/Connections, Connect to on the start menu - all froze on a simple click. In Safe Mode + Networking, it worked, but wouldn't connect. I decided to uninstall and reinstall her wireless device, but that didn't work. I am at a loss. Any help will be greatly appreciated! PS - Don't suggest to do a repair install of XP using her original CD- she doesn't have it. Thanks! -Andrew

she could have had the winsock damaged with the spyware which will keep her from connecting. Here is the fix for that. http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm She could have the firewall dismantled because of other virus protection or spyware removal programs. Or because of a tweak that was done. Go to windows update and it may turn it back on for you. Make sure that the wireless connection matches the same channel from her router. Her router addy should be : http://192.168.0.1 log in there and see what channel they are running and then use the xp wireless wizard to set up manually so to verify that the same channel is being used. IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK

Hey LurksWithin, Thanks so much for the link to the WinSock fix. If that works, I'll be a free man. However, I can't do the others you've suggested, as Windows will simply crash whenever I try doing anything Internet-related. -Andrew

did you get all the garbage out of there? Make sure that all the malware/spyware has been removed and cleaned out first. I use these and they work really well and they are all free....download and burn to disc and then install and run these to get them her cleanned up. you can update them later after reinstallation of the internet service. Also that winsox fix will fit on a floppy so you can download it and then install it. hope it works ok. crap cleaner download here spywareblaster download here spybot s&d download here adawareSE download here IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK

Hey LurksWithin: Thanks for the links - I downloaded Crap Cleaner but the other tools were already on her computer. I'll try the winsock fix tomorrow, as she's sleeping right now. Any other ideas why it's freezing up whenever I try to do something internet or network-related? What if the winsock fix doesn't work? Thanks. -Andrew

Hey Lurk Thanks for crap cleaner I have been looking for something like that for a long time.....to replace something I use. I personally think you are hosed...if the winsock rebuild does not come back, the other freezes are also indications you have done real damage removing spyware. One of the reasons I use only Spybot or Pest patrol is just what happened to you. aadaware i find "wrenches" things out and leaves big gaping holes that can disable a system...this is not the Adaware of old folks! You need to run the Windows Repair from the cd and then reinstall the Sp2 after wards, it is not your problem. Boot to cd, pass the first option of repair and choose new install. Then after cd checks setup, select repair and let the cd do the rest. I think is only solution.

Rich and LurksWithin, Thanks for your help, I ended up doin' a clean format... there were too many problems and bs to get through, so I decided to do a clean install. Luckily, she had a i386 folder laying on her HD, so I partitioned and created a data drive, put her data on there, and did a completely fresh install of XP... worked like a charm. -Andrew