[Inactive] Lost all control over my laptop

[Hoov]

Something is wrong with your networking protocols, and then rebuild of them is not working. Do you have the windows XP install CD that came with this computer? Do you have access to another computer with a CD burner and a broadband internet connection?

[easy80]

Install CD: Windows was installed by the network people when I was still working at the university, so no installation CD (not there anymore + on other continent...)

CD burner: normally yes

[Hoov]

Do you have a friend or family member that you can borrow an XP install CD (of the same type) from?

[easy80]

I can tell you in a few days, but at first glance not so obvious.
Would I have to do a complete reinstallation??

Any idea how this happened?

Thanks

[Hoov]

Hopefully we will be able to use the disk to repair the problem. I don't like doing reinstalls unless absolutely necessary. As to how it happened, it could have been malware, an error on the harddrive either physical or a problem during defrag. One other problem it could be, but I don't know if it is possible in your situation, is a novice user uninstalling something by deleting the folder instead of uninstalling. That is a very common way of causing windows problems. Had any kids over just before this happened? Friends with kids you let play on the computer?

[easy80]

Hi Hoov,

I hope you still remember this post :) , it has been a while but today I finally got a copy of the XP Pro installation disk.
Summarized: the problem with my laptop is that after been infected with malware, I can`t connect to the internet anymore, we tried a whole bunch of things but nothing worked, so you wanted to reinstall some things.

[Hoov]

Does it say what Service pack it is? I am also assuming that you have access to a clean computer with a CD burner and a broadband internet connection?

[easy80]

Hi,
sorry missed your reply. It is either service pack 2 or 3, not clear.
I could have access to computer with CD burner,but  memorystick transfers would definitely be easier.

Thanks again for your help!

[Hoov]

I would like you to create an XP SP3 install disc with all the current updates. This will make the repair easier, and if you actually have to do a reinstall, it will make that much easier as well. If you follow the instructions, it is a simple matter.

There is a nice little tool that I found a while back that works really good for XP.

First, this needs to be done on a clean computer. If that computer is running XP, then all is fine. But if that computer is running some other version of windows, then there is a problem that has a work around, just let me know.

Step 1 is to get all the updates for XP. There is a tool and instructions here on how to do just that.

Step 2 is to get the XP SP3 file from here.

Step 3 is to put it all together. There is a nice little program called nlite. The directions for using it are here, the page numbers are up at the top. The program is available here.

Read over the instructions of those two programs and let me know if you have any questions. These two tools make it possible to do the whole thing in a half dozen mouse clicks or so.

[Hoov]

easy80, have you been able to make that thumbdrive?