Cant download updates, open firewall settings and IE keeps crashin

Hi,

after installing SP2 on XP my PC has started behaving very oddly. I cannot
seem to switch on Automatic Updates, open windows firewall and after about 2
minutes of use my IE browser just vanishes!

I've tried installing / uninstalling other firewalls and software, manually
downloading updates from the site (i just get an error message) and
uninstalling other internet applications (nothing other than IE can connect
even though my Boradband connection is fine) but nothing works anymore!

Please can anyone help? How do I get my PC to behave like it used to?
--------------
JoJo_2345

JoJo,

Was the system clean of ALL malware prior to the installation of SP2 ?
Was the installed antivirus program actively monitoring the system
during the installation of SP2 ?

If the answer is NO to the first question or the answer is YES to the
second, suggest you uninstall SP2 from Add/Remove Programs in the
Control Panel.

Will wait for your reply prior to giving further steps to take.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

JoJo_2345 wrote:

> Hi,
>
> after installing SP2 on XP my PC has started behaving very oddly. I cannot
> seem to switch on Automatic Updates, open windows firewall and after about 2
> minutes of use my IE browser just vanishes!
>
> I've tried installing / uninstalling other firewalls and software, manually
> downloading updates from the site (i just get an error message) and
> uninstalling other internet applications (nothing other than IE can connect
> even though my Boradband connection is fine) but nothing works anymore!
>
> Please can anyone help? How do I get my PC to behave like it used to?
> --------------
> JoJo_2345

Hi Mow,

thanks, I can't be sure that I had no Malware since the SP2 install came as
an update and there was no antivirus monitoring during this installation.
I'll try removing SP2 tonight as suggested and get back to you.

thanks

--
--------------
JoJo_2345


"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> JoJo,
>
> Was the system clean of ALL malware prior to the installation of SP2 ?
> Was the installed antivirus program actively monitoring the system
> during the installation of SP2 ?
>
> If the answer is NO to the first question or the answer is YES to the
> second, suggest you uninstall SP2 from Add/Remove Programs in the
> Control Panel.
>
> Will wait for your reply prior to giving further steps to take.
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
> JoJo_2345 wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > after installing SP2 on XP my PC has started behaving very oddly. I cannot
> > seem to switch on Automatic Updates, open windows firewall and after about 2
> > minutes of use my IE browser just vanishes!
> >
> > I've tried installing / uninstalling other firewalls and software, manually
> > downloading updates from the site (i just get an error message) and
> > uninstalling other internet applications (nothing other than IE can connect
> > even though my Boradband connection is fine) but nothing works anymore!
> >
> > Please can anyone help? How do I get my PC to behave like it used to?
> > --------------
> > JoJo_2345
>

Hi MowGreen

SP2 is now uninstalled. Cannot download updates still though, I just keep
getting this message on the web.

The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are
trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem.
For self-help options:

Am a bit worried as none of my apps can access the web and there's no frewall.

What next?

Thanks,

JoJo
--
--------------
JoJo_2345


"JoJo_2345" wrote:

> Hi Mow,
>
> thanks, I can't be sure that I had no Malware since the SP2 install came as
> an update and there was no antivirus monitoring during this installation.
> I'll try removing SP2 tonight as suggested and get back to you.
>
> thanks
>
> --
> --------------
> JoJo_2345
>
>
> "MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > JoJo,
> >
> > Was the system clean of ALL malware prior to the installation of SP2 ?
> > Was the installed antivirus program actively monitoring the system
> > during the installation of SP2 ?
> >
> > If the answer is NO to the first question or the answer is YES to the
> > second, suggest you uninstall SP2 from Add/Remove Programs in the
> > Control Panel.
> >
> > Will wait for your reply prior to giving further steps to take.
> >
> > MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
> > ===============
> > *-343-* FDNY
> > Never Forgotten
> > ===============
> >
> > JoJo_2345 wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > after installing SP2 on XP my PC has started behaving very oddly. I cannot
> > > seem to switch on Automatic Updates, open windows firewall and after about 2
> > > minutes of use my IE browser just vanishes!
> > >
> > > I've tried installing / uninstalling other firewalls and software, manually
> > > downloading updates from the site (i just get an error message) and
> > > uninstalling other internet applications (nothing other than IE can connect
> > > even though my Boradband connection is fine) but nothing works anymore!
> > >
> > > Please can anyone help? How do I get my PC to behave like it used to?
> > > --------------
> > > JoJo_2345
> >

JoJo,

At this point obtaining updates is not your biggest issue.
The system is most likely infested with malware and system files have
been damaged/corrupted.
Since you can not access websites and thus can not install antivirus or
anti-malware tools, you can either download some tools on another
computer, attempt to disinfect yours by transferring the tools via a USB
thumb drive, OR, bring it to a reputable PC repair shop ( NOT a big box
store such as BestBuy/CompUsa/etc. ) for disinfecting.

You can enable the firewall :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673/
There's a video on that page that will show you exactly how. That will
not repair nor disinfect the system, though.

You stated

> there was no antivirus monitoring during this installation

Was there one installed ?


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


JoJo_2345 wrote:
> Hi MowGreen
>
> SP2 is now uninstalled. Cannot download updates still though, I just keep
> getting this message on the web.
>
> The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are
> trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem.
> For self-help options:
>
> Am a bit worried as none of my apps can access the web and there's no frewall.
>
> What next?
>
> Thanks,
>
> JoJo