Several Computer problems lately

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

Someone here or on TUG posted about all the new stuff we needed, so I downloaded the new Microsoft patches that came out.

1. I use Earthlink and now when I go to 'disconnect' and click...my computer won't disconnet, no matter how long I wait. Used to be done fairly fast. Now I have to do a control/alt/delete to bring up the windows task manager, delete the Earthlink task bar, then go to the bottom, click off something else and then start over so I can hang up. I know...it is completely crazy, but it is the only way I can disconnect! I've tried looking in various places to see if I can turn something off or on, but can't find anything. Can anyone out there help me, or is this a 'call Earthlink' deal?

2. Since the download, when I connect to the internet, I find I am not always connected to the internet, but get an icon that says I am not, so I know where to go to unclick that! Never saw this before either.

3. On going problem: sending and recieving graphics and pictures. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't get pictures/graphics from others. But NO one gets either from me? How do I fix this problem? I have talked to Earthlink and they are 'working' on it...for 2 years????

4. Different people at different times tell me that some of my email is chopped off...they are missing the punchline or the last part of the email. What causes that? How do I fix that?

5. Sometimes I get emails that come in the smallest printmaybe this small or smaller I know they don't send them that way...and neither do I have my PC set up to accept all emails that small.

Any answers/solutions will be greatly appreciated.

[Timesharetalk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Timesharetalk]

Can you expand on "all the new stuff we needed" ? What did you download and install ?

Also, do you have system restore enabled on your machine? If you do not know how to check, do the following -

Click on START, Control Panel. When the control panel window opens, click on SYSTEM, and then click on the SYSTEM RESTORE tab at the top.

You will then see if it is enabled or not.

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

There were 10 different patches, and I don't remember what they all were...but I installed all of them. Some were security patches, I know.
I finally remembered to reboot my PC defaults...except for the pictures that I send, but no one gets and the cut off emails.

[Timesharetalk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Timesharetalk]

So it was the WIndows security updates ?

OK, do you have system restore enabled ?

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

I think before I would do a restore I would do a few things:
1. Run a virus program
2. Run at least 2 of these spy ware detection programs (No-Adware, Spybot, or Microsoft AntiSpyware)
3. Defrag the hard drive
4. Empty all temp folders

I think you need to run more then 1 , with the most current UPDATED detection files, spy ware program. I run all three back to back and all three will catch spy ware programs. I would also do search to see if others are having the same problems you are having after installing the updates.

What are the specs of your computer?

Mike

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

So it was the WIndows security updates ?

OK, do you have system restore enabled ?

Here is the thread that started all this, Timesharetalk:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/showthread.php?t=12489

So what ever needed to be added, was added. I really didn't pay any attention...or remember.

Everything is running fine now, except my ongoing problem with sending or receiving graphics and pictures. I can receive 'some' but not all, but when it comes to sending any pictures or graphics out (unless they are an attachment) people tell me they don't get the pictures/graphics. This has been going on since before I bought this PC a year and a half ago. So I think it's an Earthlink program.

As for 'system restore' I haven't found that yet but will keep looking in case I ever need it. Thanks for the help.

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

I think before I would do a restore I would do a few things:
1. Run a virus program
2. Run at least 2 of these spy ware detection programs (No-Adware, Spybot, or Microsoft AntiSpyware)
3. Defrag the hard drive
4. Empty all temp folders

I think you need to run more then 1 , with the most current UPDATED detection files, spy ware program. I run all three back to back and all three will catch spy ware programs. I would also do search to see if others are having the same problems you are having after installing the updates.

What are the specs of your computer?

Mike

1. I run my anti virus program at least once a week.

2. I have Spy Bot and it runs about once a week and usually finds nothing.

3. I defrag my hard drive and have just done so.

4. I do remember to empty my temp files.

I think Big Frank and someone else had a few small problems after they installed these new patches. You could find that answer in the link I posted above.

Specs of my PC? I run Windows XP on a Dell.