I have a friend who is having a computer problem that I really cant help with. Windows was just reinstalled trying to fix it but apperently it did not. It often will not open IE at all unless restart. It will not open programs even though they exist. It has even had problems installing some programs. Using adaware some things were detected but would not delete them. I am not sure if the drive was completely formatted then a reinstall was done or if that would make any difference. I assume that the startup disks for the computer were used. Occassionally IE will just close itself and not reopen. Any thoughts on how to fix this? I can find out more info if needed but explaining the things it is doing or not doing it hard.

hard drive corrupted possibly?

If the drive wasn't reformatted when the reinstall was done then I would say to reinstall being sure to delete the exist partition, create a new one, and format fresh. If it was reformatted then I agree with tolik, possible hard drive corruption.

Would running a full c drive format and then a fresh install do that?

yep

Is this Windows 95/98/Me, or 2000/XP?

If it's 2000/XP, the first thing you should do is open up the command prompt, and type "chkdsk /r c:". It will give you a message about c: being locked, and if you would like to do this on the next boot. Type Y(es).

If it's 95/98, let me know, I'll look up the exact syntax for scandisk.

After you reboot, and checkdisk runs, make sure you keep an eye out for things like bad clusters, etc.

If chkdsk runs ok, then you need to reinstall. Rather than reformatting and losing all data, Windows setup will allow you to install to a different directory (e.g. C:\WIN instead of existing C:\WINDOWS). This is an effectively new install since no settings or anything are carried over from the old install (you can delete the old directory once the new Windows starts.

On the other hand, if you suspect a virus and/or you can backup existing data without much trouble, reformat/reinst is the easiest way to go.

There is really not much data on it now I dont think because the setup disks were used to try to correct the problems..I think though myself that a complete format must be done but first I will suggest scandisk and its xp so its easier just to see if that fixes it.

If a reinstall of XP is needed you don't need to format first. During the text mode portion of the XP installation it will ask where windows should be installed. On that page choose to delete the current partition, then you will need to create a new partition and format it. The instructions are right there on the screen. It's really very simple.

When I reinstall XP these are the steps I take. Typical amount of time is 2 - 3 hours (or more) depending on processor speed, amount of data (& backup method), plus the number of peripherals and applications to reinstall.
1: Gather all necessary CD's (Windows, Drivers & Applications, etc.).
2: Backup data to an external storage (CD, DVD, 2nd hard drive, etc.)
3: Disconnect peripherals (printers, scanners, cameras, etc.)
4: Reinstall the OS
5: Install drivers
6: Install Windows updates
7: Install peripherals
8: Install applications & apply updates (I usually install antivirus & security software last)
9: Restore data
10: Run the Disk Cleanup Wizard, then manually delete the files Disk Cleanup misses
11: Defragment hard drive

Ok here is where we stand now..first the computer was formatted and the install disks put on but that still did not solve the problem even though I think it should have..so something must have not went just right..now SP2 has been installed and all seems well and good so far..but..after windows starts..it will connect to im but will not connect to ie or any other web page. What need to be done to correct this? In trying to connect to ie only page can not be found errors happen. Thanks in advance!!!

Are you sure it's not a connection problem?

I've had instances where people can connect to an IM client but not surf the web due to connection problems.

What kind of connection is the computer on?

Goto www.dslreports.com and do a speed test (Under tools).

cable modem connection.. No web page will come up so dsl reports is out

Heh....I'm an idiot.

Try going to command prompt and typing:
ping www.yahoo.com

see if it resolves an IP for www.yahoo.com, it may not get any ping results, but it may still resolve an ip

that didnt work either..just an error

What error?

If you can't ping or even resolve an IP, then it's not a problem with ie. It's either connection configuration problems or configuration problems.

Not sure exactly of the error but tommorrow they are going to call tech support on the chance they can solve it. I think that it could be just a setting within sp2 that is causing this issue.

How is the computer connecting to the cable modem? If wired, try swapping the cable with another. Also, check the connection on the cable modem, computer &/or router. Not uncommon for connections to become loose or cables to suddenly go bad.

I did have them unplug the connections and turn off the computer and then restart the hook them back up but that seemed to not work. I will reccomend swapping cables.

Do you have a firewall up? Is it possible the firewall is blocking IE from going online?

dunno since its not me but i assume not other than what sp2 would do. I am just getting the info on problems and trying to help. I am no where near the computer with issues

ok we are this far..internet explorer works now. Norton antivirus has detected a few things.....C:\windows\system32\ocehtj.exe and W32.Wallz but will not delete them and access to those files is denied..how can they get deleted or is there a program that will delete them?

Ctrl+Alt+Del
Click the Processes tab
Find the process, highlight then End Process
You can now delete the file....if it doesn't restart on its own.

You can also boot into safe mode and try deleting. That's what I usually do. I also like to run full virus scans in safe mode.