HP Compaq Mini 110 netbook doesn't work

[Corrine]

Good job!

You might not want to do all the updates at once.  It usually goes better to do a bunch, restart, do some more, restart, etc. 

[pastywhitegurl]

drat... edit time expired... I meant to say that there is nothing in the recycle bin.

[pastywhitegurl]

oops.   All 114 have been downloaded, and it is halfway through the install. I guess I'll let it finish and see if it completes them. I saw Internet Explorer update to IE8 is included in this batch too.

[Corrine]

Fingers crossed they all take.

I did say it was an off the wall suggestion but it was worth checking.  (Then again, I'm still laughing at myself for not seeing the obvious earlier with the Wi-Fi connection problem.  Thank goodness Winchester73 came along & suggested connecting directly to the router.)

Let us know when you've finished installing updates and what still needs to be fixed.  (I think we can call any restore of this netbook a miracle.  Your dedication seems to be paying off. :rose: )

[winchester73]

About the antivirus question ... I would judge you to be safe as long as all you are doing is downloading MS updates, however once you decide to do anything else, I'd want MSE installed.

[winchester73]

Then again, I'm still laughing at myself for not seeing the obvious earlier with the Wi-Fi connection problem.  Thank goodness Winchester73 came along & suggested connecting directly to the router.

This only came to mind because my wireless connection has been flaky the last couple of days, so I hard-wired in order to avoid all the drops, etc.

[pastywhitegurl]

Success!  All updates installed and I am now browsing on IE8.

And there is sound!  I just heard the tinny Windows music playing on signoff and signon.


Installed MSE successfully. It is now running a scan.

[winchester73]

Obviously, it would be good to run a Secunia online inspector scan to check for any updates that you still need ...

[pastywhitegurl]

I'm grateful you are posting things which are obvious to you.  Because they are not obvious to me--haha!

Off to do a Secunia scan.

[winchester73]

I have to confess, after reading your first post, I thought this machine was relegated to being a doorstop ... good job so far ... perhaps it will be useable after all.

[pastywhitegurl]

Indeed...I'm amazing myself at each turn of this.

Current status:

had to install Java to run the Secunia scan.  Installed most recent version Java. Version test successful.
Secunia showed multiple windows security updates needed.

Did another update via the windows update link in the programs list in the start menu.

Secunia shows all vulnerabilities patched now. :)

MSE scans are clean.  I installed Spyware Blaster as another line of defense.
I uninstalled ESET online scanner.  (Which I find odd that I had to download an "online" scanner.)

What else should I do before  adding some personal programs I know my friend uses?

[pastywhitegurl]

This is a list of folders under c;\ programs:
Just wondering if this is all benign

Atheros
Broadcom
Common Files
com plux applications
IDT
Intel
Internet Explorer
Java
Malwarebytes Antimalware
Messenger
microsoft frontpage
Microsoft Security Client
Movie maker
MSN
MSN Gaming zone
NetMeeting
Online Servies
Outlook Express
spyware blaster
synaptics
windows media Connect 2
Windows media Player
Windows NT
xerox

Some do not appear in the Add/remove programs list (like Messenger, MSN, MSN gaming, moviemaker, xerox

Ilso cant' seem to change the front page from the MSN site. 

[pastywhitegurl]

A deeper Secunia scan is showing that IE6 still exists and is unpatched here:

C:\Windows\erdnt\cache\IEXPLORER.EXE\

Creation date of it is today.  Can I just delete the .exe file from that folder?

[pastywhitegurl]

Some things I am going to need help with:
In the add-on's manager (which asserts no add ons are enabled)  all the following are marked as enabled:

Shockwave flash object
MUWebControlClass
Java(tm) Plug-in SSV helper
Jave(tm) Plug-in 2 SSV helper

Not Available:
Diagnose Connection Problem
Windows Messenger

I'm assuming this means these were once installed with IE6, but  perhaps need to be reinstalled for the new IE8 update?    And if so, how do I get rid of the old installations and enable the new ones? It looks like I can enable and disable the addons individually.

One thing I would like to do is replace Messenger with a Skype installation, but if I need to leave Messenger there, I wonder if it should be updated to Windows live messenger....but I don't want to load down this little machine with too much "stuff" so I want your advice on that.

[Corrine]

Regarding C:\Windows\erdnt\cache\IEXPLORER.EXE\ , give TFC a go:

Download TFC to your desktop

• Open the file and close any other windows.
  
• It will close all programs itself when run, make sure to let it run uninterrupted.
  
• Click the Start button to begin the process. The program should not take long to finish its job
  
• Once its finished it should reboot your machine, if not, do this yourself to ensure a complete clean

By add-ons, do you mean IE8 add-ons?  On IE8, I believe "Diagnose Connection Problem" is in the Tools Menu. 

Regarding your start page, check SpywareBlaster > Misc. IE Settings.  Make sure the box is UNchecked by the "Disable the IE Home Page Settings . . ." option.

I'll leave your Skype question for someone who has used it.  :)