Computer Problems... Help?

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:24 pm

I've been updating some programs and now AVG fails to run and I can't even get it to uninstall or repair. I think this is due to other programs and I've tried everything I can think of to get it work but with no avail. So I've decided the best thing to do is a reinstall of Windows (XP) and start fresh.

My question being that I've forgotten which button I press and hold down at startup to make the reinstall start. I have a feeling it's F10 but I'm not sure. I don't have a reboot disk or anything since the reboot information is in the computer. I did this once over a year ago but I've completely forgotten which button I press. x.x I know it's a high-numbered F key but that's about it.

If anyone please knows, your help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Post by **JWR** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:00 pm

Before you reinstall , I would first attempt to run system restore back to a date before you added any aditional programs that may now be causing your problems.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:05 pm

I am no computer expert, but here are a few things you can try:

1. Depending upon the brand and bio, to get into bio mode, windows safe model or factory reinstall mode, the keys are usually F2, F3 & F10 (at least for the brands I have used). Your computer should tell you at boot time or you can find it in the operatiing menu, brand on-line help or help within the computer.
2. AVG is a free anit-virus software, right? If so, you may want to reinstall the software and don't need to restore the factory software.

Hope this help. Good lucck.

kizu · Post by **kizu** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:10 pm

I thought AVG discontinued their free anti-virus...

SME · Post by **SME** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:33 pm

I agree with JWR. Anytime a program fails to run or causes some sort of error, always try a system restore first. If the most recent system restore doesn't work, then try the one before that. About 95% of the time most errors can be fixed just by using a system restore.

Make sure you are 100% sure you want a 'fresh install' of Windows XP. That means, back up all your important files and documents and anything else that you may be using and would like to save. If you have an external hard drive, that would be the best way to save your files. Basically, a fresh install is a new install, and not only do you wipe your hard drive clean but also have an opportunity to partition the drive once again, so you can add or take away more space for your drive. Usually it is best to install the platform on one drive ( C: ) and then all your important files/documents onto a second drive ( D: ) so that way if you ever have to do another re-install, your files are safe on the D: drive and you can just go ahead and wipe the C: drive.

shellie · Post by **shellie** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:38 pm

I was talking with someone else regarding the AVG Free thing just a few days ago, Nene... it seems that they advertised somewhere (though I never got the memo!

) that they were discontinuing the AVG Free 7.1 as of 2/18. So it supposedly would stop working today. BUT, there is a 7.5 available ... I ran over yesterday and updated to 7.5 (still free), and mine is working fine today. I don't know if 7.5 is still available, but you might try to reinstall the new one. However, I think you may have more problems if you can't even uninstall the old one... that doesn't make sense if they were just discontinuing the 7.1, it shouldn't stop you from doing the uninstall.

Sorry I'm not more help! I hope you get your computer up and running smoothly again!!

Japoro · Post by **Japoro** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:30 pm

Version 7.5 is still free, and is available from many places online (Grisoft, CNet etc..)

Version 7.1 is still working, I just updated mine a few hours ago and it took with no problems. So I am thinking that there is a missing or corrupted file somewhere, that is more or likely the culprit. I agree with trying a system restore first.

Good luck

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:47 am

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've already tried a restore twice and there's a missing file in AVG somewhere that renders is useless so it won't start, won't fix and won't uninstall. I updated it to the 7.5 on Saturday and that was fine but I was messing around with other programs too and I think that pushed it over. I only really have word documents, music and pictures of any major importance so I was going to burn them onto disc first. I'll ask around at work today but I think it's F10 to reinstall. Someone else told me F8 so I was a little confused. ^_^;

Incase I wasn't clear enough, it's the key you hold down right at the beginning on the black screen virtually as soon as the computer starts and it takes you into the reinstall mode.

I also want to make sure I fully get rid of the cursed McAfee Security System which was a bugger to remove and I'm not even sure I got all of it when I did it about 6 months ago.

Basically, I think my computer needs to start from scratch again so it can run faster without all the previous crap blocking it up. ^_^;

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:28 am

Got it sorted now I think. ^_^

I've been Googling some more and I've found out that it is indeed F10 to start the Recovery program which will do a destructive reinstall of Windows for me.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll be backing up all my stuff after work this week and then on Friday when I'm off, hopefully I can reinstall. I suppose this gave me an opportunity to clean the computer out so it isn't all bad.

Ronin · Post by **Ronin** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:23 am

Glad you got it sorted..I soo need to do a complete reset of my computer as it's running sooooooooooooo s-l-o-w...whenever I open my 'Cels' folder (where I keep all my cel pictures) it almost crashes my computer! I guess I better add it to my 'to do' list!

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:04 pm

It's running alot faster now which makes it worth it. n.n

Also, I think the error was due to Spysweeper. I updated to the new version and ever since then, my computer didn't function properly. I downloaded it again today after the reinstall and when it was running Opera was taking ages to load web pages and often didn't load anything unless I closed and reopened the browser.
The computer then crashed and blamed it on something to do with the processor being too advanced for the system it was in or something like that. Never had that message before (apart from just before the reinstall).
So now I only use it to sweep the computer after surfing the net instead of keeping it on during. Seems to work that way. Just incase anyone else was having problems, I thought I'd throw this in.