-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Stymied here
- From: <recklessmaverick@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:20:57 -0400
First use System Restore and restore the computer to an earlier time where
the CD drive worked. If the problem is fixed by the restore, the culprit
will be something that was done after that restore point was created.
If the restore did not fix the drive problem, undo it. Run the Dell
diagnostics tool to check the drive. If you don't know how to do that check
the owner's manual or other documentation available at the Dell support
site.
You could also uninstall the current driver then reboot the computer. XP
should see the drive and automatically install the driver (with or maybe
without any prompts or error messages) or tell you it can't find the driver
and ask to search the internet for it. Say yes.
If all that fails open the case and swap the SATA cables for the hard drive
and the CD drive at the motherboard connections. If that fixes the CD
problem it might move the problem to the hard drive. If that fails, leave
those swapped and swap them where they connect to the drives. If that fails
then you likely have a bad drive. If it works, the cable that should now be
connected to the hard drive is likely bad. If the first swap moved the
problem to the hard drive it suggests a problem with the SATA controller.
If you try any of these steps please take notes for each step so you can
tell us what you found after each step. It might help to use a Sharpie and
put a mark on the SATA cable that is connected to the CD drive so you can ID
it if you get confused with all the swapping around.
Still broke? Replace the CD Drive. Or better still, strongly consider
replacing the computer. These days you can find modest desktop and laptop
systems that will outperform that old XP system and cost less than $300. If
a computer is old enough to be running XP and have a broke CD drive it is
likely that more things will start breaking or simply wear out. In 6 months
to a year you could spend more than $300 keeping it running.
Even though I do not think a virus or other malware problem would cause a CD
drive to malfunction (at least not as its intended function) I do agree with
everybody that the system must have some internet security software
installed. Follow the suggestions/instructions that Jimmy provided. After
each software is installed update it before you run the scan. Run full/deep
scan with each software immediately after updating. If nothing is found but
the virus message keeps popping up, back up all data and reinstall XP.
Before installing any of that software take a second look at the computer
and confirm there is no other security software installed. Especially
Anti-virus software since it will definitely have problems if you have two
anti-virus programs installed.
If there is no known antivirus software installed, what is popping up the
virus message? What does the virus message say?
HTH
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jimmy Dalla
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 7:40 PM
To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Stymied here
Hi Jo Ann,
It seems impossible that a computer running XP does not have antivirus
software. XP does come with a firewall (a very weak one though, and it can
be turned off). Any computer that has been connected to the internet is
exposed almost constantly to Trojan horse or other malware, especially if
faster than a dial-up connection.
If you can get online get some of the free antivirus and Trojan programs,
also anti-rootkit support. I'd suggest the Microsoft Security Essentials
for anti-viruses. And especially I'd also download MalwareBytes'
Anti-malware for Trojans. (And personally, I'd also download and run the
MSRT-Root Kit and the latest Spybot Search and Destroy. That's just me - a
belt and suspenders kind of guy.)
All are freeware. I did not include a link because anyone can Google on
these names and get the software download sites.
Make sure the firewall is turned on.
Now as to the order of download, install and operation:
1. MSE first. Download, get off-line, install, and deep scan.
2. Malwarebytes next. Download, get off-line install, and run a complete
scan.
3. Then the MSRT Rootkit and Spybot S&D.
Finally, timely maintenance of these programs is suggested.
Ciao,
Jimmy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pctechtalk-
> bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of bookworm54 tds.net
> Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 1:49 PM
> To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Stymied here
>
> I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear, this is not my computer and I know
very
> little about it. As far as I can see, there is no active anti-virus
software on it. I
> want to put something on, but with no CD drive, I don't see how I can.
Will
> hook it up to the internet and see if it will let me download something, I
guess.
> Jo Ann
>
> On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Sr. Dorothy Robinson
> <srdorothy@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
> > Jo Ann,
> > Are you running an antivirus software? With Windows, that is
> > something you really can't do without. If you do have one, have you
> > updated the definitions lately (sometimes it's automatic) or run a scan?
> Results?
> > Sr. Dorothy
> > On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 8:05 AM, bookworm54 tds.net
> > <bookworm54@xxxxxxx
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > I have a computer I'm trying to work on without much luck. It's a
> > > Dell Dimension E521 desktop running XP media edition. Friends said
> > > they think
> > it
> > > has a virus or worm as it keeps popping up virus messages. It has no
> > > PS2 ports, only USB. The only drives it has are a hard drive and CD,
> > > which
> > are
> > > both SATA drives. The CD is seen and recognized in the BIOs, but
> > > doesn't show in my computer. When you put a disk in it the light
> > > blinks for a while, then stops, doesn't read the disk. There are no
> > > IDE plugs on the mobo,
> > and
> > > I
> > > don't have a SATA CD drive. How can I do anything with it? By the
> > > way, it boots and runs normally except for a disk seek error on
> > > startup which you can bypass by hitting F1. With no internet hooked
up, it
> seems normal.
> > > Don't
> > > see any virus messages. Where to start?
> > > Jo Ann
> >
> >
>
>
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