Is This Just Me

[mannaoz]

My First Post

And its a question.

I have over the last 4 weeks reinstalled XP pro with 2 brand new HDD sata (1)

160g 2 partitions C: D: all for the OS and Progs.

I run this machine as a stand alone 24/7 and have auto update running.

Now last Sunday things started to go wrong that was strange to me "wanted to do a search the outline was there but nothing inside only the dog waiting for me.

Also I noted that the System Mechanic Prog had the same problem

I rang a friend to see what he thought tried the system restore but this just sits

I rang microsoft to ask who to fix this but as they said the Reg # was an OEM I would have to go to the Company that sold the computer.

Now on my Laptop the Office 2003 has stopped I have tried to uninstall it but it wont let me as it says " This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch package exits and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer Patch Packet.

OK this situation seems strange I have tried to reinstall from the CD but get the same message ??

Also the wireless adaptor has been disconnected on the laptop and I have to reinstall every time I start the machine this is the pits.

Now I cant see how I could have created these two problems.

The Laptop is not used as often and I only turned it on when the Desktop started to fail.

I just wonder if the Microsoft folk are doing things to create user problems.

I have screen shots if needed.

Hope someone can help here .

Jeff

[Jeremy]

I just wonder if the Microsoft folk are doing things to create user problems.

Yes, Microsoft is hacking into your system and overwritting your files with small thumbnails of Bill Gates.

Sounds to me like it might be a virus/rootkit infection.

Spyware:

Download, install and update both Ad-Aware SE Personal v1.06R1 and Spybot S&D v1.4. Do full system scans with both and clean/fix any infections they report.

Viruses:

Download, install and update Kaspersky Anti-Virus v6.0.2.621. Do a full system scan and let it clean anything it reports. Reboot if an infection cannot be initially cleaned/deleted.

Kaspersky's trial lasts 30 days. If you wish to use this product for one year legally, use the AOL version labeled ActiveVirusShield.

Note: For ActiveVirusShield, enter your e-mail address here for a free 1-year activation code. Your e-mail will not be subjected to spam.

If you prefer freeware then use Avast! Home Edition v4.7, or AntiVir v7.00.04.13. The latter has an even higher detection rate than Kaspersky and NOD32. For more information about anti-virus products, please visit http://www.av-comparatives.org.

Also, your malware may have a specific removal tool. For example, the Vundo Virus can be removed by Vundo Fix v6.3.19.

[mannaoz]

Ok after spending all day doing the house work one both these mahines. And finding some viruses and bad files. All cleaned still get the same message when I try to uninstall the Office 2003 suite.

" This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch package exits and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer Patch Packet."

Any clues.

I am thinking of going into the regestry and deleting from there and the program but that is a pain and frought with danger I think

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