OT: Computer troubles... can you help??!!

[Tondi G]

Well we went to the Disneyland website and it said we couldn't view cause we needed to update our browser. SO DH went through the steps and downloaded the new browser for Internet Explorer and now we can't view any of the pics saved on our desktop and we can't access our control panel!!!! What the heck! I am thankful that I think all the pics have been saved to our external harddrive.... thank goodness but this is really frustrating!

At first an error message was coming up saying the Watson debugger had a problem (never had a debugger before???) and was closing, did we want to report it to microsoft.... when you clicked yes it just froze up!

DH went through with the Microsoft system works and did what he could to clean things up.... he did away with the debugger he found but now it just won't open the files and pics on the desktop and we still can't access our control panel. Anyone have this problem? Do you think it could be a virus even though we have antivirus software? HELP!

ANY SUGGESTIONS???

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01 and Aidan 5/4/05

[elliput]

I just ran a google search on Watson Debugger - it is a legitimate Microsoft Windows app http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/drwatson_overview.mspx?mfr=true , and there are tons of posts to help boards with what sounds like similiar problems to yours.

Sorry I don't have a quick and easy answer for you.:( I just hope you don't end up having to do a complete Windows re-install.

HTH!

[DebbieJ]

You can call Microsoft for free. They will take control of your computer and fix it.

I was having problems with Outlook and after a 1+ hour phone call, all is well.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[Tondi G]

Oh Cool! I didn't know I could call Microsoft for free! I'm going to get their number and call when my little guy goes down for a nap!!!! Thanks

~Tondi

[BillK]

It sounds to me like you got a lot more going on with your computer than a bad browser install. As a pp said - Dr. Watson is part of Windows and should not be removed.

Simply having an Anti Virus program on your computer doesn't guarantee you won't get a virus (especially if it's not updated regularly) - nor does it guarantee you you won't get your system bogged down with ad-ware and spyware. Having a decent firewall is also usefull - Windows XP has one built in - you should have it on if you have XP.

First off - make sure whatever Anti Virus program you're using is updated with the latest virus definitions - if you don't subscribe to the update service your antivirus software offers - you need to get a decent free Anti Virus program like AVG Free Edition from Grisoft: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 (the pay edition of AVG is also really nice and includes Firewall protection)

Next - you need to be sure your computer isn't bogged down and bloated with spyware and adware - download, install and update Adaware from: http://www.lavasoft.de/ (should be a free personal version there) and also download, install and update SpyBot Search and Destroy from: http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html

Run a full virus scan of your entire system - and run full adware/spyware scans with both Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy.

I'd also suggest once you get things cleaned up defragment your hard drives.

I'm also a fan of Firefox vs. Internet Explorer - I only use IE now when it's a website that I MUST use it for.

Hope some of that helps.

edit: P.S. - as far as not being able to view pics any longer - I suspect that maybe whatever update you installed to your browser changed the default viewer for .jpg images to itself vs. what you used to use to open pictures with. Try holding Shift and right clicking the pic you want to view - then choose "open with.." and pick the program to use to open a picture with (there should also be a check box there to make that program the default program to open pictures with).