Win 2000, anyone else having this problem?

[Yo-DUH_87]

Well, a couple days ago I was going around and making sure all the family systems are working ok, updating the software, etc. I was working on my sister's computer, went to uninstall a program, and all I got on the add/remove programs menu was the text: "Add or Remove ProgramsCurrently installed programs" or something to that accord, and nothing else! No buttons, no list

I thought this was rather strange, so I started looking for and noticing other things that were weird. The control panel instead of having the web column on the left, had a 75% empty white column on the right, same for printers. Network and Dialup connections was empty, and the computer refused to access the windows update site!! The computer also started taking insane amounts of time to boot, because it is "preparing network connections."

I decided this was strange enough, so I pulled the plug on the network (can't be too careful!).

So, I rebooted, and same thing! I was showing it to someone else, they rebooted the computer, and it was fine. Rebooted the computer one more time, and it was back again. No matter how many times I rebooted after that, it wouldn't go back to normal...

I finally gave in, backed the system up (only the essential documents and files), and reloaded. That seemed to cure the problem, and I went about restoring the system to it's previous state.

Yesterday, my mom was complaining about her computer acting a little strange, it wasn't printing. So, I went to check it out, and guess what? Same thing as the other computer (the reason it wouldn't print is because some bonehead (me ) forgot to install the printer, not whatever is causing these other problems), the control panel folder margins were whacked, couldn't access windows update, etc. I restarted, and everything was fine, ala-other-computer. Rebooted again, and it was back...

I'm now afraid to reboot my other computers! I rebooted the only XP machine in the house (everyone else is 2000 or Linux), and it is fine (thank goodness). I have also been attempting to experiment with another 2000 computer to see if it is a Windows update causing the problem, but it keeps crashing whilst updating...

All the computers in the house (with the exception of the Linux server) are running VirusScan 7 (updated to most recent version), and behind my D-Link firewall. The affected computers are running 2000.

Anyone had similar problems? Do I have a virus (again!)?

Looks like I get to reload all the house computers today in addition to my other responsibilities :grr:

[leejsmith]

that sounds like a problem i had when i had msblast virus on my 2000 server.

the pc was running very very slow because the rpc service was taking all of the cpu time. this stopped network connections from showing , control panel ect ,ect

check task manager to see if anything is eating away at your cpu time.

it might not be this but i shounds just like what happend to me.

[utabintarbo]

Originally posted by Yo-DUH_87
...

So, I rebooted, and same thing! I was showing it to someone else, they rebooted the computer, and it was fine. Rebooted the computer one more time, and it was back again. No matter how many times I rebooted after that, it wouldn't go back to normal...

...

The common thread here seems to be you: Yo-DUH_87 - the human computer virus!

Bob

[Joe]

Originally posted by Yo-DUH_87

Anyone had similar problems? Do I have a virus (again!)?

I tell ya its bad when you ad '(again)' after the line "Do I have a virus"

hehehe

[Yo-DUH_87]

Originally posted by Joe
I tell ya its bad when you ad '(again)' after the line "Do I have a virus"

hehehe

Last virus I got to deal with was Klez, which was not fun. Before that was Nimda, and before that was ILOVEYOU...

I finaly broke down and bought virus scanning software after ILOVEYOU, and it has not detected any one of these viruses I have gotten until AFTER I have reloaded to solve the problem... I think I have been among the first to get these fun viruses

I'll start checking for something using massive ammounts of CPU time (other than distributed computing, of course )...

The common thread here seems to be you: Yo-DUH_87 - the human computer virus!

[DualSingularity]

I had problems with windows update and it turned out to be that my clock was out of sync. If your clock is more than 60 days behind normal time windows update wont work. Hope this helps.

[ksw]

hmm.. this sound awfully alot like someone has been at your computer and played a littel with you settings... u tried rightclicking on my computer and choose "manage" ? im sure youll find your way around there eventually, its kinda difficullt to explain...

[Yo-DUH_87]

Originally posted by ksw
hmm.. this sound awfully alot like someone has been at your computer and played a littel with you settings... u tried rightclicking on my computer and choose "manage" ? im sure youll find your way around there eventually, its kinda difficullt to explain...

Finaly figured it out, the latest drivers for my D-Link Wi-Fi cards are buggy as I'll get out. So, made a call to tech support and should have an awnswer about it soon.

Makes me mad, though, shouldn't have to do that. I hope they get it resolved quickly (I'm using an very old version right now).

I'll try to remember to update this thread if/when I get a definate answer