I agree it has saved my butt many times.

Couple of years ago, a friend had a lockup problem with a browswer. I can't recall but I think it was wiwth IE. Anyway, it would lockup the computer. It was a virus. I think it was a "worm." It took me a ridiculous amount of time to get it going. Like 16 hours or so.

BTW, this was a well-known virus/worm. I don't recall the name of it but it hit countless thousands of computers.


------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

Having a drive image is extremely important. I myself use 'Drive Image by PowerQuest' and in case of any serious trouble restoring is a piece of cake.

The image I took was created after a clean installation of XP, drivers, updates, patches, MSoffice, best audio-programs. (2 DVD's)

Another handy tool is HitmanPro ( at www.hitmanpro.nl) to get rid of spyware etc. Works perfect.


[This message has been edited by kla4 (edited 06-12-2006).]

Hi Scott. I used dbpoweramp last year and it messed up my PC big time. I don't think it likes to work with Windows Media player or Creative Media Source all at the same time (or it may be AMD processors?). I refuse to install it now and have not had any problems since. I'm not sure what Google and the forums say these days but there were quite a few compatablility issues when I checked last time. Good luck bud.

Ok gang: After speaking with Synthzone PC gurus Bill (Abacus) & Mike Sutliff on Skype, I think I've finally got the problem licked. It appears that upon installing the Windows 9.1 Codec updates (for dbAmp Music Converter) that Mozilla Firefox 1.07 (sorry for citing 1.17 by mistake), that it may have corrpupted something in Mozilla Firefox, causing (when browsing in Firefox) that more than annoying unexpectant freeze+shutdown in Firefox thing to happen.

I've since REMOVED Firefox 1.07 (via add/remove programs)and everything appears to be working fine again. The only glitch I encountered trouble getting IE (not Firefox) my default browswer again. I've since discovered that not only did I have to go to the IE Internet Properties: 'Programs Tab' window, and check the 'Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser' checkbox, but also SELECT the 'Reset Web Settings' button on that same page as well. Only after doing BOTH these things was I then able to OPEN web links (via IE), from other programs.


I don't think my situation arose from a result of a virus, especially because I ran Norton Anti-virus and everything came back clean. I believe my problem arose from installation of new WMA codec files Firefox couldn't recognize, of which may have corrupted the Firefox registry. Anyway, if your symptoms or things that let up to the problem on your daugheter's PC is similar to mine, you might try the steps I took. I hope you'll find a fix soon as well.


Sorry, my error. I had version 1.07 installed.


Graham. Thanks for the wise suggestion. Realizing there are several competing software programs which do the same thing, is Norton Ghost still the prefered utility for this task?


Bill, per your recommendation, I've completed removed Firefox 1.07, and using IE 6 alone for now. Also per your recommendation, I attempted to upgrade to IE 7 beta2, but following installation & reboot, for whatever reason, IE7 beta2 did not succesfully install, leaving me with the latest version IE6 instead. Mike Sutliff tried the same thing on his PC and met with the same result. In the meantime, I still haven't decided whether I'll install Mozilla Firefox 1.5 now or not, especially because IE6 seems to functioning w/o problems.


Interestingly enough, no new hardware has been added recently, but the good thing is that after having removed Firefox 1.07, and no longer browsing with it, the problem (fingered crossed) seems to have disappeared completely.



Kla4: Yes, I'm familiar with this excellent program. Does Drive image basically accomplish the same thing as Norton Ghost? Curious how these 2 programs compare? For Spyware, I run "SpySweeper" & "Adaware" and they seem to be doing the job.


Hi Craig, sorry to hear about the problems you had with dbpoweramp, but I suspect the problem I was experiencing had nothing to do with dbpoweramp itself, but Firefox instead. Of course I can't be certain, but so far now, everything's working good again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Wow. This truly is a terrific forum for not music alone, but just about everything else too. Many Thanks again to EVERYONE that responded for your input and help. Much appreciated guys.

Scott

I also use drive image but they were bought out by Norton so if you search for drive image the norton ghost page is what usually shows up.

Yipee! My PC Problem is finally RESOLVED!
Both the SOURCE of the problem and the FIX (resolution) to it have been solved & performed. As others had suggested, I initially suspected the problem was perhaps the result of a recent upgrade installation of Windows Media Audio Codecs for 'dbPower Amp Music Converter', or possibly a corruption with my Mozilla 'Firefox Internet Browser Program'. In the meantime, Synthzone Member Bill (Abacus) contacted & advised me that neither of those things would typically cause the PC to completely turn itself off the way mine did. Bill suspected the problem instead, to be HARDWARE related, and possibly a corrputed or out of date Video Card driver instead, causing the Video Card itself to malfunction. Lo and behold, following the next incidence of my PC's freeze & crash syndrome, and then giving permission for my PC to report the crash incidence to Microsoft, Microsoft returned with a message saying my Video Card driver needed to be updated, and then automatically launched Windows Updater, presenting the latest Driver for my Video Card available on my PC's screen to download and install via Windows Updater. AFter running Windows Updater and installing the new driver, everything's working fine again. (knock on wood). Many thanks to EVERYONE here, but especially Bill (Abacus) and Mike Sutliff for their expertise and support. - Scott

Glad to be of help.

Bill