I downloaded Ad-Aware and Spybot on Monday. Since the Spybot prompted me to register for $20 to clean the files, I ran the Ad-Aware. It located and quarantined 194 files. I then logged onto IE and surfed the web for a while.

On Tuesday, I tried to log into IE but was unsuccessful. After talking with my ISP for a long time and trying different things, they suggested that I contact Gateway and tell them that my 'winsock' file is corrupt.

I talked to the tech at Gateway for a while and tried a few suggestions. Now the PC will not boot up, in normal or safe mode. It comes up with some file errors on a couple of .DLL files.
The tech told me to run the System Restore disc. I start this in 'replace missing files' mode and the tech tells me to not touch anything until prompted for another disc. He is finished so he hangs up. I walk back in to check on things and the restore has stopped. It has a prompt about a Norton AV file missing and that I may need to reload the AV software. I click to continue but it just stops.

So, now the System Restore isn't working.
Can someone give me a suggestion on what to attempt this evening to restore my operating system (Win ME)?

 

I can't tell you exactly what's wrong but I would say that it's not ad-aware's fault. I have ran it on xp and me and it did fine. I'd call Gateway up and try again. Don't hang up till it's fixed.

Mike

 

Spybot should be free. I have both Spybot and Ad-aware, and have run them both without any flaws for many months now. Youre problem is more likely due to a virus that crept in to youre system. Oh, I also see you are running ME. That is the absolute worst operating system made. You might want to consider puchasing XP professional (I think its down to $150 now). You will notice a huge improvement immediatley. As for Spybot, I have the ***** file that I installed mine with, if you would like it (I still dont know why you are being asked for money). If you would like it, just email me.


Rich

 

I would also go with Windows XP. I have the home edition and it has been flawless.

 

The verdict is:
I had to reformat and reinstall Win ME.
I lost all of my saved digital photos and saved email but nothing else really worth keeping. After the reformat, I decided to reinstall ME because the Gateway tech advised me that if I purchased XP from anyone but Gateway, they would not support it. I may get the XP upgrade later.
I've nearly gotten everything reinstalled at this point.
What a pain in the rear.

 

For what its worth, you shouldnt have to worry about support from an OS that works. I have been running XP for a few years now, and I have never had a problem with it (...that I didnt create myself). I make a habit of backing up anything I want to save to disc about once a month (I run alot of things on my computer that can create problems, so I have learned the hard way just like you did). If you dont have one, you might want to consider purchasing a cd-r drive. It makes backups easy, and who doesnt like being able to have multiple copies of their cds (I have one set for my house, and one set for my truck). I have never liked Gateway or their products (personal experience again), and that not supporting XP thing the tech said just reaffirms my position. I hope everything goes smoothly for you from here on out.


Rich

 

Did you make the backup when using adaware as advised? Every now and then someone deletes something using adaware that causes a problem and they failed to make the backup. Next thing I would have done would be to try to have installed ME "on top of itself". BTW, support like you got from Gateway is like the treatment I've got from Compaq, HP, and recently Dell. Because the support sucks and you pay for it with these off the shelf computers I no longer will give these companies my money. There is a better way, thank God.