reoccuring error in ME

I've been getting a "___ has caused and error in <unknown>" error from random programs. this is a fresh install of ME and the error is keeping me from downloading any updates. i was able to run a couple "fix it" programs that scan the registry and such for errors, but they didn't seem to help the issue at all. i thought maybe it was a memory problem, but i don't have any extra memory to test out my theory. i've adjusted the swap file size so that it has a minimum of 256mb in an attempt to bypass the issue, but it didn't help.
IE is the only program that consistantly has the problem, other programs are sketchy. any ideas?

 

You say a fresh install, did you install the motherboard drivers as the very first thing?
What 'fix it' programs did you use? There are "free" ones out there that install other things behind your back if you did not read the EULA all the way through, and these other things cause problems like you are having.
You have a virus, maybe, and yes it can happen on a fresh install. Your security settings are at default, and leaves you wide open. I know that you have ME, but for an example, a new install of XP without SP2, connected to the internet without a firewall, will be infected in under 15 seconds. Your infection if any came from IE, or one of these 'fixit' things.
Adjusting the swapfile does no good this case.
These are just some ideas, as "___ has caused and error in <unknown>" is not much info to go on.

 

i was able to run Winsockfix which is a registry cleaner, and then i installed TuneUp Utilities 04, these actually worked! i got the system working perfectly and even installed IE6.0

everything was fine for about 15 minutes, until my gf decided to install a popup stopper made by these guys: www.computerhelp.com

that popup stopper hosed my box! it required a restart after install and once windows loaded none of the icons loaded on the desktop or start menu. whenever i try to run a program, explorer causes and error in shlwapi.dll and crashes. i also get a lot of "does not point to file or folder" erros when i click on programs.

i tried booting into safe mode to uninstall the software that she installed but i get the exact same errors as in normal mode.

i have no access to control panel, device manager or msconfig.... no idea what to do except for formatting, any advice?

 

This may help.
Go to Start\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. Pick a Restore Point dated before this happened, and your computer should be reverted back as it was running on that day.

 

yeah, i tried doing a restore, but it was a no go... get the same errors trying to run restore as i do w/ every other program i try to run.

i think its time to break down and buy a copy of xp for this box, haha.

 

Hello kakashi,

yeah, i tried doing a restore, but it was a no go...

Did you try doing a restore in safe mode?

Regards - Charles

 

sure did, exact same problems even in safe mode... no idea whats going wrong.

 

i got the system working perfectly and even installed IE6.0

everything was fine for about 15 minutes, until my gf decided to install a popup stopper made by these guys: www.computerhelp.com


Think you should repeat the process and this time either keep your gf away from your system or teach her some manners.

One highly recommended popup stopper is from Google - google tool bar.

Regards - Charles