Win XP MCE - Major malfunction

I thought I'd fixed this problem but apparently I have not.

Computer was a little iffy, so I ran all my usual cleaners: ATF-Cleaner and CCleaner. Then I ran SpyBot. Then I ran Abexo. I shouldn't have...

Now, it won't access the internet. It is excruciatingly slow and now nothing is loading in the bottom task bar (by the clock).

I've tried reversing the Abexo but the computer still doesn't run. There is an HP Photosmart Error from updated software that HP customer support had me install when I thought the issue was with my Photosmart 3310 (DON'T get me started on that, please...). It's (suppossedly) been removed as it didn't run the printer but yet this one thing keeps trying to load... the pop-up info:

"HP Photosmart Premier - Error

The program has encountered an unexpected error.:
Method not found: Void HP.CUE.Gallery.Thumbnails.GenerateThumbnail.InitDB(). "

I've tried to re-install Zone Alarm but it can't. I'm back to something wrong with "True Vector ".... ? I'm going to delete AGAIN my HP Photosmart 3310 in an attempt to get past this problem... NO LUCK. I'm getting this installer pop-up:

"Setup is unable to log into the TrueVector service. Install cannot continue withouit logging into the TrueVector service.

Please use the service manager to shut down the TrueVector service and then restart the installer program. "

Questions:

1 - Is this a continuation of the ZoneAlarm issues with XP?
2 - I'm getting nagged to death on multiple computers to update ZoneAlarm - even though I've already done this. Is anyone else having this issue?
3 - IF I'm going to continue to have issues between this one computer and ZoneAlarm, what are my options?

Intel Pentium D 3.2GHz, 2 Gig RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 6200 TurboCashe
Windows Media Center Edition
Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11
System Info claims: XP Professional, 5.1.2600 SP 2 Build 2600

I'm totally frustrated at this point. What do I do?

 

I have never heard of Abexo. I would be more inclined to blame it than ZoneAlarm.

 

To answer your question, which was: What to do?

Restore from a backup.

If you do not have a backup, reinstall the OS.

Regardless of whether you restore or reinstall, be more discriminating regarding the software you run.

 

I highly recommend using Comodo Firewall instead.
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

 

Hi markp62!

I'll try that... IF I can ever get the computer working.

When I run System Restore it fails. When I tried to run SRDiag.exe it isn't available. Therefore, the computer still won't work.

When I run msconfig, under "Services" I get the following with a "Start Pending" Status:

DHCP Client
Net Driver HPZ12
System Event Notification
WebClient

I Googled "HPZ12" and it seems that it is left over from my disaster with HP (mentioned above) when they had me load a different "updated" driver set that doesn't even list my HP printer.......

So I disabled it in System Tools. No luck. However, I also notices that "TrueVector Internet Monitor" reports that it is disabled. So I turned ZoneAlarm Client back on... Still nothing.

In the System Restore FAQ I found the following:

"A required service is not running. Restoring requires System Restore, Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and task scheduler to be running concurrently. For step-by-step instructions to verify that these services are active, click on each service or scheduler link. "

Well...... WMI is ALSO not running.

So... do I uninstall ZoneAlarm to see if that allows the non-running programs to run and I can gain access to the internet (so I can get a different firewall)...

OR

Is there something else I should do to get TrueVector (which appears to be ZoneAlarms monitor service) and WMI running?

 

I tried Comodo Firewall myself, and would recommend it over the free version of ZoneAlarm, perhaps even over ZoneAlarm V6 (but probably not), but certainly not over ZoneAlarm V7.

Do not try to uninstall ZA, rather, reinstall it and choose the clean install option. You will loose your settings, but they can easily be recreated in the learning mode.

This is usually the better apprach for any corrrupted system; to reinstall rather than uninstall. The uninstall process almost always fails for any product if the install is corrupt. Better to get it installed correctly. Then, if you choose to, you can effectively uninstall it.

Again, be more discriminating in which cleaner software you use.

 

Hi, AKA...

Abexo was recommended by people I trust... Obviously something went wrong.

My biggest problem is I CAN'T re-install ZoneAlarm. It won't run due to the "TrueVector" issue.

 

I believe that you potentially have a bigger problem than the ZA TrueVector service; however, you can usually brute force ZA away.

You might be able to simply stop the service in SERVICES, but if that does not work, try this:

1. Uninstall ZA via the Add/Remove Programs
2. Reboot
3. Delete
   • C:\Program files\Zone Labs
   • C:\Windows\Internet Logs
   • C:\Windows\System\ZoneLabs
4. Reboot
5. Reinstall ZA Clean

Another thought: Don't forget about Safe Mode. You can navigate, even in a DOS prompt, and delete directories and their contents in Safe Mode. No program will start if the executables are missing.

 

<sigh>

This is nuts.

Deleted the files (you did mean C:\Windows\System32\ZoneLabs, right?) but STILL nothing.

Now what? Should I try to delete Microsoft Update KB951748? At this point it's the only thing I can think of...... (that's the one that causes all the initial ZoneAlarm problems)

 

Did you get the update from ZoneAlarm that fixed the bug in ZA in XP that was uncovered by the DNS patch Microsoft put out? It was an updated version of ZA for XP, not just a patch.

Myself, I would get ZA out of the picture, ensure there were not other problems not caused by ZA (that might neccessitate a reinstall of the OS), then reboot, then install the updated ZA that works with the DNS patch.

 

Yes, I do (DID) have the updated ZoneAlarm.

 

Hi Deck


OK you have apparently done some extensive damage to the registry.

Here is what you need to do first. This should get you back on the Internet if not the second step should finish it.

Drag mouse with left button down the lines below across then paste each line below 1 at a time to an open CMD prompt and hit enter, ignore any errors for now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
netsh interface ip delete arpcache

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /release *

ipconfig /renew *

ipconfig /registerdns

nbtstat -RR

netsh winsock show catalog > "%USERPROFILE% "\Desktop\lsp.txt

netsh winsock reset catalog

netsh winsock show catalog >> "%USERPROFILE% "\Desktop\lsp.txt

netsh int ip reset > "%USERPROFILE% "\Desktop\tcpreset.txt

Reboot see new icons on desktop, paste contents of lsp and tcp.txt back to thread.

Next:

Download Dial-A-Fix (DAF)
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix#...C_and_articles

Have XP CD available in case DAF needs a file.

Check all boxes on the screen (clear any restrictions if it shows any)
Then click GO!

When the entire page is finished click the HammerHead at bottom to go to the second DAF page.

Here 1 at a time do the below

Reinstall BITS
Reinstall Windows Firewall
Reinstall WMI/WBEM
Repair Permissions
Reset networking
Watch for any File not found or other errors and make note as this may lead to the fix!

Reboot retest!

From there things should be mostly back normal, we need to finish cleaning up ZA!

Mike

 

Hey flynn!

Apparently my problems from about a month ago were more serious than we thought!

FIRST a question: I have started preparing to repair the operating system - as per the instuctions from Microsoft. I've deleted Internet Explorer 7 and tried to delete duimode.txt except it didn't exist. Currently copying files to another folder - just in case the original folder(s) disapear.

So do I continue to do what I'm doing? Do I abort that and do what you suggest? Do I have a choice?????

Oh, and I've been looking.... and either no CD came with this computer or it's been misplaced. Suggestions?

 

I would stop whatever you are doing as it can be done afterwards.

Hope we don't need a CD. Have you updated to SP3?

Is there an I386 Folder on the computer. If so then if DAF needs a file browse there!

Your Ball!

Mike

 

No... SP2

C:/windows/i386 is there

I will let the copying of files finish first (maybe another 15 minutes) which should give me enough time to copy Dial-A-Fix to a CD.

 

OK - This would have been easier if my laptop wrote files to the CD in the same format as my ill computer...

Anyway... as it attempts to reboot, here is the lsp.txt file you wanted:



Initialization Function InitHelperDll in IPMONTR.DLL failed to start with error code 11003

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1001
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 1
Protocol: 6
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1002
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: 17
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [RAW/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1003
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 3
Protocol: 0
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: RSVP UDP Service Provider
Provider ID: {9D60A9E0-337A-11D0-BD88-0000C082E69A}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1004
Version: 6
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: 17
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: RSVP TCP Service Provider
Provider ID: {9D60A9E0-337A-11D0-BD88-0000C082E69A}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1005
Version: 6
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 1
Protocol: 6
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BFF52788-FF50-45EC-8F90-82C976FCDB5D}] SEQPACKET 3
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1062
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -3
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BFF52788-FF50-45EC-8F90-82C976FCDB5D}] DATAGRAM 3
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1063
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -3
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{37F2E5AD-A279-4950-8EA5-202E56B8B9D6}] SEQPACKET 0
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1064
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -2147483648
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{37F2E5AD-A279-4950-8EA5-202E56B8B9D6}] DATAGRAM 0
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1065
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -2147483648
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{A12AE634-A61E-4EAD-B086-B72DA713E0E6}] SEQPACKET 4
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1066
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -4
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{A12AE634-A61E-4EAD-B086-B72DA713E0E6}] DATAGRAM 4
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1067
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -4
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C3F6DD71-4EB3-4D43-A8DB-6EF277BE376F}] SEQPACKET 1
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1068
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -1
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C3F6DD71-4EB3-4D43-A8DB-6EF277BE376F}] DATAGRAM 1
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1069
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -1
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{10DAA833-9600-4428-8660-2392E5590B36}] SEQPACKET 2
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1070
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -2
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{10DAA833-9600-4428-8660-2392E5590B36}] DATAGRAM 2
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1071
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -2
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Initialization Function InitHelperDll in IPMONTR.DLL failed to start with error code 11003

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1001
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 1
Protocol: 6
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1002
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: 17
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD Tcpip [RAW/IP]
Provider ID: {E70F1AA0-AB8B-11CF-8CA3-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1003
Version: 2
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 3
Protocol: 0
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BFF52788-FF50-45EC-8F90-82C976FCDB5D}] SEQPACKET 3
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1004
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -3
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BFF52788-FF50-45EC-8F90-82C976FCDB5D}] DATAGRAM 3
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1005
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -3
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{37F2E5AD-A279-4950-8EA5-202E56B8B9D6}] SEQPACKET 0
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1006
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -2147483648
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{37F2E5AD-A279-4950-8EA5-202E56B8B9D6}] DATAGRAM 0
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1007
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -2147483648
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{A12AE634-A61E-4EAD-B086-B72DA713E0E6}] SEQPACKET 4
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1008
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -4
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{A12AE634-A61E-4EAD-B086-B72DA713E0E6}] DATAGRAM 4
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1009
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -4
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C3F6DD71-4EB3-4D43-A8DB-6EF277BE376F}] SEQPACKET 1
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1010
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -1
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C3F6DD71-4EB3-4D43-A8DB-6EF277BE376F}] DATAGRAM 1
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1011
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -1
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{10DAA833-9600-4428-8660-2392E5590B36}] SEQPACKET 2
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1012
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 5
Protocol: -2
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{10DAA833-9600-4428-8660-2392E5590B36}] DATAGRAM 2
Provider ID: {8D5F1830-C273-11CF-95C8-00805F48A192}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1013
Version: 2
Address Family: 17
Max Address Length: 20
Min Address Length: 20
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: -2
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: RSVP UDP Service Provider
Provider ID: {9D60A9E0-337A-11D0-BD88-0000C082E69A}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1014
Version: 6
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 2
Protocol: 17
Protocol Chain Length: 1

Winsock Catalog Provider Entry
------------------------------------------------------
Entry Type: Base Service Provider
Description: RSVP TCP Service Provider
Provider ID: {9D60A9E0-337A-11D0-BD88-0000C082E69A}
Provider Path: (null)
Catalog Entry ID: 1015
Version: 6
Address Family: 2
Max Address Length: 16
Min Address Length: 16
Socket Type: 1
Protocol: 6
Protocol Chain Length: 1

 

WOW - That was long!

Here is the tcpreset.txt file:


Initialization Function InitHelperDll in IPMONTR.DLL failed to start with error code 11003
One or more essential parameters were not entered.
Verify the required parameters, and reenter them.
The syntax supplied for this command is not valid. Check help for the correct syntax.

Usage: reset [name=]<string>

Parameters:

Tag Value
name - The name of a file to which to append information
regarding what settings were reset.

Remarks: Resets TCP/IP and related components to a clean state.

Examples:

reset resetlog.txt

 

OK do the Dial-A-fix now.

Be sure to make a note of all file not found errors if any as these are files we need to restore.

Some of the functions take a while so allow time.

Do it!

Mike

 

Did it.

Neat program.

No luck.

The ONLY improvement (?) - the light on the built-in card reader is off.

No errors were reported.

 

WAIT - Hold that thouight.

I forgot what I was trying to. Just went and tryed to install ZoneAlarm. All went OK... UNTIL I got the following pop-up:

"Unable to connect to TrueVector Service - cannot configure access rules. "

Which, of course, was followed by this pop-up:

"Error processing config file! "

ZoneAlarm then went through the rest of the install process.

However, this has been followed by the hour-glass coming on and off next to the mouse pointer as it tried to finish. This is corresponding with vsmon.exe trying to run (according to Windows Task Manager).

Just in case I got lucky, I rebooted. And my computer went

So... I guess I delete ZoneAlarm (again!), then try a Windows repair?