Windows Vista Problems with inbuilt software

Hi All.

Having just found your site by searching google, I am hoping someone can please help me out. I am not experienced with computers and have starting using them late in life, so please be patient with me. Thanks in advance.

My computer is an Acer Aspire M1100, and I am using Windows Vista tm home premium with service pack 2.

Some months back I picked up a couple of viruses, and have now had them removed, and have Virgin Media virus checker and firewall on board, and in general all seems well now except for the fact that the inbuilt smart card media reader no longer works, and although my inbuilt DVD is working, I can't get a CD with photos to respond. Window explorer tries to open all, but hours later is still trying, and the comp then freezes. Very weird. I have tried connecting the camera via the usb ports and this does not work either, although the USB ports and drivers are all working fine. I have tried to do repairs and I get the message that windows cannot access the discs.

Have any of you any idea what has occured here please? Has the virus perhaps destroyed a windows file, or disabled access somehow?

Hoping you can help.

Kind Regards,

Maureen.

PS I have read many posts on here, and have to say it is a great site with a good team on board as well as some friendly and helpful members.

 

Hi Maureen and welcome to the WindowsBBS community, (hopefully I'm friendly and helpful , I know others here are ).

I am going to lead you on another path. Do you have software (a program) installed for the camera. That is what I might suspect covers all the areas you mention. I expect they might (all) be related to photos.

Try uninstalling the camera's program in Control Panel -> Programs and Features, but first make sure you have the installation disk at hand or go to the camera manufacturer's website and make sure you can download it from there or (maybe more importantly) an update of the program.

So try uninstalling the program, then reinstalling the same version and/or an updated version.

Let us know the make and model of the camera if you want us to help you find any downloads. Maybe we could check the Troubleshooting or FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) at their website as well.

Matt

 

Hello Mattman and Admin.

Thank you both for you kind responses. It's much appreciated.

Mattman,

I know there is not a problem with the camera software. It is happening with other items too such as my mobile phone. The inbuilt smart media reader can no longer read any memory card, be it mine or someone else's. This all occured after I had been infected. Malware which I already have installed on here found two problems and disposed of them, and I then went looking for how to correct the damage done by them, but found nothing to help solve the problem.

I can play a dvd, but it can't pick up on a cd with photos on it. No memory cards whatsoever can be played. I can use the same usb ports to connect a games controller and all usb ports work fine, but add the camera and the computer ends up freezing over an hour later. Windows cannot access my discs to do a scan either. It's really done my head right in now. It's an old head to start with, which does not help either, having had no training with computers when younger.

So sorry to put this on you, but I am grateful to you for trying to help me out here.

Maureen/Mo.

Admin,

I have noted your suggestion, and have followed your instructions, and am about to post my logs on your Malware forum now.

Many thanks.

Maureen/Mo.

 

OK Maureen, post back here with any results from the thread in the Malware forum.

I am still not convinced that there is not a malfunctioning program trying to take control of the drives.

The "malfunctioning program" might be a result of rectifying the malware infection though.

Let us know how it goes.

Matt

 

Hello Mattman.

I have now finished in the Malware forum, and my computer is clean. Nothing was found.

I feel though that the virus I had, has somehow damaged the Windows as it seems Window Explorer can't open any of the external memory card readers or the inbuilt card reader, and dvd's work but not cd's containing photos.

broni on the other forum had me download Adobe photo reader but that could not connect to my camera either. Everything just froze after an hour of it trying.

I am copying over a report from windows showing hopefully what occurs every time I try to upload any photos.

I have as it happens noticed that even the inbuilt card games that are opened by Windows Explorer take so much longer too to open up. This is also since the virus which was as follows below.

Kind regards,

Maureen.

PS I have not attempted to open and look to see just what the file contained, as being a beginner, I was frightened of opening a can of worms.


Virgin Media Security - Scan Report
Scan Date: 06/08/2010 20:53:19
Scan Type: Standard
Definition file: 1281083268
Last Update on: 06/08/2010 17:56:44


Folders and files selected to scan
C:\
E:\


Results
Master Boot Records and Fixed Disk Boot Sectors
Scanned 2 Master Boot Record(s).
Your Master Boot Record(s)/Boot Sector(s) are not infected.


Memory
Scanned: 1136 item(s)


Infected files on ACER (C
Scanned: 166206 item(s)
File: C:\Users\Maureen\Downloads\AOL 7.0\cr-ag18k.zip
Warning: This file was not deleted because it is an archive. If this archive contains files you want to keep, extract the good files from the archive using your archive utility (WinZip for example), and then delete the archive. When extracting your files, make sure real-time protection is turned on.

Virus: Trojan.Generic.2134202




Infected files on DATA (E
Scanned: 523 item(s)
File: E:\MAUREEN-PC\Backup Set 2009-10-22 004727\Backup Files 2009-10-22 004727\Backup files 15.zip
Warning: This file was not deleted because it is an archive. If this archive contains files you want to keep, extract the good files from the archive using your archive utility (WinZip for example), and then delete the archive. When extracting your files, make sure real-time protection is turned on.

Virus: Trojan.Generic.2134202




Startup programs
Scanned: 315 item(s)


Rootkits
Found: 0 item(s)


Cookies
Scanned: 73 item(s)
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@atdmt[3].txt

From: atdmt.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAYWW4VJ.txt

From: advertising.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAPE2HCW.txt

From: tacoda.net/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAYWW4VJ.txt

From: advertising.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAPE2HCW.txt

From: tacoda.net/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAPE2HCW.txt

From: tacoda.net/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@ad.yieldmanager[5].txt

From: ad.yieldmanager.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@tag.admeld[2].txt

From: tag.admeld.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAYWW4VJ.txt

From: advertising.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@doubleclick[4].txt

From: doubleclick.net/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@scorecardresearch[7].txt

From: scorecardresearch.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@ads.bridgetrack[2].txt

From: ads.bridgetrack.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAYWW4VJ.txt

From: advertising.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAPE2HCW.txt

From: tacoda.net/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@scorecardresearch[7].txt

From: scorecardresearch.com/
File: C:\Users\Maureen\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\maureen@CAPE2HCW.txt

From: tacoda.net/

 

It doesn't look like the malware was installed, so from that log your system wasn't infected, you only had the download. I expect it came through AOL messaging, so try turning off downloading in AOL Messaging if you can.

Run Error Checking on your Windows drive. This is from Help and Support

You have a DATA E: drive, also run Error Checking on that.

That might(?) solve it, but if not, you should uninstall your camera's program in Control Panel -> Programs and Features. Restart, then check your drives again. You can then reinstall the camera program, but if the drives stop working when you do, you know the program is the cause.

Check that you don't have more than one camera program installed, like from a previous camera, that can really cause problems. Uninstall the old program.

Matt

 

Hello again Mattman.

I have carried out all of your instructions, but sadly still to no avail.

I also need to set the record straight due to having a senior moment and getting some facts wrong. I said that the built in DVD is working which is not correct as such. I can play music, but DVD videos cannot load, nor can CD'S with photos. No games can be played either. They just continue to try to load.

I have the same problem with any memory card containing games or photos, and can't load via the usb ports either, although the printer and games controllers etc, all work via the ports and the computer says the usb ports are all working fine.

As well as trying to go through Windows media player, I have also tried Real player and others to no avail. Same with the photo's. No programs work, and the computer has to be turned off manually as it continues to try to load even when cancelled.

Mo.

 

Since there are no error messages appearing, I expect it is a software problem.

Looking at your logs, I will give you some of the ones I think might be malfunctioning or clashing with other programs.

What is Acer eDataSecurity? Try the link here, it doesn't work for me
http://support.acer-euro.com/empowering_technology/etfaq.html
or open the program and read in the Help menu. Check at the Acer website for any update to this program.

Is Virgin Media your antimalware or Microsoft Security Client. If they are both antimalware uninstall one of them, you should only run one antimalware at a time.

There is another "security" program, IObit Advanced SystemCare 3, uninstall it, it is freeware so you can get it later some time if you think you need it.

Acer HomeMedia Connect, what does this program do? Is it something that would try to take control of external media?

The program Nero InCD has been quite problematic in the past, uninstall it if you don't use it. You don't have to uninstall Nero 7, just InCD.

Investigate those programs. I now expect it is security programs fighting over control of the drives. Since there are no error messages, you will need to try uninstalling, otherwise the only other way out might be to reformat (reinstall your system).

Matt

 

Thank you so much for your reply Mattman.

I will follow through with everything that you have mentioned here, and will then get back to you with the results.

I really do appreciate the help this web site is giving me, and even if my problem is not resolved without having to re-format, I have learnt loads from you all here, so have gained either way.

Thank you, and hoping you have a pleasant weekend.

Mo.

 

Hi again Mattman.

You are my "hero ". All is now working fine. I can't believe how just one program took out so much.

The Acer stuff is just for optimizing the computer and came built in when brought and is not a problem.

I only have Virgin Media running now and that is a paid for all in one package that my internet provider supplies. Broni warned me about having more than one antimalware programs on the other forum, so I took action straight away.

I uninstalled IObit Advanced SystemCare 3, but sadly that made no difference.

I then came to the last item you gave me to look into, and try uninstalling, which I did, and on restart, everything worked. Video's, games, photos, and all other things that had stopped working. The cause of all my problems was the program " Nero InCD "

I wish to thank you once more Mattman, and will post on the other forum too to let broni and Admin know the problem has been resolved by you.

I am now going to try to find the resolve button.

Take care,

Kind Regards,

Mo.

 

Oh good! Well done Maureen. Thanks for letting us know.