Windows ME update ruined me!

So I received a message from Microsoft (I guess) and proceded to let it up date one item - critical for proper operation.

Results:
(1) Lost (gone completely) a folder with several subfolders. Had some .bmp, some .mpg, some .doc files. - I am talking about 200 files!

(2) Cannot run Windows media player to listen to radio programs or music.

What have I done?

Why did Microsoft delete anything in the first place?

I'll never ever ever update again!

Alex

If nothing else, how may I restore Media player so it will play internet 'radio'?
The PC still has an old version of the media player, and I changed all the files types to use it, as the other icon (I guess for the newer version) pointed to nothing.

The existing media player will play music that is in the computer, as well as some .mpg files that I didn't loose. But will not play Rush Limbaugh archived files, for example, and it was doing so just before I updated!

 

I agree with Christer. If yoiu received an email about the update there's not much doubt that it's a bogus email. That said, how did you receive the "message ". Was it an email?

 

For the past year I've subscribed to Microsoft Security Update e-mail alerts. You will need a "Hotmail / Net.Passport" account to get to the subscription center page. Numerious email notified subscritions are available. For monthly update emails, choose between "Microsoft Security Notification Service" or "Microsoft Security Update" based on your needs. I generally receive my update notice on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.
The email provides link(s) to a secured site, including "certificates" to check for site authenticity. You can also review How to Tell If a Microsoft Security-Related Message Is Genuine

 

I suggest this link to visit.
RAV Online Scan
Please do not quit updating your computer, you were duped is all.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to post a HijackThis log.
Normally I would suggest using System Restore to put your computer back like it was, but SR is infected by now. You should disable it before doing the scan, else you will get a report that viral files cannot be deleted because they are in there.
Disable System Restore ME

 

No, it was not an e-mail.
Instead of the browser opening to 'Google', my home page, it opened to the Windows Update screen, which I have seen before. Normally, I would just click on 'Home' and ignore the update notice, but this time I did not do so. Too bad. No, three bad.

Mark,
Based on the above, should I still Disable System Restore* and then do the scan? Or would it be safe to do a restore**?

* I appreciate you including a link to 'Disable System Restore ME' as that was going to be my next question.
**Now my question is, how do I do a System Restore?

(I just arrived at work, so I won't do anything until tonight when I get home.)

Thank you!

Alex

 

(1) Lost (gone completely) a folder with several subfolders. Had some .bmp, some .mpg, some .doc files. - I am talking about 200 files!

System Restore doesn't monitor files with those extensions, so you wouldn't get them back anyway, does monitor .exe and system files. I think you ought to determine what is missing besides media, text files.

I suggest you go thru the virus scans and see what the results are and post a HijackThis log. If it is a virus, than yes, get rid of System Restore points.

Download from here http://radiosplace.com/ latest version 1.99

Download HijackThis to it's own folder, for example C:\HijackThis - unzip (double click on zipped folder) - click on the execute - click scan button - click save log and save to the folder you just created *DO NOT FIX ANYTHING* - copy resultant .txt file and paste into your next post.

Regards - Charles

 

Doing a System Restore should be relatively easy.
Start\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore
You'll first get a choice to create a Restore Point, or do a Restore. Choose Restore and click on Next. You should then be presented with a calendar, the dates in bold are the Restore Points. Some are labeled System Checkpoint, some are named according to the event which caused a RP to be created, such as Windows Update [not always] or a manual RP.
Your current windows status will be created as a Restore Point, as you do a Restore.
If the Windows Update appeared as a result of opening IE, and not an email, try the Restore.
Try the online scan with SR enabled, if you are indeed infected, then you will need to disable it to clean it out.
For a thorough clean out, this is the method I recommend.
Create a Boot floppy (Control Panel\Add/Remove Programs, click on Startup Disk tab), leave the floppy and and ShutDown, choosing Restart.
If the floppy is first in the boot order, it should boot with it. Choose without CD-Rom support, do not choose Command Prompt Only as the following commands will not work as they are. The first command will appear to do nothing, it is there to speed things up.
smartdrv
deltree c:\_restore
Type a Y that you want to delete. Take out floppy and reboot when it is done.