oh crap i tore this thing up!!

[icdux1]

hello to all. i have been having trouble with my computer so i run a spyware type program, anyhow when it finds something i try to delete it at the add/remove programs screen in control panel. recently i removed a program {starware??i think} and i got a prompt asking are you sure. i clicked yes and removed it. now, "and i`m not positive this was the cause" i cannot get video to play, as an example you tube will not work, also an auction site i use has a rolling banner of closeing auction`s that scroll across the screen as you surf this is now inop. youtube gives the error javascript turned off or flash player inop{not sure of the exact wording} can anyone suggest a fix or possible cause?? i checked java as i understand it and it seems to be switched on?? HELP!!!

[jtdoom]

hi,
Does that "spyware type program" as you called it have a name?
Does it have a log, so you can look at what you did? (history)
Does it have a backup function? (restore removed items)
You should at least be able to find back info on what you removed.

[icdux1]

ok,the program is spybot. yes it has a restore function. i restored starware, still doesnt work. it`s quite possible i removed another program by accident. any other ideas or suggestions. is there a history function to the add/delete programs on the machine it`s self?? i belive i have removed a permanent file/program, hence the prompt i mentioned earlier.

[jtdoom]

Hi,
Windows 98 has a registry scan/fix/restore tool, so you can go back to an earlier registry.
From a DOSprompt, scanreg /restore
Use arrow key to get to date before this happened, and this might fix it.

It also has a repair tool for system files. (in the menus of msinfo32, or from DOSprompt where you use sfc.)
You'll need access to the setup files
(either the CD, or the copy of the setup cabinets on hard disk.)
It will not repair non-windows files that were removed.
After SFC, Internet explorer can have an issue. (original files replace those that were updated, so internet explorer 6.sp1 has to be re-installed.)

I can recall there were old posts about this, some of them were when Mosaic1 wrote outlines to repair Internet explorer.
> this is a hint > do above, then find out what was affected, then use search function on forum with good keywords on your problem.
or even better/wiser.. search before you do this, and take notes/make bookmarks. Then start the repair.

[icdux1]

jaak,thanks for your help. i will try the suggestions. i must admit i have no clue what a dos prompt is but i will research it. i did try the original recovery disk which came with the machine but i get an error message" disk drive or disk error" the machine is an hp and several yrs old{1999}. thanks again. i`ll repost if i figure it out. regards dux

[jtdoom]

Hi,

when you use start button to shut down you have option to restart to MsDos, and from that prompt, you can do scanreg /restore.