Hi there,

Big problem with our PC:
- Dell Dimension desktop PC
- Windows XP Home
- Tiscali broadband
- Comodo firewall/anti-virus

All trace of our broadband account has been wiped from the PC, the modem appears to be working ok (Tiscali advised reinstalling it, have not managed to get it reinstalled - I don't think this is the root cause of the problem). Also have various error messages upon logging on, and the desktop appearance / applications loaded is a mixture of 2 of the user accounts on the (home) pc.

Here's a list of the errors upon start-up:

- Windows Installer / failed to launch Windows Defender, error 0x800106ba
- No ATI graphics card/driver is installed [there should be, we haven't been messing around with it]

Trying to access IE7 produces:

- "res://shdoclc.dll/DNSERROR.HTM#Redirect
cannot find server".
and
"Error 711: A configuration error on this computer is preventing this connection".

Mozilli loads, but blocks access to any website.

The system also blocks all attempts to amend and even access parts of the Internet Connection Wizard, e.g.:

"The Internet Connection Wizard could not configure your computer for the internet. You will need to manually set-up your own TCP/IP protocols, dial-up networking, and modem, ISDN line or other device you use to dial out from your computer".

Looking at programs running, there are several ones flagged as "essential" that are stated "stopped", e.g. "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator". I have run msconfig to look at the programs run on start-up, and it is now trying to load all programs. The day before this problem started, I had been looking at this program start-up list, but hadn't changed it.

Also, quite a few (single) beeps whilst trying to see what the problem is (error messages not showing?). Plus, I think there was a message that Windows had booted in "Installation" mode??

Have trawled the web for help, but nothing appears to cover all bases, or get to the fundamental cause (or how to fix it). Have seen some comment that Windows Service Packs can cause some software to go haywire, but we haven't downloaded anything for weeks (we run manual updates), i.e. there doesn't seem to be anything that has prompted this sudden problem (has run smoothly for a couple of years).

Rather not get talking to a Tiscali engineer, especially as it might not be their problem. Strange that the system appears to be blocking attempts at curing the problem.

Hope you can help and that I've provided enough info.

Many thanks,
Keith

First thought - System Restore to a much earlier date....

Question: Did you update Windows XP to SP3 or anything? I think I know your problem...

If you did update to SP3, it still has glitches in it, such as not being able to connect to the internet (I had the same problem), more errors, etc. I would recommend reverting back to SP1 or SP2. Those are stable Service Packs (SP). Stay with these at least until Microsoft comes out with a fix for all this mess SP3 has caused.

Many thanks.
Of all the web research I've done, a problem caused by a Windows Service Pack seems most likely, however:

a) we weren't set-up for automatic updates
b) I'm pretty certain (on the day before) that I didn't manually install any updates that were waiting (I'll try and check tonight if I can discover whether any updates were installed).
c) bear in mind we can't access the internet, and it's blocking all attempts to create one with the connection wizard - thus downloading patches or previous packs isn't feasible (as things stand).

System Restore: this only gave me one option, for a date after the problem occurred. Couldn't go further back from November.

Comodo Virus scan didn't turn-up anything. We're not big web/email users so I doubt this would be the cause.

Thanks again. Fantastic website by the way.
Cheers,
Keith

Okay - next step..............


Go:

Start - Run - (type) sfc /scannow (with the space)(Enter)

(sfc = System File Checker restores files to their correct state.)

This may require you to put in your XP CD.

Excellent progress last night, one way or another!

I tried the file scan, it ran fine for 25 mins, then the completion message requested XP disc 2 to cache DLL files (something like that). After a big search, we don't have the XP discs - XP was pre-loaded and I have a strong memory that they weren't supplied with the (Dell) PC.

Anyway, to be proactive (and apologies for being impatient / jumping ahead / not waiting for your instructions) I tried something I'd seen on the Microsoft help site that looked relevant (iro Error 711):

Enabling & Starting Disabled Services:

- My Computer/Manage/Services & Applications/Services
- 'Telephony'/Properties
- General tab/click manual
- Click Start under Service Status.
- Repeat these steps for 'Remote Access Connection Manager' and 'Remote Access Auto Connection Manager' services.

These were bringing error messages iro 'Plug and Play' which prevented me 'Start'ing all the above. I saw there was a Plug and Play listed, so I switched this to 'Automatic' and Started it as well. This enabled me to Start all the others.

Many important services were listed as 'Disabled', so I decided to change a few more to 'Automatic' and Started them (including an ATI service). I then re-started the computer praying that I hadn't made things even worse.

Results:

1) No more ATI error, it loads ok.
2) Windows Defender loads ok.
3) The details of the Tiscal Broadband connection are now listed again.

So happy days, however:

1) Email and internet still don't connect (Windows Live Mail error ID: 0x800cc0d socket error 11001. 'Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage'.
2) We get an error saying the modem isn't connected to the phone line. I will try and uninstall/reinstall the modem again tonight (previously, the Tiscali CD hung whilst trying to reinstall).

Maybe the 'Services' manager is the key to this? Perhaps you could post a screen shot of how it should (basically) look? There are still quite a few important looking services that are still flagged as disabled, and I'm not sure which ones should be Started / Manual / Automatic.

Thanks again for all assistance, and apologies again for forging on ahead.