how badly have i messed up?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

hi folks,
Novice alert!
i just installed avast, didnt uninstall norton first, did the boot scan, thought I moved (poss deleted?) all the troublesome files, most of which were system files, as it wouldnt let me repair, and now my PC is a mess.

The taskbar clock is frozen; none of the items on the taskbar load; the pointer becomes an hourglass on the bottom bar; won’t let me access the the start menu; a ‘mobile device properties’ message flashes up saying ’ the TCP/IP network transport is not installed’ and I’ve never had this before; only by using the task manger run option can i get into anything, but no running prog’s even show up @ the bottom.

I’ve since unistalled Norton but it hasnt rectified the problem. Have I deleted system files by accident? Is there any way to restore the system? I’ve tried the F8 thing but can’t seem to find the right point to press (before/after I enter password).

any help/suggestions would be much appreciated!
cheers y’all
neal

2

F8 right after the bios status screen and before Windows starts to load.

try to remove NAV completely. Symantec has a util on their site for that, and links to it can be found if you use the search function on this board.

Let us start with that and see if it already is solving/improving anything.

3

If you’ve really deleted system files, my bet would be that you’ll need to repair the Operating System (depending on what version of Windows your running). You might well make the problem worst with other routes.

Good luck.

4

thanks for the quick replies, I’ll try those tomorrow and let you know.

i.e. i’ll be back with more dilemma’s and questions!!

cheers again!
neal

5
If you've really deleted system files, my bet would be that you'll need to repair the Operating System (depending on what version of Windows your running).

Is that easily done? I’m running XP without SP2.

6

ok, this is a nightmare!
got into safe mode, but it’s lost my b/band internet connection. The link is redundant on my desktop, and there’s no listing for it in connections. So couldnt do the full norton removal. Went for avast instead, and have just rebooted. It hasn’t changed a thing.

Any ideas then? I’ve bloody deleted somethin important then haven’t i? whoops!
Is system restore the answer? or returning it last best state?

as ever, cheers for any help folks!
neal

7

Sure, if you can and it works…
Maybe you can download the Symantec removal tool in another computer and use in this one (with a CD or floopy). The same for avast uninstall tool.

8

latest update - norton removed & avast removed, no change to system, just hangs and can do nothing.

any suggestions?

cheers!
neal

9

Do a in-place-repair of the OS.
url=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341[/url]

10

I know it sounds silly but i really am bad at this sort of thing, i just wanted some help. i have scanned my comp and a virus was found, it gave me the options on what to do and i think i did the wrong thing. instead of moving my virus to chest i moved and re-named it. is that bad???

11

You can scan the folder you move it and now, send it to Chest.
Chest is safe, moving and renaming not all the times.
Take it easy, not that bad… :wink:

12

Eddy,
Cheers for that mate, I’ll give it a go and let you know.

All the Georgie Best!
Neal