PC is terminal?

[Phil Lilley]

I use firefox. It's always acted funny at times. Things start not loading up all the way. If I reboot, ti all comes back. Today, I rebooted and almost everything went away. I can't open any of my programs except Windows Explorer and My Computer. I get an error message:

Windows cannot access the specific device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

Sounds like I post permission to use my computer! Not sure how. OR how to get it back.

[Quillback]

Have you done any virus scans lately?

[Terry Beeson]

Yep... sounds like the symptoms of a virus. I use AVG free edition anti-virus which seems to work pretty well for me.

Have you fired up your computer in safe mode, Phil? Sometimes just a simple fire up in safe mode then rebooting can clear things up.

(Using my best "Elwood Blues" voice) - "Probably a "sign from God" to buy a Mac..."

[WebFreeman]

Amen, Brother Terry.

[Phil Lilley]

I use Zone Alarm. It does a check every 24 hours but who knows. I'll try safe mode.

Thanks

[Thom]

I had a simular thing happen this week. Two things you might try

1. If you can go to a previous date restore such as XP has has try to restart to a week earlier date. It will reset all configs to the settings on that date but will not erase any files or saved material on computer. I had to do this recently after a storm and I lost my ISP confifs.

2. It's sounds soooooo simple but the message I had said "don't open files because security certifates had expired and and are not up to date or another message "You cannot access these files because you do not have privelege.

What had happened is that my computer calender had restet to Feb 4, 2004 so stored data and updates were only in effect before that date. I reset my clock and everything worked perfectly. Go figure.

[brownieman]

i use the free avg also...it's set to auto update itself which it does seems like daily.

it seems to work if you run a check a couple of times a week.

i also use spybot, it's free and is a spyware check...it's all over my old head, when i was young the only computer in the school i went to was as big as a room.

mine has totally crashed 3 or 4 times and i have lost everything on it...if i want to be sure not to lose something i still keep it the old fashioned way...piece of paper in the file cabinet.

the hackers seem to always stay one step ahead...wish they would stop hacking and find another hobby, like fishin or something but hey..that would take a little physical effort and i'd hate that for them...so the geeks keep on a hackin and this old fart will just keep on a fishin...least maybe i get to eat a little fresh fish now and then, lol

the hackers if the truth were known are probably the creators...pretty good job security, lol

bm

[Phil Lilley]

date is fine. Just had a guy go thru it and no luck. Doing another virus scan now but did one yesterday and found nothing. Safe Mode- can open things but not when we reboot. Will try tomorrow.

[Thom]

Frustrating isn't it.

Here is the route to the system restore on my computer:

Click: Start.

Click: Help and Support

Click: Performance and Mainenance

Click: Using the restore and undo changes

Run: System restore wizard.

As I said previously it will go back to an earlier date that you choose but will not change any saved files or data.

This has gotten me up and running on computers a couple of times and then sometimes it flops.

[Flatlander]

Phil,

Don't know if this is the case or not, but maybe its possible that your computer and your van were having a relationship behind your back. The van gave you grief in Colorado and well................ now it is time for the computer. Maybe you could get them back together. It may only take a windshield wiper to satisfy the old PC.

Flatlander

It does sound like Thom has the right idea.