Patience.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:*&q="NET+CLR"+icon+on+desktop+"Rita"
You've been getting around with this question. Be patient - 48 hours to 72
hours - particularly when a weekend is involved - is a reasonable wait time.
As for the updates - change the way Automatic Updates work - tell it not to
download/install anything - but notify you... Or - if you are willing to do
it all - turn off Automatic Updates and visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ at least after the 2nd Tuesday of each
month.
Some suggestions to help you collect information and possibly fix your
problem(s)...
Download/install and run Belarc Advisor (you may want to print the results
for your own needs.)
http://belarc.com/free_download.html
Make sure your files/favorites/emails/contacts/pictures are a;ll backed up
(run an extra backup outside your normally scheduled backup time before
starting anything else - better safe than sorry. If you don't have a
regularly scheduled backup - time to think *seriously* on it. Not many
things in life present the opportunity to *not* lose things like a computer
does - take advantage.
Check what version of Windows XP you have:
Start button --> RUN --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.
The top part (picture) tells you the version by name, the line starting with
the word "Version" gives you the full version information. Take note
(verbatim) of what you see.
Check what version of Internet Explorer you have:
Open Internet Explorer.
With Internet Explorer the applicatin 'in focus', hold down the ALT key
and press first the "H" followed by the "A" (keeping the ALT key depressed,
but letting up on the "H" before pressing the "A".)
This should bring up the "About Internet Explorer" screen - where you can
get the exact version. Take note (verbatim) of what you see.
Download SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes. Install them, update them, do
not scan with them yet.
(
http://www.superantispyware.com/ and
http://www.malwarebytes.org/ )
Reboot.
Verify you have the installation media/installation information for Norton
AntiVirus and Zone Alarm before doing this. If you have the FREE Zone
Alarm - you should really have the latest version and you can download this
later - if you feel you really need the extra overhead...
Disconnect from the Internet physically (unplug the wire(s).)
Uninstall both Norton AntiVirus and ZoneAlarm and enable the Windows
Firewall.
Reboot.
Scan with SuperAntiSpyware.
When done - scan with MalwareBytes.
When done - you are free to remove them (SuperAntiSpyware/MalwareBytes) if
so desired.
Check your Add or Remove Programs control panel application (with "Show
Updates" checked) for the various "Microsoft .NET Framework" applications
and write down everything you see - including what updates each have
installed.
Re-install your Norton AntiVirus *(if it is just the AntiVirus - BTW - what
version is it?)
Leaving Zone Alarm uninstalled, but again verifying the Windows Firewall is
up and running (go with "no exceptions" for the moment) - connect physically
back to the Internet.
Update Norton AntiVirus Definitions/register it/whatever you need to do with
it.
Download/Install the latest Windows Installer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en
Reboot.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net stop wuauserv
--> Click OK.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\regsvr32 %SystemRoot%\system32\wups2.dll
--> Click OK.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net start wuauserv
--> Click OK.
Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:
Close all Internet Explorer Windows and other applications.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.
(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
Reboot.
Visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and if told you need to install
something to use the site - go ahead. When you are finally presented with
the choices of "Custom" or "Express", choose "Custom" and let it scan your
computer. Note - when it is done - how many "High Priority" and "Software,
Optional" updates you have listed. Don't install any - just take notes of
the KB###### for each (and/or names) and post them here before doing
anything with the list. Personally - I think you would be better off always
ignoring the "Hardware, Optional" list and under the "Software, Optional" -
I'd also suggest ignoring the "Windows Search" one.
Each of these (in this order):
How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
Finally:
Come back here and post the following information:
- Windows XP version (full)
- Internet Explorer version (full)
- Results of SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes scans
- Version of Norton Antivirus you have installed.
- Versions of the .NET Framework you have installed (and their listed
updates.)
- Your processor (CPU) speed/type (look on the Belarc report.)
- The amount of memory (RAM) you have (look on the Belarc report.)
- The amount of hard disk drive space you have (total and free - may be on
the Belarc report.)
- The list of "High Priority" and "Software, Optional" updates found with
your scan.
This should give you a great overlay of what you have (and may cleanup some
of your issues in the process) and will give those who might be willing to
assist you further (should you need it) with something to work with.
