My sister's computer has lost its mind.

Any ideas? My sister's computer is acting as if cookies are disabled, but she went into security and it's set on medium, I think she said, or medium high, so it should be allowing at least some cookies. She is not able to log into her gmail account at all.

She said it was working fine, and now all of a sudden, she has to log in every time she visits a site, where it used to remember her. It's not keeping the history at all, even though it is set to keep 20 days. She has to type in every url that she wants to visit. When she tries to log into her gmail account, the address bar shows (after the url) auth=? and then a whole bunch of letters and numbers keep scrolling across, it never stops and lets her in. I can log into her gmail account from my computer with no problem.

She is now using her old earthlink account for e-mail, but her spamblocker won't accept any new addresses. I tried to forward her e-mail from gmail to her earthlink account, and got that stupid autoreply. (I hate earthlink. :evil: ) She can get email from me, because my email address was already in her earthlink account. So I can forward her e-mail to myself and then to her.

She's using Internet Explorer, not sure if it's IE7 or earlier version.

Any ideas?

 

A couple of options

1) format the hard drive and put on Linux (http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/)
2) Install firefox. (http://getfirefox.com)
3) Run a virus and spyware scan. (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

 

Pirate, thanks a lot. I will send her this information. The idea of formatting the hard drive gives me a heart attack, and she's even more of a tech-no-not than I am! But I thought of Firefox, I've been running that for a while, and I really like it, so I had already sent her a link to download it. I know she'll be glad to get the link for the virus and spyware scan.

She's away from her computer all day today, so she won't get to try any of this until later this evening, but I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Thanks.

 

Wouldn't that be a few options???

Just busting your chops! :mrgreen:

 

no a couple as I figured the first one was out the window......:mrgreen:

 

Your kidding right??????? She has a simple IE cookie problem so wipe the OS and re-install Linux???? Wait ... my air filter is bad in my car ........ lets pull the Chevy engine and get a new Ford one. You know nothing about the PC's hardware or wether it's Linux compatable?

Let’s try a simpler approach:
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. In the menu at the top click on “Tools”
3. Scroll to “Internet Options” then click the “Advanced” tab
4. At the bottom click on “Restore Defaults” then on “Apply” then on “OK”

It may require a restart. If not just close Internet Explorer and reopen it. Try the WEB.

 

you work on what you know and I will work on what I know. Have not used IE since 5 and do not care to. the advice I offered was valid except for the first option which I still recommend and the hardware will work under Linux.

 

OK, people, she installed Firefox and still has the same problem. Now what?

 

has she tried the trend micro housecall scan?

 

I'll check with her. I did that on my computer, and it's definitely running faster today.

 

you should enjoy these two

http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/06/yes-we-paid-microsofts-ad-agency-to.html

http://secondverse.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/mocking-surface/

 

OK, she ran the housecall scan and fixed a few problems, including one with IE, but she still has the same problems. She thinks it's time to call in a professional.

 

It sounds like something has control of the box. I would offer but I really hate doing desktop stuff and I lean towards a fresh install as it usually saves time and hassle. I would defer to devilock's recommendation as I have thought of having him diagnose a laptop for me.

 

Thanks, guys, but she's in St. Cloud, FL. I don't think she could afford your mileage.

I will pass these suggestions on to her, though.

 

that may may change things....wife has been wanting to go see Mickey.:mrgreen:

Given the price of desktops these days, one word of caution to her is to not spend the price of a new one on fixing the old one.

 

Funny you mentioned that Ken. I just started using GoToMyPC.com instead of a standard remote connection. I really like it. A little pricey though, $20/month. And, the PC has to be in general working condition for them to load it.

 

Used to use Radmin for effective remote debugging and support. Have removed viruses remotely with it. Of course that is with earlier versions.
http://www.famatech.com/products/radmin/index.php

We used to buy the help desk version and the great thing was we did not pay until you needed support and then we could pass you one of our keys. It was very economical.

 

Ken,
I just installed Fasterfox (because after reading you for years, I trust your advice). Not sure what it is supposed to do for me as I don't understand the benefits noted, except for the pop-up blocker. I can't find evidence of the install anywhere in my Firefox (e.g., in Tools or Options). Do I have to click any settings or am I OK to go?

AL...

 

Two additional suggestions:

1. Try an online scan from http://www.ewido.net/ (the "scan now" link is on the left hand side of the page, next to the guy with the laptop)

2. Try doing a System Restore to a time previous to her problem when everything was working properly.