please wait
Computer problems
Feb 13, 2011 at 12:04pm
This is just great. I went off to fix some computer problems that my uncle was having with his old Windows XP powered PC. The main problem was that the printer did not work at all and that he could not read PDF files properly. After some checking and resetting, it appeared the printer just didn't seem to be using the black ink at all and that he didn't have a PDF reader installed. So I basically told him this and installed a PDF reader.
After some time I got a pop-up saying that there was a new hardware connection and that it needed to be updated, naturally, I updated it. Afterwards, the internet connection seemed to have died. Now I need to go back there somewhere this week to fix this..
This is looking a lot like the xkcd that tells how computer problems get worse by the second: "The computer is a lost cause, but perhaps I can still restore my laptop." (I don't recall the title of it.)
If anyone ever experienced anything like this, be sure to share. (Also, please help me figure out what is going on there, since internet connections are not really the thing I'm best at.)
After some time I got a pop-up saying that there was a new hardware connection and that it needed to be updated, naturally, I updated it. Afterwards, the internet connection seemed to have died. Now I need to go back there somewhere this week to fix this..
This is looking a lot like the xkcd that tells how computer problems get worse by the second: "The computer is a lost cause, but perhaps I can still restore my laptop." (I don't recall the title of it.)
If anyone ever experienced anything like this, be sure to share. (Also, please help me figure out what is going on there, since internet connections are not really the thing I'm best at.)
Last edited on Feb 13, 2011 at 12:05pm
Feb 13, 2011 at 4:33pmclosed account (zb0S216C)
Try rolling back the system. You specify that you received a message telling you that it found new hardware. What hardware did it detect?
Last edited on Feb 13, 2011 at 4:33pm
Feb 13, 2011 at 4:39pm
The printer that I was fiddling around with, but it seemed to randomly throw that within the first 3 minutes of any log-in. It was only when I pressed okay that the connection died. I personally don't see how a printer could interfere with the internet connection..
Last edited on Feb 13, 2011 at 4:39pm
Feb 13, 2011 at 4:40pm
What brand of PC? I remember I fixed a computer for a relative, a HP Pavilion, and it had an old Windows TCP/IP glitch where the IP was set to a random IP and no settings could fix it. Had to reboot and recreate the settings for Winsocket. Used a program to do it nice and quickly.
If you want to check that use the ipconfig /all command in CMD. If you get some random nonsense for the info of the adapter it may be the problem. I fixed that computer for that XP issue many times.
If you want to check that use the ipconfig /all command in CMD. If you get some random nonsense for the info of the adapter it may be the problem. I fixed that computer for that XP issue many times.
Feb 13, 2011 at 4:47pm
I believe it was a (very old) Medion. Do note that I don't have the computer near me at this moment and thus can't check all the methods, I just want to form some sort of list of possible causes and solutions, since I really won't be able to solve this on the spot.
How would the Winsocket approach be done?
How would the Winsocket approach be done?
Feb 13, 2011 at 4:53pm
Winsock : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357
Follow the manual steps. If that doesn't work I usually get a utility to fix it.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Network-Tweak/WinSockFix.shtml
Follow the manual steps. If that doesn't work I usually get a utility to fix it.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Network-Tweak/WinSockFix.shtml
Feb 13, 2011 at 7:21pm
Computers do some funny things but programs don't just disappear off of computers. I would imagine that your Uncle installed\uninstalled something that broke the file extension assocaition that Adobe had with his computer, reinstalling it would have fixed this.
- See if rebooting the PC fixes the issue with the internet connection.
- worlfgang is probably right with it being a winsock issue, this is a little buggy on XP. But just in case when you do the ipconfig \all make sure that the Default Gateway is NOT set to loopback (127.0.0.1). This is something often done by malicious software to trick you into buying thier extortionware. This is usually done at: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel.
- Did the printer ever work? If it did then roll back the drivers on it, or if the PC sees the printer already it could be that the ink cartridge dried up. If not then you know to install the new ones.
EDIT: If you have any more details, they are always welcome. SLT is why I wear a Grey Hat.
- See if rebooting the PC fixes the issue with the internet connection.
- worlfgang is probably right with it being a winsock issue, this is a little buggy on XP. But just in case when you do the ipconfig \all make sure that the Default Gateway is NOT set to loopback (127.0.0.1). This is something often done by malicious software to trick you into buying thier extortionware. This is usually done at: HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel.
- Did the printer ever work? If it did then roll back the drivers on it, or if the PC sees the printer already it could be that the ink cartridge dried up. If not then you know to install the new ones.
EDIT: If you have any more details, they are always welcome. SLT is why I wear a Grey Hat.
Last edited on Feb 13, 2011 at 7:23pm
Feb 13, 2011 at 8:19pm
@Computergeek01
The PDF problem arose because he indeed didn't have a PDF reading program - I easily solved this since back then, he had an internet connection so I could just download the appropriate program.
The printer did in fact work at all times, but him not knowing too much about computers selected a printer that wasn't even connected anymore. So I changed the default printer to the current one and fixed it. The only real problem was in the printer hardware, since it didn't seem to even USE the black cartridge (even though it was full).
The printer and PDF problems are both solved since I left there yesterday. Yet the internet problem persists - my uncle called me today. I'll be sure to check the Default Gateway loopback, if this however occurs, what do I do about it?
@wolfgang
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out tomorrow.
The PDF problem arose because he indeed didn't have a PDF reading program - I easily solved this since back then, he had an internet connection so I could just download the appropriate program.
The printer did in fact work at all times, but him not knowing too much about computers selected a printer that wasn't even connected anymore. So I changed the default printer to the current one and fixed it. The only real problem was in the printer hardware, since it didn't seem to even USE the black cartridge (even though it was full).
The printer and PDF problems are both solved since I left there yesterday. Yet the internet problem persists - my uncle called me today. I'll be sure to check the Default Gateway loopback, if this however occurs, what do I do about it?
@wolfgang
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out tomorrow.
Topic archived. No new replies allowed.