Settings Change Everytime I log on to Windows XP Home

[Caliche]

Each time I log on to Windows XP Home Edition, all the Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer settings return to what I guess is a "Default" state. No matter how many times I change it, each time I log out, and then log back in, the settings are changed back to the default.

I tried changing the registry, specifically HKCU/software/microsoft/windows/Shell & ShellNoRoam as suggested in one of the posts here, but this didn't work.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Carlos

[Jazz]

Hi Carlos

Try the following and see what happens. Hopefully, it will resolve your issue: -

Type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes, noting that there is a space between c and / and hit OK. Have your XP CD handy, reboot once done and try settings again.

[Caliche]

Jazz, thank you for your response, but unfortunately, this did not work. Neither for the Windows Explorer, or for the Internet Explorer.

Are there any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[Jazz]

Turn off System Restore, prior to performing the following and re-enable it after, if you wish to do so: -

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

Run an online AV scan, as some virii are designed to disable installed AV. In addition, I take it that you have a quality, updated and properly configured AV and Firewall on your system: -

http://www.pandasoftware.com/active...n_principal.htm

Dl, install, update and run the following free apps: -

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ (Ad-aware)

http://www.lavahelp.com/howto/fullscan/index.html (Ad-aware Tutorial)

http://www.safer-networking.org/ (Spybot-S&D)

http://www.net-integration.net/reviews/spybot2.html (Spybot-S&D Tutorial)

http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/downloads.html (CWShredder)

I take it you do not use p2p file sharing software such as KaZaA?

Post back with results.

[Caliche]

Hi Jazz.

Thanks again for your reply. I have not yet tried some of the apps. I have already installed Ad-aware, from a while back. The others I will Dl and run as soon as I have a chance. The second link you provided "http://www.pandasoftware.com/active...n_principal.htm" gives back an error page.

I do have a DSL modem, so I have a firewall in my modem. But I do not understand what AV means. My computer is a HP a350n 512MB SD-RAM, 160GB, 2.4 Ghz Processor. I do run Kazaa, and the unfortunate programs that it installs with it.

I have disabled the System Restore, and possibly tomorrow (Monday) night or Tuesday night (Since i work 9-5, and then school on Monday and Wednesday evenings) I will try these suggestions you made.

The ad-Aware I have I use once in a while. I will try installing the other programs and running them to see how they work.

Thank you very much for your help and suggestions so far, and if you have any other comments, or suggestions, I would be welcome to hear them.

Thanks again.

Caliche

[Jazz]

That's ok.

With respect to Panda's online AV scanner, try the following link and click on the Panda ActiveScan icon, middle left of the page: -

http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/

The best defence with respect to security for home/small business users, would be to have a quality software Firewall and AV, updated at all times, properly configured, in conjunction with a NAT enabled Firewall router, IMO.

Regarding KaZaA, do yourself a favour and dump the insidious, virii, spyware, malware, adware infected piece of garbage: -

http://www.spychecker.com/program/kazaagone.html

KaZaA Testimonies, to name but a few: -

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,61852,00.html

http://users.sisna.com/mjmcmillan/myweb2/P2P.htm

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/kazaa.htm

Look forward to receiving the results of the other recommended programs.

[Caliche]

Thanks again for your help Jazz.

I did indeed get rid of Kazaa.

I also went to HP customer support for help on this issue as well and their solution was the following:

1) Go to Start>Run>MSCONFIG>StartUp

2) Remove checkmarks on everything except:
RUNDLL32
RECGUARD
PS2
KBD
Igfxtray
any entry that starts with the letter 'n' and 'cc' (if you have Norton)
Also if you have a DSL internet connection leave anything that has to do with it checked.
PCH Button
HP Center
Hpsysdrv

Then click on Apply, Close and Restart. When the system restarts, you will see a message about System Configuration Utility. Click in the box for Do Not Show This Message and then click on OK.

3) Start>Control Panel>Internet Options>Delete Cookies & Delete Files (check Delete all offline content).
Select Advanced tab, then click on Restore Defaults. Uncheck the option "Enable Third Party Browser Extension". Click OK. Restart your computer.

4)Then Download Ad-Aware (http://ftp.pcworld.com/pub/new/priva...urity/aaw6.exe), install and run.

Set the window settings that you need, and then restart your computer.

I know that this sounds like a lot of restarts, but it is really worth it. I am not really sure if this only changed the settings once, or if Windows will remember your new settings each time you change them. But at least I got to change the settings that were here before.

[Jazz]

Right on......