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Thread ID: 63681 2005-11-19 07:20:00 Computer Crash Absolom (9218) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
405544 2005-11-19 07:20:00 Hello Folks!

This is one of those, "this happened to a friend of mine" stories.
A friend of mine's computer crashed - a Dell running XP Home Edition. She went to reinstall XP from her recovery disk but, when asked for her licence key, couldn't respond to the request.
Not being familiar with Dell computers, and something of a novice myself, I couldn't help her out.
I'm sure there is someone out there that will know where she might find it or what she ought to do.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Absolom (9218)
405545 2005-11-19 07:26:00 It should/will be on a sticker on the side or back of the computer case, all "brand name" PC's fit the sticker as required by Microsoft, for "preinstalled" versions. godfather (25)
405546 2005-11-19 07:33:00 If its not on the outside (usually is) have a look inside the case... but only if its NOT still under warranty Myth (110)
405547 2005-11-19 07:41:00 If its not on the outside (usually is) have a look inside the case... but only if its NOT still under warranty

Thanks Folks! She located it on the back of the case.

Apparently the crash was preceded by the inability to download updates from Windows, update her antivirus, and, curiously, every time she typed 'Virus' into her browser, her browser would close down.
Does this sound like she has a virulently virus in her system?
Absolom (9218)
405548 2005-11-19 07:44:00 I should of added that, she has her computer functioning again, but the same problem as mentioned in my penultimate message and that which preceded her crash still exists. Clicking on her antivirus program, it will appearon her screen only momentarily before disappearing again. Absolom (9218)
405549 2005-11-19 07:51:00 What antivirus is she using?

I would download another one (AVG free for instance) update it then run that (preferably in safe mode). Once its finished its scan (could take a while) reboot and see what happens. You may also need to download (if you don't have them) Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad Aware... again update and run in safe mode
Myth (110)
405550 2005-11-19 07:53:00 See if she can get this Hijackthis (www.merijn.org)

Unzip it (hopefully), and put it into its own folder.

Then close browsers and run it, then scan and copy and paste it here (or somehow get the log to you, and u can paste the log here).

It definitely sounds like some kind of virus/worm/trojan. Thats disabled the virus scanner.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
405551 2005-11-19 07:56:00 Tazz:

Apparently that is part of the problem. Her anti-virus program is Norton, but whenever she types anything that includes 'virus' in the search line, her browser collapses. She can type in anything else and it will search it out for her, but should she type in, say, avg, the browser disappears off screen.
Absolom (9218)
405552 2005-11-19 08:00:00 Ok...

Click on these .. direct links to each application

Spybot 1.4 (fileforum.betanews.com)

AVG (www.grisoft.cz)

Get back to us if you have any issues :)
Myth (110)
405553 2005-11-19 08:10:00 Thanks Tazz and Speedy!

I'll get her to try everything you guy's have suggested and report back.
Absolom (9218)
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