General Chat

I can't believe how naked I feel without it. Since it died on me on Saturday (hence no contributions to threads on GC) I haven't known what to do with myself. My family history research is at a standstill, I can't join in conversation on this site. I'm only here now because I'm sneaking a peak from work. Can only stay a second!!!! Still no idea what the problem is. Running XP and refuses to reboot. I have uptodate virus software, use a firewall and my microsoft security patches are all up to date. Computer shop say it could still be Sasser worm as it can be very clever and can sit on your machine leaving you thinking you are updating virus checkers etc but actually blocking them. Hope it is as that way I've got a chance of getting my data back. Otherwise I'm in deep trouble. Oh well, back to work. Angela [ps another apology to those who have contacted me and think I am being rude in not replying. My email account is specific to my home telephone number so I cannot pick up from another machine.]

Lesson 1: Backup data Lesson 2: Backup data Lesson 3: Backup data NEVER have essential data in only one place. Copy files to a CD or floppy; e-mail them to a friend; but DO NOT rely on being able to access them on your computer. Been there, got the tee-shirt.

Luckily the most important thing was backed up the day before the computer died - my familytreemaker file. I do normally back up but the last month or so has been hectic and I've let it slip. I was thinking last week I ought to get the backups sorted, hence backing up familytreemaker as a start. Most of the stuff I could lose but the problem is all the contacts and emails on family history in my inbox. I don't normaly back up from my email folders. Not sure how to. Angela

My hubby works in an IT department and says that the definition of 'Windows' is: things you throw the computer out of when it won't work :))

To remove the sasser worm go to: (take out the *) http://www.microsoft.*com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=76c6de7e-1b6b-4fc3-90d4-9fa42d14cc17&displaylang=en and follow the instructions (It wont hurt if you don't have the worm). If you have the worm then your backup could be infected so be careful

Still no news on the computer but have borrowed an internet ready laptop from work (for operational reasons of course!) hence a chance to look in to GC. I would love to download and use a sasser worm removing utility but as my computer won't actually switch on its not possible. And I still don't know for certain it is Sasser. I am so missing GC and the message boards! Angela

when you say it wont switch on is that as in no power at all or does it go so far and stop?

It gets as far as the blue screen which has the little boxes with each individual account name next to them. Then when you click on a box, it hangs. Happens in safe mode as well as normal mode, and cannot be resolved by returning to last good configuration. One the one occasion when it did start up in safe mode I did a virus check (clean) and tried to roll back to last good reboot. Would not roll back, and would not get back into safe mode again at all so I can't try anything else. Angela

Can you get into the bios?

Nope. Did manage a couple of days ago but can't now. I think this needs expert help so I'm going to have to get my local "man who can" to look at it. If I could get into bios what would I do - just in case I get chance to have another go later? Angela

Just a thought but try loading failsafe defaults, Have a look round and follow instructions but SAVE on exit!

Andy Thanks. Will give it a go. Haven't got into bios so far today, but then it took me about 20 goes to get into safe mode that one and only time I managed it too. Fingers crossed something will work loose. Angela

Just a thought Angela- now i think back a friend of mine had EXACTLY the same problem, someone did look at it for him and ended up remastering. Do you have the disks?