so whats the scoop on ur network, how many comps, any problems, what os?

if u do format again, u should reset the bios, and take out the ram for a few seconds... (ive heard of some viruses in ram)

its probably coming from the network tho, maybe connect ur comp directly to the modem for a while just to get ur shit together and updated

 

RAM is volatile memory, as in it forgets everything when you switch off power (or reset). Even if it was non-volatile, the BIOS/OS would not actually execute uninitialized memory so it's impossible for a virus to "infect your RAM". I also never heard of a virus infecting the BIOS (destroy it, maybe - but not infect it). So don't start opening up your computer just yet..

 

thanks radu. will do. only problem is, late last night my computer expierenced a critical error. a warning message popped up that stated something along the lines,



That's not exactly what it said, but close enough. Anyways, immediately after that another warning message popped up stating explorer.exe failed to initialize. And I tried going into the task menu and open a new execution (manually typing in explorer.exe), ...but the same error messages appear.

So another message popped up stating Windows would reboot shortly, and it did. But it won't start up, it goes to blue screen and those same two error message pop up and then another stating Windows will reboot shortly. explorer.exe (not iexplorer.exe mind you...) if FUBAR...

it starts in safe mode..

so i tried rebooting from the harddrive and this weird screen pops up, somehow i get to a MEMORY DIAGNOSTICS TESTING page and here I am now. Window's has been running MEMORY DIAGNOSTICS TESTS for the past 9 hours.

..I am not on the computer right now..

 

^^ If you have other computers connected to your wireless network, you might be having problems stemming from a different machine. Also, is your wireless network secure? Do you have to type in an encrypted key to set up your wireless access?

 

pat, when you format you're deleting ALL partions right?

 

The exact error message was,



And then the "Windows has encountered a critical problem and will reboot shortly...

and it's currently going on hour 12 of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool.



Only one computer, no network. I have Wireless Cable Modem (you can plug in via ethernet or pick up wirelessly, all-in-one). I live in an area of 55+ retirement community. Most of my neighbors don't know what a computer is. I named my wireless network "Hurting Children" to scare off any 60 year old adventurers...

You think I should run the RAM through a cycle of pots and pans?



It is not secure, but I can make it secure (I believe..) I think I chose not to because of the community I live in, plus the fact I have random people coming over with laptops all the time and would've hated to have to add their computer's IP or whatever to allow them wireless access to my internet connection...





yes, I am deleteing ALL partitions (there is always only one because I create just one giant one for the OS and everything else... I don't like splitting up the OS on a seperate partition and having another for everything else).

After deleting I have my entire HD listed as unpartitioned space (this all being done on the screen that you choose where to install your OS to), and I create a new partition with maximum allowable space (usually it's all of the HD less 8 or 9 kb, why? I dunno... you techies probably do..) and format the NEW partition...

 

How would you notice 8 or 9 kb? Did you mean 8 or 9 Gb or something?

There is a difference between what kilo/mega/giga means. The hard drive manufacturers use these prefixes like in the metric system: 1 kb = 1000 bytes, 1Mb = 1 million bytes, 1Gb = 1 billion bytes. All (or most of all) other computer-related uses of these prefixes are actually: 1kb = 2^10 = 1024 bytes; 1Mb = 2^20 = 1 048 576 bytes; 1Gb = 2^30 = about 1.073 billion bytes.

Because of this, a hard drive labeled "150Gb" actually stores about 150*10^9/2^30 = 140Gb.

bigeyes.gif

 

I know what the prefixes mean..

I noticed 8 or 9 KILObytes because it SHOWED it.


I dunno, ...this has nothing to do with the crappy problem I face...


Anyways, I think I found a solution? well, temporary. So afte trying the new Vista install DVD I have and the pop-up shit continuing, I thought to try the old XP Home install CD I had, but no... the pop-up shit persisted.

Sooo.. after many long nights, I tried the old Beta version of Vista (that I ORIGINALLY HAD INSTALLED WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR) and it completely installed and the pop-up shit has not begun since..

I dunno. This is weird. The beta version I have is just gonna expire again. And I'll have to start over.

Oh and, the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool found no problems whatsoever. After 13 hours of "scanning"

...

 

actully i think its closer to 8-9 Mb. its for the MBR, and is needed to convert to a dynamic volume fing02.gif


u can get boot sector viruses and MBR problems to from unpartitioned space... (can stay through a format to)
if thats what u think it could be u can run FIXMBR recovery console

 

well, after re-installing the beta versio of Vista and it NOT happening for a while (3 hours or so..)

I figured, why not try and to the "upgrade" install with the REAL Vista Install DVD. So now I have Vista on the comp. that won't expire. And it hasn't happened since..

Hopefully it won't. But if it does, I'll try and do that FIXMBR thing..

Thanks!