[BC] Windows utility needed

[Jason R. at KGVL - KIKT]

A good place to start shopping for freeware and tutorials on the web is 
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com , also www.tomshardware.com .

  One free program you might check out is called STARTER.zip - this program 
will take a look at everything you load during bootup, and allow you to 
start and stop things while you're already running.

  If your computer isn't starting at ALL, though, it's tough to use these 
things.... so... a bit of peek-n-poke here.

  I think I would start in safe mode, use whatever administrator version you 
have for you version of windows, and turn off everything that runs on bootup 
that you do not absolutely need.  Any elective programs, like the Adobe 
Updaters, messengers, toolbars, all that crud needs to go AWAY.

In my opinion, they need to go away permanently.  I refuse to load those, 
Bing, or any other crapware when they're offered, and it's getting to where 
it takes some sharp eyes to avoid pulling in these resources hogs just doing 
normal business.   You want to view a pdf?  what the HECK do I need to 
download a BHO for ?

  If your computer still won't chug along happily, with just the OS itself 
running, still in safe mode,  you KNOW that it's a corrupted windoze file of 
some sort, or a hardware problem.... but hardware usually gives a BSOD and 
not just a 'lockup' during safe mode.

  If you machine will run OK in safe mode, but not in 'normal' mode, with 
all the extraneous progrmas turned off (or fully manual) it's still a good 
bet some dll file is toast.

And you now know that it is something not essential to making the machine 
run, but it is an integral part of windoze.

The newer versions of windows have a utility to compare the existing OS to 
windowx originals, and replace files that are not right.  I forget the names 
of the varirous commands, in XP Pro they are part of the repair console. 
"the Elder Geek" is another good online source for looking up some of these. 
Maybe Kelly's Korner, too.

That's probably the most direct way i know of deducing where the problem 
actually is... in Windoze, or in some other program... once you know that, 
you can fix it.

  Counting on automated 'fix it all for me' programs is NOT my favorite way 
to do it as those programs usually are not wat they claim... they're usually 
laden with all kinds of goodies to sell.  Excepting maybe 'combofix'... 
which is available on the sites up top of this letter.

Jason