IE can't see dialer

[Rocker]

Bear, I sometimes browse a site called KhonKaen.com (try it, it's an interesting slice o' life about living there, where I'd lived shortly before moving to Bangkok) and I had trouble with the reply box. The moderator suggested it was from the site's cookies, and further suggested I run a program called CCLeaner, to remove cookies. I did that and it somehow wiped out my 'link' with the Internet. I've deleted and reinstalled my ISP (JiNet) several times, but it seems my IE cannot 'see' the dialed-up connection. The Ji-Net works fine, and tells me that it hooks up as normal, etc. But when I try to open an IE-window to a site (such as this one) it says 'Cannot find server'. How do I link the two again?
That's why I haven't been on recently...this happened once before, when I ran a partitions-cleaning program to remove old code and supposedly make my system run up- to-snuff once again. It wiped out my connection too, but I was able to reconnect it. I can't remember the exact fix I did that worked, since I was shooting blind and trying everything I could think of. What are the steps to make the IE 'see' the web-connection?

Thanx. BTW, I'm up north again, at my wife's family's place, for a wedding. I'm using an internet-cafe for this message. I hope you and yours had a good holiday!! beer:

[bear]

Glad to have you show up here, Rocker. I tried sending you a PM over "there" when things went pear shaped, but I don't think you look at those often.

Is the software from your ISP an actual program (a dialer, as in you open it to get onto the net), or just something that helps with the settings and you open IE normally?
If it's a program, have you tried uninstalling then reinstalling instead of just installing over the top of the existing one?
If it's not a dialer program, maybe you should note the settings and create a new connection through the network setup dialog in the control panel. (see attached)

If all else fails, I'd like to see a HJT log, if you can manage to get that for me. It's possible that you had something on there that was intercepting the connection for it's own use, and when you wiped things out, it can't connect now.

[Rocker]

Bear, yes, it's an actual dialer. It comes with a CD to install the program, and then I just buy 'time-cards' which each have a user-name and password, and give so many minutes for so many Baht. I saved the first CD when I bought it, and have just been buying cards since, but when this happened, I used the Add/Remove function-screen in Windows to remove the program, then reinstalled it. I also tried to use the Windows dial-up connection-wizard, (to which you'd shown the thumbnails) and plugged the other program's username/password into it but still, no connection.
I will try and do a HJT log, save it to disc and return here (Internet cafe in a mall) in a day or two and post it. Plus, I forgot to mention that I'd also downloaded a virus-removal program and run it as well. THAT could have wiped the connection. I opened it this morning, and looked at the log of deleted files in which it'd found a virus or a 'signature' of a back-door virus. I'd told it to delete these (I believe there were about 8) and I thought it may be possible that one of the deleted files was essential for the IE connection. I'll try to copy the list of files which it deleted and we can check to see if one is necessary for the IE. I got both the CCleaner program and the anti-virus program from a site called filehippo.com.

You're right about not reading PM's. When I'm waiting for help and logging in to look for an answer, I usually go right to the thread in which I'd posted a question, being somewhat single-minded at times, (and forgetful at others, bad combination). I usually forget to check for PM's, since I get so few. Not good site-etiquette, I'm sure, and I'm sorry I missed your heads-up. I hope this site treats you better than the old, and I'm also extremely glad you're still around to help us poor 'puter screwer-uppers.

Sa-wat-dee-bee-mai-kahp!! (Happy New Year!!)

[bear]

Originally Posted by Rocker

I will try and do a HJT log, save it to disc and return here (Internet cafe in a mall) in a day or two and post it. Plus, I forgot to mention that I'd also downloaded a virus-removal program and run it as well. THAT could have wiped the connection. I opened it this morning, and looked at the log of deleted files in which it'd found a virus or a 'signature' of a back-door virus. I'd told it to delete these (I believe there were about 8) and I thought it may be possible that one of the deleted files was essential for the IE connection. I'll try to copy the list of files which it deleted and we can check to see if one is necessary for the IE.

It sound reasonable that this is the case. Curious why it won't reinstall, however, unless these other programs are perhaps not allowing the same files back in. When you try to reinstall, do you get any sort of warning from them? If not, maybe this is the problem...
Have you tried disabling all those helper applications before installing the dialer?

You're right about not reading PM's.

No problem there. What I did was go to my user profile, and set it to send me an email and pop up a notice when I have a PM.

I hope this site treats you better than the old, and I'm also extremely glad you're still around to help us poor 'puter screwer-uppers.

I'd say a better than average chance. I own this one.

[Rocker]

Bear, when I reinstall the ISP-dialer-program, it installs just fine, and works fine as well, dialing-up the programmed phone number and connecting, everything OK. It's after that, when I try to open the IE that it can't see the installed dialer-program.

Here's my HJT log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:25:34 AM, on 1/11/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2, v.2082 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2082)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGUARD.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drwtsn32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\SHSTAT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\TalkBack\TBMon.exe
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE
C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\IACLiM.exe
D:\Net Software\HiJackThis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: eCATRegistrar Class - {02336F51-24CA-4422-AB63-18841ADF35E6} - C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\eCATBHO.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: JI-Net Accelerator - {4BC3AC04-3E56-411D-B465-4FEA06654611} - C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\ThinClientToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hgqhp.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hgqhp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ShStatEXE] "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\SHSTAT.EXE" /STANDALONE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Network Associates Error Reporting Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\TalkBack\TBMon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [load32] C:\WINDOWS\system32\winldra.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVGCtrl] C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAClient] C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\IACLiM.exe
O4 - Global Startup: IDW Logging Tool.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\idwlog.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0191ABF4-9421-435E-9FFD-CD827A2A82D8} (SBITAX7Ctrl Class) - http://directplugin.com/tl7000.dll
O16 - DPF: {8FCDF9D9-A28B-480F-8C3D-581F119A8AB8} (MediaGatewayX) - http://static.zangocash.com/cab/180s...bridge-c32.cab
O23 - Service: AntiVir Service (AntiVirService) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH - C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGUARD.EXE
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update (AVWUpSrv) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates McShield (McShield) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates Task Manager (McTaskManager) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Sygate Personal Firewall (SmcService) - Sygate Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe

************************************************** ********

Bear, this information below shows up when I open my Anti-virus program and select “Report”. I’m not sure if it’s a summary of the viruses it deleted or if it’s information about the type of files the AV program itself uses to scan the computer. But I’m including it so that if it can help, you have it.

Platform: Windows NT Workstation
Windows version: 5.1 Build 2600 (Service Pack 2, v.2082)
Username: David
Processor: Pentium
Working memory: 622064 KB free
Creation date of the report file: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 09:30

AntiVir®/XP (2000 + NT) PersonalEdition Classic
Build 1114 of 04.11.2005
Mainprogram 6.32.00.51 of 03.11.2005
VDF file 6.32.14.13 (0) of 05.11.2005
Scanning for 244065 virus strains and unwanted programs.

Licensed for: AntiVir Personal Edition
Serial number: 0000149991-WURGE-0001

Version information:
AVWIN.DLL : 6.32.00.51 561192 04.11.2005 07:50:54
AVEWIN32.DLL : 6.32.0.57 954880 14.10.2005 15:08:24
AVGNT.EXE : 6.32.00.02 180327 03.11.2005 17:06:56
AVGUARD.EXE : 6.32.00.12 208424 03.11.2005 17:06:58
GUARDMSG.DLL : 6.30.00.02 94248 01.02.2005 10:24:12
AVGCMSG.DLL : 6.32.00.01 295029 03.11.2005 17:06:58
AVGNTDW.SYS : 6.31.00.01 32896 29.04.2005 08:07:16
AVPACK32.DLL : 6.32.00.02 319528 03.11.2005 16:57:42
AVGETVER.DLL : 6.30.00.00 24576 28.01.2005 17:10:20
AVSHLEXT.DLL : 6.30.00.01 40960 28.01.2005 17:10:22
AVSched32.EXE : 6.32.00.01 110632 20.09.2005 14:16:26
AVSched32.DLL : 6.30.00.00 122880 01.02.2005 10:24:12
AVREG.DLL : 6.31.00.05 41000 07.09.2005 16:34:50
AVRep.DLL : 6.32.00.140 1466408 03.11.2005 14:48:08
INETUPD.EXE : 6.32.00.53 262203 04.11.2005 07:49:30
INETUPD.DLL : 6.32.00.53 143360 04.11.2005 07:49:30
CTL3D32.DLL : 2.31.000 27136 04.09.2002 05:34:00
MFC42.DLL : 6.02.4035.0 1036288 18.02.2004 19:02:28
MSVCRT.DLL : 7.0.2600.2082 (xpsp.040216-1810)
MSVCRT.DLL : 7.0.2600.2082 342528 18.02.2004 19:02:34
CTL3DV2.DLL : No information

Lastly, I opened the CCleaner cookies-removal program and looked to see if it had generated a record of files removed, but I found none.

Two other things: although I downloaded and reinstalled the Sygate Personal firewall, everytime I turn-on the 'puter, I get a message window that says the firewall has encountered a problem and needs to close.
There are also a few viruses which my old virus-program (McAfee) picks-up and displays ion the window but when I tell it to clean or delete the files, it is unable to do so. They must be new. I'm going to run my new AV program again tonight (it takes about two hours to do the whole system), and see if it gets them.

Have you tried disabling all those helper applications before installing the dialer?

No, but, as usual coming from you, that's an excellent idea and I'll give it a shot.

I'd say a better than average chance. I own this one.

Excellent!! I suspected that from the name (wbhelp.com) but didn't want to presume.

I'll pop back in here tomorrow. I'd mentioned once before, long ago, that this mall is swarming with beautiful local...ummm...talent, and the scenery alone makes for an interesting excursion,( let alone for the kind assistance you continue to provide). This shop is next to the one I'd used the other time, though, the one with virus-loaded 'puters. This one seems to have a broadband connection because the screens load awfully fast.
Talk to you soon. As always, thanx a million.

[bear]

Very informative post! I love it when people include lots of info to help track things down. Here's what I found in the HJT log:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
This explains the failure of Sygate, I think. This is the Windows "security center", and it doesn't play well with most AV or external firewall programs. wscntfy.exe can be disabled by going in to "Services" and disabling Security Center. As long as you're using a firewall and AV, you should be okay.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hgqhp.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hgqhp.exe
Apparently a trojan. Have HJT fix this

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [load32] C:\WINDOWS\system32\winldra.exe
Backdoor.Nibu.O Trojan. Have HJT fix this

O4 - Global Startup: IDW Logging Tool.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\idwlog.exe
Unneccesary Windows program. Start->Run. Type in 'MSCONFIG' (without the 'quotes') and hit enter. Look under the 'startup' tab in the box that appears and uncheck the box next to 'idwlog.exe'. Click 'OK'. Next startup it should be gone.

O16 - DPF: {0191ABF4-9421-435E-9FFD-CD827A2A82D8} (SBITAX7Ctrl Class) - http://directplugin.com/tl7000.dll
Possibly the source of the trouble. Adware.Sa is a Browser Helper Object (BHO) that hijacks URLs and may upload system information. It may also dial high-cost numbers using existing modem connections. Have HJT fix this

O16 - DPF: {8FCDF9D9-A28B-480F-8C3D-581F119A8AB8} (MediaGatewayX) - http://static.zangocash.com/cab/180s...bridge-c32.cab
Could be related to the above trojan. Every reference I see says it's a bad thing to have. Have HJT fix this

It would seem your McAffee program is not working properly, and is probably rendered useless. Perhaps the issue began before you installed the newer AV, so I can't say if they both are, but I'd suspect as much.
Once you've repaired these items using HJT, please restart the computer, and run a new scan. Post the fresh log here.

[Rocker]

Bear, thanx for analyzing my HJT log. However, this morning, my 'puter threw a major tantrum, and would not let me access any files. VERY strange, as yesterday, it was working fine, other than the missing IE connection. I kept being able to log into my account, then nothing opened, even the Task Manager wouldn't work, and I couldn't even access the 'Start' button to turn it off properly. I kept getting virus-message windows that I couldn't shut-down, or acknowedge. I managed (barely) to avoid reaching for the ol' sledgehammer, but I had to keep turning off the power and restarting the damn system, and it remained unresponsive. I even got a (I believe) bogus message telling me my hard-drive was running out of room. No way, unless, turning off the system (by switching off the power-strip everything is plugged into) somehow uses up exponential quantities of temporary memory. Finally, I told the system to boot-up from the CD drive, put my Windows CD in there, and just reinstalled windows on top of the existing version. I then ran another HJT log, and it only showed 9 items, all looking 'valid'.

My 'puter has a 40gb hard-drive partitioned into two, labeled 'C' and 'D' (original, eh? ), and about 520 MB of RAM (the original 256 plus an additional 256 memory-chip). I have always tried to keep the operating system on the 'C' partition and all other files (school documents, music files/programs, downloaded software, etc. ) on the 'D' section. When I reinstalled Windows this morning, I put it back into it's customary place in the 'C' drive. The Windows installer program said it would reformat the partition, and after installation, everything opened OK, including the files on the 'D' section.
But, if you would 'bear' with me, some questions:

1. Can viruses and other back-door-type programs 'survive' a reformatting of the drive's partition?

2. Where can I get to the option to boot-up in 'safe-mode'? I was looking this morning, (between shaking my fist and employing every expletive know to modern man) doing the DEL key upon boot-up, and going into 'Advanced BIOS Features', (I think, it may be 'Functions'), where one can select the priority boot-device, etc, but I still couldn't get to the option of booting-up in safe mode. What are the steps? I bothered you with this question once before, but this time I swear I'll note-pad it and save the answer!!

3. In that screen (Advanced BIOS Features) aren't the items labelled HDD-1, HDD-2, etc. the hard-drives? If I installed Windows on the 'C' section of my hard-drive, shouldn't I set the boot-up priority 1 device to the HDD-1?

I'm going home soon (I'm at the mall again) to: reinstall MS Office, and try and re-establish the Internet connection again. (Good thing I don't have much hair left, or I'd be tearing out what remained!) If it works, I'll get on later and let you know, and post a fresh HJT log from home. If it doesn't, I'll come back here tomorrow, post the HJT, we can see if everything is indeed kosher, and go from there.

I'm especially glad you found why the Sygate Firewall wasn't running correctly. That was driving me nuts. A friend had originally told me about Sygate, and was at my house one night, and downloaded it for me. It worked fine for a while, but after I ran into problems a few months ago,(with a partition-cleaning program), and had to reinstall Windows again, it didn't work correctly after that. He must have disabled the Security Center when he installed the Sygate, and I didn't know that should be done.
PS When I reinstalled Windows this morning I DID disable the security center, (I think), even without knowing that it was causing conflict with the Sygate, as I was anticipating reinstalling the Sygate (which I'd saved on the 'D' drive) later today.


PPS Ya know, you ol' bruin you, all the beers (or jars of honey) I owe you are REALLY starting to pile up. If you don't get over here and slurp some with me, I just may have to start drinking them myself.

PPPS I asked at the old site (while I was too distracted to notice your leaving-notice) for you to send me your RL mailing address again so I could send you a Xmas card. How about e-mailing it to me again, (<< edit >>...I think I forgot my gmail account password) and I'll send you a cool Thailand t-shirt? It's the least I can do. (I could tuck a small donation in the box as well, to help with your den's electric bill!)

Again, thanx a million, Bear.

[bear]

Originally Posted by Rocker

Bear, thanx for analyzing my HJT log. However, this morning, my 'puter threw a major tantrum, and would not let me access any files. VERY strange, as yesterday, it was working fine, other than the missing IE connection.

It was obviously sensing you were getting close to killing it off. Although it's likely coincidental, since you were essentially unprotected after the first infection, you were probably infected with another one. Frightening environment you have there.

I even got a (I believe) bogus message telling me my hard-drive was running out of room. No way, unless, turning off the system (by switching off the power-strip everything is plugged into) somehow uses up exponential quantities of temporary memory.

Maybe, maybe not. There are "space filler" viruses that will just keep writing information to the drive until it dies. Haven't seen one of those in the wild in some time though.

and about 520 MB of RAM (the original 256 plus an additional 256 memory-chip).

256+256=512 here Maybe it's the exchange rate to Thailand?

1. Can viruses and other back-door-type programs 'survive' a reformatting of the drive's partition?

Some can. Depends on where it was "living" really. Did Windows really say it was formatiing and then installing, or just reinstalling? A format/install should take around 45 minutes and wipe out most issues...unless they were on the D drive...or boot viruses. I don't think the first one we spotted was that sort, but have no idea about the newer one you seemed to have received.

2. Where can I get to the option to boot-up in 'safe-mode'?

http://www.wbhelp.com/showthread.php?t=100
Usually, it's pressing the F8 key repeatedly as the machine is powering up. It can be a little tricky to hit exactly right.

3. In that screen (Advanced BIOS Features) aren't the items labelled HDD-1, HDD-2, etc. the hard-drives? If I installed Windows on the 'C' section of my hard-drive, shouldn't I set the boot-up priority 1 device to the HDD-1?

Do you have more than one drive in there or just the one with partitions? Chances are these additional drives do not exist and it's a generic setup in case you have more. I don't believe that Windows sees (non-primary) partitions as actual bootable devices.
It's better to make some other drive (CD, Floppy) the first boot device, and let Windows discover the next one on it's own, in most cases. In the absence of user input, it will typically try floppy (if there is one) then HDD at letter C.

Ya know, you ol' bruin you, all the beers (or jars of honey) I owe you are REALLY starting to pile up. If you don't get over here and slurp some with me, I just may have to start drinking them myself.

Wish I could. Apart from being a non-drinker (although the prospect of sitting in the warm sun watching lovely ladies stroll past does have it's appeal), I just don't fly. Bears are not at all aerodynamic, you know, and hibernate in the winter instead of migrating.

I asked at the old site (while I was too distracted to notice your leaving-notice) for you to send me your RL mailing address again so I could send you a Xmas card. How about e-mailing it to me again, and I'll send you a cool Thailand t-shirt? It's the least I can do. (I could tuck a small donation in the box as well, to help with your den's electric bill!)

A t-shirt would be a wonderful thing, but please, not a donation. I don't ask anything for this work, and it wouldn't be right. Great offer, though, thanks. I'll send the address via PM here, just to make you look there.
I'm removing your email from the post, to keep it from being harvested by spammers. No point helping them, eh?

[EDIT] PS: Ironically, you don't have enough posts to use the PM feature here yet, so email it is.

[Rocker]

Originally Posted by bear

It was obviously sensing you were getting close to killing it off. Although it's likely coincidental, since you were essentially unprotected after the first infection, you were probably infected with another one. Frightening environment you have there.

I toldja, 'puters are getting a little too smart!

256+256=512 here Maybe it's the exchange rate to Thailand?

I know. After I installed the second chip, I checked my 'System' icon and it gave me a total that exceeds the logical sum. Maybe the whole is equal to more than the sum of the parts? Nothing in 'puter-world surprises me much anymore (frustrates, yes, but not surprises!)

Some can. Depends on where it was "living" really. Did Windows really say it was formatiing and then installing, or just reinstalling?

Darn. Yes, it specifically mentioned reformatting, (and asked the type of file system I wanted NPTS or FTS or something like that...)because I was hoping it would keep the 'partition' between the 'C' and 'D' drives intact, and preserve the files I had there but had had no chance to remove or save to disc before being locked out. I chose the option it was 'recommending', and it seems to have worked.

A format/install should take around 45 minutes

It did.

and wipe out most issues.

I sure hope so.

unless they were on the D drive...or boot viruses.

I ran the AV again last night, and actually ran it twice on the 'D' drive and it found none.

http://www.wbhelp.com/showthread.php?t=100
Usually, it's pressing the F8 key repeatedly as the machine is powering up. It can be a little tricky to hit exactly right.

Thanx. I'll remember this time and try it later today.

Do you have more than one drive in there or just the one with partitions?

One actual HDD unit, with the 40gb split into two partitions. When I go into the BIOS Features screen, the choices for boot-priority are HDD-0, HDD-1, HDD-2, the floppy, the CD and something called (I think) LFS120 or something similar, perhaps the actual processing chip?

Chances are these additional drives do not exist and it's a generic setup in case you have more.

Makes sense.

I don't believe that Windows sees (non-primary) partitions as actual bootable devices. It's better to make some other drive (CD, Floppy) the first boot device, and let Windows discover the next one on it's own, in most cases. In the absence of user input, it will typically try floppy (if there is one) then HDD at letter C.

OK. I don't understand, but OK. I'll remember this as well, and try it.

Wish I could. Apart from being a non-drinker...I just don't fly.

I remember, just twisting your ol' tail a little...

(although the prospect of sitting in the warm sun watching lovely ladies stroll past does have it's appeal),

You got that right. The Thai girls are unearthly at times.

A t-shirt would be a wonderful thing,

You got it.

but please, not a donation. I don't ask anything for this work, and it wouldn't be right.

You continue to amaze me.

I'll send the address via PM here, just to make you look there.
I'm removing your email from the post, to keep it from being harvested by spammers. No point helping them, eh?

Good thinking, and thanx.

[EDIT] PS: Ironically, you don't have enough posts to use the PM feature here yet, so email it is.

Got it. Thanx. Shirt on the way soon! What kind of washing machine you got in the ol' cave, there?

BTW, I ran another HJT log yesterday after going home and here's what it looks like:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
D:\Net Software\HiJackThis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: eCATRegistrar Class - {02336F51-24CA-4422-AB63-18841ADF35E6} - C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\eCATBHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: JI-Net Accelerator - {4BC3AC04-3E56-411D-B465-4FEA06654611} - C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\ThinClientToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAClient] C:\Program Files\JI-Net\JI-Net Accelerator\3.52.0105.14\IACLiM.exe
O4 - Global Startup: IDW Logging Tool.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\idwlog.exe
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{6A95C219-DA03-4BCD-B7DD-1415BB553921}: NameServer = 203.147.0.3 203.147.0.2

I still get the message when opening up the system that Sygate has encountered a problem and must close, but when I check the Windows Security center, (where I'd 'told' it that I was using another firewall, and disabled the Windows one) it tells me that the firewall is on, and when I bring up the Sygate icon, it also says it's on. Since I'm still not able to connect to the web, I can't really tell...
I remembered once before I solved a problem by going into the Internet options and selecting the 'Advanced' tab, then restoring the default settings. So simple, I should have remembered that and tried it sooner...but sighhhh story of my life... I'll try that later (I'm now at the mall again).
Talk to ya soon! As always, thanx, Bear!!

[bear]

Originally Posted by bear

I don't believe that Windows sees (non-primary) partitions as actual bootable devices. It's better to make some other drive (CD, Floppy) the first boot device, and let Windows discover the next one on it's own, in most cases. In the absence of user input, it will typically try floppy (if there is one) then HDD at letter C.

Well, you can set which device on the system should be the device to look at first for startup (boot) information. Before the "phasing out" of floppy drives, it was normally set to look at the A (floppy) first, in case you needed to format, fix or otherwise work on the system itself. You can set nearly any drive to be first.

When you set up a hard drive for running an operating system (OS), you set that partition as the 'primary' partition, making it 'bootable'. Additional partitions are usually for storage and are called 'logical' partitions, and they don't contain the system files in order to start the system. (there are more than just the ones I mention, but it's complicated enough, no?)

It *is* possible to create a second (or more) bootable partition for "dual booting", in case you want to be able to switch between operating systems. To switch from one OS to another typically requires a "bootloader", a program that watches on startup and prompts the user to choose the OS they want.

Complicated stuff.