All Purpose Windows troubleshooting and upgrading CD or flash drive

 

Here is a collection of software I always burn on a CD or store on a USB flash drive before going to troubleshoot a home user's Windows PC which is typically running Win98SE or Windows XP. Usually, the problem is due to spyware and/or virus infection and rarely problems with the hardware.  On the CD-ROM are directories for each step I take (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, etc) ; each contains the software I need to accomplish the step.  (Last updated : March 13th, 2008)

 

 

 

  1. All Purpose Windows troubleshooting and upgrading CD or flash drive
    1. Step 0 - Hardware check
    2. Step 1 : Scan and remove spyware
    3. Step 2 - Scan and remove viruses
    4. Step 3 - Update Windows operating system
    5. Step 4 - Install a firewall
    6. Step 5 - Windows Update
    7. Step 6 - Install better (in terms of features/security) replacements for key software
    8. Step 7 - Install key free viewers/players/plugins
    9. Step 8 - Install updated video card drivers
    10. Step 9 - Install opensource and freeware applications

 

Step 0 - Hardware check

 

Sometimes the problem with your computer may actually be a physical or hardware issue. Although explicit hardware troubleshooting is beyond the scope of this guide, there are free and opensource utilities that can be used to test various hardware components for problems.

 

Linux Live CD.

A quick and dirty way of eliminating hardware as a source of the PC problem you are experiencing is to see if the hardware boots properly with a known good Linux live-CD. All modern PCs (from the Pentium 1 onwards) have the ability to boot from an optical device (CD-ROM, CD burner, DVD burner, DVD drive). This is a quick way to eliminate marginally working hardware, since Linux generally is far less forgiving of marginal hardware than Windows and will operate to the stated specifications of the hardware.  Knoppix is a good live CD to use, though SimplyMepis and Ubuntu can also fulfil that role.  Ubuntu also contains a built-in copy of Memtest, which can be used to test your PC for memory errors.  Other dedicated LiveCDs for system rescue also exist, including Recovery is Possible (RIP), the Ultimate boot CD (UBCD), and others.

 

Instructions to boot from the CD will differ depending on the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

 

Memory testing

Memtest is a quick way of certifying that your memory works properly.  Burn the ISO image onto a CD and boot.  The tests should throw up no errors.  Memory testing is an option when your machine randomly freezes, bluescreens or reboots without warning.  Memtest is also included with some live CDs, such as Ubuntu.

 

Hard drive testing

All hard drive manufacturers provide hard drive testing utilities, some in ISO images.  These can be used to test installed hard drives for physical (hardware) errors.

 

Step 1 : Scan and remove spyware

 

Many Windows PCs problems are due to spyware. Here is the list of programs I keep in the Step 1 folder :

Spybot Search and Destroy v1.5.2
Used to search and remove spyware. Download the Detection Updates to Spybot so you can update Spybot immediately after installation.
Ad-Aware 2008 Free
Another program to remove spyware. Also download the latest definition file so you can update Ad-aware immediately after installation.
HijackThis v1.99.1
HijackThis is good for removing stuff installed in Internet Explorer. Note: You may eventually see Trend Micro being the new owners of Hijack this and will be part of their product line. 
StartUp Control Panel v2.8
Download the standalone EXE version. This shows what programs are set to run at Windows startup and allows you to disable suspect or useless entries

General steps in removing spyware :

  • Boot in Windows safe mode (press F8 when the machine is booting up to bring up a text menu)
  • Run Startup Control Panel and disable all unusual program entries that run on startup that do not belong there. It may be helpful to have a second machine nearby for you to do web searches on program names you don't recognize
  • Reboot and install (and update) Spybot Search and Destroy and run to detect and remove spyware entries
  • Install (and update) Ad-aware and run to detect and remove spyware entries that Spybot may have missed
  • If you see any strange icons or toolbars in Internet Explorer, run HijackThis

 

After rebooting, you should notice a big difference in startup speed and the machine will be more responsive....Onto to step 2

 

Step 2 - Scan and remove viruses

 

Many machines often have a trial version of a anti-virus program, but many users don't update or purchase once the trial period ends. Outdated anti-virus software is useless...if the end user is not willing to pay to upgrade to the latest version and updates, you should uninstall the outdated antivirus program and install one of these antivirus programs instead (do not install more than one antivirus programme):

 

Avast! Home Edition

Free for non-commercial use. Requires registration and supports Windows 98 and above, excluding Windows Server editions

 

AVG Free Edition v8

 

Free for non-commercial use and is regularly updated. While v7 supported Windows 98, AVG Free v8 drops support for Windows 98. You can download the AVG Free virus definition updates for offline installation so you can update AVG Free without going online.
Avira Antivirus PE

 

  Free for home and non-commercial use and is regularly updated.  Tests very highly on independent virus scanner testing.

 

 

Comodo Anti-Virus 2.0 beta

 

For Windows 2000/XP only, this program also looks promising. Requires free email registration
ClamWin

 

This open source version can be used in commercial and non-commercial use. However, by itself, ClamWin does not include an on-access real-time scanner, you need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus. However, for Windows 2000/XP/2003 users, there is WinPooch which runs in the background, and watches running programs and prevents them from doing dangerous operations, thus helping you to detect Trojans and spyware trying to compromise your machine. WinPooch can also use ClamWin to scan each executable file before it is run.
PC Tools Free Antivirus

 

  "With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal information. Going online without protection against the latest fast-spreading virus and worms, such as Netsky, Mytob and MyDoom, can result in infections within minutes."  

 

Step 3 - Update Windows operating system

 

Next is to update Windows without going online.  Using another PC to gather the updates, you might want to create an update CD using these scripts BEFORE you go online to update your OS.

 

All versions of Windows from Windows 2000 on

 

http://www.heise-security.co.uk/articles/80682/0 describes the process, and provides a link to the update scripts.  This uses Microsoft servers, and does not roll up the patches into one public executable.  Recent versions of the heise.de patcher includes support for Vista and Microsoft Office, and can provide ISO files with the updates.  Requires up-to date and authenticated PC connected to the Internet.

 

The newest versions of Autopatcher also rolls up the individually-updated updates into one location, suitable for deployment to many PCs.  Recent versions of Autopatcher includes support for Vista and Microsoft Office, and can provide files with the updates.  Requires up-to date and legal, authenticated PC connected to the Internet.

 

Project Dakota is yet another attempt to provide all the Windows updates.  This uses Microsoft servers, and does not roll up the patches into one public executable.  Recent versions include support for Vista and provide ISO files with the updates.  Requires up-to date and authenticated PC connected to the Internet.

 

Windows 98SE
Unoffical Win98SE Service Pack v2.1a - an unoffical service pack. Does not include Internet Explorer or DirectX.
Windows ME

 

ME Service Pack - an unoffical service pack. Untested.  Does not include Internet Explorer or DirectX.
Windows XP

If the Windows XP doesn't have Service Pack 2 installed, you'll want to install Windows XP Service Pack 2. It is a 277MB download.

Then install fixes from the Microsoft site.  Microsoft had made available a Windows Security Update CD in early 2004 for Windows 98/Me/2000/XP which may be useful. It is no longer available for ordering from Microsoft's website. Perhaps your local Microsoft distributor or friendly techie might be able to provide you with a copy.

 

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32-bit)  installs ALL previously released OS + Service Packs Fixes, Patches, Updates + Hotfixes. The service pack  is 336 MB.

 

 

Windows Vista

 

Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1, a 434.5 MB download for the x86 (32 bit version),  or the x64 (64 bit version) a 726.5 MB download.

Note that the download size from Windows Update of Windows Vista SP1 for x86 and x64 is 65 MB and 125MB respectively so if you have one PC, it should be faster to use Windows Update. See ” Things to know about Microsoft Vista SP1“. Also see the overview of Windows Vista SP1 with details such as release notes, deployment guides, etc.

 

 

 

Step 4 - Install a firewall

 

Windows XP SP2 includes a basic firewall and if there is a hardware firewall for the broadband connection, then it may be sufficient. Please install one of these programs instead (do not install more than one firewall programme, and this includes the built-in XP firewall.  Disable it in the XP security centre if you are installing a third-party firewall).  Several useful freeware firewalls include :

 

  • Zonealarm 7.x  - a free firewall for Windows XP (the free version of Zonealarm v6.5 and below supported Windows 98/Me)

 

The Vista firewall is far more comprehensive than its XP equivalent.  If there is a hardware firewall in place for the external connection, then it may be sufficient. However, people may still wish to install a third party firewall, given past realities about Microsoft's software.

 

Step 5 - Windows Update

 

With the firewall enabled, go online and go to the Windows Update site, get further updates and install and reboot as necessary.  Get a book and read.  This may take a while. 

 

 

Step 6 - Install better (in terms of features/security) replacements for key software

 

 

 

Step 7 - Install key free viewers/players/plugins

 

Remove/uninstall older versions before installing the latest versions of :

 

Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

For Windows 2000/XP, Adobe Acrobat 8.1.2

For Windows 98SE/Me, Adobe Acrobat 6.06. Unfortunately, Adobe offers 6.0.1 full and then separate update files from 6.0.1 to 6.0.2, 6.0.2 to 6.0.3, 6.0.3 to 6.0.4, 6.0.4 to 6.0.5, and from 6.05 to 6.06. Download Acrobat 6.x updates.

 

A smaller, faster alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader is Foxit PDF Reader. SumatraPDF is also a good open source option to consider.  It is available on the TTCS OSSWIN CD.

 

Quicktime

 

Quicktime v7.4.5.67 for Windows 2000/XP (note if installing iTunes, Quicktime is included) and Quicktime 6.52 for Windows 98/Me.

 

Sun Java SE Runtime Environment

 

For Windows 2000/XP : Java SE v6.06

For Windows 98SE/Me : Java SE v5.0 Update 14

 

Adobe Flash and Shockwave

 

Adobe Flash Player and  Adobe Shockwave Player- Visit the respective websites to detect which version is installed. Update Flash and Shockwave for all the browsers installed, as there are seperate updaters for Internet Explorer and Firefox/Opera.

 

Divx

 

You can use the official Divx player for Windows 2000/XP.   The Klite Codec Pack Standard Edition bundles the Divx codec and other audio and video codecs along with Media Player Classic in an easy to use installer.

 

Audio Player

 

There are several audio players you can include: 

  • Winamp v5.53 - has a lite version which may be suitable for older PCs. However, do a custom install to not install: the winamp agent (it resides in the system tray), free security suite, AOL free offer, etc.
  • XMPlay v3.4- a small (200K install) which plays several audio files and has skins (including a Winamp look alike). Simple and straightforward.
  • iTunes 7.6.2.9 - Apple's audio player/organiser doesn't require an iPod.  For use on Windows 2000/XP/Vista

 

 

Step 8 - Install updated video card drivers

 

Video cards in modern PCs contain chipsets from either ATI or Nvidia. Standalone drivers are available for Windows XP and Windows 98/Me from the companies websites.

 

Also include Microsoft DirectX 9.0c June 2008 installer (size : 70MB) for Windows XP.

 

 

Step 9 - Install opensource and freeware applications

 

I normally carry a second CD : the TTCS OSSWIN CD, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software for home and business users using the Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2000 and XP operating systems.

 

But if you're trying to fit some key OSS software on one CD :

 

I then have a second subfolder for general freeware.

 

Key freeware applications :

 

  • Irfanview v4.1.0 -  excellent freeware for home user viewer/converter
  • Picasa 2 - image editor/organiser from Google. Win2k/XP only
  • TUGZIP v3.5 - archive manager for ZIP, TAR and many others. Another possible archive manager substitute : Filzip v3.06
  • CCleaner v2.08 - quick and easy way to remove temporary files generated by Windows and 3rd party applications, freeing up hard drive space.
  • Auslogics Disk Defrag - disk defragmenter with more features and improved interface than the standard defragmenter. For Windows 2000/XP/Vista only.
  • Stickies 6.5a - place sticky notes on your desktop and/or send to other users' desktops over a LAN ; can be set to disappear and reappear on your screen to acts as reminders.
  • dWall v1.3 - desktop wallpaper manager for Windows ; tile/stretch images automatically to desktop ; On Win98SE, it can make desktop icon text transparent.
  • RocketDock v1.35 - a free Windows (XP and higher) clone of the Apple OSX dock.
  • Microsoft ClearType Power Toy -  allows you to enable and configure ClearType from Windows Control Panel.
  • MS Calculator Plus - a calculator which includes maths and unit conversion functions.
  • MS PowerPoint 2007 viewer , MS Word 2003 viewer and MS Excel 2003 viewers allows you to view Microsoft Office 2003 files without MS Office installed.
  • A free desktop search tool from either Google, Yahoo! or Copernic
  • XP Themes - Microsoft Zune theme - gives WinXP a vista like look ; Microsoft Royale theme - gives XP a glassy blue look

 

You should also setup a limited user account for the end-user on Windows XP and educate the end-user on using that account all of the time. Some websites to help you with this :

 

 

 

Original article by Dev Anand Teelucksingh, Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society. Thoughts, comments welcome at  admin - at - ttcsweb - dot- org


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