PC fails after window 98 critical updates installed

[Kerry]

On 10/02/04 I used MS UPdate site applying the recommended
updates a security update & a dirext X update. Later in
the week (I belive 12/01/04)I checked e-mails & noticed a
file called "~" on my desktop with the window icon I knew
it was new so ran PC-cillian 7.5 but it found nothing. I
the Virus Pattern file & reran it nothing found so I
removed the file to a floppy disk. Ever since my PC is
running so slow that I can't use it. Many programmes won't
load including internet explorer and outlook express.
Some programmes run in safe mode but then I can't get
access to my ISP as my modem can't be found. I made a set
of rescue disks and ran them and it took 20hours to
complete but found no virus. I have gone through my PC
deleting all cookies and temp files but nothing works. I
have gone into system information and run various system
checks with no effect. I have also used the SYS C:
facility from the rescue disks incase the system files
were corrupt still with no effect.

Does anyone have any idea if this is an upate problem or a
virus and if so what I can try. My PC supplier will
reinsall windows at a high cost but I will lose valuable
information that I must no lose. Any advise will be
welcome. At present I am having to use an old PC just to
get these messages out. As my PC is just unuseable.

[Robert Tuck]

There was an update for Outlook Express that has a bug that causes the
desktop file to appear. It's a temporary address book file. You can delete
it safely, and it shouldn't be causing the slowdown problem.

Try scanning your computer for spyware or adware (use Ad-Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com) and check to see that you don't have too many programs
running or starting with Windows (icons next to the clock). I'm not sure
what might be causing the slowdown and IE/OE problems.

Post by Kerry
On 10/02/04 I used MS UPdate site applying the recommended
updates a security update & a dirext X update. Later in
the week (I belive 12/01/04)I checked e-mails & noticed a
file called "~" on my desktop with the window icon I knew
it was new so ran PC-cillian 7.5 but it found nothing. I
the Virus Pattern file & reran it nothing found so I
removed the file to a floppy disk. Ever since my PC is
running so slow that I can't use it. Many programmes won't
load including internet explorer and outlook express.
Some programmes run in safe mode but then I can't get
access to my ISP as my modem can't be found. I made a set
of rescue disks and ran them and it took 20hours to
complete but found no virus. I have gone through my PC
deleting all cookies and temp files but nothing works. I
have gone into system information and run various system
facility from the rescue disks incase the system files
were corrupt still with no effect.
Does anyone have any idea if this is an upate problem or a
virus and if so what I can try. My PC supplier will
reinsall windows at a high cost but I will lose valuable
information that I must no lose. Any advise will be
welcome. At present I am having to use an old PC just to
get these messages out. As my PC is just unuseable.

[glee]

What is the ~ (tilde) file on my desktop?:
http://www.pchell.com/support/tildefile.shtml
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Post by Kerry
On 10/02/04 I used MS UPdate site applying the recommended
updates a security update & a dirext X update. Later in
the week (I belive 12/01/04)I checked e-mails & noticed a
file called "~" on my desktop with the window icon I knew
it was new so ran PC-cillian 7.5 but it found nothing. I
the Virus Pattern file & reran it nothing found so I
removed the file to a floppy disk. Ever since my PC is
running so slow that I can't use it. Many programmes won't
load including internet explorer and outlook express.
Some programmes run in safe mode but then I can't get
access to my ISP as my modem can't be found. I made a set
of rescue disks and ran them and it took 20hours to
complete but found no virus. I have gone through my PC
deleting all cookies and temp files but nothing works. I
have gone into system information and run various system
facility from the rescue disks incase the system files
were corrupt still with no effect.
Does anyone have any idea if this is an upate problem or a
virus and if so what I can try. My PC supplier will
reinsall windows at a high cost but I will lose valuable
information that I must no lose. Any advise will be
welcome. At present I am having to use an old PC just to
get these messages out. As my PC is just unuseable.

[Buffalo]

Post by Kerry
On 10/02/04 I used MS UPdate site applying the recommended
updates a security update & a dirext X update. Later in
the week (I belive 12/01/04)I checked e-mails & noticed a
file called "~" on my desktop with the window icon I knew
it was new so ran PC-cillian 7.5 but it found nothing. I
the Virus Pattern file & reran it nothing found so I
removed the file to a floppy disk. Ever since my PC is
running so slow that I can't use it. Many programmes won't
load including internet explorer and outlook express.
Some programmes run in safe mode but then I can't get
access to my ISP as my modem can't be found. I made a set
of rescue disks and ran them and it took 20hours to
complete but found no virus. I have gone through my PC
deleting all cookies and temp files but nothing works. I
have gone into system information and run various system
facility from the rescue disks incase the system files
were corrupt still with no effect.
Does anyone have any idea if this is an upate problem or a
virus and if so what I can try. My PC supplier will
reinsall windows at a high cost but I will lose valuable
information that I must no lose. Any advise will be
welcome. At present I am having to use an old PC just to
get these messages out. As my PC is just unuseable.

That 'tilde' file was harmless as the others pointed out.
With only Explorer and System tray running, go to Add-Remove and select
Internet Explorer and choose Remove, You will then get a choice to either
Uninstall it or Repair it. Choose the Repair function. Sometimes this will
restore OE and IE if a file somehow got corrupted or deleted.