If I knew it coud have been done this way ..... at any rate downloading and installing the drivers was becoming a real pain in the ass. Why that particular one acted the way it did I have no idea. Its creating a CRC file now ... if this don't work I'm gonna find a really tiny hole to hide in 'cause yrag will flay me alive!

Addendum ....... Turns out the network adapter is a RealTek, not an Intel. No wonder it didn't work. Duh!

Don't beat yourself up (that's my job).

The reasoning for installing a retail version is so you don't get all the trash that comes with the OEM (and the unpleasant task of getting rid of it all).

The 1st thing I do with any lap is throw the hard drive in a drawer, install an SSD and blow in a retail OS.

There is nothing in any OEM machine (be it desktop or lap) that is propriety to any computer manufacturer....all's they do is assemble the computer for you.

dumbass..........

I see what you mean. Its listing everything its installing. Wild Tangent games ..... UGH! Starting from scratch ..... again.

Did anyone suggest the "hosts" file? This wonderful bit of text can easily tell your computer that if you type in one thing you really mean the other. Great fun to tamper with someone's host file and do just that. There are some scripts that will do that also. If they do the internet related things will always be going to whichever site they are told. It won't matter which browser. Now, you might still have the virus/script but at least you could get on the internet.

First, open your favorite text editing program and go to:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

or perhaps

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\hosts.sam

I'm on Win 8 box today, Win 7 box is dead, so I don't have the exact place. Besides, it kinda don't matter as long as there is only one and it is in the path. So look everywhere in Windows.

Stare and the one you have. Unless you know for certain there is supposed to be an entry, everything should be commented out with # except the two directed to localhost.

The entry goes something like:

name/ip entered  name/ip redirected to

# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost
::1             localhost

Look for this. Even if you find the problem with this, you still have to look for whatever put it there.

What put it there was a Java vulnerability which was exploited.

Yep, I just noticed a Java update come out today.

Yup. A for real pain ...... all yesterday and today. Fortunately the restore partition worked and I'm back online.  I'm looking at Windows Aero .......

Where's all mine SD ODNT stuff. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

j/k     

Now that you're back up and runnin', once you uninstall all the bullshit, make a back up so you can skip the drama next time.

Edit: Although, it was entertaining to watch.

^This.

@carguy1 ... I'm glad you enjoyed it. *dripping with sarcasm* 

Actually I did have backups but they're suspect. Right now access to them will have until wait until Monday. I said this will be from scratch.

Uvah, you're one of the nicest person here. Sorry to hear you've been through all these nightmares.

I think they're just trying to keep me from the thresholds of sanity.

Never that. Good old yrag... He really was quite gentle with you.

That probably won't happen again, so please resist the urge to dl everything in sight, and keep updated.

My one real recommendation would be:

1. Get all the crapware and bloat ware off your c drive and do it using ccleaner set to moderate., and the registry/detritus files as well.

2. After installing all your SD stuff, and MS's security updates, run a smart defrag (SmartDefra2), and a registry defrag.

3. Back that drive up.

4. Create a restore point and emergency boot disks. Fix your Bios boot order to put boot from CD/DVD drive first on the list.

Keep the drive and backup updated.

I believe yrag will agree with my recommendations, but please feel free to run them past him.