Solved Running in Safe Mode with networking - specific problems listed in my post

- Specific problems and error messages:


I am getting an error message appearing on all of my desktop shortcuts: "Windows cannot access the specified device path, or file. you may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I cannot access my Comodo Internet Security program to update files or run my system scans. The Comodo program does not load in Safe Mode.

I am also unable to access my POP email accounts on my PC in Normal Mode, but they runs fine in Safe Mode with Networking. The basic error message I'm getting is the following: "The host '___.___.com' could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly. Account: '___.___.com', Server: '___.___.com', Protocol: POP3, Port: ___, Secure(SSL): Yes, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D"

Additionally, opening my Chrome browser is a hit-or-miss proposition in Normal Mode (mostly miss), but it operates fine in Safe Mode.


- My system specs (was unable to add this info to my System Specs area):


HP pc model number SR5605F
Windows Vista Home Premium, SP2
AMD Athlon Processor LE-1640 2.71 GHz
2.00 GB RAM
32-bit operating system
Broadband internet connection
Comodo Internet Security
Chrome browser
Windows Mail 6.0.6000.16386 (Vista_rtm.061101-2205)


- Level of experience with computers:


I can usually handle any problem that I encounter by researching the appropriate message boards (like this one ) looking for the exact, or similar issues/solutions. Nine times out of ten I can correct the problem, but this one has me stumped.


- What were you doing when the problem occurred?


1. Attempting to delete a second gmail account on both my Android smartphone and my PC. 2. Also attempting to get the TeamViewer software program to operate correctly. 3. Also attempting to install the latest Microsoft updates which failed.


- List any steps taken to duplicate or cause the problem and what you’ve tried to fix it.


Tried three system restore activities going back to earlier dates. Did not restore my computer to proper operating condition before the problems listed above started. Uninstalled TeamViewer and Chrome Sync Pro on both my PC and my Android phone. Also did not restore my computer to proper operating condition. Currently running in Safe Mode. Have lost all of my bookmarks on my Chrome browser.

Please help if you can....I'm really stumped.

Welcome
Running in safe mode means the problem is caused by a driver or software. If you work properly in clean boot, follow instructions to solve the problem
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup - Windows 7 Help Forums
also
Run a complete antivirus scan.

Rich....thanks for the quick response. It will take me a while to work through the steps....I'll let you know how it turns out.

Take your time
If my previous solutions do not work, in safe mode try to go back to last known good configuration.

richc46 said:

Take your time
If my previous solutions do not work, in safe mode try to go back to last known good configuration.

Click to expand...

Hi, Rich...

I forgot to mention that I ran Ccleaner and Malwarebytes in Safe Mode prior to my initial posting. The result of both operations? No issues and no viruses.

After the clean startup referenced in your post, the following took place:

The Internet connection varies back-and-forth from "Local only" to "Local and Internet".

All three email accounts failed to load with a different error code than before: "Yes, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E".

My Chrome browser did not start up correctly.

The Control Panel opens okay, but I tried to bring up Device Manager and got the error that the Microsoft Management Console "is not supported on this system". I'm guessing that's probably because we closed the Microsoft programs through msconfig?

My games and all other non-Microsoft programs and files loaded properly when clicked.

So, I followed Step Three in your tutorial and restarted in Normal Mode. I'm now back where I started in my initial post.

Rich, when I go back to Safe Mode and select the last known good configuration, will I be presented with any choices (dates) as to how far back I can go to get a configuration that will solve all of the issues I've discussed? Is it supposed to work like Recovery Manager?

Thanks in advance.

You dont pick a date, it should go back to the last time the computer worked properly.
If that does not work, do you have stuff that you want to save?

richc46 said:

You dont pick a date, it should go back to the last time the computer worked properly.
If that does not work, do you have stuff that you want to save?

Click to expand...

Rich...sorry for the late response. I've had a number of things to do this afternoon.

Yeah...I was afraid of the date thing. And yes, I have lots of files and programs I want to keep. Luckily, my system does a weekly backup every Sunday, and I've taken some additional time today to move some major files to my external drive. My plan is to have as little of real value on my system when I try to go to the last known good configuration.

If all fails, it looks like I'll be trying to reinstall my Vista OS on my current system or looking for an entirely new system to purchase. I'm not sure keeping the old system is going to be worthwhile.

At any rate, regardless of how this turns out, thanks for your help...much appreciated. Let's mark this one as solved.

Glad that it worked out for you.