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Missing component after cleaning up my PC

Started by Megan Barrett53 · · 👁 4 views · 7 replies

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Participants Megan Barrett53William Richardson12
Megan Barrett53 Megan Barrett53 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Oct 2016
#1 ·
I ran a disk defrag just hoping to give my PC a little boost. It’s running on Windows XP, bought back in 2007. I don't have a ton of files or software on here, but the machine is sluggish regardless.
Once the scan finished, the program prompted me with a "Repair" option or something similar. After that, a few utility programs popped up suggesting ways to clean up the system. I ran Driver Booster, which flagged five components that needed updating. I clicked "Update," and that's when things went south. A few minutes later, I realized I lost my internet connection. I checked the Wi-Fi settings and everything, and it's like the internet options have completely vanished—it's as if this computer was never even connected to a network. Everything is just blank. I tried to set up a new connection from scratch, but it won't let me; it says the hardware doesn't exist. I even tried using an installation CD from Best Buy, but the computer won't read it at all. I checked My Computer, and the CD-ROM/DVD icon is gone entirely,
making it impossible to find any settings for them, as if they simply ceased to exist. I attempted a System Restore, but no matter which date I select, it fails to revert.

I'm honestly at a loss. Is it actually possible for a defrag to wipe out my drivers?
Any help would be appreciated.
William Richardson12 William Richardson12 Regular
301 messages
joined Aug 2014
#2 ·
Defragging isn't the fix, but whatever ran right after that could've been a lifesaver if you just grabbed the motherboard driver disc and got that installed first. What kind of Wi-Fi are you running? Integrated, PCI, or USB?
Megan Barrett53 Megan Barrett53 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Oct 2016
#3 ·
My mistake, the PC isn't on Wi-Fi; I have it hooked up via an Ethernet cable. My laptop is running on Wi-Fi, and my phones are fine—internet works perfectly there.
I don't think I have any driver issues, though I'll keep looking just in case. Even if I do find them, the computer won't even attempt to read a disc.
William Richardson12 William Richardson12 Regular
301 messages
joined Aug 2014
#4 ·
Does it even read USB sticks? Just hop online on your laptop, grab the motherboard and LAN drivers... then move them over via USB to the PC.
Megan Barrett53 Megan Barrett53 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Oct 2016
#5 ·
William Richardson12 said:Can you read USB drives? Just go online on a laptop, download the motherboard and LAN drivers, and then transfer them over via USB to the PC.

Good call. Yes, it reads USB. I'll give that a shot.
If that fails, how much of a leap would it be to just have someone install a fresh version of Windows on this machine? (system info: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual, Intel Core Processor 4400+, 2.21 GHz, 896 MB of RAM) Living with Windows XP isn't working out anymore.

Thanks.
William Richardson12 William Richardson12 Regular
301 messages
joined Aug 2014
#6 ·
Once you get Windows XP patched up and cleaned out, it should run alright. But honestly, if you want to do anything serious, just get some new hardware... that stuff is ancient. Once you sort the drivers and get the Wi-Fi working, hit me up and we'll tackle the rest...
Megan Barrett53 Megan Barrett53 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Oct 2016
#7 ·
I managed to get everything sorted out. Regarding the CD/DVD issue, I cleared the upper and lower filters in the registry and everything is back to normal. As for the internet, I wiped the old drivers and installed new ones; even though the problem briefly resurfaced, the connection is holding steady now.
Thanks again!
William Richardson12 William Richardson12 Regular
301 messages
joined Aug 2014
#8 ·
might be worth running Malwarebytes and CCleaner through it too, just in case 😉

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