[bwolfson]

Well, I'm about at the end of my rope. My kid's Compaq Presario (AMD Athlon 3200+ running Windows XP Home w/ SP2) was infected with all sorts of garbage. Could not install anything without getting the dreaded NSIS error message. The Windows Update function wouldn't work, either. So....

-- Did a complete reinstall off the OEM recovery CD, with a consequent format of the hard drive. Still, nearly all programs (including a much-needed virus scanner) will not install -- get the same NSIS error message.

-- Have followed numerous threads here and by using Google.... have tried everything I read, including running the Windows memory diagnostic utility, which, after a couple of passes, shows no problems. (Should I run it all night with the "T" option?) I also ran CHKDSK /F (no problems) and defragmented the hard drive... all to no avail.

-- Other than doing another reinstall of Windows (which I don't think will fix it), any ideas as to what could be the problem? MOBO?.... doesn't the MS diagnostic catch this??? Power supply?....if that was the problem, wouldn't the MS diagnostic utility report RAM errors?

-- Could a bad Ethernet card be the problem -- with downloading updates from the Internet and transferring installation programs from my computer to his for installation? (Installs all work fine on my computer, but won't work on his after I have transferred them over the home network.) Any way to test the card?

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[jnibori]

Have a look in your Common Files folder and see if you have a folder called NSIS Media. If so, you are infected with a very stubborn piece of adware. Deleting it, and uninstalling it will not work. It morphs back after several re-boots.

X-Cleaner purportedly disinfects it. There's a couple of versions. I think the free version cleans it out.

Also, from what I have found, there is some association with WinAmp and or FireFox...FYI

Edit- I just re-read your thread. I, perhaps, posted too quickly. Sounds like a different problem. Anyhow, I'm leaving mine posted just-in-case.

 

[bwolfson]

Have a look in your Common Files folder and see if you have a folder called NSIS Media. If so, you are infected with a very stubborn piece of adware. Deleting it, and uninstalling it will not work. It morphs back after several re-boots.

X-Cleaner purportedly disinfects it. There's a couple of versions. I think the free version cleans it out.

Also, from what I have found, there is some association with WinAmp and or FireFox...FYI

Edit- I just re-read your thread. I, perhaps, posted too quickly. Sounds like a different problem. Anyhow, I'm leaving mine posted just-in-case.

Thanks, jnibori, for your reply.... but adware/spyware or viruses are not the problem... I formatted the hard drive and did a clean install of Windows XP Home. I now am 98% sure it is the Ethernet card... one which I installed about 2 months ago, after a lightning strike damaged a bunch of stuff in my house. Computers were not damaged (protected), but the cable modem was wiped out, and so was the on-the-motherboard Ethernet connection on my kid's computer. (My data/fax/voice modem was also wiped out.) So, I bought a new Ethernet card for his computer, and installed it into a PCI slot. His computer receives Internet connections and connects to the local hard-wired LAN just fine (apparently).... that's why I transfered re-install files over it. But..... I suspect the card doesn't download files from the Internet or transfer them over the LAN correctly (CRC). Here's why:

I burned onto CD from my computer a bunch a programs tonight. Took the CD to the kid's computer, and guess what? ALL installed correctly and run just fine.

SO... the only mystery that *seems* to remain is this: Can I count on the Ethernet card being bad... or could it also -- or *only* -- be a problem with a partially-fried motherboard? Doubt the motherboard theory, because since I was able to do simple "plug and play" hardware install of this Ethernet card.... well, doesn't seem likely to be a problem with the mobo.... y'all agree?

At any rate: BIG LESSON LEARNED = NSIS maddening errors CAN VERY LIKELY be a problem with your Ethernet card connections to both LANs and the Internet.

Additional thoughts and advice greatly appreciated.

 

[bwolfson]

I was correct (for once) -- the Ethernet card was vad. Installed a new one today and the damnable NSIS error messages fave disappeared, can update Windows, etc.

Bad card was last thing I would have suspected (see previous post). This can truly be a maddening problem.... so READ & HEED!

Cheers to all,

-- B.