Back in the Game

Well, it turns out that my e-mail problem was not what I expected at all. It was much more serious.

I discovered that not only my e-mail, but all of my automatic online updates (Windows, Norton AntiVirus and Firewall) were out as well. I also noticed that the firewall was being awfully quiet (since it usually flashes signals in the margins). I tried to look at the firewall log, and the program froze up and wouldn't exit...just like Netscape Mail. The Windows error management system also crashed.

NAV still insisted there was no virus, but after studying the Symantec virus database I got brave and checked out my Windows registry...and found it full of tweaks. Basically the whole security and update setup was disabled. I gritted my teeth and tried to reset them manually, but at least a couple of key entries were missing altogether. It appears to have been a suicide bombing; it came and left, leaving me defenseless.

I went ahead and reinstalled, but it turned out to be much easier than what I had to deal with with Windows 98. I didn't want to bother with my old version of WinXP and having to update it online, so I bought a new version. It essentially rewrote my existing system (clearing out about 2 gb of dead weight on my exhausted C drive) without touching anything else. That saved a load of time and trouble. I did go ahead and replace Netscape with a full Mozilla setup and get rid of Norton once and for all. Now things are looking a lot better. It's great to be back.

So...should I reinstall Webshots now?