cant update my Vaio

[carolice]

Hello!

I wonder if anyone could help me. I have been having some problems with my Vaio.
Its McAfee got expired and i was running it for 2 days without any protection, which inevitably resulted in some worm infecting it. I think I managed to remove it through AVG, but because it was runnning quite slow i replaced it with something called Active Virus Shield, which doesnt seem to slow it down. However, to I have also discovered that I had very little space left on my C drive and I tried to remove various programmes, that I felt were not necessary. It looks like i have removed something which could be an essential part of Vaio. I tried to update it just in case, but every time I click on Vaio Update it opens up in the interent Explorer browser and doesnt seem to do anything.. I transefred it to Firefox, but it comes up with the following message:

VAIO Update failed to initialise for one or more of the following reasons:

* You are not using Internet Explorer.
* ActiveX have been disabled or the VAIO Update ActiveX is not installed on your computer.
* You didn't start VAIO Update using the icon in the system tray or via Start -> All Programs -> VAIO Update -> Go to VAIO Web Support.
* You tried to install VAIO Update on a computer that does not support it.

I am not sure how I can get this ActiveX back to run an update.

Another question: Is it possible at all to combine drive C and D. At the moment I have both of them separately, but I am having problems with my C drive as its capacity is only 14 GB which seems to be almost full and I dont seem to be able to free it as most of the Vaio components as well as some siftware are being run through it. I can even defragment my C drive as it tells me I need 15% free space, whereas after i have removed loads of programmes I only had 6%. My D drive has plenty of space though... I wish I could combine them both so that I could run defragmentation properly...

Many thanks.

[rich912]

Hi carolice,

This Microsoft article explains how to enable ActiveX Controls in Internet Explorer.

Regarding your second question, you should find that moving your My Documents folder to the D drive will free up space on your C drive. Again this Microsoft article explains the procedure.

[carolice]

Thank you Rich,

It keeps giving me the same message re ActiveX... a bit annoying that i cant update my Vaio... isnt there another way?..

thank you.

[rich912]

Hi carolice,

It keeps giving me the same message re ActiveX...

Are you receiving this message when using Internet Explorer 7?

You could of course visit Vaio-Link and download any updates manually.

[carolice]

Yes, I have just upgraded my Internet explorer to 7... maybe my XP is not compatible... isnt it meant to tell you, whether it is or isnt... I have just unistalled it, and will try to install the version 6... I cant really remember which one i have been using previously..

I will check the Vaio link for updates..

Thank you for you help once again, Rich...

Alyona

[rich912]

Yes, I have just upgraded my Internet explorer to 7...

Hopefully reverting to IE6 will solve the problem, although IE7 is fully compatible with XP

[carolice]

O My God... Well.. I am so exhausted... and I am about to give up... I cant even open my Windows Media Player.. nor can i use my internet explorer... nor can I even open my Help and Support..

I was trying to follow the advice provided in the following link, particularly where it talks about the file called Prefetch.. and it seems like i have probably deleted what wasnt meant to be deleted.. I found that the windows media player's Target was this particular Prefetch folder...

http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/GB/en/forum/viewthread?thread=38056

Could anyone kindly suggest how I could make my windows Media Player work again as well as other above mentioned programes...

Many thanks,

Alyona.

[rich912]

Hi Alyona,

I have replied to your PM.

I was trying to follow the advice provided in the following link, particularly where it talks about the file called Prefetch.. and it seems like i have probably deleted what wasnt meant to be deleted.. I found that the windows media player's Target was this particular Prefetch folder...

Nothing you deleted from the Prefetch folder will have caused this problem. I clear out this folder on a regular basis...

I now suspect that the malware that you thought you had removed is either still there or has damaged the system.

If you reply to my PM, ether in this thread or by PM, we can consider the next option...

[carolice]

thank you, Rich!

I have just sent you my detailed response, a copy of which I havent saved as I didnt realise it doesnt do that automatically.

I am glad the Prefetch folder is ok and isnt responsible..

I have also used the www.tune-up.com and followed all the instructions on it... I managed to secure 22% and defragmented my Vaio without any problems...

The malware mentioned and caught by AVG is some delf... My vaio seems to run much faster now and there is no sign of any virus, unless they are soooo advanced now that you dont notice anything...

I hate to think i will have to do a Recovery of the whole system as I am using various softwares the CDs of which i no longer possess...

Many thanks,

Alyona