AOL email

harvey · 06. Jun 2011, 11:18 AM

Hi, I'm a newby so please go easy

I'm not a technical person or really know much about computers and that's why i'm asking for advice from you guys out there.
I have never had any problems with my aol emails (free version) until recently,
When i recieved a new email i cant get to it...cant open it no matter what i do, All emails are the same not just that certain one, When i try to log on it says i'm logged on but i still cannot open the emails.
I have to use my Daughters laptop to read the emails....with this i have no problem what so ever. Now i'm thinking its my computer that's at fault.....I may have accidently deleted something or it could be something nasty on my computer i just i don't know.
I tried to do a system restore (this has saved me a few times in the past) but i can no longer do it, It goes through all the motions of restoring but then says a "system restore" could not be done.
I know its not a real big problem but its annoying more than anything, And please don't get me started with the AOL help as they are no help at all.
Thank you in advance Harvey,
Please no tricky technical questions unless simple to follow or simple to follow instructions on how to remedy this problem.

MidnightCowboy · 06. Jun 2011, 12:09 PM

Have you scanned your computer with a good standalone antimalware such as Malwarebytes or HitmanPro?

harvey · 06. Jun 2011, 01:03 PM

Hi, Thanks for your reply, I used Malwarebytes and a few others but they dident show up anything out of the ordinary. I haven't heard of Hitman Pro....Maybe i should give it a try??
Thanks again, Much appreciated,
Harvey.

MidnightCowboy · 06. Jun 2011, 03:08 PM

Yes, I would definitely run HitmanPro too. Here is a link for it:

http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro

The program will scan and update for free but if you ever find malware and want it removing, it becomes necessary to activate the 30 day license.

If this fails to find anything, it suggests you have an inherent problem with your system. This might not be too much of an issue for you now but it could be at some point in the future. As a precaution (unless you have a recovery image) I would back up your important data to an external medium once you've confirmed your system is clean. You could also try running a system cleaner such as CCleaner once this backup has been performed. If the problem continues you can either live with it or even consider reformatting if you find this to be a viable option.

The more technically adept here might be able to suggest some other measures. If so, please consider the status of our new friend here and make them as user friendly as possible

harvey · 06. Jun 2011, 03:13 PM

Hi, Thanks for the advice, It really is appreciated.
I ran Hitman ...it found a trojan but the aol email problem is still there,
I just get the message "The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading"
Thanks again Mr Cowboy

Harvey.

kendall.a · 06. Jun 2011, 03:36 PM

If you've scanned with Malwarebytes and HitmanPro (by the way, did it allow you to delete or get rid of the trojan?), then next I would try SuperAntispyware and then do an online scan with Housecall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/).

I would also encourage you to check out the following link that recommends rootkit and trojan scanners:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...er-remover.htm

harvey · 06. Jun 2011, 06:18 PM

Hi Kendall, Appreciate your advice.
I tried the Housecall (did not really find anything unusual), I then tried the Sophos Anti-Rootkit,
This found 11 unknown hidden files. On opening these it said...Removable = yes... but clean up not recommended .
Then it just says no more detail available.
I don't really know what to do now as the only options i have got is to leave them as they are or clean up...but it says clean up not recommended.
As i said before im not really a computer person so dare not touch anything that i dont understand.
Thanks again Kendall i really do appreciate your input and advice.
Harvey.

kendall.a · 06. Jun 2011, 06:42 PM

A couple questions:
1. What Windows version are you using? XP, Vista, or Windows 7?
2. What browser are you using to try to access your email? Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.?
3. Have you tried using a different browser? If not, I would urge you to do so.
4. Have you gone in and cleared out your internet cache, history, and cookies?
5. Does AOL email have a support forum and have you tried posting there?
6. Do you make regular system restore points and/or do you use some type of imaging backup for your system? Could you try going back to restore point before this all started?

One last suggestion that would be risky would be to make a system restore point (or an image backup) and then go ahead and let Sophos delete those hidden files. It might work or it might crash your system. Personally, I wouldn't try it without an image backup of my system.

MidnightCowboy · 06. Jun 2011, 06:53 PM

I guess another option is to try a different client?

http://email.about.com/od/mozillathu...s_aol_mail.htm

harvey · 07. Jun 2011, 11:58 AM

Hi MidnightCowboy and Kendall... I think i done it.... with both your help.
I just joined Windows Live put my aol email in and hey presto i could open my emails again.
You both mentioned browsers or clients and this got me experimenting with a few browsers but had no luck, Then i tried the Windows Live and Bobs your uncle worked perfect.
Thank you both for your help and advice it is really appreciated, Iv sent you both a couple of cold beers as a thank you......imaginary i'm afraid

Thanks again and take care,
Harvey.

06. Jun 2011, 11:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
harvey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	AOL email Hi, I'm a newby so please go easy I'm not a technical person or really know much about computers and that's why i'm asking for advice from you guys out there. I have never had any problems with my aol emails (free version) until recently, When i recieved a new email i cant get to it...cant open it no matter what i do, All emails are the same not just that certain one, When i try to log on it says i'm logged on but i still cannot open the emails. I have to use my Daughters laptop to read the emails....with this i have no problem what so ever. Now i'm thinking its my computer that's at fault.....I may have accidently deleted something or it could be something nasty on my computer i just i don't know. I tried to do a system restore (this has saved me a few times in the past) but i can no longer do it, It goes through all the motions of restoring but then says a "system restore" could not be done. I know its not a real big problem but its annoying more than anything, And please don't get me started with the AOL help as they are no help at all. Thank you in advance Harvey, Please no tricky technical questions unless simple to follow or simple to follow instructions on how to remedy this problem.

06. Jun 2011, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	Have you scanned your computer with a good standalone antimalware such as Malwarebytes or HitmanPro? __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

06. Jun 2011, 03:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	Yes, I would definitely run HitmanPro too. Here is a link for it: http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro The program will scan and update for free but if you ever find malware and want it removing, it becomes necessary to activate the 30 day license. If this fails to find anything, it suggests you have an inherent problem with your system. This might not be too much of an issue for you now but it could be at some point in the future. As a precaution (unless you have a recovery image) I would back up your important data to an external medium once you've confirmed your system is clean. You could also try running a system cleaner such as CCleaner once this backup has been performed. If the problem continues you can either live with it or even consider reformatting if you find this to be a viable option. The more technically adept here might be able to suggest some other measures. If so, please consider the status of our new friend here and make them as user friendly as possible __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

06. Jun 2011, 03:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
kendall.a Foundation Editor/Forum Manager Intern Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,814	If you've scanned with Malwarebytes and HitmanPro (by the way, did it allow you to delete or get rid of the trojan?), then next I would try SuperAntispyware and then do an online scan with Housecall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/). I would also encourage you to check out the following link that recommends rootkit and trojan scanners: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...er-remover.htm __________________ <-------Is looking for his brain....

06. Jun 2011, 06:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
kendall.a Foundation Editor/Forum Manager Intern Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,814	A couple questions: 1. What Windows version are you using? XP, Vista, or Windows 7? 2. What browser are you using to try to access your email? Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.? 3. Have you tried using a different browser? If not, I would urge you to do so. 4. Have you gone in and cleared out your internet cache, history, and cookies? 5. Does AOL email have a support forum and have you tried posting there? 6. Do you make regular system restore points and/or do you use some type of imaging backup for your system? Could you try going back to restore point before this all started? One last suggestion that would be risky would be to make a system restore point (or an image backup) and then go ahead and let Sophos delete those hidden files. It might work or it might crash your system. Personally, I wouldn't try it without an image backup of my system. __________________ <-------Is looking for his brain....

06. Jun 2011, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
harvey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Hi, Thanks for your reply, I used Malwarebytes and a few others but they dident show up anything out of the ordinary. I haven't heard of Hitman Pro....Maybe i should give it a try?? Thanks again, Much appreciated, Harvey.

06. Jun 2011, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
harvey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Hi, Thanks for the advice, It really is appreciated. I ran Hitman ...it found a trojan but the aol email problem is still there, I just get the message "The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading" Thanks again Mr Cowboy Harvey.

06. Jun 2011, 06:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
harvey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Hi Kendall, Appreciate your advice. I tried the Housecall (did not really find anything unusual), I then tried the Sophos Anti-Rootkit, This found 11 unknown hidden files. On opening these it said...Removable = yes... but clean up not recommended . Then it just says no more detail available. I don't really know what to do now as the only options i have got is to leave them as they are or clean up...but it says clean up not recommended. As i said before im not really a computer person so dare not touch anything that i dont understand. Thanks again Kendall i really do appreciate your input and advice. Harvey.

06. Jun 2011, 06:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	I guess another option is to try a different client? http://email.about.com/od/mozillathu...s_aol_mail.htm __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

07. Jun 2011, 11:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
harvey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Hi MidnightCowboy and Kendall... I think i done it.... with both your help. I just joined Windows Live put my aol email in and hey presto i could open my emails again. You both mentioned browsers or clients and this got me experimenting with a few browsers but had no luck, Then i tried the Windows Live and Bobs your uncle worked perfect. Thank you both for your help and advice it is really appreciated, Iv sent you both a couple of cold beers as a thank you......imaginary i'm afraid Thanks again and take care, Harvey.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode