Root Certificates?
 

Hey everyone,

a collegue asked me to help fix his computer as it was slow and some programs were failing to work.

i tried to clean this machine up, and currently doing so.

I removed, so far, over:
200 spy progs with adaware
60 viruses with avg
and trying to install zonealarm, which failed
trying to install msn messenger (i know its live now) but failed

the 2 progs failed because "certain root certificates were missing" i tried searching, but i cant find microsoft helpful, and any root certificates i find seem to be from other companies.

what is a root certificate, and how can i obtain a correct one to install certain programs?

oh, this computer is being used by a complete computer virgin (the collegue) it is from Dell & BT through the computers at home scheme through the council for employees.

ik

Re: Root Certificates?
 

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_certificate for an explaination.
Try going to the control panel, add/remove programs, add/remove windows components and checking Update Root Certificates

Re: Root Certificates?
 

IK - with that amount of nasties on it, I'be inclined to blat it and do a complete fresh install - you just never know what the spyware / viruses have left behind, regardless of what the spyware and AV apps report.

At least with a fresh install you know where you are... :tu:

Re: Root Certificates?
 

I'd agree with you.

Backup -> Format -> Fresh Install -> Updates & Security

Re: Root Certificates?
 

they not have xp disks, just rescue discs as far as i know, and i dont want to invalidate his warrenty with it

ik

---------- Post added at 20:41 ---------- Previous post was at 19:45 ----------

Ok

I done the add remove progs route, and it not work, it says i have the newest certs, but i still cant install msn, or windows defender or zonealarm

how else can i get this to work?

ik

Re: Root Certificates?
 

Rescue discs should be fine - just backup all the data and use the cd's - it should just be restored back to how it was when they got it - ie clean install.