Need help fixing my computer

[P-1]

Background..............

I don't know much about computers. Turn on/off. Press send/delete. You get the point.

My computer.....last years model, basic computer for basic internet with internet explorer (IE) as my web browser. When I double click the IE icon, 7 personally selected home pages pop up with tabs across the top of the screen, like yahoo, craigslist, etc., and I can go back and forth to either of those 7 by pressing those tabs.

At the bottom of the tool bar, I have a "links" section where I can add all these other web pages onto the "links" list. When I want to go to that web page, I click on links, click the web page title, another IE tab pops up on top and now I can go to any of the 8 websites by pressing the tabs on top and so on.

The problem........

I wanted to watch the cartoon. I downloaded "realplayer" as required, watched my cartoon...which was very good by the way.....and resumed my normal web surfing routine. However, now when i want to go to a website on my "links" list, it opens up in a different web browsing format..Redfox, I think it was called. I don't even know how that got there since I only wanted "realplayer". So now, I get my 7 IE pages, but now all other web pages open up in a different format in a different page. I no longer get a continuous number of "tabs" on top for smoother web surfing.

The bigger problem.....

Me. I thought I would poke around the C drive, delete "realplayer", and turn back time. Well, I deleted something cause I no longer get my links in a Redfox web browsing format. Actually, I can't link on to any of my websites on my "links" list. :hitwall::doh::noidea:
I stopped deleting files from the C drive at this point. The "redfox" icon has disappeared, hence the reason i can't remember what its called, but realplayer is still there.

I know that was long, but I had to go into detail using plain english. I'm sure some computer guy can say, "yeah, you distorted you megatron-plasmaneutron-index file", but I wouldn't have known that.

Can anyone type me up a very simple guide, connect the dots style, on how to get my old computer back?

Thanks!!!

[Chippysgt]

You probably need a real geek to sit down by your computer and play show and tell. However, you said you went into C drive and started deleting stuff. That is not the way you do it. You go to "Control Panel", then go to Add/Remove programs and then you find the program you want to remove and do it from there.

Good luck finding someone who can talk you through this...in the future try using search features and ask questions like "How do I remover RealPlayer from my computer" I think you will be surprised to find out that you are not the first person to get in trouble trying to get rid of it. BTW, nothing is wrong with RealPlayer, it is a pretty good program but like all free programs, they have stuff built in that likes to take over and make you use their stuff more.

[emcviper]

^What Sgt said, or you could always go nuclear and re-load windows. :noidea:

[iSeeHP]

The "redfox" icon has disappeared

Are you sure it was redfox or Firefox? I never heard of redfox and yielded no results when I Googled "Redfox".

As for web browsers, I prefer Mozilla Firefox over IE any day.
What I would do from here is:
-Download Mozilla Firefox.
-Install Mozilla Firefox.
-On Firefox, you can bookmark websites and "tab" them. Once you have firefox installed, go to the http:// (Website) you want to save/tab, and on the top, click 'Bookmarks', 'bookmark this page', there'll be a drop box and select 'Bookmarks Toolbar'. Then click 'Ok' and it should be in the tabs.

But if you prefer sticking with IE, I don't really know what to do from here unless I was in front of your computer.

I've been around the computer since I was a kid so I know a bit. PM me if anything.

[emcviper]

Are you sure it was redfox or Firefox? I never heard of redfox and yielded no results when I Googled "Redfox".
I think Rhapsody is bundled with RealPlayer, could that have been it? I gave up on RealPlayer after spending about 3.5 hours to remove the "message center." THAT was a pain.

[iSeeHP]

I think Rhapsody is bundled with RealPlayer, could that have been it? I gave up on RealPlayer after spending about 3.5 hours to remove the "message center." THAT was a pain.


Yeah Rhapsody is bundled with Realplayer but I don't think Rhapsody is a browser...
and if it was Firefox, how did that get installed along with Realplayer?

it opens up in a different web browsing format..Redfox, I think it was called.



I gave up on Realplayer too. Windows Media Player for the win!

[P-1]

Good luck finding someone who can talk you through this...in the future try using search features and ask questions like "How do I remover RealPlayer from my computer" I think you will be surprised to find out that you are not the first person to get in trouble trying to get rid of it.

Great suggestion!

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_set_ms_internet_explorer_as_my_default_we b_browser.html

cause it worked!!

[sonBPTCHIP]

Real Player, iTunes, and just about every other piece of free software off the internet is bundled with other software. Kinda like the 'pork' on bills in DC. Luckily you can line veto these extra programs.

My recommendation to prevent future occurance is as follows

Rather than click next, next, next repeatedly, read what the dialogue box consist of. If the software is from a legit company it will ask you if you want to install all the little extras.

For example alot of times they ask if you want to install google toolbar or Firefox or Rhapsody, all you have to do is click no thanks rather than yes or next. This will help prevent future recurrence.

At the very least you won't have to go through the long process of uninstalling unwanted program add-ons, while keeping the necessary programs like, Quicktime or Real Player

[Chippysgt]

Lots of good advice.

I have spent countless hours on a problem involving Google Screensaver..................I did all the right things to remove the program, to no avail, I followed the advice of Google tech support and downloaded a Windows Installer Cleanup utility and tried to remove it using that and still no luck. Their further comment was "we don't know how to fix it"........fortunately it is not something I can't work around.

[BT]

Hi,
If you're concerned about the files deleted/setting things back to before you downloaded the realplayer etc, a possible option is doing a restore if you had it enabled. if you go to your start menu > all programs >
Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Once you are in system restore you can select "restore my computer from an earlier..." The next screen should list restore points that are available in a calendar format in bold type. Just pick a day prior to you installing the realplayer. It's pretty straight-forward and works like a charm in a lot of instances.