Well its more of a problem than a question. Ive been working on my g/f's computer, its an HP with XP. It was full of spyware and adware and im in the process of getting that out. Now Ive run into a problem. I installed Adaware and when I start it up, a message comes up telling me I have so many seconds before the computer will shutdown, and it starts counting. Sorry I cant remeber exactly what it said. Then it cuts off after time runs down. Another thing is I cant stop the popups. Its like 4 popups every 5 seconds. Any one had this problem and a solution?

Thanks

 

NOne.

XP has a pop-up blocker built-in

 

You have a virus. I remember that count down one from a while back. Run an updated virus scan. There's an online virus scan that if you can get to it, should help out. But I'll be danged if I can remember it's name. Do a search on here..you should be able to find it. Or do a google search for Free virus scans online.

I take it she doesn't have an updated virus protection program???? In this day and age of FOOLS on the net, a person is silly to not keep windows updated and an updated virus scanner...along with a good spyware program or three.

If she has XP also do an update to servic e pack two. It works fine with most programs..and I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. She can go to the MS website and order a free CD of SP2. Then go to Google and type in Google Pop-up stopper. I haven't had a problem with pop ups in months. YOu also need to search for a couple differend spyware tools/removers. Go to : www.majorgeeks.com and look through their list .... add AdawareSE, SpywareGuard and SPywareBlocker..BOTH. They will help you emmensely..I guarantee it. If you don't run all three, you are asking for a large number of hijackers to hit you. (Another guaranteed item)

 

Only XP SP2 has a pop up blocker and it doesnt block Adaware. You didnt state does your computer shut down as it warns or does just Adaware shut down?
There could be alot of problems for this, antivirus programs will do this, there are a couple of hijack spywares out there that will do this, even a few virus's their self that will do it.
Try using spybot to get rid of the spyware first, you need to down load it, then disconnect from the internet, that will stop your popups. Shut off what ever virus protection you have(only after you disconnect), disable you firewall. Then run spybot. As soon as you run it, run your adaware program. once you have all that done, restart your virus protection, state your firewall, yes it will help stop popups believe it or not. Then see what it will do. With out knowing anymore that is all I can help with. Good luck

 

I agree, you have a virus. I use the free edition of AVG Antivirus. You can download it at http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/. I am sure you also have many spyware and adware issues. They can be worse than viruses sometimes.

Just because you are not connected to the internet doesn't necessarily mean that you won't have popups. I have seen them attached to a resident program that is running in the background. Either way, you have to get rid of the adware. I have had good luck with adaware and spybot. I run both of them every other night.

You may also have to run the antivirus more than once, particularly if there are a lot of virus occurances on the first scan. Make sure you check for the updates for the virus protection no matter which one you are using.

Hope you get this take care of. I just had to clean up my dad's computer by doing this. It was acting similar to what you are saying and I ran the AVG first and then adaware followed by spybot. worked good for me.

BTW, with adaware, go in and customize it so that you are scanning all files. It comes default set up to do a smart scan or something like that.

HD

 

If she has a broadband connection make sure there is a router between the PC and the modem for a firewall. Disconnect the computer from the cable/Internet while running scans with a boot disk and AV files on a CD prepared on another computer.

 

Hi,
It sounds like the MSBlaster worm. Next time you see the shutdown in xx amount of time, notice what service is causing the shutdown. If It's says RPC Service it's msblaster. To remove, first open control panel, double click Administrative tools, then services. Find the "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)" service (NOT the "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator" service), double click to select, click on the recovery tab, in each of the three drop down boxes change the setting from "restart computer" to "take no action", then click OK. This will stop the PC from restarting (after the worm has been removed you'll need to repeat this procedure and reset the fields to the original value). Now, download and run McAfee's virus removal tool called stinger from this link: http://download.nai.com/products/mca...rt/stinger***** (you'll need to left click on the link because of FTE's sponsor link policy) It removes most of the most prevalent viruses out there. Its free, doesn't install anything, just does a scan of your machine to check for any current infections (it's also small enough to fit on a floppy, so you can download it from a known clean machine). I certainly second the other users suggestions, Install XP SP2, and the updates that it now has for it. Get a good anti virus program and make sure that it stays up to date. Hope this helps.

Troy

 

A couple years ago there was a rampant virus we were doing a LOT of tech support for..."Red ...." something like that, seems to stick. The routers that the company we were supporting were eaten alive by that virus. Lot of unhappy people had to buy a new router at, I think, around $150 a pop. I'll be polite an not name the ISP service ... but man..if you want to get me going...LOL!! The right hand never knew what the left hand was doing. Another big + for corporate America.

That virus she has ... it started about a year or so ago. I remember a lot of my friends on Yahoo caught it. I used to have a whole bunch of links directing you to the fix.

A lot of people say poo poo to updating windows regularly ... shame on them. If you are going to be on the net, take the advice offered by some of us who've been there done that.

 

I agree with Fordlover1951, go to major geeks and follow the instructions to the letter and you have a good chance of cleaning up the drive http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
I have used this procedure and it involves downloading 6 or 7 programs, disabling system restore, and working in safe mode. Should take you a couple hours, if you have high speed, and can handle a PC.

 

Is PC-cillin the site? www.antivirus.com for the online scan, or www.grisoft.com has the 'free for life' antivirus.

I've tried soooooo many different anti-virus programs, and heard horror stories about others.

I love BOTH of the above programs. Both 'run home to mamma' and update, often. Especially PC-cillin.

I'm not going to bash any of them, but, certain 'big' name programs are NOT worth the money.

Another good Spyware remover is SpyBot. Good program.

Yeah, it does sound like a virus has gotten into the PC. In this day and age, anyone that is online at all, should be running an anti-virus program, a firewall, a spyware remover and NOT open any e-mail from someone you don't know.

("It's a scary world out there. The 'boogie-man' is right around the corner.")
Last resort might be to re-format the hdd and re-install everything.
Drastic measures, for sure.

Good luck, thunderguns. . . . . .

 

Thanks for all the help , Ill have to do all this and yes i remember now it was showing RPC service and shutting down the computer. I really wished she would keep things updated and run often. Complains she needs a new computer {since this one is slow} when the computer itself is only a year old so I figure Id save her the money.

 

[troll post]Ditch the PeeCee. Get a Mac

Now for the serious part. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER put a PC with Windows on a broadband connection without a NAT router and firewall. Preferably a hardware solution like a Linksys (now part of Cisco) or Netgear. I never even allow PC's at work onto our network without putting them behind the firewall and throwing our anti-virus solution onto it. [shameless plug - we use Panda, and it's not a bad low cost product compared to Norton or McAfee]

Even if you clean off the virus, you'll still likely be a Zombie for a hacker or spammer.
If you wish to be totally safe, reformat, restore off the CD, and get a firewall, run ALL the updates, and keep it behind the firewall at all times. I read on ISC that the average lifespan of a new PC on broadband without being zombied or hacked is about 5 minutes.

 

Please take a good look at my last post thunder...you should consider going to the link I left there. Go to majorgeeks.com and you will learn alot!! The forums are are very helpful. I just cleaned out two harddrives that were fouled up; The moderators have created some very good sticky posts that can walk almost anyone thru a HD clean up.

 

You have a virus. You will get nothing done b/c it will keep on try to restart the machine.

A way around:
1.) go to the run prompt (ctrl + r)
2.) type "shutdown /a"

This is make any prompt to the shutdown.dll's to break the shutdown loop in the op sys.

Anytime your computer says it is shuting down just do this and it will stop it.