Computer Virus- Help needed
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
I do not have it set for automatic.. I also do not do the express install.. That way I have a chance to look over the updates..
I don't install service packs or program updates right away.. Usually I wait until I feel there are no issues, then I will install them..
For example I will not install Service pack 3 yet for XP because there are issues.. I do install security updates whenever they pop up..
At least if the PC acts up right after you installed an update then you know what the problem is and can remove that update..
My 2 cents
Glad the malwarebytes worked... I knew it would..
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
I run Firefox 3.0 for my browser. I WILL NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER. With AVG 8.0 antivirus (free) and Comodo firewall (also free) I have been problem free for a long time. I have added Adblock Plus to Firefox and do not have the ads for Hummers at the top of my page here at FTE. AVG Safe search and WOT (web of trust) addons to Firefox keep me from dangerous web pages.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
First, thanks for all the good advice. I appreciate it.
I had my daughter come home today with the computer so we could try the free download after I got done work. It seems that things got worse. When it gets turned on a screen comes up that asks to start in safe mode or start windows normally. Nomatter which we pick it comes back to the same screen and then after a bit goes blank. So we cannot get windows started to do anything. Is it beyond hope? Should I get a bigger hammer? I can fix motorcycles and trucks, but I can't do much with a computer except turn it on and wait for the gremlin inside to do his thing.
I had my daughter come home today with the computer so we could try the free download after I got done work. It seems that things got worse. When it gets turned on a screen comes up that asks to start in safe mode or start windows normally. Nomatter which we pick it comes back to the same screen and then after a bit goes blank. So we cannot get windows started to do anything. Is it beyond hope? Should I get a bigger hammer? I can fix motorcycles and trucks, but I can't do much with a computer except turn it on and wait for the gremlin inside to do his thing.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 526
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From: North Carolina
I heard you could take a good strong magnet and tape it to the side of the main board and it will remove problems like this. 
also spending time on "face book" and youtube can give the computer a virus
also spending time on "face book" and youtube can give the computer a virus
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
First, thanks for all the good advice. I appreciate it.
I had my daughter come home today with the computer so we could try the free download after I got done work. It seems that things got worse. When it gets turned on a screen comes up that asks to start in safe mode or start windows normally. Nomatter which we pick it comes back to the same screen and then after a bit goes blank. So we cannot get windows started to do anything. Is it beyond hope? Should I get a bigger hammer? I can fix motorcycles and trucks, but I can't do much with a computer except turn it on and wait for the gremlin inside to do his thing.
I had my daughter come home today with the computer so we could try the free download after I got done work. It seems that things got worse. When it gets turned on a screen comes up that asks to start in safe mode or start windows normally. Nomatter which we pick it comes back to the same screen and then after a bit goes blank. So we cannot get windows started to do anything. Is it beyond hope? Should I get a bigger hammer? I can fix motorcycles and trucks, but I can't do much with a computer except turn it on and wait for the gremlin inside to do his thing.
Was it malwarebytes?? If not then try that..
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
We cannot get it to start up so we did not download anything. It keeps asking about how to start windows and nomatter what we pick it looks like it is starting but comes back to the same screen and then goes blank.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
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From: MA
Is this Vista or XP???
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
First of all; Ship Boy Go jump in the ocean. Now with that out of the way Trike find the nearest college computer lab and talk to the resident gurus about the problem. I'm afraid that the harddrive is totally corrupted to the point of the operating system having been lost. Take the restore disks that came with the computer with you as they will probably need to do a complete format of the drive and installation of the OS. Drinks with high levels of caffeine and pizza are recommended trade goods for the natives.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
The computer is about 2 1/2 years old. It is XP.
i am afraid it might be toast. She said she backed up everything she could with an external hard drive. But does that mean she backed up the virus too?
i am afraid it might be toast. She said she backed up everything she could with an external hard drive. But does that mean she backed up the virus too?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,765
Likes: 7
From: home's where the heart is
you're not gonna like this answer, but you have to get rid of the virus BEFORE you do a backup or you have the virus backed up as well......
you need to remove norton or any other HP installed virus protection, download AVG 8.0 free, download windows defender, turn on windows firewall, install defender and let it run, then instal AVG 8.0 and let it run......
it will take about six hours for this process to be complete........
when finished with all this, post back what it is doing
you need to remove norton or any other HP installed virus protection, download AVG 8.0 free, download windows defender, turn on windows firewall, install defender and let it run, then instal AVG 8.0 and let it run......
it will take about six hours for this process to be complete........
when finished with all this, post back what it is doing
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
Do you have the XP installation cd?
You can try a repair of windows using that..
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
If you are getting a disk from someone it has to be the same version as what is loaded..
For example XP pro needs and XP pro disk and XP home needs and XP home disk.. another thing is it needs to be the correct service pack version..
She probably had XP SP2 ..
