Can someone help me? My PC has gone completley insaine....nothing I do fixes it!?

Question

Im fed up and had enough!!! All i want is my daamn pc to act like a pc! But instead, it wants to do its own thing. This IS NOT rise of the machines!!
Basicly, it started with all the pop ups, then it started downloading winantiviruspro and its other disease infested, affiliates such as system doctor and spyware2007 all on its own. They are fake and i know it!
Many people have given me lots of advise, tips, pointers, suggestions, theorys, possibilities, and so called "cures" and the end result of me trying these things has caused my pc to take certain actions on its own accord. For example, complete shutdown and restart during mid surf, words will stop as im typing, brutal sub-zero freezes with no recovery or mercy, internet disruption and a lot more pains in the ****!
I now just wanna wipe it clean and start over with a fresh windows xp. I believe its my only hope. Problem is, i have no disc to reinstall it with. Do i HAVE to have the disc or is there another way? Plz help!!

Answer 1

One of the first things to do when you suspect malware is DISABLE System Restore.

If enabled, this allows malware to hide in the computer and re-install itself.

So, to disable it, RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, check 'Turn off system restore' IF not already checked.

The next most helpful things that would help you are to use ONLINE scanners from websites to remove any malware on your PC.

The current best online scanners I prefer are from Kaspersky antivirus and Bitdefender antivirus. Together, these 2 scanners will find ALL the bad stuff on your PC because they have the BEST detection rate.

First, use Kaspersky's. (FYI: ALL these scans require you to agree to a EULA and install an activex control which is needed to perform the scan, so agree to them all.)



*NOTE: Some scanners ONLY work with IE or may not fully remove malware



http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner (KAV)



Then scan with:

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html





There are MANY other good online scanners which you may choose to also use (which will take longer but ensure safety):



http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm (Windows Live Onecare)



http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/ (A-squared scanner)



http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/ (ewido)



http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pest/scan.aspx (Spyware scan)



http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx (Virus scan)



http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/ (Panda Antivirus)



http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com/ (TrendMicro)



http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ (Nod32)



http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml (F-secure)





After using these, it's ESSENTIAL to install at least 3 antispywares. Do NOT use more than 1 antiVIRUS as they conflict.



The best things in life are FREE, and great free software can be found @:



Superantispyware.com (Superantispyware FREE version)

lavasoft.com (Ad-aware)

emsisoft.com (A-squared FREE)

safer-networking.org (Spybot S&D)

javacoolsoftware.com (SpywareBlaster, EULAlyzer, & MRU-Blaster)

microsoft.com (Windows Defender)

grisoft.com (AVG AV)

Avast.com (Avast AV)

avira.com (Avira AV)

activevirusshield.com (AOL Virus Shield, which is basically Kaspersky for free)

siteadvisor.com (Tells you how safe websites are)

phoenixlabs.org (Peerguardian blocks malware, government, and anti-p2p org's)

zonealarm.com (Top Notch Firewall)

comodo.com (Another Top Notch firewall)

iobit.com (Advanced Windows Care)

Eusing.com (Registry cleaner)

ccleaner.com (Junk file cleaner)







Now if you can afford it, the best software to BUY are:



Spy Sweeper

Security Task Manager

Norton Internet Security (Uses CPU but it's nice if you can afford to use those resources up)

Kaspersky (BEST! =D )

Bitdefender

F-secure (Same as Kaspersky)

Linkscanner (Blocks exploits in real time)

Advanced Uninstaller



If there's ever ONE file you suspect is infected, you can go to a couple of sites that have single file scanners which use MULTIPLE engines to scan a file.

They are virusscan.jotti.org and virustotal.com



If you're PC is squeaky clean, re-enable system restore because it IS good to have but we needed to shut it off to wipe out the malware.

Just RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, UN-check "Turn off system restore."





*Another thing to consider is using another browser besides Internet Explorer. IE has a lot of security holes,

making it less safe than other browsers. I prefer Firefox from mozilla.org.

It's just as easy to use and has a lot of neat little add-ons you can toy around with. By itself, it is also safer from exploits than IE.*





As always, things will vary for you. I hope the best for everybody. As always, others may disagree but there's only one way to find things out---try it! As long

as you have an UPDATED Antivirus, Antispyware, & firewall, things will go smoothly. And browse wisely. As a side note, please email me any/all websites you got the infection from or if any are popping up or hijacking your page so I can help further security software's measures.

Sometimes you may get a NEW and Unknown malware and I can submit it to be blacklisted to companies.

Thx. Hope I was able to help and fix anything needed. If I have, please consider returning & leaving a nice comment and

"Best Answer" to whomever you thinks deserves it...

Answer 2

Step 1:

Try Downloading these:

1. "Avast" antivirus software (include executable file updates)

2. an Anti-Spyware

3. "CCleaner"

4. "AusLogics Disk Defrag"

from your friends computer hopefully complete with their serials...(you know...) and save them in your thumb drive.



Step 2:

IN SAFE MODE (press F8 during boot up):

Identify all the Files/Programs you need and do not need (delete/uninstall).



then defrag. your hard drives.



Back up all your important files to your thumb drive or external hardrive of DVD. (to be scanned later on once your PC is OK.)



Step 3: Install the 4 downloaded items to your pc. then use it.

(make your pc as clean as possible from viruses, worms, spyware) then use auslogics defrag.



Step 5: If your now contented with you pc's performance.. try scanning your thumb drive for spyware & viruses. defrag it afterwards. you still keep the files.



LAST RESORT "BEST OPTION":

Purchase a WINXP Home, make sure you select to format your drives to "NTSF" before you install the new OS. Purchase Necessary tools like anti-virus, registry tools, anti-spyware/adware, MSOffice,...



That's what you get from surfing/downloading too much!

be more careful next time.



Good Luck!

Answer 3

CCcleaner is a good idea also clear all your internet files, cookies and History, once you have done all that restart your PC and reset your modem. If this doesn't do it, then you may have a virus! eek! Then you'll need a technician round. Or a smart friend. Hope this does it.

Answer 4

You didn't say what kind PC you have......all you talk about depend on the PC you have.....speed,memory,hard drive,what is the OS ......if you have windows 98 and down you cant change to XP or higher if you don't have things I mentioned about,high speed ,high memory,big hard drive .......anyway in your situation non of anti-virus work, because the virus is already there and its to late to get remove them...the best thing reinstall you pc with geniuses widows software.....you said you don't have the CD...if your PC new it maybe the OS or software build in your PC without you knowledge.....contact me if you need more [e-mail].

Answer 5

you either have a virus or a trojan taking over your browser -- download avast antivirus --free home version -- just google search for the link-- it will remove the problem if you can get a clean download -- if you cant get a clean download i would suggest to go buy an antivirus and disconnect the computer from online -- then run the antivirus--

Answer 6

It would have to depend on the manufacturer of the pc. I do know that Sony does not include the cd while dell does (go with dell)

You could also take it to circuit city and have them try to fix up your computer. (they usually charge about 80 dollars)

But what you can do for right now is download AVG free edition and Adaware SE Personal and have them scan your entire computer. These programs should stop viruses, trojan horses, spyware, and adaware from messing up your computer.

Hope this helps

Answer 7

Go through the entire MRP procedure at Castle Cops..

http://wiki.castlecops.com/MRP



If this does not solve your problem...I would recommend registering with the forum (it is free), or another of your choice that offers free HJT help, and post your HJT log in the forum. Experts will help you clean your computer...



Reformating is always a last resort...!



So how did I get infected in the first place?

http://www.castlecops.com/t7736-So_how_did_I_get_infected_in_the_first_place.html

Answer 8

Find a friend with a disc. Or buy a new copy. Your computer sounds like its beyond saving. Just reinstall windows. Or if you can't find a friend with a copy. Try Linux.

Answer 9

You cannot fix this with one contact. It will take the efforts of a security expert. Please review and follow the instruction i the following link.



http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html



Like your computer i unquie so will their solution for your problem. Work with them and have patiences.

Answer 10

Okay, its time to redo your OS. First you need to backup everything you want to keep (pictures, documents, etc). THen pull out your OS CD and erase what's on the HD and reinstall your OS.

Answer 11

IF YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY HOPELESS, REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER.



AT STARTUP, BEFORE THE WINDOWS LOGO APPEARS, PRESS F1, 10, 11, or 8. In most cases you will have WINDOWS RECOVERY starting. IF YOU HAVE AN HP OR COMPAQ, it will have a recovery partition pre-installed.



P.S. CAPS LOCK JAMMED.

Answer 12

The most easiest way is send the computer to repair. Let the technician do the rest & forget those worries.

Answer 13

VIRUS REMOVAL:



this is a realll P.I.A. !!!



THE 1ST PART YOU NEED TO DO offline:

run anti-virus program

run anti spyware program

shut down System Restore

clear cookies

clear temp files

clear history

clear pre-fetch folder

clear out ALL emails starting at 2-3 days ago or when you 1st knew you were infected in:

ALL folders

sent

trash

junk



bookmarks or favorites folder in I.E. or Firefox



as you can see,there's QUITE a bit of work ahead of you.



shut down System Restore:

virus/spyware can hide in your system restore points so we shall delete all previous restore links hiding places by turning system restore OFF.

later,when we finish,we'll turn it back on,set up a new [ CLEAN ] restore to work from in the future.

hopefully,lol,you'll never need it !



XP Home:



start

all programs

accessories

system tools

system restore

settings

drive [c]

settings

check the OFF link



VISTA:



start

control panel

performance and information tools

open disk clean up

select o.s. [c]

select more options

select system restore and shadow copies

select clean up



XP Home & Vista:

start

control panel

internet options

general

clear cookies

clear temp files

clear history

and set history days to keep to 0



clear temp files

not all your temp files will be romoved so easily,so we need to do this manually as well.

start

my computer [ or just computer in Vista ]

windows

temp

file

click each file and delete



Clear Pre-Fetch Files

start

my computer [ or just computer in Vista ]

windows

prefetch

file

select all

press delete key on keyboard



empty recycle bin



run anti-virus and anti-spyweare programs again



when your protection programs find any pirates,DELETE them,do NOT quarentine !!



should you NOT have ANY protection programs installed:

Avast--anti-virus

AD Aware--anti-spyware

Spyware Blaster--anti-spyware blocker

Rootkit Revealer--anti-rootkit

Arovax

PC Tools Firewall--firewall to replace MS's deficient firewall [ turn that sucker OOF ! ] and replace with above.



replace windows firewall with PC Tools firewall

install Arovax protection and choose protection for internet explore if you use it,firefox if you use that or opera if you use that

install spyware blaster and set for internet explorer and/or firefox protection



should you choose to install Firefox web browser [ and you SHOULD ]

here are some Firefox Security Extensions to install

CallingID Link Advisor

Finjan Secure Web Browing

No Script

Dr. Web

SafeDownloads

http://browseraddons.friendpages.com



now it's time to set up your new [ clean ] restore point



XP Home:



start

all programs

accessories

system tools

system restore

settings

drive [c]

settings

check the ON link



Vista:

start

control panel

back up and restore center

create restore point

create restore points on selected disks

select drive

click create

apply and ok



FINALLY....



SECURE COMPUTER:



NEVER !! :



open an email from:

anyone you do NOT know/trust

anyone purporting to be/from:



Microsoft

your bank

your creditors

your goverment

your financial company/ies

even your lawyer/s or church UNLESS you have a prior agreement with them

online petetion

contains attachment/s



SAFE EMAIL SET UP:



YAHOO:

open options link on your email page

select spam

Spam Protection



Choose the tools you'll use to protect your mail account from spam. Not sure what tools you need? Take a look at our Setup Guide for help.

Spam Filter

SpamGuard is ON



For messages SpamGuard identifies as Spam:

Immediately delete these messages upon receipt. (Note: If you choose this option, you will not be able to review the messages before they are deleted.)

When I mark a message as Spam, in addition to deleting the message:

Add the sender's email address to my blocked addresses list

Image Blocking

Block images in messages that SpamGuard thinks are spam

[ possible but 1 or the other ]

Block all images until I've had a chance to look it over



Block Addresses



Block addresses from which you don't want to receive mail.

Add Block

Enter email address (or domain) to block:



GMAIL:

Gmail has an EXCELLENT spam filter,learn to trust it.

Spam Filtering is automatic,unlikeYahoo.

Gmail offers a secound way to protect your inbox by using filters.

1st,you need to create labels [ folders ] to store your filtered email in.

then create the label filter.



SETTINGS:FILTERS:

Create a new filter

Create a Filter

Choose search criteria - Specify the criteria you'd like to use for determining what to do with a message as it arrives. Use "Test Search" to see which messages would have been filtered using these criteria.

From: Has the words:

To: Doesn't have:

Subject: Has attachment



after you fill the above out,you go to label [ folder ] selection.



MSN HOTMAIL:



on your email page,select options then more options

Junk e-mail

Filters and reporting

Safe and blocked senders



choose from these choices:

Safe and blocked senders

Safe senders

Manage who is allowed to send you e-mail. Messages from safe senders will not be sent to the junk e-mail folder.



Safe mailing lists

Manage which mailing lists are sent to your account. Messages to safe mailing lists will not be sent to the junk e-mail folder.



Blocked senders

Manage who is blocked from sending you e-mail. Messages from blocked senders are automatically deleted.



WINDOWS LIVE MAIL:

JUNK E-mail

Options:

safe list only

permanently delete suspected junk e-mail



Safe Senders:

add e-mail addresses to your safe list here

check:

also trust my Windows Contacts

automatically add people i e-mail to the safe senders list



Blocked Senders:

add senders addresses here to create a blocked address list



International:



Blocked Encoding List:



choose the language pack you do NOT want downloaded into your inbox here



Phishing:



check:

protect me from potential Phising emails

move phishing emails to junk

apply & ok



Windows Live Mail has 2 other options:

Tools

message rules

mail

condiotions:

where you choose:

from

to

subject

content and more



Message:

junk e-mail

add to:

safe senders

blocked senders



Web Browsers:



Internet Explorer:

XP Home & Vista:



start

control panel

internet options

general

history:

clear history

set days to keep to 0



Privacy:

advanced

override

First-party Cookies:

Accept

Always allow session cookies

Third-party [ spyware ] Cookies

Block

ok



Content:

content advisor

Enable

ratings:

set content you do NOT want permitted



Approved Sites:

add websites that ARE allowed ALWAYS here



apply & ok



Advanced:

Phishing Filter

enable



Security:

for Internet--Trusted Sites--Restricted Sites

custom

Enable Protected Mode

Custom Level:

XP Home:

Active X:

uncheck each active x control marked:

unsafe

unsigned



Vista:

be sure Active X controls and plugins is marked disable

as well as Automatic prompting for Active X controls

and download unsigned Active X controls

and Intialize and script Active X conttrols not marked as safe



XP & VISTA:



Access data sources across domains-disable

Allow scripting of Internet Explorer web browser control

disable



Allow script-initiated windows without size or position

disable



Allow websites to open windows without address or status bars

disable



Don't prompt for client certificate selection when none exist



Navigate sub-frames across different domains

disable



Use Phishing filter

enable



Allow status bar updates via script

disable



now for your Restricted Zone,EVERYTHING should be disabled EXCEPT:

Pop up blocker

Phishing Filter



[internet,trusted,restricted]

download signed-PROMPT

auto-prompt-DISABLE

binary & script-ENABLE

download UNsigned-DISABLE

download UNsafe-DISABLE

run active x-ENABLE

download SAFE -ENABLE



Spy Sites



Stop Web Sites from installing Spyware, Sleazeware and Cookies on your PC



SpySites includes a database of over 4,600

known Spy/Sleaze sites and guides you

through the simple process of including them in

Internet Explorer's Restricted Zone and setting policies

to prevent them from performing intrusive acts on your PC.

By setting the policies for the Restricted

sites zone to a very high level of security,

you can be assured that any web sites added

to the Restricted sites zone cannot do

certain things which could compromise your privacy

and security such as installing and/or running:

Spysites

http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpySites_Program.html#SpySitesFree



Pre-Fetch File Cleaing



pre-fetch files are "cached" or stored copies of files/websites you visit each session

after a period of time,these files hog up a LOT of disk space

for this reason,i advocate the deletion weekly of those space hogs

some claim that windows will automatically remove files older than 7 days

I have found MY pc does NOT perform this task so I do it manually

what happens is,when you go to a website,your pc looks into your pre-fetch file/folder

to see if that website is "cached",stored there FIRST

this gives you a faster website load,BUT,you get the "cached" version and NOT the NEWEST version

unless you have "check for newest version" cheched in internet options

it may take that website 1/2 a second longer to load

but,you'll get the newest version loading each time



as added security,spyware removers often miss these files,so delete them manually.



My Computer,disk drive [c],windows,pre-fetch,view,select all,select delete



same situation with Temp files:

Temp File Folder



i use Disk Clean to clean up extraneous files i no longer need

however,everytime i use Disk Clean,it DOESN'T clean out Temp Files!

solution?

My Computer,local disk drive [c],windows,temp

you can safely delete each temp file there.

i leave the most current [that day] alone.

also,do not delete any FOLDER there

folders have a folder icon,leave alone

[ Vista,it's Computer ]



Firefox Web Browser:

tools

options

content

check block pop ups



load images automatically:

exceptions:

enter those websites addresses that show up on pop ups that appear AFTER you close a browser window

also add those same urls to

Privacy

Cookies

Exceptions



there are a number of kewl Security add on firefox extensions i use and they are:

CallingID link advisor

Dr. Web [ link checker ]

Finjan Secure Web Browsing

No Script

SafeDownload

http://browseraddons.friendpages.com



IF you follow all the above suggestions,you'll not have the Fort Knox of computers,but Dammed close !

Answer 14

you are a smart person



so the spies take awhile to understand whatyou are doing

Answer 15

you have to have it (a CD). check out the linux page they distribute them for free.

Answer 16

run a real antivirus in safe mode.