GAH!!! Anybody A Computer Wiz For Advice or Repair???

[drag0nfeathers]

Okay so I have a HUGE problem!!!

So Comcast did some stupid upgrade and I couldn’t read my emails. Tried with Comcast help online for hours to try and get the problem fixed to no avail. We deleted and reinstalled pop up blockers and deleted cookies and all kinds of stupid stuff that didn’t do anything. So what internet program am I running they want to know? I don’t like Internet Explorer and have always used Firefox, but I had 3.9 or something like that. Well, then they say the problem might be I’m running an old version of Firefox and to upgrade to Firefox 4 and that should solve the problem. SO I do, and it works! Computer is working GREAT! I used it for about another half an hour or hour or so. Bought a Sand Curlie and went to bed. Problem seemingly solved, awesome right?

Well, NOW we turn on the computer for the first time since the update, Firefox is totally GONE and seemingly dissappeared from my computer like a fart in the breeze. Not in my program files, not on my toolbar… okay… weird…I try to use Internet Explorer to try and maybe reinstall it thinking I somehow botched something? Well, I get a bazillion spam(ish) pop ups about how Windows XP 2011 Antispy is detecting my computer being hacked and to buy this new program to keep yourself protected!(so I’m not completely dumb, of course I know this is a spyware trap) so I close all of it out and try again, but this time NO!!! Windows XP 2011 Antispyware detects my files are being attacked and to buy NOW to avoid my files becoming corrupt! WTF!!! I can’t use ANYTHING!!! Every program is infected with this thing! I can’t do anything, if I click on ANYTHING I get all these messares and errors all over the place and the whole thing is on lockdown! What the hell happened and what do I do??! I called Best Buy (geeksquad) and it’s $199.99 for the to even LOOK at it… I may as well just buy a new damn computer.

I haven’t downloaded any anti spy stuff for over 3-4 years now. I already have all my spyware stuff from when I got the computer (granted, it’s obviously out dated) but this Windows XP 2011 Antispy is obviously some kind of virus masking as an anti-spybot.

I’m using Shaun’s laptop now, but if I accidently run into any more porn internet history I’m going to seriously barf… >_<

Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs*

*SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons

[Andrea]

Hubby says you have to boot up into Safemode and delete from program files.
But you’ll have to figure out the name of the program that is initializing.
Once you think you’ve deleted the program files download a spyware program to sweep the machine.

I actually had this virus at work when I went to an Okapi picture from Google Images. Who virusizes Okapi pictures???
Anyway, our IT guy didn’t have to totally rebuild and he was able to find all the virus bits.

Good luck!

[kitsunelady]

I’m more like WTF @ Geek Squad costing $199 to just come out and *look* at it. I guess they are only for the desperate. o_o;

Anyways, I found this for you :
http://www.ehow.com/how_6085644_remove-xp-antispyware-virus.html

Edit : Actually, there’s another article on ehow that says you can use Spyware Doctor to get rid of it, if you don’t want to do it manually. >.>

[Skylover]

Drag0n, I’ve dealt with this virus several times in the past. As you’ve discovered, this virus disables your computer if you boot up regularly. Everything is not infected with the virus, that is just the virus messing with your system to make it think it is. If you boot up into “Safe” mode, you should be able to run your anti-virus software. This is hoping that at least you kept your main antivirus software up to date. If you have Comcast, you should have Norton.

Also, just because it removes many of the files, don’t assume it’s gone. Update your anti-virus and run another scan. Then, when you can get back online, try another anti-malware program like this one:

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

This one has always worked well for me. The free version should be all you need.

I’ve also seen several people recommend this one, but have never used it myself:

http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Whatever else you decide to use, make sure you run multiple scans with the software up to date to be sure you get everything.

You can try the link kitsunelady provided, but be very, very careful. I wouldn’t mess with registry keys unless you are confident about what you are doing. You can cause more damage to your computer than the virus is currently causing.

[drag0nfeathers]

Thanks a bunch guys, I found this site that talks alot about this virus at http://www.whatthetech.com and it mentions that malbytes program a lot. Just one question….. probably stupid…. but how do I boot up in safe mode? >_<

Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs*

*SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons

[Skylover]

Here’s a few links for you regarding Safe Mode:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial61.html

[Syn]

Once you get in Safe Mode, you might find the virus program by going to the Start Up tab in System Configurations. One way to do this is to click on the Start button, then Run, and then type in msconfig. Open the Start Up tab, and you will see the programs that start up when your computer boots. If you find it, the box will be checked. Anything that is not checked is not starting up when Windows starts, so you can ignore them. Uncheck it, shut down and reboot. A message reminding you that you have made changes to MSConfig will come up every time you reboot, unless you check the “don’t remind” me box in the message; that might be a good thing until you get things fixed.

If you are going to delete ANYTHING in the Registry, be absolutely positive what you are deleting. Some programs are easily identified, such as Adobe, ATI, Quick Player, AVG, etc. Some you might not recognize; Norton for instance is Symantec. If you put the name into Google, it will identify what company/program it is affiliated with.

I had this happen last year. I remember that nothing worked, including System Restore, but I didn’t think of checking the Start Up programs. I had been intending to reinstall Windows for a while, and I had a dual-boot system with 98% of everything backed up on other hard drives; so I just said the hell with it and reinstalled Windows.

[drag0nfeathers]

OIHFSNLFNLIFLNSLNFSLFNSFNSJOPFJSIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY HEART ATTACK BATMAN!!! I can’t FREAKING believe it!!!!!!!!

I FIXED IT ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That Malwarebytes totally did the trick!!! The virus icon was a little green bug and I SQUISHED THE HELL OUT OF IT!!!! *dances on virus* Take THAT! WoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

I even had to troubleshoot it for a while because it was stopping the Malwarebytes from installing so I had to do this other thing with a combofix program and a ATF filter and my Java thingy and a notepad fix it doo-dad *yea, with words like this, and I still fixed it* Hell YAH!!!!!!!!

Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs*

*SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons

[KoishiiKitty]

I had to deal with this one again too, my Dad by accident loaded the malware program to his laptop. The one he got telling him that his computer was infected made a squeeling pig noise. Thankfully it was not one of the more annoying ones that over loads your system with endless pop ups and fake windows.

But yeah, the fix is actualy a pretty simple one. 🙂 Glad your machine is better Dfeathers!

[Pam]

If you dont have an up to date virus program, get one. Paid for programs are of course the best, but if you cant afford that then the free Avast or AVG anti virus programs are the next best thing IMO. If you need something for spyware I recommend both Spybot S&D and the Lavasoft program mentioned earlier. What one can’t find the other usually will.

[Skylover]

Congratulations! I’m glad that you managed to get it all fixed.

One question though. Do you have an ad blocker? If not, I would recommend AdBlock Plus for Firefox. Unfortunately, viruses such as these often come through ads posted on many websites, and an ad blocker (if you don’t already have one) will help significantly.

[drag0nfeathers]

I have a pop up blocker, and add blocker, virus software (although it’s a smidge outdated now) and a few different clean up filters that run automatically here and there. Somehow this one snuck in! I KILLED IT THOUGH! BOOO YEA!!!

(I know it probably wasn’t much, but I feel like I am a genius for a day) ^_^

Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs*

*SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons

[siberakh1]

Is this your laptop? Are you bringing it to AB? If so (and I remember), I’ll bring some up to date software to load onto your laptop for virus and malware scanning/protection. *nods*

[drag0nfeathers]

Sweet! Yes it is one in the same!

Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs*

*SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons

[Jennifer]

Additionally, I have been very happy with NoScript running on firefox (it’s an addon). Though it does mean you have to make judgments about what is safe and what is not, since it blocks everything unless you tell it that it’s okay.

Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.com

[Author]

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