I think I may have a virus but .....

[jlnsmom]

I could really use some guidance. My son clicked on an auto update for
windows on Sunday, Oct 14. It appears that since that date, my computer has
lost its files on the operating system?. When "logging" on, my personal sign
ons have dissappeared and the only choice I have is "administrator". My
documents and settings are all at the default and none of my files, pictures,
music, or documents appear. I did check my hard drive at the c prompt and
the files are still there, they are just not in windows Xp. In addition,
everytime I boot up I get a spyware of some sort that tells me my Trend Micro
Antivirus has expired. I have never used that before. I have McAfee through
Comcast and it looks as if that is gone as well. So I tried to install it
and it gets to the end of the installation and it says it failed. I then
tried to us Microsofts website and run their Anti Virus scan and it does
process but after about 1/4 through it, my computer screen goes completely
white and freezes. That has happend about 4 times to me!! Then I went to
Kaspersky to run their free scan and the same thing happens, my screen goes
white! What can I do at this point?? Any suggestions?

--
jlnsmom

 

[Malke]

Re: I think I may have a virus but .....

jlnsmom wrote:

> I could really use some guidance. My son clicked on an auto update for
> windows on Sunday, Oct 14. It appears that since that date, my computer
> has
> lost its files on the operating system?. When "logging" on, my personal
> sign
> ons have dissappeared and the only choice I have is "administrator". My
> documents and settings are all at the default and none of my files,
> pictures,
> music, or documents appear. I did check my hard drive at the c prompt and
> the files are still there, they are just not in windows Xp. In addition,
> everytime I boot up I get a spyware of some sort that tells me my Trend
> Micro
> Antivirus has expired. I have never used that before. I have McAfee
> through
> Comcast and it looks as if that is gone as well. So I tried to install it
> and it gets to the end of the installation and it says it failed. I then
> tried to us Microsofts website and run their Anti Virus scan and it does
> process but after about 1/4 through it, my computer screen goes completely
> white and freezes. That has happend about 4 times to me!! Then I went to
> Kaspersky to run their free scan and the same thing happens, my screen
> goes
> white! What can I do at this point?? Any suggestions?
>

It certainly sounds like your computer may be infected, but no Microsoft
update would have caused this. Your son clicked on something else.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself
(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent
of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be
so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

 

[Dell Techie]

RE: I think I may have a virus but .....

Click start>click run type in msconfig and then press enter. Goto the start
up tab and uncheck everything except your anti virus.click ok and reboot.
When you come back to the desktop check the box 'do not show this message
again" and click ok .

Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2008/03/malwarebytes-anti-malware-105.html

Run Superantispyware
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/04/superantispyware-home-edition-free.html

Run a complete scan with free curing utility Dr.Web CureIt!
http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2008/05/dr-web-cureit.html

Run an online scan
http://spywarefighter.blogspot.com/2008/09/eset-online-scan.html
http://spywarefighter.blogspot.com/2008/09/trend-micro-housecall-online-virus-scan.html

Install ThreatFire it makes your antivirus more powerful and block unknown
viruses and trojans.
http://www.threatfire.com/