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Spyware, viruses, & security : Completely crashed computer!
Completely crashed computer!
by etibo - 8/15/08 11:56 AMHi,
I got infected with a very bad virus. HOT SEX, Error Cleaner, Privacy Protector, Spyware&Malware Protection icons appeared on my desktop while some windows were opening/closing from nowhere. I panicked and pushed the Restart button, and from now on, 10 seconds after the computer's startup, it freezes completely; I even hear the fan/HDD inside the computer case slow down. The mouse still works, but that's all.
Even if I try to boot in safe mode, when it comes the time to choose the safe mode, the keyboard no longer responds; enter, arrows, I cannot choose the mode.
Now, I'm on my Mac (thank god Macs exist) and still searching how to get rid of this ****.
I can't even run HijackThis! : (
Thank you for your answers
You may be faced with...
by glenn30 - 8/15/08 2:19 PM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboa complete reinstall of your operating system. If nothing works then reformat and reinstall is all that is left.
Hope you have saved/backed up any data or information that you cannot afford to loose. Backup, backup, backup... it's the only solution to such a situation where data is not lost.
Maybe others can offer something else.
Glenn
Sorry, time to reinstall
by Azrael srl - 8/18/08 12:46 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboBut before reinstalling you should recover your files using the following procedure: download the iso from http://www.mandriva.com/ and burn it ; boot from it ; copy all your files to a flash stick or a dvd-r using K3b ( Menu, Tools). Attention, malware files end with .exe or another weird extension, be carefull at what you save. After that open Computer Management > Hardware > pick the hard disk > click Run config tool, delete all partitions.
Now comes the fresh installation of the OS: if you liked Mandriva double click on Install (on the desktop) and choose Entire hard disk when asked; don't forget that you are far more secure in Linux.
If not, restart the pc, insert WinXP disk and do a fresh install.
And next time pick a better antivirus, like http://www.avast.com/ .
http://forums.cnet.com/internet-security/5208-6132_102-0.htm
by danuriel - 8/18/08 1:03 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboHi!
Maybe You have to check Your Anti Virus,or how to use the this HijackThis! as I downloaded,when I began
to use after a few days pushed aside my Kaspersky and the result was the same like Yours.
The next step of course reinstall my computer,and I use Windows Vista."don't Hijack This!
Completely crashed, Me too!
by cjswan - 8/18/08 2:27 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboI went through the same identical situation, and after reloading my OS four times I gave up and have a new hard drive ordered. My computer would also shut the monitor down once it froze. I did find if I could boot up long enough to hit my virus scan, I could stay there for 3-5 mins. to handle a few things. In that I refuse to open any email where I do not know the sender, and quit downloading any email attachment some time back, I am of the belief my virus came from a program I purchased online. Basically due to this problem starting almost immediately following said download.
Using the safe mode in order to search for the problem I found nothing. Like you, once I returned to normal mode this started again. Eventually the safe mode wasn't safe any more; also freezing up.
For now I am on the laptop, which I hate to work with, just to keep up to date with what I need to do daily. Luckily, I am one of those who back up on a memory stick so I've lost nothing I can't reinstall on the new drive.
This has not been fun.
Connie
Different keyboard?
by MarkFlax
- 8/18/08 2:27 AM
In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etibo
Before you resort to re-installing, have you tried a different keyboard?
The fact that you can see the Safe Mode options listing is something at least. Perhaps if you connect a PS2 keyboard and mouse before turning the system on will give you the control you need.
Mark
Same keyboard
by cjswan - 8/18/08 2:47 AM In reply to: Different keyboard? by MarkFlax
The mouse won't work in this situation. Must use arrow keys and they are slow to respond.
I agree, but
by MarkFlax - 8/18/08 2:58 AM
In reply to: Same keyboard by cjswan
if the OP can get Windows to load in Safe Mode using a different keyboard, then there is a good chance the mouse will work.
Mark
UBCD
by Qwerty Cake - 8/18/08 5:50 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboThough this is a bit of a professional tool and can be risky to use, try UBCD. Download an ISO here: http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html
If you burn the iso onto a blank CD, you can then boot off of the CD, and from it run antivirus to scan your main hard drive. This doesn't involve booting into Windows at all.
Before reformatting & reinstalling windows...
by cindymac69 - 8/18/08 8:14 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboIf you have the ability to connect your hard drive to another functional PC (one that is protected from viruses & spyware of course), you can run scans on the infected hard drive rather than trying to use it to boot up the computer it came from and then trying to run scans. I've done it before, it works. However, the infected drive did cause my computer to shut down multiple times until I was able to isolate the bad files and remove them with Killbox. Spybot, Adaware, etc., located the malware, but when using the program to try to remove it, it would crash. But with the filepath/filename killbox kicked it out (freeware, google if needed). Just something to try before starting over from scratch. If nothing else you can back up your files this way as well. If you can't hook the drive directly into your computer, try using this USB hard drive adapter (or something like it): http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2329300&CatId=3770 Hey look someone there (in the product reviews) used this for exactly what I'm suggesting! 
Good luck.
To disxie fried, post removal.
by MarkFlax - 8/18/08 10:03 AM
In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etibo
I removed both your posts.
Site promotion contravenes Forum Policy, but that's not the only reason. Suggesting that the OP visits a web site which can 'take control' of a person's computer is very unwise.
Your other post on a similar vein is deleted as well.
Mark
Rubbish
by dixie fried - 8/18/08 10:26 AM In reply to: To disxie fried, post removal. by MarkFlax
We will not bother trying to assist again. Please remove us from your e mails or we will block further mails from your org.
Rubbish?
by MarkFlax - 8/18/08 12:11 PM
In reply to: Rubbish by dixie fried
Forum Policy, here clearly states;
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posting advertisements
..... A member may answer another member's question about their occupation or business, however, blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged for the product or service.
Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited.
It is permissible for members to mention services or products that are provided by them or the companies with which they are affiliated, as long as the information is germane to the topic, is not a blatant advertisement, and the members mention their affiliation with the company in the content of the message.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my view your (two) posts failed the above. Your link to the site that you said would 'take control' is advertising, and also entirely unsafe. I would never suggest to a member that they relinquish control of their computer to a web site that is not well known, and has no history that I can find. in fact, I would not suggest that about any web site.
In both your posts you refer to your own web site and suggests the member mentions that site for special treatment and service. That shows you have an affiliation to the advertised site.
Two posts, both mention your web site. That's spam.
So, I do not consider my response and actions as 'Rubbish'.
I am not sure what you mean by "Please remove us from your email". If you no longer wish to receive any email alerts whenever there is a reply in this thread, please visit your "My tracked discussions", (Link in the left hand column at the top), and de-select this thread.
Mark
Completly Crashed Computer:
by ElMasta - 8/18/08 5:46 PM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etiboFirst thing , install a second hard drive (preferably larger) , then install Window's on to it , followed by completly updateing all window's components and what nots of the Microsoft kind . Install all your maintanance and survailance software . Re-update window's . Run "clean disk and defrag" . Install all other software . Re-run "clean disk and defraf" every few installations . When done , run Chkdsk in the full version , i.e. check for bad sectors and the what . Re-start window's , run "clean disk and defrag" once more .
Now , you have a HD with windows on it and another HD with a dead window's on it .
Use the live window's to explore the dead window's HD and recover and data you wish .
Re-partition and re-format the HD when done and use it a a storage drive for all your data . Think of it as an internal flash drive .
Sorry to say this my friend,
by The Masked Villain - 8/20/08 8:16 AM In reply to: Completely crashed computer! by etibobut it's time you bought yourself an external hard drive, and good back up software. There may be a work around for your situation, but nothing beets a good, and recent backup. I wish you luck, and caulk this up to a learning experience.
Regards,
TMV
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