PC Computer Weirdness - Page 2

Gemini Cricket · 11-10-2009, 12:59 PM

Ok. brb

SzczerbiakManiac · 11-10-2009, 01:01 PM

Here's the thing GC. Once you have an infection, unless you completely wipe the hard drive and re-install everything (including your OS), you can never be 100% certain it's clean. You can do a bunch of different scans (the more the better because no single program will get everything) and be reasonably sure all the crap is gone, but depending on how paranoid you are, a full wipe may be safest.

When we do malware scans here at work (I do several of them a week), it takes about five hours to complete. These are the free tools I/we use:

AVG
MalwareBytes
SuperAntiSpyware
This has some pop-up warnings you may find annoying, but does a good clean-up job.
SpyBot Search & Destroy
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
You may have this already if you do Windows Updates regularly. Just go to the Start menu then click "Run".
In that dialog, type "mrt" then click [OK]. If the program runs, make sure you have the current version (it's updated once a month) as noted on the title bar. If you don't have the program or if the version you have is not current, run Windows Update manually. Open IE (yes, it MUST be IE) and select "Windows Update" from the "Tools" menu.
Microsoft Security Essentials
I have not personally used this yet, but I have heard good things about it. It's free for personal use.

I'd recommend running all of these programs, rebooting after each one completes. That's what I do when I scan peoples' computers. And I do this a LOT! As I mentioned, no single program will find everything, so hitting it with multiple assaults is your best bet (short of wiping your HD and starting over) Just budget several hours for all the scans to complete. Do not use more than one program to scan at a time and always choose to do a full/complete scan as opposed to quick/partial.

Gemini Cricket · 11-10-2009, 01:23 PM

I think wiping the hard drive is a good idea. But I have no idea where my disks are. They're in a box somewhere at the parents' house, I think.

I'm going to run the above.

Thanks, everybody.

BTD ~ I did the update and scanned again. It found nothing the second time.

BarTopDancer · 11-10-2009, 01:35 PM

We've seen those 3 at work a lot. The MalwareBytes scan has been able to remove them and alleviate any additional issues.

Snowflake · 11-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Well, thanks for all the advice. I'm going to go home and double check my laptop. Just in case, you never know!

Nice to know so many, in the know, if you know what I mean.

Moonliner · 11-10-2009, 01:51 PM

I'll bet everyone here a donut that removing the malware, while a good thing, does next to nothing to fix the performance issue.

Snowflake · 11-10-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I'll bet everyone here a donut that removing the malware, while a good thing, does next to nothing to fix the performance issue.

What kind of donuts?

BarTopDancer · 11-10-2009, 02:37 PM

I'll bet you are correct.

Brad, go to C:\Temp and delete the temporary internet files and cookies in there.

Gemini Cricket · 11-10-2009, 03:25 PM

Scan diddy scan scan scan.
I'm running those programs SM linked to.
So far, they haven't found much.
We'll see how it goes.
I wish I knew where my disks were.
Or should I just get Windows 7?

Moonliner · 11-10-2009, 03:49 PM

If you do want to rebuild, Windows7 could be an option depending on how old your Laptop is. Download/run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor.

If you want to say with XP, then you should be able to download the drivers for your laptop (sound, video, lan, wireless, etc...) from the manufacturers site.

As for XP any matching XP CD will do (home, professional, SP2, etc...). All you need is the software key which is typically pasted somewhere on the bottom of the laptop. If you can't scare up an XP install CD, just post it here. I expect someone would be able to squirt you a copy via the intertubes. Err, you do have a CD burner right?

11-10-2009, 12:59 PM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Ok. brb
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 01:01 PM	#2
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	Here's the thing GC. Once you have an infection, unless you completely wipe the hard drive and re-install everything (including your OS), you can never be 100% certain it's clean. You can do a bunch of different scans (the more the better because no single program will get everything) and be reasonably sure all the crap is gone, but depending on how paranoid you are, a full wipe may be safest. When we do malware scans here at work (I do several of them a week), it takes about five hours to complete. These are the free tools I/we use: AVG MalwareBytes SuperAntiSpyware This has some pop-up warnings you may find annoying, but does a good clean-up job. SpyBot Search & Destroy Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool You may have this already if you do Windows Updates regularly. Just go to the Start menu then click "Run". In that dialog, type "mrt" then click [OK]. If the program runs, make sure you have the current version (it's updated once a month) as noted on the title bar. If you don't have the program or if the version you have is not current, run Windows Update manually. Open IE (yes, it MUST be IE) and select "Windows Update" from the "Tools" menu. Microsoft Security Essentials I have not personally used this yet, but I have heard good things about it. It's free for personal use. I'd recommend running all of these programs, rebooting after each one completes. That's what I do when I scan peoples' computers. And I do this a LOT! As I mentioned, no single program will find everything, so hitting it with multiple assaults is your best bet (short of wiping your HD and starting over) Just budget several hours for all the scans to complete. Do not use more than one program to scan at a time and always choose to do a full/complete scan as opposed to quick/partial. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 01:23 PM	#3
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I think wiping the hard drive is a good idea. But I have no idea where my disks are. They're in a box somewhere at the parents' house, I think. I'm going to run the above. Thanks, everybody. BTD ~ I did the update and scanned again. It found nothing the second time.
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 01:35 PM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	We've seen those 3 at work a lot. The MalwareBytes scan has been able to remove them and alleviate any additional issues. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 01:41 PM	#5
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Well, thanks for all the advice. I'm going to go home and double check my laptop. Just in case, you never know! Nice to know so many, in the know, if you know what I mean.
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 01:51 PM	#6
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	I'll bet everyone here a donut that removing the malware, while a good thing, does next to nothing to fix the performance issue. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 02:37 PM	#8
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I'll bet you are correct. Brad, go to C:\Temp and delete the temporary internet files and cookies in there. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 03:25 PM	#9
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Scan diddy scan scan scan. I'm running those programs SM linked to. So far, they haven't found much. We'll see how it goes. I wish I knew where my disks were. Or should I just get Windows 7?
	Submit to Quotes

11-10-2009, 03:49 PM	#10
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	If you do want to rebuild, Windows7 could be an option depending on how old your Laptop is. Download/run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor. If you want to say with XP, then you should be able to download the drivers for your laptop (sound, video, lan, wireless, etc...) from the manufacturers site. As for XP any matching XP CD will do (home, professional, SP2, etc...). All you need is the software key which is typically pasted somewhere on the bottom of the laptop. If you can't scare up an XP install CD, just post it here. I expect someone would be able to squirt you a copy via the intertubes. Err, you do have a CD burner right? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes