PC Highjack help

Well after a 3 1/2hour PC scan I think the problem may have been solved and new anti nasty software installed:D We shall see:dontknow:

thewelshm
 
I tend to lean towards Da1.

I have a clone drive I just pop into the pc when it gets trashed or corrupted (only has happened 1-2 times).

Just keep up on the backups and the rest really isnt a big deal...just a time waster.
 
Try and keep your antivirus up to date and back up those important files. Run the best antivirus you can grab, Norton, as a e.g. For added safety , try PC Tools Spyware Doctor and keep it up to date and also try Firefox for your internet browser.
 
Da1Chief said:
After 30 years of working with computers the Only way to make sure you get it fixed is.

Get a pocket drive (small usb hard drive that plugs into the computer)
Copy all of your DATA files to the pocket drives (files, pictures, etc)
Go to the website of the computer Mfg and download all the latest drivers for your system. (Copy them to the Pocket Drive as well)

Now Format the Hard drive and and do a completely Clean Re-Load of the system.
Install all of the hardware drivers downloaded earlier
Download all the Microsoft Patches to the software
Load/Install Only the Programs you use (Leave the BS software off the system)
Copy your data back on to the system (leave it on the pocket drive as a backup)

Make sure you use a Really Good Firewall and AntiVirus program (ZoneAlarm Extreme is about the best on the market)

Takes a good 8-12 hours to get it fixed... Everything else is simply a Band-Aid and it will eventually fail again.... :)
Click to expand...


Been doin this stuff for bout 25 years and agree that a drive wipe gets rid of all the bad stuff. You can always get the drivers after a reinstall and drive format. Although chief is right about one driver you do need and that is the Network card or wireless interface driver, then, install, connect, and download stuff. I use Carbonite for backup of files.

Good luck, but chief is right on the mark......... imo

Jim
 
redice2 said:
da1 that doesn't guarantee a fix to the problem unforchantly with smarter trojans they can hide in your files and copy to the external drive you need to get rid of the infection before anything. once removed if you want to do the clean reload you can but until you get it removed you can copy all your files reload your pc and when you put your files back you could get the virus/trojan right back again.
Click to expand...


That very reason is why I had Load/Install programs BEFORE copy your data back. I you install the Virus/Firewall program before you connect the pocket drive to copy your data over it would identify and stop it... :)

You could then dis-infect it or delete it from the copy and have a clean system. :D
 
The problem in RedIce2's solution is you can NOT scan for infections with a "Compromised/Infected" system. His is right the virus/worms/trojans have gotten smarter and will hide.

Simply updating the software and running a scan may catch some of it but in many cases will not get ALL of it. Booting in Safe Mode (Pressing F8 during initial boot screen) doesn't shut down enough of the services to allow for a complete scan.

The ONLY way to scan for a Virus/Worm/Trojan is with a KNOWN Clean system at is NOT attached to a network (Stand Alone).

Update all the Operating System Patches, and then all the Virus/Firewall Updates.

Only then can you attach the pocket drive to the system and scan it. That way your system can see any attempt to manipulate the memory registery or file system....

I had it in that order for a reason.... :D
 
Another way to limit viruses, is to setup a "Guest account" and use it to brows the internet. The Guest account does not allow anything to run since permission is set to not alow anything to install or run. Does this make since.
 
MisterRite said:
Another way to limit viruses, is to setup a "Guest account" and use it to brows the internet. The Guest account does not allow anything to run since permission is set to not alow anything to install or run. Does this make since.
Click to expand...


Sorry THIS DOES NOT WORK... Software needs to do several things during normal operation. User rights such as a "Guest" account (Non-Administrator) creates conflicts with these needs. Well to allow the software to do its job the Operating System (OS) will grant temp admin access/rights for a fraction of a second to allow the execution of one small thing.

Knowing this the virus/worm/trojan programs are written to ask a program to do something that will require the temp OS grant of access. It will then send an "ABEND" (Abnormal End) to the program immediately after the access has been granted. This results in the program having unlimited Administrator Access for a longer period of time. The Virus/Worm/Trojan is then "Dropped". Sometimes it is immediately executed or it will simply wait for execution at a later time. In either case you are infected at that point, it simply a matter of time. (Like being infected with the flu on a plane but don't get sick till 3 days later)

Your best defence is to Keep your OS updated. Go to the Microsoft Updates page and download and install Every OS update. Keep doing it untill you have all of the "Critical" updates installed. Check it once a week, it only takes 2 mins of your time.

Next Get a Really Good Anti-Virus/Firewall program. My personal preference is Zone Alarm. There are 2 or 3 levels of protection that they offer. I personally use the Zone Alarm Extreme. It has the features I like best. (Don't buy it simply because I use it, go read and compare for yourself).

Keep the Firewall and Virus programs up to date and set them up automatically scan your system when you are at work.

These are the steps I take and I have not been hit in years.... Must be doing something right :D
 
THEWELSHM said:
Well after a 3 1/2hour PC scan I think the problem may have been solved and new anti nasty software installed:D We shall see:dontknow:

thewelshm
Click to expand...

Ok problem is certainly better, but My PC switched off and rebooted thru the night? Not as bad as before, and while in use it seems ok:dontknow: I have performed full deep scans with a couple of bought program mes and all is clear, fire wall as before is running and I am current with Microsoft updates. I have been pretty diligent over the years and must admit this is the 1st time with this kind of problem. I suppose I need to go and get some flash cards and reformat My drive eh???:dontknow: :dontknow: :mad:

thewelshm
 
Ok then you may be talking about an actual hardware issue...

You could have an Overheating issue, bad memory or some other issue.

Has the system rebooted while you were actually using it?
If so what was displalyed on the screen?
If nothing was displayed and all of a sudden there was a reboot, that is an indication of a corupted piece of software of Bad RAM.
Please provide more information so I can diagnose it in more detail...
BTW: are we talking Desktop/Mini-Tower or a Laptop?
 
Da1Chief said:
Ok then you may be talking about an actual hardware issue...

You could have an Overheating issue, bad memory or some other issue.

Has the system rebooted while you were actually using it?
If so what was displalyed on the screen?
If nothing was displayed and all of a sudden there was a reboot, that is an indication of a corupted piece of software of Bad RAM.
Please provide more information so I can diagnose it in more detail...
BTW: are we talking Desktop/Mini-Tower or a Laptop?
Click to expand...

Its a Gateway PC, The machine came up with the message " Windows must now restart because the DCOM Server......................................I installed a registry cleaning software. It found 300+ issues and fixed them. I have just rebooted and I am waiting to see?? The problem seems to occur if I let the machine sit. I checked My power management and made sure it wasnt going into sleep mode.

Bazaar as hell:dontknow: The PC is fast responsive etc, but just keeps shutting down:mad: Fans are running and dont indicate a temp issue?

thewelshm
 
After a busy and somwhat productive weekend fixing the pc, I finally fixed the problem utilizing the method per the attached link.

http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/560714-windows-xp-home-must-restart.html

really good site if you get issues, now all seems well:rock: Thanks for all the advice and help guys it put me on the right road:rock: Now regular programming can resume , at least with Me:D

thewelshm
 
505'sFastestViper. said:
god i love my mac
Click to expand...


You LUCKY Devil... :) But when a Mac goes it goes down for the count... :)

Gives new meaning to having a Big Mac Atack.... :D
 
linux :D just started a new server at work for it lol ahh nothing like the big word FREE lol and open source :)
 
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