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masie may
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Posted - 2009.10.16 11:08:00 -
[1]
Afternoon folks,
I recently got a nasty spyware infection, redirecting google searches, causing AVG to crash on startup, and ad-aware, and malwarebytes. Rebooted to linux, searched for possible solutions, and something called ComboFix appeared to be the answer. Back to Windoze, downloaded it, ran it, it took a while, deleted a lot of crap, and rebooted...
Black screen, mouse pointer works, as does caps/num lock so system is almost booted, but after 2 hrs no change I manually rebooted, same. So after searching for a solution to this, it appears that a re-install of windoze is the only option.
Looking at trying TinyXP atm, this looks perfect and wondered if anyone had experience of this?
Masie May
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Haraldhardrade
Amarr Pax Amarr
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Posted - 2009.10.16 12:28:00 -
[2]
Use better protection. Swap ad-aware with spybot, and AVG with Norton. Yes Norton, the newest one is just fine. I cant recall the last time I had a spyware infection, probably in w98 back in 1999 or something.
Caveo of Minmatar , torva vacuus regimen of deus es plurrimi periculosus of bestia
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KingsGambit
Caldari Knights
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Posted - 2009.10.16 12:29:00 -
[3]
Obviously now you can't get in to Windows at all, it's too late to fix the original problem. But as tips for future reference, Malwarebytes (you already mentioned) and Trojan Remover are effective programs to remove these kinds of nasties, along with HijackThis (a little more advanced but useful). I believe both the first two have fully-featured trials available and the last is freeware.
Regarding repairing Windows now that it's FUBAR, in the first instance you could try a repair install. This will re-install all the original system files and core registry components but has the advantage of preserving your data (eg. My Docs, desktop shortcuts, etc) and installed programs & settings. To try it (it certainly can't hurt at this stage), you'd need the same Windows XP CD that was originally used (eg. XP Pro SP2, Home SP3, OEM, etc). Boot from the CD and choose the options to install anew on the existing partition and it will detect the original install and ask if you wish to repair it. Select yes and come back later
Otherwise, to install completely anew, TinyXP is a fine way to do it. I believe it takes up no more than 250MB for the OS altogether, though drivers were a large part of the removed stuff so you will need the drivers for your hardware first (or at least your Network Card/DSL modem so you can get online and download the rest). Alternatively, you can use nLite (on another PC obviously) to customise your own XP isntall CD by removing components you don't want, tweaking settings in advance and so on. You can also slipstream your own drivers, SP3 and many hotfixes (google 'RyanVM') so Windows Updates has singnificantly less to do.
Lastly, considering the nature of your OS failure, you may not have backups of everything you'd like, which will be lost once you format/reinstall. You can use BartsPE to make a CD with a bootable Windows environment, or download Knoppix (a linux distro which runs from disc or USB) so you can get access to your hard drive with either USB storage, network support, or both. This way you can back up your files with a GUI and reinstall when you're satisfied you won't lose too much beyond time. -------------
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Iasius
Mercurialis Inc. Wildly Inappropriate.
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Posted - 2009.10.16 12:55:00 -
[4]
Of all the virus checkers Norton AV has the worse reputation. Kapersky is very good. But i use AVAST as its free. Please resize image to a maximum of 400 x 120, not exceeding 24000 bytes. ~Saint |
Haraldhardrade
Amarr Pax Amarr
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Posted - 2009.10.16 13:02:00 -
[5]
Originally by: Iasius Of all the virus checkers Norton AV has the worse reputation.
You said it. Reputation. In the same way Vista still has a reputation of being broken or whatever. Norton is fine, so is Vista. Caveo of Minmatar , torva vacuus regimen of deus es plurrimi periculosus of bestia
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masie may
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Posted - 2009.10.16 16:04:00 -
[6]
Thanks for the replies guys.
I ran the kapersky bootable cd and scanned the drive, it found nothing. I can't find the original CD windows was installed from, so a repair would be problematic.
I dual boot and linux works fine, I can read the windows partition and therefore back-up to DVDs if I wish, but have decided to install a fresh hard drive, re-install XP and then mount the original drive as a slave, and copy all the data I need across.
Sadly I need Windoze for Autocad, it's my job.
As for the original infection, I have no idea where it came from but suspect Stumbleupon threw me a dodgy site. The first sign was AVG crashing, then a pop-up box flashed up for a second and I saw 'Google update' I think. After that any spyware remover or antivirus crashed out a second after starting.
Oh well, a nice fresh install, maybe I can get sound working this time :)
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Spei Prodetor
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Posted - 2009.10.16 16:21:00 -
[7]
install spybot from safer networking
make sure you activate tea timer
run spybot and update it
tea timer prevents system changes without notification.
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masie may
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Posted - 2009.10.16 16:43:00 -
[8]
Spybot was running, and it checks for updates every boot (every day) it didn't stop it.
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KingsGambit
Caldari Knights
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Posted - 2009.10.16 17:58:00 -
[9]
Originally by: Spei Prodetor install spybot from safer networking
I'm 99% sure that Windows Installer won't run under safe mode. It's been a short while but I recall trying to install or uninstall something for just this sort of reason, but Windows refused to let me while running in safe mode. Good advice tho. -------------
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Gaborelle
Gallente Final Conflict UK Warped Aggression
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Posted - 2009.10.27 17:49:00 -
[10]
this is why i hate XP
it has an installation lifespan of about 6 months before the registry becomes so screwed up the only option is a reinstall
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Ancy Denaries
Caldari The Confederate Navy Forever Unbound
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Posted - 2009.10.27 18:36:00 -
[11]
Originally by: Gaborelle this is why i hate XP
it has an installation lifespan of about 6 months before the registry becomes so screwed up the only option is a reinstall
Applications like Registry First Aid can push that a little bit, but in the end there's usually no resort but to reinstall. But it's been like that since W95 really. I don't expect Vista or W7 to be any different.
DLLs and registry are two really f-ed up design decisions.
---- The Demigodess with a Conscience - An EVE IC Blog |
Jim McGregor
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Posted - 2009.10.27 18:47:00 -
[12]
Edited by: Jim McGregor on 27/10/2009 18:47:53
Im not kidding - switch to Ubuntu. No spyware, no antivirus, no nothing. Installs easier, boots faster, and is very easy to use.
There is a reason people prefer a free operating system over Windows you know. Its fast and fun.
Keep Windows on another partition for when you feel like gaming. ---
Originally by: Eve Forums ...you are going too fast, wait 5 minutes and try again...you are going too fast, wait 5 minutes and try again...you are going too fast, wait 5 minutes and try again...
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Lord Windu
Echelon Warfare Unit
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Posted - 2009.10.27 19:13:00 -
[13]
I have just been sorting my cousins computer out (Windows XP Pro) and similar situation it seems, spyware got on system and stopped AVG from working, also the computer wont access web pages. She is going to put SpyBot SD on it and see if that gets rid of the bugs and then replacing AVG with Avast to see if she has better luck with that, fingers crossed I wont have to do a full re-install of windows.
On the subject of Norton, I loved it when I was using it on my vista machine last year and had no problems with it, despite all the hate I read about it. Using McAfee now (free with my ISP package) and I hate it, McAfee slows down my machine to a snails pace so when I get some cash together I will be reverting back to Norton for sure. ------
In Before Kanye West |
Neyro7830
Gallente The 5th Freedom Wildly Inappropriate.
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Posted - 2009.10.27 20:19:00 -
[14]
Originally by: Jim McGregor Edited by: Jim McGregor on 27/10/2009 19:27:06
Im not kidding - switch to Ubuntu. No spyware, no antivirus, no nothing. Installs easier, boots faster, and is very easy to use.
There is a reason people prefer a free operating system even when they can afford Windows you know. Its fast and fun.
Keep Windows on another partition for when you feel like gaming.
No Spyware, no antivirus, no functionality.
Sounds like OP clicked on one too many flashing banners and was weeded out of the windows genepool.
Spybot, Avast, all you really need. Oh god how did this get here I am not good with computer |
Blane Xero
Amarr The Firestorm Cartel
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Posted - 2009.10.28 03:44:00 -
[15]
Originally by: KingsGambit
Originally by: Spei Prodetor install spybot from safer networking
I'm 99% sure that Windows Installer won't run under safe mode. It's been a short while but I recall trying to install or uninstall something for just this sort of reason, but Windows refused to let me while running in safe mode. Good advice tho.
Spybot S&D is developed by a organisation called Safer Networking _____________________________________ Haruhiist since December 2008
Originally by: CCP Fallout :facepalm:
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illford baker
Pilots of Damnation death from above..
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Posted - 2009.10.28 03:48:00 -
[16]
i got one of those once, got it while searching for something in fallout 3 (B4 anyone ask). i managed to get norton to install with windows in safe mode and that cleaned it right up. now i don't go out to the internet without it. CoD MW2 no dedicated servers or mod tools the IW site petition http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?dedis4mwth |
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