Windows XP pro infected

  • Thread starter Thread starter santiago538
  • Start date Start date
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santiago538

Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used. I have run the trial versions
of Spyware Doctor, AVG, and XoftSpy, but they turn up nothing at all
other than some tracking cookies.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?

Thanks!
 
santiago538 said:
Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used. I have run the trial versions
of Spyware Doctor, AVG, and XoftSpy, but they turn up nothing at all
other than some tracking cookies.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I had something like that-computer was running real slow- I went on line and
googled online spyware removal. Got one for $25 and it worked.Can't find the
name of the company or the file..don't know where it is..but for $25 did the
trick. I had to download some of it.. I felt like I had nothing to lose. I
am looking through my MC receipts but can't find it.-found it--called
spyware removal--setupxv.exe is the setup file to spyware removal
Had to download this--but it worked... good luck
 
Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used. I have run the trial versions
of Spyware Doctor, AVG, and XoftSpy, but they turn up nothing at all
other than some tracking cookies.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
===========
Sounds like hard drive failure.

If you do not think it is your hard drive, back up any files you can
(including bookmarks/favorites), reformat the drive and reinstall your
OS.
 
santiago538 said:
Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used. I have run the trial versions
of Spyware Doctor, AVG, and XoftSpy, but they turn up nothing at all
other than some tracking cookies.
Click to expand...

If your HDD is capable of Self Monitoring & Reporting Technology
(S.M.A.R.T) you might want to enable it.
Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?
Click to expand...

You mean money back if the original issue wasn't viral, but mechanical?
 
If your HDD is capable of Self Monitoring & Reporting Technology
(S.M.A.R.T) you might want to enable it.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone, I'll try to troubleshoot my hard disk. I didn't think
that could be an issue it other disk failures I've experienced caused
different behavior, and this issue seems like almost all of the memory
and processor usage is being eaten up.

You mean money back if the original issue wasn't viral, but mechanical?
Click to expand...

No, if the issue is a virus and the software failed to detect or
remove it.
 
Thanks everyone, I'll try to troubleshoot my hard disk. I didn't think
that could be an issue it other disk failures I've experienced caused
different behavior, and this issue seems like almost all of the memory
and processor usage is being eaten up.



No, if the issue is a virus and the software failed to detect or
remove it.
Click to expand...

Hello:

The only one I'm sure that would issue you a credit is Malwarebytes.org
MBAM. However, their freeware never expires and paying to upgrade adds
useful bells and whistles.

This isn't to say that other vendors don't have a similar refund policy
though. YMMV.

Pete
 
Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like a virus infection. My first try would be to swap
the hard drive.

Steve
 
santiago538 said:
My Windows box runs like total crap.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection
Click to expand...

It's called WGA.

Windoze Genuine disAdvantage.
 
santiago538 said:
Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Click to expand...

Something is wrong, troubleshooting is needed.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used.
Click to expand...

Do you have a backup of your harddrive's data? If not, you should make
one before doing anything else.
I have run the trial versions
of Spyware Doctor, AVG, and XoftSpy, but they turn up nothing at all
other than some tracking cookies.
Click to expand...

Running all sorts of scanners on a possibly failing harddrive is *not*
recommended if you haven't backed up your important data.
Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like a virus infection to me.
Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?
Click to expand...

The free versions do. :o)

You shouldn't expect *any* of them to never fail.
 
santiago538 said:
Hi,

My Windows box runs like total crap. It takes a several minutes to log
in, and can take that long to launch an application like Firefox.
Every time I power up, the HD needs to be checked for errors (which
are found and supposedly repaired); this process takes about 15 hours
for a 40 GB drive, with only 17 GB used.
Click to expand...

15 hours for a 40 GB drive? Wow. First, check the Event Log for the details
of what the chkdsk did. You'll find the entry in the Application Log with
source=Winlogon.

While you're in there, check the System Log for hard disk errors. If it's a
hardware problem you should see a lot of red X's. (E.g., "The driver
detected a controller error on text.")

Finally get the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic and run it. If it finds bad
sectors it may be able to substute spare sectors, but for a HDD that's
dying, that will only be plugging the dam with you finger.

If the HDD tests good, your problem may be software related. I had a similar
problem once where files would disappear on reboot, and chkdsk would find
all sorts of problems. Something deep inside windows was messed up. Solution
was painful: Back up all data, reformat and re-install the OS. Then put
everything back.
Can anyone tell me if this sounds like a virus infection, and what I
might do to fix it. Do any of the anti-virus vendors have any money
back guarantee if their products don't work?
Click to expand...


No, it does not sound like a virus. If it did turn out to be that, you would
probably want to reformat and re-install anyway.
 
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