worm? virus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shepetie
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shepetie

running: windows XP home edition Norton Internet security 2009
my husband and I left for 48 hours and I believe that our housemate has done
something to infect us. computer runs disk check at startup - icon at top is
a white flag/blue bkgrnd - and it wants to change security id or code (I
can't remember) and he let it run, changing several files (I don't know how
many) before disconnecting pwr to computer to stop it. We have no task bar
at bottom of screen, no start menu. Norton will not open. I can't access
any system scans. I can't download and run any on line scans. I tried to see
if he had deleted anything and recycle bin can't be accessed because of
corrupted files.
 
: I would really like to try this myself first with guidance. For FREE.

Reinstall Windows?
 
Tom is right on the money. Your computer is so compromised, you
shouldn't even try to repair it. Backup your own files (documents,
photos, etc.) Then erase your hard disk and start over.

If you feel confident in performing that kind of major procedure, you
don't need our help. If not, have your housemate hire a technician.
 
My husband has already suggested a new hard drive................

I noticed in another posting on corrupted files that you can do a "repair
install" from our windows XP SP2 cd. Would that work? If so, I'm thinking
that I could reinstall Norton (maybe) and then continue on to doing my
updates, scans, etc.
 
Why a new hard drive? What's wrong with the one you have? Just reinstall
Windows!!!!

A repair install won't get rid of malware.
:
: My husband has already suggested a new hard drive................
:
: I noticed in another posting on corrupted files that you can do a "repair
: install" from our windows XP SP2 cd. Would that work? If so, I'm
thinking
: that I could reinstall Norton (maybe) and then continue on to doing my
: updates, scans, etc.
 
There's nothing wrong with your hard drive--unless there's something
else you haven't told us--so no need for a new one.

A repair install does not remove malware.

My friend: You are going to have to erase your hard disk and start over.
Your only question is "do I do it now, or do I go on a wild goose
chase and then do it?"

My suggestion: Don't frustrate yourself.
 
Leonard Grey said:
There's nothing wrong with your hard drive--unless there's something
else you haven't told us--so no need for a new one.

A repair install does not remove malware.

My friend: You are going to have to erase your hard disk and start over.
Your only question is "do I do it now, or do I go on a wild goose
chase and then do it?"

My suggestion: Don't frustrate yourself.
Click to expand...

OK OK I understand and accept the advice you're giving me. I have never
done that though. I don't even know where to start............and I'm
already frustrated beyond belief, otherwise I wouldn't be here............my
husband, who doesn't want to even think about this situation, will have to
take care of it for me. At least now I know why he won't let the
housemate use his laptop! And I guarantee that when this is all said and
done that a password willbe put into place........
 
Make sure you have a copy of all your data -- documents, photos,
spreadsheets, email address book, Favorites, etc. -- anything you don't
want to lose. Once your hard disk is erased, everything is gone.

Make sure you have (legal) installation media for all your software.
That includes Windows, office software, anything that you paid to own.
You'll need your product keys to reinstall, so make sure you have those
as well.

Don't let this happen to you again. Learn how to protect your computer.
And get into the habit of regularly backing up. Daily backup is not too
often. Very worthwhile.
 
running: windows XP home edition           Norton Internet security 2009
my husband and I left for 48 hours and I believe that our housemate has done
something to infect us.  computer runs disk check at startup - icon at top is
a white flag/blue bkgrnd - and it wants to change security id or code (I
can't remember) and he let it run, changing several files (I don't know how
many) before disconnecting pwr to computer to stop it.  We have no taskbar
at bottom of screen, no start menu.  Norton will not open.  I can't access
any system scans.  I can't download and run any on line scans. I tried to see
if he had deleted anything and recycle bin can't be accessed because of
corrupted files.
Click to expand...

It is a good thing you did not ask for advice regarding what you
should do.
 
running: windows XP home edition           Norton Internet security 2009
my husband and I left for 48 hours and I believe that our housemate has done
something to infect us.  computer runs disk check at startup - icon at top is
a white flag/blue bkgrnd - and it wants to change security id or code (I
can't remember) and he let it run, changing several files (I don't know how
many) before disconnecting pwr to computer to stop it.  We have no taskbar
at bottom of screen, no start menu.  Norton will not open.  I can't access
any system scans.  I can't download and run any on line scans. I tried to see
if he had deleted anything and recycle bin can't be accessed because of
corrupted files.
Click to expand...

Do you know someone that like to solve computer problems for fun? You
know... a geek.

They may have the experience to help you get your system going again
and if they get stuck, this is a good place to get help, but helpees
and helpers can get frustrated and if you stay here, I predict your
future will be full of frustration and the trading of messages for a
long, long time.

You need some help to solve this problem with efficiency and great
care by some almost fearless but cautious person that knows the lay of
the computer land or at least has a map.

That person may not be you or your spouse and that is fine.

Geeks will often work for food, beer, and the occasional $.

Jose
 
Why a new hard drive? What's wrong with the one you have? Just reinstall
Windows!!!!

A repair install won't get rid of malware.
:
: My husband has already suggested a new hard drive................
:
: I noticed in another posting on corrupted files that you can do a "repair
: install" from our windows XP SP2 cd. Would that work? If so, I'm
thinking
: that I could reinstall Norton (maybe) and then continue on to doing my
: updates, scans, etc.
Click to expand...
I see nothing wrong with a new drive - the old one might have done its work and
is about to pack in?
I did just that when my old drive refused to start and I do mean start - the
disk just would not spin anymore - however in a USB housing I could treat it
like an old watch and make it spin by a quick movement of the wrist - enough to
get some info from it - New hard drive 500GB was set up at a ridiculous cheap
price and most of the useful data was transferred from the USB to the new drive.
Now that old disk is still lying about in the housing should it be that there
was something I missed.

Børge in sunny Perth, Australia
 
My husband has already suggested a new hard drive................

I noticed in another posting on corrupted files that you can do a "repair
install" from our windows XP SP2 cd. Would that work? If so, I'm
thinking
that I could reinstall Norton (maybe) and then continue on to doing my
updates, scans, etc.
Click to expand...
OK OK I understand and accept the advice you're giving me. I have
never
done that though. I don't even know where to start............and I'm
already frustrated beyond belief, otherwise I wouldn't be
here............my
husband, who doesn't want to even think about this situation, will have to
take care of it for me. At least now I know why he won't let the
housemate use his laptop! And I guarantee that when this is all said and
done that a password willbe put into place........
Click to expand...


shepetie...
Don't know if you're still around, but if you are...

As you've heard from a number of responders to your query, it's entirely
possible your system has become so corrupted from this or that malware that
it's beyond redemption and nothing but a fresh install of the OS will return
the system to a bootable, functional state.

The obvious problem here is that *all* the data on your hard drive (HDD)
will be lost. I assume you're aware of that.

You've mentioned the possibility of a "repair install" of the OS. It's a
good thought and worth a try, assuming you're able to undertake such. So do
this...

1. First of all, if there's any personal data on your HDD that is
important/essential/crucial to you and/or your husband, copy such to some
removable media such as a flash drive, or CD, or whatever is available.

2. Hopefully your XP OS installation CD is either a non-branded or retail
version, not a recovery or restore type of CD provided by an OEM. Generally
speaking if the XP installation CD is of the latter variety one cannot
perform a Repair install as I'm going to describe.

3. Undertaking a Repair install of the OS is a relatively straightforward
process. It would be roughly akin to making a fresh install of the OS, but
in nearly every case one's existing programs & user-created data would be
retained. Notice I said "nearly". While it would be a rather rare situation
where data would be lost or corrupted as a result of the Repair install, and
as unlikely as it may be, it *could* happen.

Again, it's a relatively rare event that a loss or corruption of data will
occur even when the Repair install is unsuccessful, but it *can* happen. So
I want you to be aware of this.

4. Here are the step-by-step instructions that can be found at Microsoft's
site at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/support/nostart.mspx#2

<quote>
Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both
your Windows XP CD and your product key available.

To perform a repair installation of Windows XP

1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.

2. Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.

3. When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press ENTER on your keyboard.

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement.
Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then,
press F8.

5. When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by
reinstalling important Windows components.

The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour.
Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were
installing Windows XP for the first time. For detailed instructions, read
"Install Windows XP" at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx"
</quote>

Also, here are a number of websites that contain detailed step-by-step
instructions for undertaking a Repair install. Let me assure you that it's
not a difficult process and not terribly time-consuming. As I've indicated,
it's roughly similar to making a fresh install of the XP OS.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

Assuming the Repair install is successful, you should use your anti-virus
program to
immediately check out the PC for any virus infestation. Also, you will need
to download/install *all* the MS critical updates since SP3. (I'm assuming
that if you undertake this Repair install of the XP OS, you would be doing
so with a XP installation CD that contains SP3). But you can undertake this
Repair install with an XP OS installation CD that contains an earlier SP (or
even no SP) than what is currently on the present system and then later
(assuming the Repair install is successful) install the latest SP3.
Anna
 
Leonard Grey said:
Anna, a repair install does not remove a malware infection.
Click to expand...


Leonard:
I fully understand that as I've indicated in the initial opening of my post.

But it *is* conceivable that even with a malware infestation corrupting the
OS, a Repair install *might* return the system to a functional state if only
for a brief moment of time allowing the user to then (hopefully) remove the
malware. Obviously the nature of the malware infestation (assuming that *is*
the root cause of the problem(s) being experienced) will play a role here in
determining whether a Repair install of the OS will be successful or not.

In any event it would seem the OP is just about at the end of her "tether"
with regard to this situation so while I freely admit my suggested
course-of-action is iffy at best, I thought it was worth a shot given the
situation.
Anna
 
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