Computer Problem

[VDUBZ]

My sister has a prob with her computer. Whenever you get on the internet that annoying little thing that says something about having to close because there was an error. Then it has the send error report and don't send buttons at the bottom.

IF you click don't send the computer locks up. I tried running Ad-Aware and the microsoft deal but that didn't help.

Any suggestions?

BTW she has a COMPAQ notebook.

[insert_car]

run spybot.

[VDUBZ]

Never could get that to work right Mike...

[Obike]

Fdisk
Format
Reinstall

FFR, the Microsoft mantra.

[phillyd]

What OS?

I'd run any critical updates from Microsoft and some spywar detections tools.

[WiggiE]

What OS?

I'd run any critical updates from Microsoft and some spywar detections tools.

Also, run any virusscan's and anti-spyware scans in safe mode (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam).

Some suggestions for a/v's would be (click on the links for trial software):
Kaspersky (http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10333027&merid=69625&mfgid=69625&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3002-2239_4-10333027&ontId=2239&destUrl=http%3a%2f%2fsoftware-files.download.com%2fsd%2f0ij3CE2Y9j-I0Cl-WDwQY04xq6qPpkKQ5pRqmfefArVBmMZbpRgqEmUlO5lOxskFlegK0z5KJ-Q7IJPZKxSSb42kaLy__fvs%2fsoftware%2f10333027%2f10012072%2f3%2fkav5.0.20_personalproen_trial1m.exe%3flop%3dlink%26ptype%3d3002%26ontid%3d2239%26siteId%3d4%26edId%3d3%26pid%3d10333027%26psid%3d10012072)(#1 in my book, except their software is a little buggy)
McAfee (http://download.nai.com/products/evaluation/virusscan/english/multiplatform/v8.0i/VSE80iEEN.zip)
TrendMicro Online Scan (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)

Suggestions for Anti-spyware programs (all free except spysweeper which has a trial):
Microsoft Anti-Spyware (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=90&p=&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&genscs=&u=http%3a%2f%2fdownload.microsoft.com%2fdownload%2f8%2f1%2f5%2f815d2d60-49b5-44dc-ae35-fca2f2c6f0cc%2fMicrosoftAntiSpywareInstall.exe)
Spysweeper (http://www.webroot.com/shoppingcart/tryme.php?bjpc=64000&vcode=DT02)
Spybot Search and Destroy (http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10289035&merid=104443&mfgid=104443&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3002-8022_4-10289035&ontId=8022&destUrl=http%3a%2f%2fsoftware-files.download.com%2fsd%2fgirhFHaqvXofUban-JPI8t-s-fBm98rIpJQDAHlZ6_8O70zId9Hu0UF2_Qmwbn5uLH6zpBTLwR-bdIA1EFsE86gKvtgEcT5q%2fc1%2fdl%2fsoftware%2fcache%2fspybotsd13.exe)
Adaware (http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10319876&merid=69274&mfgid=69274&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3002-8022_4-10319876&ontId=8022&destUrl=ftp%3A%2F%2Fftp.download.com%2Fpub%2Fwin95%2Futilities%2Faawsepersonal.exe)

[VDUBZ]

Here's what I have done so far with no results.

Ran Ad-Aware safe mode
Ran Microsoft spyware in safe mode
Ran Norton Virus Scan in safe mode
Also made sure microsoft had no new updates.

what should I try next? I'm not a computer guru so please tell me is stupid dummy terms (I'm also not that stoooopid either).

And I didn't mention it the first time but the OS MS xp Home.

[WiggiE]

Here's what I'd do:

Windows XP Repair Install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm)


If that doesn't work I'd backup all the files on that computer and.....
Fdisk
Format
Reinstall

[WiggiE]

any luck?

[Obike]

Fdisk
Format
Reinstall

FFR, the Microsoft mantra.

Oddly enough, I got massively infected on Monday and was forced to perform FFR. Fuckin sucked.

[fineazell1]

A guy from one of my other forums posted a video link and before I thought about it I clicked it... I noticed immediately that I was hit. Here are the steps I typically take if I get hit.

first clear all cookies in your browser/history/files, this helps ad-aware in it's search because it sees cookies and trackware.

Next go to msconfig (just type it in the run box on start menu) and I look to see what all is set to start up. If I see any weird things I write down the path. If you don't know what it is, google it first to see.. .you don't want to delete your vptray for instance because that is your virus protection. At any rate, once you have all of the "suspicious" paths written down.

Reboot in safe mode

Run your virus scan (updated of course). if it finds files that it can't delete, write the path down.

Run your ad-aware and write down any un-deletable items as well.

Now I go to my registry and do a search for each item I have written down. A lot of time these programs will install files in your run menu in your registry. You need to get rid of all instances of that file name. You also need to delete any of the files you have written down. Sometimes they are "in use" I normally hit ctrl + alt + del and end "explorer.exe" then I go to new task and delete the files through the browser. If that doesn't work you will need to boot to a recovery disk of some sort that will allow you to access your HD without files being used to run....delete the files through console.

Re-run all ad-aware/virus scan and repeat until you have found the cluprit.

I usually tell people if it's this bad, FFR and save yourself some time.

Hope this helps
-Chris

[Obike]

Almost exactly my process... the thing had infected me with a couple of viruses... Norton was wigging out and I had an ass load of spyware. Tried for 3hrs to clean everything up with no success so I just went the FFR path.

[Jess]

use Mozilla

[WiggiE]

use Mozilla
or you could get a pair of these:


http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0202feb/cutter.jpg