HELP PLEASE !!! Problem(s) with Spyware/Virus.

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HTSS_TR

Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
19,528
Location
Lake Forest, CA
I am having serious problem(s) with spyware/virus in my laptop Dell Vostro 1000.

Yesterday my laptop was infected with spyware "Antivirus XP Pro", I tried to download Avast and run it, then reboot the laptop. The laptop displays "Vostro" and nothing else after select any of the four saved settings.

Please help, if possible tell me step-by-step what I need to do to get back my laptop from this nasty virus/spyware.

TIA
 
I could not download anything. The problem is I could not get any window after power on system, all I can get is a screen with 4 user names on Window XP display. When I select 1 of the 4 user names, it only display "Vostro", nothing else. How do I get to 1 of the 4 saved settings(users) to get FireFox window ?
 
My wife's laptop got that 'Antivirus XP' virus even though the laptop is protected by Symantec.

I had to reinstall everything from the ghost partition. Yours is a Dell so it should have the recovery partition, too.
 
I am trying so hard to not copy and paste this URL, but... can... no... longer... resist... force... guiding... hands... aaaarrrgggghhhh...






http://ubuntu.com

[Also, try booting in Safe Mode. Select the mode - I forget it's exact verbiage - that let's you load drivers one by one to see which are causing trouble. Disable everything you can, and after you've booted run msconfg (msconfig? Jeez, it's been so long...) to disable any startup service that you do not recognize... Also, go to your Control Panel and look for Administrative Tools, then look for Services and again be on the lookout for anything weird set to start at boot time. (But for Pete's sake Google the service before disabling it, it may be a necessary Windows service!) Hopefully, at that point you will have stopped the malware from starting at boot time.]

If you make it that far, I cannot suggest strongly enough that you evaluate whether or not you are using any programs that are Windows-only. If not, see the URL above and consider the possibility of using something that will [censored] your life up less than Windows.
 
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
My wife's laptop got that 'Antivirus XP' virus even though the laptop is protected by Symantec.

I had to reinstall everything from the ghost partition. Yours is a Dell so it should have the recovery partition, too.


Indeed. Hope you have things backed up. From the little reading I've done, this virus is NASTY and nearly impossible to get 100% rid of.

First try Wayne's idea of booting in safe mode.
 
Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
I am trying so hard to not copy and paste this URL, but... can... no... longer... resist... force... guiding... hands... aaaarrrgggghhhh...



http://ubuntu.com


LOL.gif



If people only knew how easy Ubuntu 8.10 was to use, even with wireless, they'd dump Windows ASAP.
 
Boot up in Safe-Mode ? How do I do it now ?

The laptop is "Off" now, to power on I had to push the "Power" button and after a couple minutes all I got is Window XP with 4 user names. When I select 1 of the 4 names all I got is "Vostro" on display. The display does not have the Window "Start" to get "Control Panel" or anything.
 
Keep hitting the F8 key (I think it's F8) over and over, as soon as you turn the computer on. It should come up with the boot-up options menu.
 
I'm not good at computer at all, I need step-by-step instructions.

I got the boot-up options after hitting F8 then F2 as soon as I press Power button, it's called "Phoenix BIOS Setup Utility". It has several choices: Main, Advanced, Security, Boot and Exit.

What should I do now on this screen ?
 
You have to repaeatedly tap F8 until the options screen appears then choose safemode with networking as stated earlier.

Free Versions of SUPERantispyware, Malwarebytes or A-Squared Free should get rid of it. After clean up and removal you should delete your Windows System Restore points to keep from getting reinfected.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Right after the boot splash, hit F8, it should bring up a boot selection screen. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. This will let you run an online scan. Start with eset's, http://www.eset.com

Then download and run superantispyware. Then Spybot, then TrendMicro's http://www.antivirus.com

Try that for starters
grin2.gif



I could not get the boot selection screen, what I got is PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility screen and there is no selection of "Safe Mode with Networking" anywhere.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Right after the boot splash, hit F8, it should bring up a boot selection screen. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. This will let you run an online scan. Start with eset's, http://www.eset.com

Then download and run superantispyware. Then Spybot, then TrendMicro's http://www.antivirus.com

Try that for starters
grin2.gif



I could not get the boot selection screen, what I got is PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility screen and there is no selection of "Safe Mode with Networking" anywhere.


Your BIOS and the "Safe Mode" prompt are entirely different animals. Apparently your computer uses the F8 key to enter the BIOS, which kinda sucks, as you're now playing a timing game.

Usually, you'd hit the Del or F2 keys to access your BIOS.

Either way, do not change anything in your BIOS: That is the easiest, fastest way to totally bork your system.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Right after the boot splash, hit F8, it should bring up a boot selection screen. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. This will let you run an online scan. Start with eset's, http://www.eset.com

Then download and run superantispyware. Then Spybot, then TrendMicro's http://www.antivirus.com

Try that for starters
grin2.gif



You can do stuff that requires admin privileges (like install software and have a web site applet scan system files) in safe mode?

I guess the only time I've ever really spent using safe mode was to isolate a c-r-a-p-t-a-c-u-l-a-r video driver causing the system to hang or other such irritations. I didn't know safe mode was so... functional.
 
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
My wife's laptop got that 'Antivirus XP' virus even though the laptop is protected by Symantec.


Civic...: any idea how that happened?
 
Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more

You can do stuff that requires admin privileges (like install software and have a web site applet scan system files) in safe mode?
...


No, I could not do anything at all. I could not get to "boot selection screen".
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Right after the boot splash, hit F8, it should bring up a boot selection screen. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. This will let you run an online scan. Start with eset's, http://www.eset.com

Then download and run superantispyware. Then Spybot, then TrendMicro's http://www.antivirus.com

Try that for starters
grin2.gif



I could not get the boot selection screen, what I got is PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility screen and there is no selection of "Safe Mode with Networking" anywhere.


Then you are hitting F8 too soon. Try again. You'll get it eventually.

Safe Mode with Networking is what you want.

Also, disable system Restore.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Weird problem with laptop. Thoughts?
2
Replies
21
Views
4K
d00df00d
S
  • Locked
Computer GEEKS!! Laptop screen "on" for just 2 Sec
Replies
17
Views
4K
SumpChump
Jimmy9190
  • Locked
ESET causing print problems
Replies
16
Views
9K
Rand
G
  • Locked
Help! PC issues! BSOD 45 mins after startup?
Replies
13
Views
3K
gonefishing
zerosoma
  • Locked
New computer virus - be on alert
Replies
16
Views
7K
rjundi
Back
Top