Virus or am I retarted pt 2.

[Maarchk]

So now i got a comptuer issue. My mom's computer is sad. It will not open a webpage. When you click on internet explorer it appears to not find the webpage and it appears to knock out the router, as i lose connectivity with all other computers. I tried to install antivirus and the program and everything locked up to the point of having to hardshutdown. (holding down the button for 5). I tried safe mode, still locks up. Basically,if i pull up the command prompt, click on the antivirus install program or do any real command or double click, i lose the mouse and keyboard. Everything just hangs up.
I feel like its a hardware thing, but my mom had typed a word document after the incident and saved it with no problem. I disconnected it from the internet incase there were bad things going on, but i am not sure on the next step. I am thinking of running mini pe to try and find viruses or maybe just burning her files to a CD and reinstalling the dell stuff.
Any thoughts?

thank you,

Mark

[mechmike0034]

http://www.rescueme4win.org/UpdatePublicAntivirus.htm

Build this as per the instructions, and then boot the suspect PC from the CD. It runs McAfee from the command line without booting into Windows, which makes most malware removal pretty easy.

I add Autopatcher XP manually every time I update this disc so I can get Windows Updates without internet connectivity.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=460888

This CD is the "first responder" to a hosed, pwn3d box.

After clean-up, insert your XP CD, go to Start, Run, and type sfc/ scannow in the box. Then hit enter. (note the space between the forward slash and scannow) This runs the Windows System File Checker which will replace any borked OS files with fresh copies from the CD.

[Maarchk]

Cool thanks man. :)

[Maarchk]

Hmm virus scanners did not find anything. Tomorrow i will do the windows repair installation i guess. Apparently the computer works fine until you do anything that calls to the internet.. Which means i made it worse.. i installed antivirus that calls to the internet for a live update.. and now it does it upon start up and so i can't do anything fast enough to stop that from happening, even in safe mode... DOH!!!

[DarkFury]

My now famous advice for a situation like this...

Nuke... reload, protect, and backup. :D

[Maarchk]

My now famous advice for a situation like this...

Nuke... reload, protect, and backup. :D

I like that idea. But its my mom's computer, so i need to rescue the files first. I dont think she'd appreciate her school work getting nuked...

apparently destroying inoocent bystander files isn't kosher...:|

[mechmike0034]

I like that idea. But its my mom's computer, so i need to rescue the files first. I dont think she'd appreciate her school work getting nuked...

apparently destroying inoocent bystander files isn't kosher...:|

Slave the hard drive into another box or external enclosure, or, have a look at this: http://ubcd4win.com

[DarkFury]

I like that idea. But its my mom's computer, so i need to rescue the files first. I dont think she'd appreciate her school work getting nuked...

apparently destroying inoocent bystander files isn't kosher...:|
Understandable...

However tell Mom



"Hey... Mom, this is why we save our files to the D: drive (a partition or second hard drive) instead of to the C: drive. :D

If you do that, then even if we have to reformat your PC, you WON'T lose your data".


Do that and you are seen as the saviour of her data. :D

[Maarchk]

After clean-up, insert your XP CD, go to Start, Run, and type sfc/ scannow in the box. Then hit enter. (note the space between the forward slash and scannow) This runs the Windows System File Checker which will replace any borked OS files with fresh copies from the CD.

I am doing this now, but just for note. it is:
sfc /scannow

at least on my dell xp sp2 it is.. I dont know if thats different from other computers.

Thanks for the help Mike, and the advice DF. I told my mom that i was loading an OS not on the harddrive and not harming her computer while i pulled files and she equated me to a surgeon separating siamese twins. ;)

[mechmike0034]

I am doing this now, but just for note. it is:
sfc /scannow ;)

You, sir, are correct. My apologies for mistyping the command.

Here's a neat tool that might be of use as well:

http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix