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Deicide

I think I have a bad bug/virus on my computer now. Every time I boot up I get a sign saying Windows Exlorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. And this happens every time now, no exceptions. The only way I can do anything is by ignoring it and not clicking close. That's how I can write this but in the long run that is not a solution and there are many things I cannot do, for example access programmes under start because it is frozen there. I am hoping you guys know of something I could do to 'clean' or 'fix' the problem. Is there any programme out there that could eradicate a possible virus I have? Anything to get my computer working nromally again? I am very sorry to bother you this way since it is not directly esl related but I am hoping that with the thousands of posters out there someone may have some expertise and some suggestions? I appreciate the help...D

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Deicide

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

maya.the.bee · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 118 Location: Stgo

Before reformating your HD, I would try system restore. If you're running windows XP, check it out here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

My question?
Wouldn't reformating wipe the whole HD, requiring all programs to be reloaded?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I have always had good luck with the people at www.spyware.com .

movinaround · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 202

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Deicide

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Yes, we also reformat once every 6 months, sometimes a year - depending on how slow the puter gets. It doesn't matter how thorough you are, you will always pick up crap that gets stuck somewhere and when you uninstall - a lot of the time the keys are still in the registry and unless yer a spert, I wouldn't attempt messing with that. So you end up with a computer jammed full of useless files, kind of like that junk drawer at home ...so like that you have to clean it out and yes reinstall. In these days of dvd burners and cd burners, it's usually no big deal to reinstall everything.

However before doing that try the antivirus and maybe spybot as well. You may have to do it in safemode if you can't get into windows. Also did you just install anything before this happened, or did you download anything?? I have had bad installs that have cause this problem.

You should make sure you are running antivirus software as well as antispyware and a firewall. Laughing

Even then, there's no guarantee.

Deicide · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:30 am Post subject:

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Yes I would advise that first, sounds like you picked up a bug somewhere. That's always the risk when downloading, although alchohol and daemon should be ok. It's probably the dvd stuff or something similar.

Since this topic is here, does anyone know anything about register 4 less. Sometimes when we go to open google or cbc or whatever and this site comes up. It doesn't seem to be anything bad but not sure why it doesn't just say that the page can't open. Anyone had this?? Just curious.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Your browser has been hijacked...which is probably not a virus but spyware. Try googling (or any search engine)'online virus scan' or 'online spyware scan' and you can find some free services like Trend Micro, Panda, or Bit Defender to scan and clean your system.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

re: bad computer virus.

Are there good computer viruses? (This is an honest question. I'm technologically inept.)

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject:

www.pcpitstop.com has very helpful forums, online scans, and lots of useful stuff!

And what are you running in terms of security?

I recommend: Zone Alarm. (A free ware firewall that's one of the best.)
Spybot seach and destroy. (Polices any registry changes in your system, and should be able to stop a lot of viruses, adware, and spyware from getting hold. Free product from a brilliant computer nerd, somewhere in Europe.)
Ad-Aware SE (Will scan your system for spyware/adware that got through)
And, Antivir (A free downloadable antivirus scanner that kicks Norton's butt.)

All free, and if all are installed, it's about bullet proof. If you're running Windows SP2, with the windows firewall, you'll have to decide whether to keep it, or turn it off and run Zone Alarm. (If both are on at the same time, they clash, in my experience.) The Windows firewall is okay, as far as I can tell, though I don't like it much because it doesn't give you any control of all the downloading that other windows programs will try to do; This is annoying, because it let's your operating system eat up your bandwidth without your permission, and can be dangerous, because some viruses have wondows access codes, letting them past the windows firewall.

And good luck,

Justin