All right... what do you do when your computer explodes???

C

CanadianSkiGod

Active member
So my computer was compeltely messed up a few weeks ago, mainly because of my abusive music downloading. I gave up on trying to fix it so I had the drive changed and it was fine again. I had promised myself to keep it clean and not download anything.

But.. yesterday, I had an urge to download this one program, Guitarpro, I kind of needed it, and I don't need to explain why, really. So I downloaded limewire and told myself, since it was only ONE download, that nothing could happen. Wrong. After I got the file, I unzipped it and immediately my antivirus started going crazy, telling me "VIRUS FOUND!!!" Every five seconds or so. So I deleted the file I had just downloaded. Nothing happened. These shortcuts for ads started appearing everywhere on my desktop, and as soon as I opened explorer, pop-ups would go crazy. My comp would also offer me to install these weird programs every few minutes. I did add or remove programs and deleted stuff that had appeared out of nowhere, and I tried looking through every file, and now my antivirus didn't find any infected files. Pop-up blockers don't work... WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. I can hardly use my computer anymore after ONE DOWNLOAD.

I even tried formating it, but I don't know how. So can anyone either please tell me what to do OR explain how to format a PC (if it's easy). I'm begging you... this post is rather short, but I've been writing it for about 20 minutes due to the incessant pop-ups. PLEASE.
 
I agree that Limewire sucks, so I have difficulty trusting it to download anything else.

And I used it because I needed that software pretty fast, I knew Kazaa sucked even more, someone referred Bearshare but in the agreement (yes, I read it) there was an inclusion of adware when you download the basic version.

This is really annoying. Maybe I should just pay... again.
 
its funny and sad, you basicly downloaded every virus and trojan possible. The right thing to do is wipe your computer clean and start over. Hopefully, you didn't get a reboot or directory altering virus.
 
if u know about windows restore points hopefulyl u made one... just check that and go to a recent one. might help
 
...or you could just use bittorrent. and for future practice, scan files you download with your antivirus before you open them.

are you still going to reformat? you'll need a windows xp cd.
 
Yes, I believe I have a windows xp cd. So that's the key to reformating (or formating)?

If I pop it in there's an option somewhere? Because I can burn my work stuff onto a CD, I have office here too, so I don't mind losing everything else, just as long as this fucking adware and spyware leaves.
 
is your harddrive partitioned? like, do you have one physical harddrive in your computer, but a C: drive and D: drive show up in my computer?
 
Well I know I have a physical hardrive, and on "My computer" the Hard disk drive is (C:), and devices with removable storage is (D:), the first CD slot, and (E:) the burner/DVD player. And floppy disk, too.

Was that the question?
 
Yes back-up all you important files on a CD.

Make sure that you have the XP cd. Go to MS-DOS select your drive, then I think you must type format drive or something like that. Thats all I know. To get better understanding, find a computer tech or get a book on windows.

Another solution is to ask a store clerk like radio-shack or Future Shop, they should know what to do or know someone that can help you
 
Actually I might just do it tommorrow since I have to go work in half an hour. I'd prefer taking my time since this looks like some heavy shit (I suck at computers).

And my computer is a clone or whatever, custom built by a small independant shop, I got a hell of a deal. According to the website I can normally follow their step.

And by the way I did have a good anti-virus, I just thought that it scanned every downloaded file by itself, not that it had to be prompted to do so. And I do prefer a mac, my parents own one, but it's a tad more expensive that the load of crap I have here.
 
get windows antispyware when you're done reformatting (it's free), or get spysweeper

Hell, try spysweeper now. It saved my work computer.
 
I don't recommend running the restore point as suggested earlier. A many number of trojans/backdoors will infect the system restore files, so when you restore it to the previous state you are just going to be infecting yourself with even more files.

You don't need to take as drastic of a step as reformatting.

Install a few good antispyware/antivirus programs on your pc. For antivirus, go with NOD32 as recommended earlier. Great program.

Also, if you have a good antispyware program definitely run that. Such as Spyware Doctor (one of new personal favorites), Windows Antispyware, Spysweeper and there's a few other good ones.

If they don't run right because your system resources are bogged down or just won't delete any of the junk on your pc. Try restarting your computer in safe mode. For safe mode: Restart your pc, Press F8 (or shift + F8) before the loading windows screen comes up.

If it's not doing it, a cheapshot way around it is just to hit the restart button when your computer is on the Windows loading screen. when it loads it again it'll ask you if you want to go into Safe mode.

Once in safe-mode, try running some of the antivirus programs. (unfortunately though some antivirus programs will not let you run them in safe mode as they need higher graphic resolution or greater access to system resources).

Lastly, another shot is to get a program to override the system processes and terminate the spyware/viruses running in your memory. Also after doing this, you might have better luck with the antispyware programs if they aren't fixing it.

To do this: Download a program like Security Task manager, or Hi-jack this.

They will show you a list of devices/processes running in your systems memory.

Usually it's not hard to spot which are viruses/spyware (anything with Serv, U, random letters and numbers, etc.) If you aren't sure which are harmful and which are good, then type them into google and see what comes up.

Use that program to terminate/quarentine the junk, and then run antispyware after it. Should do the trick.
 
All right, thanks for the tips... I'll try that first. Although are most of the programs you recomment free to download via internet (i.e just typing it in google and a download page shows up)?

I'm out for the rest of the day but thanks for the help, all. I'll check it out tomorrow.
 
Amazingtechs.com

If you ever have any problems with your computer, especially viruses and spyware etc then you should go here, sign up and post your problem on the spyware forum. Loads of computer geeks who really know what they're talking about are on this thing and they will tell you exactly what you need to do. My computer was once fucked but they sorted it and now it runs like a dream.

www.amazingtechs.com
 
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