Virus/spyware is killing my computer and me!!

vr2jetta · 09-25-2009, 02:44 AM

My computer doesnt seem to be operating as well as it used to be. Actually, it flat out sucks as of last week!! I think I have a virus or spyware or something. Im not sure, Im still learning computers. I have ran spybot search and destroy, crap cleaner and AVG but it still sucks. Running spybot, items come up that cannot be healed. I have noticed the viruses/spyware dont show themselves until I install AVG free! Has anybody else encountered this? How can I be POSITIVE I erased all the information on the hard drive? Do I need to remove the hard drive and connect it as a slave to another computer and format it? Will this completely erase everything on it? I have reinstalled a fresh copy of windows twice in the last week but I am not sure everything was erased and re-installed. Any ideas? Thanks!!

**johnb35** · 09-25-2009, 03:04 AM

When you reinstalled windows, did you boot to the install cd and remove all existing partitions, then repartion, then installed windows? If not, then you didn't actually delete anything, you just installed over it, which means the infection is still there. Please follow the instructions in this thread and post the requested logs.

***************IMPORTANT: Please read before posting********************

vr2jetta · 09-25-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnb35

When you reinstalled windows, did you boot to the install cd and remove all existing partitions, then repartion, then installed windows?

I booted to the cd but didnt delete the partitions, I just installed windows on one, after it formatted it. I have 2 partitions, one is the hard disk drive, and the other is some tiny partition, like ?8? mb, maybe. I dont know how to delete them and recreate a new one. I will read the link sent and see what I can get from there.

kimsland · 09-25-2009, 03:59 AM

Well here's XP's guide in doing that:

Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition)
http://www.windowsxpprofessional.win...exfullpage.htm
Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition)
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsrein...exfullpage.htm
* Warning deleting the Partition will remove all User data and Windows system files

And here's a Vista Guide on formatting and re-installing clean:
http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...ista/index.htm

Note: If you format and/or remove the partitions all Virus/Malware will be gone

Also can I suggest that you try free Avira Antivirus next time as well: http://www.free-av.com/

vr2jetta · 09-25-2009, 07:16 PM

Well I ran the Malwarebytes program and it found nothing. So, just because I wanted to, and there was nothing on my computer anyway, I re-installed windows once again, this time making sure I deleted the partition, formatted it and then installed the OS. I did not delete the partition the last couple times so I thought that might be the problem.

It seems to be working a little better after the fresh install, but I am still getting booted from the internet and the system is still running a little slow. When it boots me from the internet it says "firefox.exe has encountered a problem and must close.....blah blah blah, send error report, yes or no."

I will try running the hijackthis and post a log. Thanks guys!

kimsland · 09-25-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vr2jetta

I deleted the partition, formatted it and then installed the OS.
...but I am still getting booted from the internet and the system is still running a little slow. When it boots me from the internet it says "firefox.exe...

That was quick
Also make sure that you have updated your Service Packs through Windows Update (XP is up to SP3 and Vista is up to SP2)
And confirm all your drivers are up to date

Please do this before submitting any log, anyway the log must be clean after installing Windows clean. Therefore if the fault still exists it must be related to Hardware (Modem or faulty Hard Drive or Bad Ram, or something)

09-25-2009, 02:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
vr2jetta Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 30	Virus/spyware is killing my computer and me!! My computer doesnt seem to be operating as well as it used to be. Actually, it flat out sucks as of last week!! I think I have a virus or spyware or something. Im not sure, Im still learning computers. I have ran spybot search and destroy, crap cleaner and AVG but it still sucks. Running spybot, items come up that cannot be healed. I have noticed the viruses/spyware dont show themselves until I install AVG free! Has anybody else encountered this? How can I be POSITIVE I erased all the information on the hard drive? Do I need to remove the hard drive and connect it as a slave to another computer and format it? Will this completely erase everything on it? I have reinstalled a fresh copy of windows twice in the last week but I am not sure everything was erased and re-installed. Any ideas? Thanks!!

09-25-2009, 03:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnb35 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Near Joliet Illinois Age: 39 Posts: 3,651	When you reinstalled windows, did you boot to the install cd and remove all existing partitions, then repartion, then installed windows? If not, then you didn't actually delete anything, you just installed over it, which means the infection is still there. Please follow the instructions in this thread and post the requested logs. *************IMPORTANT: Please read before posting****************** __________________ Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R CPU - E8400 Memory - 2GB Corsair XMS2 (2x 1gb) Graphics - ATI HD3870 Hard Drives - 250GB Seagate DVD Drive - Lite-On DVD Burner - Lite-On Power Supply - Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W 22" Acer widescreen AL2216WBD

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09-25-2009, 03:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
kimsland Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 882	Well here's XP's guide in doing that: Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition) http://www.windowsxpprofessional.win...exfullpage.htm Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step (* Including Delete Partition) http://www.windowsxphome.windowsrein...exfullpage.htm * Warning deleting the Partition will remove all User data and Windows system files And here's a Vista Guide on formatting and re-installing clean: http://vistahomepremium.windowsreins...ista/index.htm Note: If you format and/or remove the partitions all Virus/Malware will be gone Also can I suggest that you try free Avira Antivirus next time as well: http://www.free-av.com/

09-25-2009, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
vr2jetta Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 30	Well I ran the Malwarebytes program and it found nothing. So, just because I wanted to, and there was nothing on my computer anyway, I re-installed windows once again, this time making sure I deleted the partition, formatted it and then installed the OS. I did not delete the partition the last couple times so I thought that might be the problem. It seems to be working a little better after the fresh install, but I am still getting booted from the internet and the system is still running a little slow. When it boots me from the internet it says "firefox.exe has encountered a problem and must close.....blah blah blah, send error report, yes or no." I will try running the hijackthis and post a log. Thanks guys!