Computer Virus Kicked My **** :-(

exalted512
exalted512 Posts: 10,735
edited September 2010 in The Clubhouse
So I got a virus the other day. It wouldnt let me get on any time of internet browser. Everything else worked fine...AIM, Steam (i could still play counter strike), I could still check my gmail via the google side bar...but if i tried getting online via chrome or IE, it would act as if i didnt have an internet connection

So I ran system restore...didnt work. Ran my virus software 3 times, picked up some stuff, but evidently not the root. Ran a system restore today and now nothing works.

It says windows explorer failed and wont open anything, not even in safe mode. As in, I cant even get to the home screen with the start menu and task bar. It just goes black.

So I'm just going to bite the bullet and reinstall windows...problem being I have to get stuff off my hard drive. I have an internal hard drive reader, I suppose I could just take my hard drive out and put it in that, then download it to my laptop? Is there an easier way?

Also, my windows 7 is on another hard drive. I got it from school where you just downloaded it and go. Problem is I dont remember how to install windows if its not on a disc. Last time I think I just opened it up in 'My Computer' and started it from there...can't do that now because windows explorer failed.

At least I got my laptop running in great shape again!
-Cody
Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
Post edited by exalted512 on
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    I can relate Cody! A month or two back I picked up a virus from Facebook and spent three days cursing trying to get every bit of it out of my PC. Thanks to guys here like John (Jstas), Sal (Lasareath) and quite a few others I got through it finally. If I left anyone out please don't be upset. . . the old memory cells are quite burned out!:eek:

    I hate virus' and the people the people who create and send them! They should be strung up like a Pi
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited September 2010
    one thing you can try is....

    on Internet Explorer under tools > advanced .... reset internet explorer options to their default....

    Under connections > LAN settings .... make sure there is no proxy server set there....

    Then -- if you're connected through a wireless router -- Check your wireless router and make sure you have a real username and password. I had left my on default one time with my NetGear router, and the virus malware that i had had set a proxy server on my wireless router. So check that you don't have a proxy server set there.

    Then,,, reboot in windows safe mode (F8) on startup with networking....

    Try interenet explorer and if you can get to http://www.malwarebytes.org/

    download malwarebytes antimalware program and run it following the instructions on major geeks website. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=139313

    see if that works before you double secret NSA CIA wipe your hard drive clean..

    -- wayne --

    p.s i got that virus from facebook too -- and it redirected all my internet searches -- finally the culprit was the proxy server set on my NetGear router...
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2010
    I can't open internet explorer because I can't open windows...
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited September 2010
    wayne3burk wrote: »
    p.s i got that virus from facebook too -- and it redirected all my internet searches -- finally the culprit was the proxy server set on my NetGear router...

    This is why we always change our default router passwords :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited September 2010
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    This is why we always change our default router passwords :)

    It's also the reason I run a 50k firewall that does av, web filtering, IPS/IDS, etc. But I work for the company that makes it, so I get free licenses. But you're right, default passwords are teh debul.
    Turntable: Empire 208
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    wayne3burk wrote: »
    p.s i got that virus from facebook too -- and it redirected all my internet searches -- finally the culprit was the proxy server set on my NetGear router...

    Yep, the Koob-face worm. It did the same thing to my PC to the point where I was constantly closing pages. Then it kept replicating itself and locking up my PC. . .what a pain in the butt that was.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited September 2010
    cough cough....iMac.......cough cough.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2010
    I'd rather reinstall windows everyday then have a Mac. Now back to the original questions...
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited September 2010
    ohskigod wrote: »
    cough cough....iMac.......cough cough.

    *cough cough*.... Linux ...... *cough cough* :D
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
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    Computer Rig

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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    Refefer wrote: »
    *cough cough*.... Linux ...... *cough cough* :D

    Yeah my son raves about his and swears he's never had virus problems. However he's a videographer/graphic designer and IIRC the programs for that are too much for a PC.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited September 2010
    The best way to work with any type of virus is to run windows in safe mode. Then work from there. If you can't get it there, chances are your done. Try that though, I've had much success with doing so.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    exalted512 wrote: »
    I'd rather reinstall windows everyday then have a Mac. Now back to the original questions...

    :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,394
    edited September 2010
    What was on it facebook that created problems? I am sure others use facebook as well. I hope that all worked out for you and data could be recovered.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited September 2010
    halenhoang wrote: »
    What was on it facebook that created problems? I am sure others use facebook as well. I hope that all worked out for you and data could be recovered.

    There was a message from a couple of my facebook friends " an interesting video of you " link....

    The link was the virus

    so obviously it was a worm on the lines of your email address book being infected and propagating malware to all your email addressees*

    -- wayne --

    other than about 3 weeks of annoyance it was pretty harmless.
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    halenhoang wrote: »
    What was on it facebook that created problems? I am sure others use facebook as well. I hope that all worked out for you and data could be recovered.
    wayne3burk wrote: »
    There was a message from a couple of my facebook friends " an interesting video of you " link....

    The link was the virus

    so obviously it was a worm on the lines of your email address book being infected and propagating malware to all your email addressees*

    -- wayne --

    other than about 3 weeks of annoyance it was pretty harmless.

    In my case it was a message from a friend with a link to a video. The message was so personalized and something only he would say to me in that he's **** (no wise cracks). I clicked the link and it prompted me to update I believe my Adobe Flash, which I thought was innocent enough, I click the upgrade link and all hell broke loose. Both my spy sweeper and virus programs went nuts but the Koob-face worm still got through.

    I notified Facebook tech support because I researched the virus and as it turned out Facebook has been inundated with the worm for almost two years. I really let them have it because you would in all that time they would have come up with some defense against it or at least put out a general warning about it.

    From then on, anytime I get a message from a friend with a video link attached on Facebook, I contact them and ask if they indeed sent it. Thus far I've had four instances where they didn't. Three were from friends here.
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  • Lost
    Lost Posts: 48
    edited September 2010
    If you guys would use the paid version of Malwarebytes Antimalware it would eliminate alot of these virus issues...
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited September 2010
    Lost wrote: »
    If you guys would use the paid version of Malwarebytes Antimalware it would eliminate alot of these virus issues...

    If people would just use common sense on teh Internet it would eliminate even more.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited September 2010
    run your anti virus in safe mode also. time consuming but effective if you have a virus that doesn't want to go away.
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited September 2010
    Try anti malware guys
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2010
    Okay, since no one read my original post...lets do cliff notes.

    I CANNOT OPEN WINDOWS AT ALL, EVEN IN SAFE MODE.

    How do I install windows 7 from an external hard drive when I can't open windows? Can i boot from it in Bios?

    Thanks,
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    Lost wrote: »
    If you guys would use the paid version of Malwarebytes Antimalware it would eliminate alot of these virus issues...
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    If people would just use common sense on teh Internet it would eliminate even more.

    Agreed but how do you get around a situation like I posted above. Everything seemed kosher even down to the personalized message originally sent to me.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2010
    exalted512 wrote: »
    Okay, since no one read my original post...lets do cliff notes.

    I CANNOT OPEN WINDOWS AT ALL, EVEN IN SAFE MODE.

    How do I install windows 7 from an external hard drive when I can't open windows? Can i boot from it in Bios?

    Thanks,
    -Cody

    Sorry for the derail Cody . . . I know you're not having an easy time with this problem but you post above cracked me up.
    "Er um excuse me, I know you guys are having a lot of fun but how about my effing problem!!"
    Fixed! LOL!

    BTW PM Sal or John, I'm sure they will get you fixed up in no time, perhaps they will even talk you through the problem.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited September 2010
    exalted512 wrote: »
    Okay, since no one read my original post...lets do cliff notes.

    I CANNOT OPEN WINDOWS AT ALL, EVEN IN SAFE MODE.

    How do I install windows 7 from an external hard drive when I can't open windows? Can i boot from it in Bios?

    Thanks,
    -Cody

    if you have the original install DVD / CD then you should be able to boot from that

    and yeah if you hit the setup F key on startup you should be able to set the order of the start up disks....

    ___ windows xp running under boot camp on my mac mini ___ external power supply --- no fan --- runs quiet as a mouse ---

    windows on a mac mini rulz

    :D
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,773
    edited September 2010
    ___ windows xp running under boot camp on my mac mini ___ external power supply --- no fan --- runs quiet as a mouse ---

    windows on a mac mini rulz

    With Mac being so great and all. why do you need XP at all? Everyone I know with a Mac is running XP, seems odd.
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  • munk
    munk Posts: 258
    edited September 2010
    There are at least five dead computers in our basement. We've had all the protection, AVG, Norton, etc etc.

    One computer failed as this thread describes. If I wanted the material on the hard drive saved it would have to go to a shop. We buy another computer.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited September 2010
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    With Mac being so great and all. why do you need XP at all? Everyone I know with a Mac is running XP, seems odd.

    Its not odd at all. You can run Windows programs that aren't available on OS X or that you like on Windows more. I don't run any of my graphic design programs in Windows because they're far better on OS X. Meanwhile all of my business is conducted on a Windows based PC.

    Its not OS X VS WINDOWS for a lot of people, it's OS X & WINDOWS.
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited September 2010
    exalted512 wrote: »
    Okay, since no one read my original post...lets do cliff notes.

    I CANNOT OPEN WINDOWS AT ALL, EVEN IN SAFE MODE.

    How do I install windows 7 from an external hard drive when I can't open windows? Can i boot from it in Bios?

    Thanks,
    -Cody

    If windows 7 is actually installed on the external (not just the files residing there), you should be able to boot directly from it. In most modern computers, during the initial boot up, they'll give you an option to boot from a different device. Choose the external hard drive there and with luck you should be able to boot from it.

    Otherwise, you'll have to try changing the boot order in bios.
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited September 2010
    Demiurge wrote: »
    Its not odd at all. You can run Windows programs that aren't available on OS X or that you like on Windows more. I don't run any of my graphic design programs in Windows because they're far better on OS X. Meanwhile all of my business is conducted on a Windows based PC.

    Its not OS X VS WINDOWS for a lot of people, it's OS X & WINDOWS.

    I'm just not a fan of noisy fans -- yeah i boot my mini up in mac osX a couple of times a month, because i can.

    Most of the time windows suffices for my purposes, being able to run both is a bonus for me.

    you'd be surprised just how noisy your PC is once you run a computer without a small propeller airplane taxiing in the background....
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,726
    edited September 2010
    Once you get things back up, (and I would suggest this for anyone with Win7), use Windows 7's backup feature (not the system restore) to image your main drive partition(s) at least once a week. That way, you don't have to go back and reinstall everything. Worst case, you loose a week's worth of data. I've been using it for some time now (replaced Ghost and Acronis, which were both buggy as hell)
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited September 2010
    Refefer wrote: »
    If windows 7 is actually installed on the external (not just the files residing there), you should be able to boot directly from it. In most modern computers, during the initial boot up, they'll give you an option to boot from a different device. Choose the external hard drive there and with luck you should be able to boot from it.

    Otherwise, you'll have to try changing the boot order in bios.

    That's only true if Windows was installed for THAT MACHINE (or at least one very similar). While windows can handle lots of hardware changes, it's not going to come up on a different motherboard than it was originally installed on.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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