Stupid Malware...

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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,780
    edited October 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    I can buy Vista from my school for something like $17, but they don't have XP anymore.

    Your computer has a valid Windows XP key right? Just borrow someone's XP disc. OEM copy not retail.

    First go to HP's site and get all the drivers you will need, and of course backup any files you need.
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited October 2009
    Vista isn't worth the $17.
    I think explorer.exe is hanging from an aborted install/uninstall. A redlined CPU is a sure sign of a problem, which would really defeat the purpose of stealth which is associated with botnets. They aren't designed that way, something is hanging. Have you looked at the error logs?
    Explorer, and IExplore and both part of the OS, so unplugging the ethernet cable and having the activity slow down doesn't automatically mean it's mal/spyware. Because of the integration, it could be NLA, then IExplorer, then explorer.exe. You may never know, and run every scan out there, but if it's a corrupted explorer. file, and the registry is jacked up, you will have to reinstall anyway. If you can get your Office files reinstalled, I'd use Gparted, make a new partition, move your personal files to it, then install Win7 over the old C: partition. You can use it until March, . . . about the same time HP should be delivering those disks. :-)
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited October 2009
    ....another solution.

    http://www.avanquest.com/USA/software/powerdesk-pro-7-96228?meta=pc-utilities&cat=utilities&sub=desktop-tools&lp=1&gclid=CLXwlsaap50CFRBM5QodQG_ijg

    ...I have used this for years.....like the ability to split horizontally.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,602
    edited October 2009
    Rules to live by.

    Back up your data.

    create weekly or at least monthly restore points.

    Create a system restore disk.

    stash away a small cd wallet with the sytem disk, apps, and a copy of your divers.

    Or better yet, after reloading your system, or on a new system, create
    an image. You can restore baseline OS, drivers , and apps in 1 or 2 hours.
    This makes for an easy restore.

    Yes, that means you MAC guys, too. All hard drives are subject to failure sooner or later. Or don't. MACS are full of magic and rainbows.:D
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Yes, that means you MAC guys, too. All hard drives are subject to failure sooner or later. Or don't. MACS are full of magic and rainbows.:D

    Well, Macs do come with the very handy TimeMachine software. I've used some other disk-clone backup software that is probably more stable, but I've yet to have issue with TimeMachine.

    So, yeah... I guess they are full of 'magic' and 'rainbows', if by 'magic' you mean a system based on FreeBSD *unix (which was natively meant to network) and by 'rainbows' you mean applications that are full-featured and inexpensive!

    But then again, I'm just a Mac guy... Who also owns a PC for when I need to do PC things... Like talk about malware, virus issues and formatting drives...
    :p

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • kn505
    kn505 Posts: 380
    edited October 2009
    I have a similar problem with the OP. Whenever the iExploer is running, the computer is slow that I can't do anything with the computer. I don't know how to fix it. But what I do to get around this is to use Firefox instead of iExploer.
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited October 2009
    kn505 wrote: »
    I have a similar problem with the OP. Whenever the iExploer is running, the computer is slow that I can't do anything with the computer. I don't know how to fix it. But what I do to get around this is to use Firefox instead of iExploer.

    Firefox, Chrome, Opera are fine alternates to IE. If you really like IE then download, and install latest version of IE from Microsoft's website.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited October 2009
    IE is always running that is what you My documents and My computer and all that use. It is running form the time windows boots up to the time it shuts down.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited October 2009
    I love firefox that is even on my mac I love it so much. Much faster as well.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited October 2009
    iExplorer is Internet Explorer. Similar to explorer.exe but not the same. It's for IE only but is tied in to explorer.exe for shares and file browsing.

    If you are having issues with iExplorer.exe, you either have some level of spy/adware causing an issue or you have a bot of some sort. If you have any of those lame toolbars installed, even the Google one, they are constantly running sending back to home base all kinds of info about your habits on your computer.

    You need to go get yourself a copy of Spybot Search and Destroy and run it. You should also update your anti-virus software as well and do a full scan. If you have neither, better go get some now. Viruses and other malware including adware and spyware are not very easy to remove without anti-virus software. It is completely possible to do it, just not recommended for anyone below an expert level. Unless you can sacrifice the machine and feel like learning something useful.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited October 2009
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    IE is always running that is what you My documents and My computer and all that use. It is running form the time windows boots up to the time it shuts down.

    That's not true. My Computer, My Documents and such are run by explorer.exe which is the shell behind the Windows GUI. iExplore.exe doesn't run unless you have an instance of Internet Explorer running somewhere. iExplore.exe is Internet Explorer.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited October 2009
    It still is internet explorer ONLY not accessing the internet.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2009
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    It still is internet explorer ONLY not accessing the internet.

    Tell that to the lawyers that forced Microsoft to separate the two.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    Bah- it really shouldn't be a mac vs PC thing.
    Mac's have problems too and they make it difficult to fix many of them yourself. I had an eMac years ago that just lost it's display one day. 2 weeks before my Senior Show (a final graduating requirement for Design). I took it to the closest Apple place and was told it would be $400 (for a two year old $700 machine). I opted out; I narrowed down the problem from internet searches. I found that in order to purchase some parts, you have to be a liscensed Mac repair person. I tracked down our on-campus Mac guy who was able to order a $15 cable and instructions to install it.
    It took 2 hours and a special set of tools. But it was fix'd.

    And there are software issues with Mac OS as well, there just aren't as many people devoted to exploiting them... And most of us Mac users are so proud of our uber-expensive machines we'd never admit anything wrong with them...

    Of course, there isn't as much wrong with them, admittedly... But there are plenty of PC's out there (especially built by people who know what thy are doing) that run perfectly fine... And doubly so once you get Windows off there and grab yourselves some Linux.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited October 2009
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    It still is internet explorer ONLY not accessing the internet.

    What?
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited October 2009
    Explorer.exe is not the same as Internet Explorer. Whether or not they have similarities is irrelevant to kn505's issue. His issue is only related to internet explorer, hence when he uses Firesfox he doesn't have the issue. He also didn't say he had any issue using Windows Explorer. Running spybot is recommended however I would also upgrade to the newest IE, since it's most likely an issue with program/install itself.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • kn505
    kn505 Posts: 380
    edited October 2009
    KrazyMofo24 wrote: »
    Explorer.exe is not the same as Internet Explorer. Whether or not they have similarities is irrelevant to kn505's issue. His issue is only related to internet explorer, hence when he uses Firesfox he doesn't have the issue. He also didn't say he had any issue using Windows Explorer. Running spybot is recommended however I would also upgrade to the newest IE, since it's most likely an issue with program/install itself.

    Thanks for your advice. I will run spybot and upgrade to the newest IE. I have used this laptop for over 6 years without any problem. I gave it to my son for few months and he complained that the laptop is too slow. That is when I found out there is some problems with it. I wanted to wipeout the harddrive and reinstall the OS (as suggested previously); but I am scare to do it because I have no idea how to do it. I would need a step-by-step instructions. Does anyone have a link to instructions?

    Thanks.
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    6 years = slow. Period.
    Your son's cell phone can access the web fater than your laptop. No, really.

    Let's also not forget that moving parts can wear out with time, and your hard drive is a moving part. Hit a bump while the harddrive is engaged and you could damage a sector on the disk, fraggin' up some junk. also, dust and **** floating in the air can get into the internal electronics and gum up fans and mes with connections... Proper ventilation relies heavily on those fans and if you overheat repeatedly, that can damage your computer.

    6 years is a long life for electronics anymore. They are, believe me, engineered to fail.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2009
    Just a thought, do you have Yahoo toolbar installed? There was an issue with it causing Explorer to hang. AVG released a new version with the toolbar bundled.

    They have a fix for the toolbar here: http://toolbar.yahoo.com/
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    Whenever you run into a problem like that, almost always it is better to use a LiveCD to fix the problem. Many to choose from:

    http://www.bitdefender.com/NW84-en--LinuxDefender-goes-Live-on-P2P.html
    http://www.f-secure.com/linux-weblog/2008/06/19/f-secure-rescue-cd-300-released/
    http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download
    http://www.knoppix.net/
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2009
    Okay. Restore discs are coming.

    In the meantime, I am going to backup the system (I should get into a habit of doing that, BTW) and run from a LiveCD.

    I downloaded KNOPPIX and the system boots from the CD fine. I can see the two HDD partitions with KNOPPIX, too!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    Get a eSATA docking station or a mobile HDD rack. Makes backing up much faster and hassle free. Put in your backup HDD, backup and then store the HD in a safe location.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998041
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10315&cs_id=1031502&p_id=5330&seq=1&format=2
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited October 2009
    Why not just buy a usb or fire wire external hard drive?
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    Sami wrote: »
    Get a eSATA docking station or a mobile HDD rack. Makes backing up much faster and hassle free. Put in your backup HDD, backup and then store the HD in a safe location.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998041
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10315&cs_id=1031502&p_id=5330&seq=1&format=2
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    Why not just buy a usb or fire wire external hard drive?
    :rolleyes: ...
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2009
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    Why not just buy a usb or fire wire external hard drive?

    Yes, I am going to do that.

    I like the Toshiba Pocket HDDs because they are inexpensive and get good reviews.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2009
    Sami wrote: »
    Get a eSATA docking station or a mobile HDD rack. Makes backing up much faster and hassle free. Put in your backup HDD, backup and then store the HD in a safe location.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998041
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10315&cs_id=1031502&p_id=5330&seq=1&format=2

    If I understand correctly, all I have to do is take the HDD out of my laptop (the one with the malware), place it into the rack and plug the rack into another computer?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    I guess Face already pointed out my reasoning but just further clarifications on why.

    Speed: (e)SATA 3Gbit/s vs. USB2.0 480Mbit/s

    If you're running your SATA in AHCI mode you can do hotplugging, which brings in the other point, hassle free. Use as many HD's with either one (eSATA dock or mobile rack), whereas with external USB you're either stuck with one drive or have to take the case apart to change the drive.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited October 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    If I understand correctly, all I have to do is take the HDD out of my laptop (the one with the malware), place it into the rack and plug the rack into another computer?

    I would just boot into LiveCD, plug in either your USB drive or eSATA dock with a backup HD. Your laptop might not have eSATA port but the dock stations can use either eSATA or USB. See my above post about speed difference.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2009
    Sami -

    I think I am going to go for both solutions. External HDD for storing my documents, etc. because it's portable... and then the rack for backing up.

    I have a bunch of PC's this would be useful for - Currently running 2 HTPC's, 3 desktops, and 1 laptop for presentations/school work.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2009
    Sami wrote: »
    I would just boot into LiveCD, plug in either your USB drive or eSATA dock with a backup HD. Your laptop might not have eSATA port but the dock stations can use either eSATA or USB. See my above post about speed difference.

    I don't have an eSATA port on the laptop but that's okay. I'm patient :)
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter