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Author Topic: I just need a quick fix!  (Read 13259 times)

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eastcoaster

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I just need a quick fix!
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:03:08 PM »
[size=16]Computer description: IBM thinkpad laptop, Windows 98 SE.  [/size]

[size=20]I recieved an internet virus and now I can't access anything on my computer.  [/size]

The computer started acting wierd and it changed my desktop wallpaper with a message stating I had gotten some sort of virus.  Somehow I was able to get it back to normal and I thought everything was fine but the next time I started it up it started acting wierd again.  I was getting all kinds of warning messages.  I restarted it and it was fine up to the point that I can see my desktop wallpaper but it doesn't not ask me for my windows password so I can't get access  to any of my desktop items.  I CAN access the BIOS if that's something I can work with  :-/

Someone suggested I press f8 as I boot the computer but it didn't work.  I do have a recovery CD but If I use it I will lose all my saved pic and documents :'(  Even if I could just get in temporarily to save my files to disks I can run the recovery CD and start over  :-/

Does anyone know any simple steps to get it working again or at least temporarily?  I am not as computer technical as I wish I was but I can follow directions really well ;) I hope someone can help me.  :-?
[/color]

dl65

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    Re: I just need a quick fix!
    « Reply #1 on: May 09, 2006, 08:12:49 PM »
     eastcoaster...... Do you have a working updated anti virus program installed ?
    Are you able to start it up in Safe mode ?
    Does that laptop have a floppy drive ?

    dl65  ::)
    « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 08:13:26 PM by dl65 »
    If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

    eastcoaster

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    Re: I just need a quick fix!
    « Reply #2 on: May 09, 2006, 08:25:22 PM »
    Yes, at least I THOUGHT I had an anti virus program.  When I got comcast internet not too long ago I downloaded all the free virus programs that they offered.

    No, I am unable to start it in safe mode.  I am unable to get to anything but the BIOS.  Is there anything I can do to start it in safe mode besides holding down the f8 key which didn't work?

    Yes, I do have a floppy drive.

    dl65

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      Re: I just need a quick fix!
      « Reply #3 on: May 09, 2006, 08:27:39 PM »
      eastcoaster  ....normally you dont just hold down the F8 key ........... you repeatedly tap it just as the machine starts to boot .

      dl65  ::)
      If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

      eastcoaster

      • Guest
      Re: I just need a quick fix!
      « Reply #4 on: May 09, 2006, 08:36:49 PM »
      thank you, it worked  :)  I am in safe mode. what should I do now?

      dl65

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        Re: I just need a quick fix!
        « Reply #5 on: May 09, 2006, 08:39:00 PM »
        Ok .......  did you see anything like this ....when the wallpaper was changed ?

        There are quite a few variants of Smitfraud. They are best known for altering the desktop wallpaper. In most cases the changed wallpaper displays a message about a 'Trojan-Spy.HTML.Smitfraud.c infection'.

        The first thing I would like you to do is run your antivirus and let us know what it finds ?

        dl65  ::)

        If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

        dl65

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          Re: I just need a quick fix!
          « Reply #6 on: May 09, 2006, 08:42:12 PM »
          How long ago did you get Comcast ? the AV may have expired by now .

          dl65  ::)
          If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

          eastcoaster

          • Guest
          Re: I just need a quick fix!
          « Reply #7 on: May 09, 2006, 08:58:28 PM »
          I don't remeber seeing anything that said "trojan" or "smitfraud."  I don't see any way to access my antivirus.  When I pull up internet explorer (which was the way I used to gain access to the software) I get an error message like it isn't connected.  Is there anything else I can do?  

          eastcoaster

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          Re: I just need a quick fix!
          « Reply #8 on: May 09, 2006, 08:59:21 PM »
          Quote
          How long ago did you get Comcast ? the AV may have expired by now .

          dl65  ::)

          approx 3 months ago

          dl65

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            Re: I just need a quick fix!
            « Reply #9 on: May 09, 2006, 09:01:44 PM »
            ok ...... thats odd that your antivirus isnt showing up in your list of programs ...

            I'm trying to recall win 98SE ........
            click start , then programs ?????

            When you booted into safe mode ....was one of the options listed SAfe mode with networking ?


            dl65  ::)
            If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

            dl65

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              Re: I just need a quick fix!
              « Reply #10 on: May 09, 2006, 09:03:43 PM »
              ok ...if its been 3 months then the free stuff has probably expired now .......
              Does the pc your using have a burner on it and do you have several blank cd s ?

              dl65  ::)
              If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

              eastcoaster

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              Re: I just need a quick fix!
              « Reply #11 on: May 09, 2006, 09:07:11 PM »
              Quote
              ok ...... thats odd that your antivirus isnt showing up in your list of programs ...

              Yeah I thought so too  :-/

              Quote
              When you booted into safe mode ....was one of the options listed SAfe mode with networking ?

              No, the options are...
              1. Normal
              2. Logged (/BOOTLOG.TXT)
              3. Safe Mode................................... ...........*(the one I chose)
              4. Step-by-step confirmation
              5. Command prompt only
              6. Safe mode command prompt only



              eastcoaster

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              Re: I just need a quick fix!
              « Reply #12 on: May 09, 2006, 09:08:34 PM »
              Quote
              ok ...if its been 3 months then the free stuff has probably expired now .......
              Does the pc your using have a burner on it and do you have several blank cd s ?

              dl65  ::)

              No, I don't have a burner on this computer

              dl65

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                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                « Reply #13 on: May 09, 2006, 09:08:41 PM »
                ok ...does your laptop have a cd drive ?
                If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                eastcoaster

                • Guest
                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                « Reply #14 on: May 09, 2006, 09:10:49 PM »
                Quote
                ok ...does your laptop have a cd drive ?

                yes

                dl65

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                  Re: I just need a quick fix!
                  « Reply #15 on: May 09, 2006, 09:13:22 PM »
                  ok ..let try this another way .....on the pc thats online ...go to
                  http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/    download it to a floppy disc and then run it on the infected machine ..... D/L version 2.6.0
                  « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 09:15:22 PM by dl65 »
                  If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                  dl65

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                    Re: I just need a quick fix!
                    « Reply #16 on: May 09, 2006, 09:22:35 PM »
                    Do you have access to another machine which has a burner ?

                    Because , I would like you to D/L and burn onto a cd the following ....

                    AVG free ....... fully functional anti virus .......  http://www.majorgeeks.com/download886.html     version V7.1.392a744

                    A Squared ....... free ........ http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4281.html
                    version V 1.6.5

                    then install both on the infected machine in safe mode ...... and run them one at a time ......
                    run A squared first .......   its for trojans
                    then run AVG ........  

                    dl65  ::)
                    « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 09:23:24 PM by dl65 »
                    If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                    eastcoaster

                    • Guest
                    Re: I just need a quick fix!
                    « Reply #17 on: May 09, 2006, 09:29:52 PM »
                    Hi, i am working on the first download you gave me and I did find another computer that has a burner so I will try those other dowloads you gave me too.  

                    thank you so much for the help you're giving me  :)  I hope this works.  I' ve been agonizing over this thing for days.  

                    dl65

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                      Re: I just need a quick fix!
                      « Reply #18 on: May 09, 2006, 09:34:16 PM »
                      That great ,
                      Have you run stinger yet .......   its not a complete anti virus ... but rather an virus removal tool for situations like this ......... hopefully it will find something as we dont know exactly what we are dealing with .......

                      I have no doubt that one or the other of the larger downloads will find the nasty .......

                      dl65  ::)
                      « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 09:42:51 PM by dl65 »
                      If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                      eastcoaster

                      • Guest
                      Re: I just need a quick fix!
                      « Reply #19 on: May 09, 2006, 09:35:53 PM »
                      Yeah, the stinger is still running. When I first brought it up I hit scan now and it looks like it's going through everything.  

                      dl65

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                        Re: I just need a quick fix!
                        « Reply #20 on: May 09, 2006, 09:55:51 PM »
                        Is Stinger still running ?

                        dl65  ::)
                        If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                        eastcoaster

                        • Guest
                        Re: I just need a quick fix!
                        « Reply #21 on: May 09, 2006, 09:59:13 PM »
                        yeah it is

                        eastcoaster

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                        Re: I just need a quick fix!
                        « Reply #22 on: May 09, 2006, 10:03:28 PM »
                        it just stopped scanning yay, it says number of clean files 157439

                        dl65

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                          Re: I just need a quick fix!
                          « Reply #23 on: May 09, 2006, 10:11:30 PM »
                          Ok ...and it didnt find anything infected .......... Pity ......... I was hopeing .
                          When will you be able to D/L and run the other apps I suggested ?


                          dl65  ::)
                          « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 10:14:56 PM by dl65 »
                          If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                          eastcoaster

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                          Re: I just need a quick fix!
                          « Reply #24 on: May 09, 2006, 10:17:05 PM »
                          Well, when I clicked on "list viruses" it says Number of viruses 55

                          I"m having trouble with burning a cd.  I had never burned a cd before and I thought it would be easy but I guess I don't know how to do it  :-/

                          dl65

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                            Re: I just need a quick fix!
                            « Reply #25 on: May 09, 2006, 10:18:48 PM »
                            Whoaaaaaaaa   ....you mean it found 55 viruses?   or did you mean it scanned for 55 viruses .

                            dl65  ::)
                            « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 10:19:51 PM by dl65 »
                            If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                            dl65

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                              Re: I just need a quick fix!
                              « Reply #26 on: May 09, 2006, 10:20:53 PM »
                              What kind of burning software is installed on the pc you D/L to ?


                              dl65  ::)
                              If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                              eastcoaster

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                              Re: I just need a quick fix!
                              « Reply #27 on: May 09, 2006, 10:23:45 PM »
                              oh...hmm...I guess it scanned 55 viruses.  On the main page it says "ready to scan 55 viruses, trojans and variants

                              sorry I was confused

                              eastcoaster

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                              Re: I just need a quick fix!
                              « Reply #28 on: May 09, 2006, 10:29:10 PM »
                              Quote
                              What kind of burning software is installed on the pc you D/L to ?


                              dl65  ::)

                              Not sure  :-[ ....there's a program on the pc called easy cd creator 5

                              dl65

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                                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                « Reply #29 on: May 09, 2006, 10:38:46 PM »
                                Here's a link that will walk you through it .
                                http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Adaptec/index.html

                                b) Steps for burning a Data CD

                                From the Start Menu, go to All Programs > Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 > Applications > Easy CD Creator.
                                Click OK if a license agreement window appears on the screen.
                                Insert a blank, writable or rewritable CD in the recordable/rewritable CD drive.
                                Select File > New CD Project > Data CD.
                                Save copies of any files you would like to put on the CD in a folder on the Desktop, especially if they are on floppy or zip disks.
                                The field under Select source files shows the current folder. Choose the Desktop from the drop-down menu. A list of your files should appear in the upper half of the screen. When found, click on the files to select them, then click on Add on the toolbar. The files will be added to the Data CD Project in the bottom window.
                                In the EasyCD Creator window, click on the red Record button. The Record CD Setup box will appear, where you can choose the speed for burning the CD. It is recommended that you burn the CD at 4x (600kb/sec).
                                Click on Options, it will give you more options for the burning process. Select Test and Record CD. Then click Start Recording. The testing phase will run prior to burning the CD and then the burning of the CD will follow.


                                dl65  ::)
                                « Last Edit: May 09, 2006, 10:40:11 PM by dl65 »
                                If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                eastcoaster

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                                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                « Reply #30 on: May 09, 2006, 10:49:46 PM »
                                Quote
                                Are you using that pc now ?

                                Yeah.  

                                I think it's working

                                eastcoaster

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                                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                « Reply #31 on: May 09, 2006, 11:18:03 PM »
                                I'm still having trouble with it but I think I'm just confused with the program.  I should stop for tonight but I'll try it again tomorrow.  I appreciate your help.  Talk to you later.  Have a good night.

                                dl65

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                                  Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                  « Reply #32 on: May 09, 2006, 11:19:42 PM »
                                  ok ...... I'll look for you tomorrow ....... you will get it back working .....

                                  Cheers
                                  dl65  ::)
                                  If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                  eastcoaster

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                                  Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                  « Reply #33 on: May 10, 2006, 10:03:11 PM »
                                  Hi DL........I give up...LOL  :P

                                  Your directions were wondeful for getting the downloaded items into the program but it doesn't seem to be getting on the cd's when I press record.  
                                  « Last Edit: May 10, 2006, 10:05:19 PM by eastcoaster »

                                  dl65

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                                    Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                    « Reply #34 on: May 10, 2006, 10:07:30 PM »
                                    Hi ....So where is it getting hung up ?


                                    dl65  ::)
                                    If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                    dl65

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                                      Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                      « Reply #35 on: May 10, 2006, 10:11:25 PM »
                                      After you press the RED record button .......does the record setup box appear ?

                                      dl65  ::)
                                      If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                      eastcoaster

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                                      Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                      « Reply #36 on: May 10, 2006, 10:14:37 PM »
                                      I think it's the CD's themselves.  They're not picking up any of the recording.  I have 3 cd's that came with the computer (1 says CD-RW and 2 say CD-R) and I've tried them all.

                                      dl65

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                                        Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                        « Reply #37 on: May 10, 2006, 10:16:24 PM »
                                        Use the ones marked CD-R  .....but what happens when you press the red record button ....... does the Record cd setup box open ?you do have the blank cd-r in the burner dont you ?

                                        dl65  ::)
                                        « Last Edit: May 10, 2006, 10:17:27 PM by dl65 »
                                        If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                        dl65

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                                          Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                          « Reply #38 on: May 10, 2006, 10:21:36 PM »
                                          I just had a thought . is there more than 1 cd drive on that pc ? perhaps you have the blank cd in the wrong cd drive

                                          dl65  ::)
                                          If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                          eastcoaster

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                                          Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                          « Reply #39 on: May 10, 2006, 10:24:48 PM »
                                          yeah the record cd setup box opens after I press record and it looks like it records ok but how can I tell b/c I put it in the cd drive after that to see if it pops up but nothing comes up?

                                          dl65

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                                            Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                            « Reply #40 on: May 10, 2006, 10:39:22 PM »
                                            ok ...so when the record cd box opened , you  chose to burn at 4X .......then you clicked on the more options for the burning process ....... then selected test and record cd ...... then you clicked Start recording ......   the test will run first and then the burning process will begin .......  it should tell you when its finished burning .        
                                            Is that what occurred ?

                                            dl65  ::)
                                            « Last Edit: May 10, 2006, 10:42:13 PM by dl65 »
                                            If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                            eastcoaster

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                                            Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                            « Reply #41 on: May 10, 2006, 10:48:24 PM »
                                            I did everything except going to options and clicking on test and record cd.  I did that just now but it doesn't look too different from before.  after it's done I hit o..  I clicked on details and it said it has 1 track written.  now the problem is I don't know how to access the downloaded items from the cd.  

                                            I'm so sorry to be such a pain

                                            usually when you put a cd into the drive it comes up automatically.  is this not supposed to happen with this b/c it is only a recorded cd?
                                            « Last Edit: May 10, 2006, 10:49:53 PM by eastcoaster »

                                            dl65

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                                              Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                              « Reply #42 on: May 10, 2006, 10:58:43 PM »
                                              ok .......heres what you do now ......... click on my computer ....
                                              you should see a list of the various drives installed on that pc ....for Example

                                              Floppy drive A:
                                              Local drive C:
                                              CD/RW drive D:   ( or something like that )
                                              If theres only one cd drive then there should be a little icon to show that theres a cd in the drive ........ just double click on that drive and it will open up and you should see the program you burned ......

                                              dl65  ::)
                                              If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                              eastcoaster

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                                              Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                              « Reply #43 on: May 10, 2006, 11:08:55 PM »
                                              ok i did that....I checked them on the pc and the files are there but when I put it into the laptop I opened up my computer - the options are 3 1/2 floppy, Ibm_preload, Printers, Control Panel, Dial-up Networking, Infrared Recepient, scheduled tasks, & web folders.....nothing that has a cd - keep in mind my laptop is still in safe mode.  

                                              dl65

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                                                Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                                « Reply #44 on: May 10, 2006, 11:20:46 PM »
                                                Odd ....... when in safe mode , if you click on start and then my computer , you dont see you cd drive ?

                                                dl65  ::)
                                                If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                                dl65

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                                                  Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                                  « Reply #45 on: May 10, 2006, 11:25:04 PM »
                                                  It's been so long since I used Win 98 ....I cant remember .....

                                                  Ok ...... try and boot it up in normal mode ......dont be connected to the internet .........  If it loads up ... open up the cd drive and install AVG first .......
                                                  then go back into safe and run the system scan

                                                  dl65  ::)
                                                  If you don't know the answer, it isn't a dumb question.

                                                  eastcoaster

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                                                  Re: I just need a quick fix!
                                                  « Reply #46 on: May 11, 2006, 09:51:01 PM »
                                                  Well, I tried loading the cd in safe mode and normal mode but...no luck. thanks anyway DL.