wiped out passwords?

[flyboy]

I was trying to download avg from one of the choices and was advised to run a scan which turned out to be a sample of a product.It found over 100 problems and would only fix 14.I did this and a casino site popped up that i could not get out of . I couldn't move it or get to any tool buttons. I had to shut down computer. now when I start The msn page comes up asking for users and administraiters passwords. None work. It does same when I try safe mode. I am unsure how to format,clean or reload disk.. HP laptop,windows xp home has expired nortons computer seems normal but I can't get past password. Is there a secret password? I know stupid question. Do I need to take it to a shop?

[GX1_Man]

AVG did not cause this problem. Much more likely it was all of the crappola on the mahine that made you want to load AVG, but you gave no info on this.

Do you have a real Windows CD to reload, if necessary? (That would sure be quicker.)

What protection were you using, if any?

[flyboy]

I do have original discs that came with computer. This is my son's and it has seen a lot of games. I have never rescued a machine using discs. I was thinking that the scan i used wiped my passwords out . It seems as if I could get in computer would be normal It acts as if i forgot passwords but when i get to log in screen it will not respond when i click options,as if i were trying to change password. I could not use reset to previous time in safe mode, someone told me this is due to my not settting up this feature. I am ready to go to a shop with this,i think with my lack of knowledge this might be safest idea. I was hoping for an easy out here. thanks

[flyboy]

I forgot to add that there is nortons on this it was to expire 2 days after i attempted this that is reason i wanted to try avg machine was normal before. thanks dennis

[GX1_Man]

I was trying to download avg from one of the choices and [highlight]was advised to run a scan which turned out to be a sample of a product.It found over 100 problems and would only fix 14[/highlight].I did this and a casino site popped up that i could not get out of . I couldn't move it or get to any tool buttons. I had to shut down computer. now when I start The msn page comes up asking for users and administraiters passwords. None work. It does same when I try safe mode. I am unsure how to format,clean or reload disk.. HP laptop,windows xp home has expired nortons computer seems normal but I can't get past password. Is there a secret password? I know stupid question. Do I need to take it to a shop?

This is called spyware. What are you using for protection? Google for Spybot and run that.

[flyboy]

can i download spybot on another computer and put disc into infected computer? will it load if i can't get past msn page? i know you are right i'm just beyond my experience thanks for your patience

[GX1_Man]

Yes you can burn the downloaded file to a CD and run it from there, BUT if you cannot log into Windows itself you obviously are stuck at that point. If you cannot get into even safe mode then the operating system will have to be reloaded.

You have HP recovery CD's? Is there any critical information on that hard drive?

If you had a real Windows CD we could go at this differently, but HP does not send those.

[flyboy]

Im am going to try hp disc on fri leaving for 2 day trip today- will be looking for some sort of book or disc to learn more and maybe work me through this i want to learn if i can . let you know later this week .there is nothing critical on drive .what antivirus would you reecommend to replace nortons that expired? or do you recommend nortons.My work computer has mc affee. we have to use that  per co rules. It is a private program set up by our it dept. It is available if i want. i think since i started using our local shop and he converted us to nortons i think i have had more issues. i always wonder if he set it up porperly thanks

[Fed]

AVG Free is good, cheap easy to use and it won't slow your computer down like the Norton Virus.

[GX1_Man]

Im am going to try hp disc on fri leaving for 2 day trip today- will be looking for some sort of book or disc to learn more and maybe work me through this i want to learn if i can . let you know later this week .there is nothing critical on drive .what antivirus would you reecommend to replace nortons that expired? or do you recommend nortons.My work computer has mc affee. we have to use that  per co rules. It is a private program set up by our it dept. It is available if i want. i think since i started using our local shop and he converted us to nortons i think i have had more issues. [highlight]i always wonder if he set it up porperly thanks[/highlight]

The only proper installation with Norton is NOT to install.  

[unlovedwarrior]

if you cant log in to windows there are ways to get your passwords..


some legal most not... but since its your computer i think its all legal right GX??

[GX1_Man]

It's legal to use the HP restore CD's on that computer, but they are not fully functioning Windows CD's so he cannot do a Repair Install, only a full format and reinstall.  

[unlovedwarrior]

ummm... sam files? live cd?? comand prompt no??

[flyboy]

I have nothing i need to save on this computer I t has been used for games movies and some internet surfing I could wipe it clean would my hp disc work? if not a friend has commercial programs,I just need to go to him 1 hour away. Glad to know others think nortons is problematic. Seems to mess this unit up almost daily. I soon will have to change this to mc affee that is set up for our work place as i recieve and will soon send work from home I hope that works ok It is a modified product per our corp. specs. I have been wondering if I might get another comp. for work only I have enough problems now. Thanks for discussing this .

[GX1_Man]

Norton is bad, but in my book McAfee is only marginally less horrible.  

[flyboy]

my friend was able to open everything up -reformated and cleaned i have a "neew" machine now i need to add my dsl but i want to research avg before i go on line -thanks for all your help