Computer Hope

Software => Computer viruses and spyware => Topic started by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 12:31:47 PM

Title: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 12:31:47 PM: Is anyone aware of viruses etc. that attack the monitor itself? Or is the monitor a completely "passive" device? My flatscreen flashes on and off with "signal out of range" for the first ten minutes then works without problem. I have reloaded drivers, adjusted resolution, cleaned the registry, scanned etc... Nothing seems to affect the problem except patience (10 minutes).

I want to test my monitor by replacing it. I fear contamination and would like some assurance that this is safe first.

Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 08, 2007, 12:33:45 PM: infections dont attack monitors.

whats your OS and what protections do you have? and is the video card a addon or intergraded??

unlovedwarrior
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 12:53:31 PM: Windows XP sp2
NVidia G-force
integrated

Symantec
Spybot

I'm away from the computer in question. I can run diagnostics and give more complete info tomorrow. I have read the faq's and searched the other boards.
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 08, 2007, 01:24:04 PM: ok dl avg anti-spyware

superantispyware

Ccleaner

adaware se personel

scan with those and tell us what they find( save and post the logs if you can save them)
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 01:44:29 PM: I appreciate your time and advice, and I will keep these suggestions for future reference. At present high speed internet is not an option where I live except through satellite. My dial -up is intermittant and only slightly faster than an earthworm in dirt. Downloading the programs would take hours if not days. (I am at work now)... i have learned a great deal from your posts and those of others.
Again thank you.
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 08, 2007, 01:47:42 PM: you cant dl them at work or a friends house??

and your welcome
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 02:01:36 PM: Downloading at work is risky and is a good way to get fired. I work two jobs and have 4 kids under the age of 5 to take care of at home... I think I need to bite the bullit and invest in satellite so I can download late at night. A friend's house is a good idea. Would a thumb drive be a good medium? As you can probably guess i am new to computers...
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: unlovedwarrior on May 08, 2007, 02:07:51 PM: yes 128mb will do
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: chriscool9 on May 08, 2007, 02:15:08 PM: Hi there,
Just out of interest do you know how many start up operations you have?! It could just be that the P.C is taking a while to load up all that is necessary to display the images on screen. Do me a favour and just click Start---->Run--->Then type MSCONFIG--->Then click the Startup Tab, and just give me an approximation as to how many objects are ticked.
Hope this helps

Chris
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 08, 2007, 02:35:02 PM: Thanks for the idea. I will have to reply tomorrow. Got to go teach a class...
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: CBMatt on May 08, 2007, 08:53:40 PM: Quote from: whorton on May 08, 2007, 02:01:36 PM
A friend's house is a good idea. Would a thumb drive be a good medium? As you can probably guess i am new to computers...

If you don't already have a drive, then even a CD-R would suffice. Also, you should add AVG Free to your list. You'll need to update it before scanning, but thankfully, Grisoft includes manual downloads of the newest definitions so you don't have to worry about doing this at home.

And don't worry, your monitor won't carry any sort of infection. Your computer could be infected, though, so be sure to scan with all of the programs.
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: whorton on May 09, 2007, 11:28:55 AM: Information asked for:

14 start up operations.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.050301-1526)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: E-6000
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 351MB used, 898MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

----------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (Gateway)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 MX 440
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0171&SUBSYS_87311462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Gateway FPD1730
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.3082 (English)
DDI Version: 8
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/16/2002 13:16:00, 3552826 bytes

I have not tested the monitor yet. Last night it flashed on and off for 15 minutes getting gradually better as i put the computer to work. It is acting the way electronics used to act when they were warming up.

By the way, I am purchasing a laptop soon. I assume the above programs are your reccommendations for setting it up for safe use.
Title: Re: Infected system; new monitor.
Post by: CBMatt on May 10, 2007, 05:39:23 AM: Use the suggested programs to scan your computer in Safe Mode (make sure you update them first). If the scans come up clean, you should update your Windows XP to Service Pack 2. If there are any issues, consult with us first. Installing SP2 on an infected machine can cause problems.