Quick VISTA Question (Happy Turkey Day All)

[Broni]

Unfortunately your computer is infected.
Read here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html
Start new topic here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/board,7.0.html

[MomNEEDShelp]

You are not kidding, are you!?! 

I read those steps and there is no way in the world that I can pull that off alone.  To start, I could not even get passes the first requirement. (Do I have SP1a....I have no idea if I do or If I don't)

How screwed am I? Will my entire PC just die? Is it a recent virus?

*censored*!!!


Thanks, Denise

[Broni]

I'm not kidding, but it's Thanksgiving family visit time, right now, so I'll reply with more detail, when I'll be back.

[MomNEEDShelp]

No problem. Please.....go enjoy your family!!


Denise

[truenorth]

Soybean,For your info after less than 2 minutes of search. http://www.notebookshop.com/index.php?cPath=16     http://www.nextag.com/new-computers-with-windows-xp-installed/search-html                                         Cheers,truenorth

[MomNEEDShelp]

Ok, True...


I would love one of them but I have that $120 Amazon.com credit.

From the TOP 3 on the list, is it wiser (on my pocket) to purchase the first laptop and spend the additional $30 bucks if/when I need another 1GB RAM??

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1227805937/ref=sr_nr_p_display_size-bin_3?ie=UTF8&rs=565108&keywords=acer&bbn=565108&rnid=107463011&rh=n%3A541966%2Cn%3A565108%2Ck%3Aacer%2Cp%5Fdisplay%5Fsize-bin%3A00200%7B14%20to%2015%20in.%7B

I wish there was an XP with at least a 15" screen that was in the same price range on Amazon. 

[Broni]

You have to take care of that infection.
Please, go back to my link, print it out, read it carefully, and you'll see, it's not that complicated.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask questions.

[MomNEEDShelp]

You have to take care of that infection.
Please, go back to my link, print it out, read it carefully, and you'll see, it's not that complicated.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask questions.

To start... Do I have SP1a? I have no idea if I do or If I don't.

[Broni]

I can see from your HJT log, that you have SP3 (the newest one) installed.

[MomNEEDShelp]

Do I answer YES to this???

Step A is for people who say YES to either of the following:

1) You do not have an antivirus installed.
2) You have an antivirus program or Security Suite that is expired.

If YES, which do you prefer I download??

If the answer to either of the above is yes:
Download one of the free antivirus programs listed below.

Avast! Home Edition

AVG Free Edition

AntiVir Personal

_______________________________________
Important: Uninstall any old/outdated antivirus program(s), including Security Suites before upgrading or replacing with a new one.
Install the new antivirus and make sure it is updated.
Do a full system scan and remove or quarantine everything found.
Continue on to Step One.

I think this may be too hard for me. I am not sure if I have any old, new or outdates antivirus programs.  I do not know how to do a full system scan or remove anything...nevermind quarantine anything.

_______________________________________ _
Step 1: Add or Remove Programs

1. Click on the Windows Start button and click on the Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Add or Remove Programs icon.
3. When the Add or Remove Programs window has fully populated, check for any unknown or suspicious looking programs. 

I have no clue what program may be suspicious.

_______________________________________ ___

For a list of Malware applications that can be found in Add or Remove Programs follow this link. Uninstall Malware via Add or Remove Programs

Is this list of things I should look for so I can delete them? (They don't look familiar)


I am gonna stop here so I am not totally lost.

[Broni]

1. No. You have McAfee installed.
2. N/A
Other two...skip them.

Proceed to step 2 - house cleaning - CCleaner, and the rest should be easy, just downloading, installing, and running some scans.

[MomNEEDShelp]

Someone on here made me download CCleaner last week. I think I did so but I see no Icon for it on my desktop. (It was not CCleaner Slim though) Anyway, should I look for it so Iknow if I have it or is downloading it again fine?


If you want me to look for it....where do I look?  LOL!!

You have the patience of a saint. THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME!!

[Broni]

No problem. I'm doing fine
Go Start>All programs, and see, if it's there.
Slim version just come without some Yahoo, or Google toolbar...relevant here.

[MomNEEDShelp]

Step 2: House Cleaning

Download CCleaner Slim and save it to your Desktop - Alternate download link

When the file has been saved, go to your Desktop and double-click on ccsetupxxx_slim.exe
Follow the prompts to install the program.

* Double-click the CCleaner shortcut on the desktop to start the program.
* Click on the Options block on the left, then choose Cookies.
* Under Cookies to Delete, highlight any cookies you would like to retain permanently
* Click the right arrow > to move them to the Cookies to Keep window.


Which COOKIES do I want to retain permanantely? What do they do? (This will help me know if I want to keep them)

[Broni]

Leave cookies alone. They don't bother anything, and they keep all your login names, and passwords.
I don't even know, why it's even recommended.
Next programs you'll run, will remove so called "tracking cookies".