BeeCeeBee

Gentlemen, While this is an interesting back and forth. May I point out that hdd1200 has not mentioned any need to retrieve data from this hard drive. Normally that is one of the first things mentioned in a post when the prosepct of formatting or replacing a drive is being considered. There is no reason to assume that files have not been backed up elswhere. For the benefit of the member it appears that it is agreed that the least expensive and most effective way for hdd1200 to get up and running again is to replace the drive. It is also clear that if there is a compelling need to retrieve data there is a method available that may be worth a try.

While there may be another reason and Wolfey or Goku are the ones to tell you, the fact that your browser keeps opening tabs indicates a real possibility of an infection. I have recently seen an instance where Microsoft sites are blocked by Malware and updates disabled. You may also find that all your restore points are gone as well. I would strongly suggest that you follow the following steps to at least rule out this very real possibility Your computer is probably infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Required Cleanup Steps Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF) Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below) Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below) Clear out old System Restore points If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested. The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something. The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed. Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes. The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours. In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer. Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean. For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below. From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range" click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware. http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif ____________________________________________ STEP 1 Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2) Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode" On the left hand side, Click on Tools Then click on the Resident Icon in the List Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts. Restart your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 2 Follow these instructions carefully. Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware. You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main. For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored Then click on "Empty Selected". http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif __________________________________________________ STEP 3 Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files. You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next. You can leave the automated check for updates on. You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information. DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings. On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button. Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives. Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so. __________________________________________________ STEP 4 Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes - (direct download) Accept all defaults for the installer Allow the program to update the definitions Click on the Quick Scan and click Next. If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer. __________________________________________________ STEP 5 Run an online scan with ESET from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan. If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you must first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the popup context menu. Accept the terms and click "Start". Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications". Click "Start" to begin the scan. When completed restart your computer __________________________________________________ Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating. At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted. If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool. Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one. Please follow the instructions here How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Dave. This is a good place to share so learn well from your studies.

Hi, If you have already downloaded an antivirus there is no need to do it again, once you have it installed it is done. Obviously the Norton removal tool does not apply but you should see McAfee in the "add or remove programs". There is no need to repeat the items listed in post 48 Each of the programs that we have suggested have information on them. Just click on programs and find them in the list and open them. You will have to learn to explore your computer. It is a safe thing to do as long as you dont delete things you dont understand. Put your saved files disc into the PC then go to "My Computer" and right click on that disc (usually drive D) you will see choices like scan with (whatever anti virus you have chosen, also each of the malware programs.) Just click on them one at a time and it will scan and tell you if the files are clean. If there is a problem please post it in a new thread telling us just what you see. With that, Platte, I am going to close this thread as SOLVED. You know how to post on Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help if you have a problem.

Let me first answer your immediate question. SUPER antispyware will run when you start your computer. You should update it from time to time. It is not an antivirus program, however, and I hope you have not skipped that step. All of the security products have valuable information contained on them including help in getting started and using them. You should be sure to read them and learn what they do. I may have been wrong about Norton. It seems that Dell has switched over to McAfee. You should find McAfee in the add or remove software. (not to be confused with the McAfee site advisor that we recommended.) Finally, this is the 50th post to this thread that started out about Platte removal. You have done really well so far and that is to your credit. It is now time to consider this thread as solved. Please if you have more questions create a new thread about a specific topic. You are a valued member and should feel free to post and we will be happy to give you what assistance we can.:)

Hi Bob, Welocme to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.:) Even if you are not a Guru there is always something to contribute. Take a look at our community forums toward the bottom. Glad to have your here!!!

Hi Platte 1. Microsft works is always safe. 2. There are some security measures you should take before you start surfing. Unless you are going to pay for subscriptions I would go back to control Panel and then click ""add or remove programs" and delete any programs that says Norton or Symantic or just use this Download and run the Norton Removal Tool or both to be sure. Then read this http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html Select only one of the antivirus programs and click on it and follow directions to install. Then select the first 2 anti malware programs (since you have already used them) and do the same. I would also suggest the McAffee Siteadvisor at the bottom of the page for safer surfing. Once they are installed you should scan all your old files with each of them to make sure you do not put back anything that caused you trouble before. If you do not know how to use them please ask after they are installed.

You are correct.

Don't worry about it. Just go back to your security center in control panel and make sure that you have set the Automatic Updates to ON. Set a time for the updates. If you are not on line at the time set it will do it when you are on next.

I apologise, I misundertsood. The items are what you see after you did the format. If that is correct you did a good job. You do not need to use any of the discs just keep them. This avoided the need to do that. If you want you can go back to the Windows update site and see if there are more. There is one specifically called "Service Pack 1" that you should have. It was probably one of the ones you already downloaded. Yes just check to get out of the Norton for now. We will attack the security issues next time Good work.

I am not at all sure why you wrote that or why you copied my entire post and added it here. Please explain.

Hi Platte, These are the instructions that you need to follow. Please make sure you print this because once you start you will not be able to come back here until you are finished. I am using a process that is built into your Dell PC and should work. If for some reason it does not, I am going to suggest you take it to a shop with all of your discs and have it done from scratch. There is also the possibility that Dell will give you phone support. That being said, this should work. ·Shut down your computer. ·Turn it back on. ·As soon as the Dell Logo comes on start tapping on the F8 key. (If windows continues to load let it and then shut down and try again) ·You should get to the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window. ·Select Repair your computer. ·The SYSTEMS RECOVERY OPTIONS window should appear. You should select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR ( it is possible that you may have to select log on as a local user and then type in Administrator in the user name field and then click OK ) ·Click DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE. If you are not given that choice you may first have to click Dell factory image tools and then Dell Factory image restore. It is the same thing but varies from Dell to Dell. ·You will then see the DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE WELCOME screen. ·Click NEXT ·You will come to a screen asking you to confirm the reformat or deletion. Click to confirm and then NEXT. ·The process should take about 5 minutes or more to complete. After it is done click FINISH and then restart the computer. Once your computer has been restarted you will need to answer the Vista setup questions just as you did when it was new. After that is all done reinstall your network from the disc ( not the one for Macintosh ) that your ISP gave you and you should be back on line. I see that you have not been using wireless and it is best that you do not try yet. That may present other difficulties for you. DO NOT PUT ANY OF YOUR OLD DATA BACK INTO YOUR PC UNTIL YOU ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED. Once you are back on line do your Windows Critical Updates like you did before and come back to us we will then guide you through the process of making sure you have sufficient anti virus and anti malware protection. Once that is all in place you can use them to scan everything on the discs you made and then you will be able to safely move them back on to your computer. Good luck!

Hi Custard Tart, This is not the Reply that you may have hoped for but our rules forbid our getting involved in issues that require advice on how to circumvent passwords etc. Please see rule 5 Sorry!

It would be your printed owners mauual that came with the PC but wait because I noticed that you have your actual windows vista discs and we may be able to avoid a lot of trouble. What I want to do is work with a few others here at Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help to make certain that I do not forget anything when I give you advice on how to proceed. These are our objectives 1. Get you a clean Vista system free of all viruses and Malware. 2. Get you back up and running on the internet 3. Make sure that you have installed good antivirus and malware protection before you start using the internet. 4. Make sure that your sytem has all the proper Updates. (You will lose the ones you have already downloaded.) This may take me a while because once you start you will not be able to reach us unless you use another PC. So bear with me for a while and check back later in the day please.

OK now I want you to take a look at your owners manual (on my internet copy it would be page 100 or 101 and find a heading that says Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore Read it carefull and just make certain that you understand what it is telling you to do because once you start it you will not be able to come back here for directions. There are a few other things so dont do anything but read the manual first.

OK now in your post you listed 6 items all with hyphens. Do each of these items represent discs. Did you actually get 6 discs with your computer. I am going to just take a quick look at your mode.

Well if that was your message it is here loud and clear! :) I may take a while to show up with the problems you are facing.

Hi pc49, Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. Isn't nice to know that even us slightly older guys can join and be called a Junior Member. :rolleyes: Glad to have you on board.

I have just jumped on line for a minute or two and noticed your post and Plastic Nev's reply. IF and only IF you want to spend a bit of money you should go to a computer shop and purchase an inexpensive USB portable hard drive. This will make saving and keeping files much easier and faster then burning them to disks and will assist you in backing up your files once you are up and running again. I deal in Euros over here and got mine for about £50.00 It is not necessary that you do this but it would be helpful. Do not opt to spend more money for a bigger drive you will not need it. If you do decide to go that route let us know and we will advise you on how to use it. Also following up on what Plastic Nev asked, just describe what discs came with the computer. It is running Vista so it must be fairly new. Do you have any discs labeled Windows Vista or do they have the manufacturers name on them? Do they say something like only to be installed on specific brand of computer. Finally I really do not know whether we are dealing with a PC or a laptop or what make and model. It does not make much difference but it would be helpful to know. Who knows, maybe when this is all over you will lose your "beginner" status.:)

Hi Platte, I want you to know that I am not alone in trying to help you here. One of the things we strive for at Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help is to make our advice as clear and understandable as possible no matter what level of expertise you have achieved. You are faced with a bit of a dilemma. You seem to have managed to get a pretty serious infection or series of infections very early on in your computing life. There are things that can be done but they are going to be very difficult for you to follow This is not your fault and it certainly has nothing to do with anything other then the fact that you are so new to this whole area. There are a few choices that you have to make. You can do the easy route and simply take it in to a shop and get it repaired or you can try doing things step by step with us. Before you select the latter it may be helpful if you perhaps have a friend who is a bit more advanced in computing. Not some computer ace but just someone a bit more familiar. It is possible (probably likely) that we are going to suggest something called formatting which is basically starting over. If you do that you have to decide what important data you already have on your computer so that we can help you save it. (music, letters, photos etc.) On the other hand there may be a few more steps that we can still try before that but they are going to be very difficult to follow. It is just unfortunate that this has happened to you so early on. I would appreciate your thoughts at this point.

There is no question that you have some serious malware issues coupled with a well out of date browser. Get the browser up to date if you can and then you really should go through the entire process again. If you cannot update we will have to deal with that as well but, fingers crossed , we can!

Great News!!! Personally I think you should leave the icon as a special tribute to Tootech, :) but if you really must and you don't need it just right click and delete it. Really glad this one is SOLVED!!

lets do some basics here. You must be using Internet Explorer that came with Windows. All the way at the top just below where the 3 little boxes are to make the browser full page or minimised there is a little symbol with 2 green arrows one up one down. If you click on those arrows it will "refresh"or reload the page you are on. Now when you are at our forum go to where it says favorites and click on it. I will give you an option to save this page to favorites and then whenever you hit favorites we will be there. That process is usually referred to as "bookmarking." This is not solving your problems though. What I want you to do is forget everything for a while and leave the antimalware alone for a bit and get your browser up to date. Go to start then settings and then control panel. I do not have a vista system so I am not sure exactly what the difference is but you must find control panel. Once you are in the control panel go to the security center and click on it. Go to automatic updates (on the bottom) get click where it says to go to windows update website. When that site opens click Express and follow directions. That should hopefully at least get your browser in order and maybe make downloads work better. The updates may take quite some time because there will be a lot of them. Allow them all. Once this is done try redoing everything on the malware program that has stalled on you before. Good luck, we will be here.

Was your screensaver running when you tried the window defrag? (it cant be ) Have you tried to get into safemode again and what happened?

OK yes that is rebooting. A bit of harmless overkill but no problem. Step 4 is Antimalware bytes. It should ask you if you want to save this file you click yes and location guide will drop down get desktop in the box and click save. It may then ask you to allow the download. Are you having any trouble getting here to free PC Help?