Help?

[clocketpatch]

I think I've just found some sneaky bugger viruses on my machine. They're lurking in this file: C:\SWSETUP\HPGame\games which is full of stuff I DEFINTELY didn't download. Because I deleted my HP games ages back. And these long strings of numbers don't look very game like to me any way.

Thing is, my AVG didn't detect this. I was getting a bit suspicious when I got "No Threats Found" on multiple scans, because usually it at least picks up on internet cookies, right? Then I looked at it during a scan only to discover that it wasn't checking any files. Because it was stuck on THAT file.

So, now I'm stuck. how do I delete these things? They're slowing down my computer and making me nervous. I don't keep any kind of banking info on my computer, but I don't want to be a zombie spam bot either. And I *would* like to be able to check my credit card bill at some point without fear of these things yoinking my info.

I understand that the SWSETUP folder contains base software for the computer, so I really don't want to go removing things from there willy-nill and accidentally uninstall my operating system as a result.

Suggestions?

Comments

[garpu.livejournal.com]

This is the second time you've had issues? I think you'd be better off if you wiped the hard drive and reinstalled from a clean install.

[clocketpatch]

This is why I wished i still had people around who knew how to do things with computes. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to wipe it, but I really don't have the first clue how to go about doing so.

[abbyromana.livejournal.com]

Wiping depends on what version of Windows you have. There should be a program "System Tools that allows you to go back before the issue. On my computer it is called "System Restore". If it doesn't work, then there is something more technical you can do.

While the computer is first starting up, there is a black screen right before the Windows symbol appears on the screen. During this time, you'd click F2. A gray and blue menu will appear. Along the top you'll see several drop down menus:

Main Advanced Security Boot Exit

Now, what you do from there can get complicated, so really I suggest doing any rebooting at a computer store whether on campus or Best Buy or whatever equivalent you can get to. Otherwise, you might risk making the issue worse. Of course, you could look up what to do via the Microsoft Website, if you so feel self-directed.

Another virus defender might be a better solution. I suggest considering it first before taking these steps.

*huggles*

I wish you all the best, and now, understand why you haven't replied to my last email.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

It's been my experience that just doing a system restore won't get rid of some viruses...only way is to format the drive and reinstall everything.

[abbyromana.livejournal.com]

I find it depends on what the issue is and how far back your restore points go. Some can be removed by simply going back to a point before it existed, which is the point of "System Restore".

But I agree, that there are viruses that require a complete reboot and re-installation of the software, including Windows.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Do you have windows install media? If so, what you want to do first is back up any documents you have. scan the hell out of them with something like avira (the free one...I've had issues with AVG.) When you're sure everything you want to keep is backed up (documents...don't save programs because those could be compromised), select "delete partition" from the install menu. it'll delete the partition. Then you want to create a new one and format it. If you really want to be safe, delete the partition and format it again. Or get ahold of a linux CD and zero the drive, then format it. But just deleting the partition and reformatting should do the trick.

Then you install windows. It's pretty self-explanatory from then on out. If it's XP, make damn sure you install at least SP2 (which you can download ahead of time and burn to cd) before connecting to a network.

[clocketpatch]

I've got the back-up disks if that's what you mean. I'm going to bring the clunker down to the school on Friday to see if anyone there can guide me through this. Or tell me if I'm just freaking out over nothing, which is also possible. Until then I'll be having fun making back-up copies of everything. Damn, I really need to bite the bullet and buy an external hard drive...

[john_amend_all]

If it were me, I'd boot from a Linux LiveCD or USB stick to delete the files. Then, if I had the time and could get a working Internet connection, download the Linux version of AVG and have it scan the drive.

[clocketpatch]

Linux scares me. But if that's what it takes... Thanks for the advice.

[stellastars]

If your OS is Windows, try mbam. (It's free.) It was the only program that saved a couple computers at my place-of-work.

Also, have you googled the any of the filenames in the folder? Sometimes you can find directions to get rid of specific virus-y-files.

Good luck! I know how frustrating that can be. *hugs*

[clocketpatch]

I've got it running right now but it isn't picking up anything. I'll probably have to do the reboot thing eventually, but at the moment I have online readings which need to be done. Thanks for the help. To you and everyone else. I'm sorry for spamming everyone's Flist at least one a month with my ignorant pleas for computing help.

[clocketpatch]

Timeloop edit. It's now found two threats and is still scanning.

[stellastars]

Glad to hear it finally found some of the pesky files. I hope it helps take care of the problem! (And no worries with asking the flist for assistance -- glad to be of help!) Hope it's all remedied by now!