Let me see if I can clear this up.
ZA started saying my IP was being hit by a 'remote IP'. I kept clicking block. After about 20 of these in 2 or 3 minutes it stopped. I closed FF. Avast popped up over the taskbar that there was a virus. As soon as I hit 'send to vault' I got hit with more than I could count. I would hit send to vault and 3 more would pop up. There were all different names and types but it all came so fast, I couldn't keep track. After about a minute of this, the taskbar vanished and my wallpaper was replaced by a blue screen that said something like 'Your computer is unprotected. Please install an anti-virus and spyware program. Then the taskbar came back. For about 20 seconds and vanished. Then came back a minute later...and vanished. Anything 'Windows' that I tried to open would do the same, but would not come back like the taskbar. I weould have to reopen it, which was futile.

I ran Avast on boot. It said I was clean. I ran it in safe mode..again it said I was clean. SO did spybot. I ran Trends Coolshredder thingy..it said I was clean. I ran hijack this and posted the log to the online parser. Where I should have gotten results, it just said 'fatal error' in the little window. I went to do a system restore and all the restore points were erased, replaced by a new day and time that coincided with the virus attack. I can't run the Trend House call, because the PC will not allow the necessary download to do it. It just hangs.

I told all of this to the IT guy. He said to take out the HD and attach it to another PC and run AVG to get it clean. Then, put it back in the original PC and run AVG again to clean the memory...BUT..he felt that really would not work, because the memory and/or system restore would just infect the HD again and I would be back where I started. That's when he said to get a new PC.

I have a years worth of baby pictures, etc, that I don't wanna lose and emails, etc. I have booted the computer about 10 times to try and work all this out and each time it gets buggier. I'm afraid to keep booting because I'm afraid if there is any way to save any of the HD stuff, this virus will slowly get to it before I ever figure out how to stop it.

It's a little Compaq SR1303WM i got at Wally-World for 475. My upgrades were 2GB of RAM, an Nvidia5500 video card and my new monitor. It has served me well, with the upgrades. If I truly haver to replace it, I would like to (I actually thought I could) do better since I was just shooting for the CPU. After this, it looks like I may be going back to WallyWorld or bestBuy. I don't understand ATI, dual core and all. I guess I'm lost and thought it would be easy to get some bang for the buck since I was going for a whole new set up as it were.

I'm looking at BestBuy's site and Circuit City right now. I don't know what to get. I don't do gaming at all, though I have been toying with checking out a SD RPG. I do my graphics in PSP, I like to make animations. I like making little video clips. I love my musioc and like to mess with Audacity. And of course, all my Object Desktop stuff.

You all have been really helpful and I greatly appreciate the time you all are taking to offer your input. I need it. I never used to look at all the variables and options when I bought a computer (as my Comapq will attest to) and I want to get the most/best I can under the circumstances. I miss my PSP!!!

Ok, that's two things not to do again...

- talking to the IT moron
- making me read that much

If you wish, e-mail me your phone #

Have you installed more than one antivirus? If that be the case keep only one. If you have only one ie avast uninstall it. It might have been corrupted. Uninstall all other such apps like aNTi-spyware etc.
Or if u have backup use it.
And for new pc i think Dell or HP will be the best. Never buy fron emachines..its dump

It's quite possible that the only thing that would accomplish is spreading the virus to any other hard drives on the 2nd pc, and/or to any pc's networked to the 2nd pc. Wouldn't do that if I were you.

I know that others here can do a better job of helping you out than I can, I really just wanted to red flag that idea.

If you have both IE7 and FF installed, since you indicated the problem began when you started FF to connect to the net try uninstalling FF. You might have a browser hijacker that's infected it. If you have IE7 have you tried starting it? Do you have the same thing happen with the computer going bonkers?

You should also forget this idea that your computer's memory is infected. The hard disk is where a virus imbeds itself into your system and this is done typically by infecting a system program, a driver, a browser or other application software.

My advice is listen to Yrag and see if you can work with him to get your hard disk cleaned. This is possible, afterall you want your valuable pictures and work.

Then if you decide it's time to get a new PC, well ok that's up to you of course. I do know that Tiger Direct does have refurbished PC's that I think are a good deal. These are PC's that are returned to HP and other manufacturers for warranty service in an exchange and they can no longer be sold as new. You still get a 90 day manufacturer's warranty on them too.

So for $500 to $600 bucks you will get a higher performance PC that will keep up with new Vista applications. These lower end 2.0 - 2.4gz dual core pcs don't have the power that newer Vista apps will demand. My opinion. You should see what's available in the 2.6 - 3.0gz dual core pcs.

I'll look for a link to Tiger Direct's refurbed PCs.

I found a bargain refurbed PC here there's tons more to choose from. WWW Link

Never buy refurbished.

Never buy refurbished.

Since you have the monitor....here's an Acer at Best Buy...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8918914&type=product&id=1214004486919
Its just a little over your limit...but just a little.
Thats about all the help I can give .....that and get winpatrol. that helps some too.

My advice?...pull the drive out...put in a different one...install windows...shutdown...add old drive to pc...boot into safe made...run antivirus or spyware if you like but if all you need is to get personal files off,you can probably do that without getting new os infected...copy just the files you need(pictures are not infectable to my knowing)...if all is good,reformat old drive and use for storage or install another os to it.(effectively erasing all infections)

Memory isnt infectable in itself...can only be infected after boot by the viri.The bios can tho...so if you change drives and go with a new install and STILL have trouble...you need a bios flash,new bios or lastly a new motherboard.DO NOT put old drive into a new pc without reformatting it to clean it.

Pull the battery or use the reset jumpers for the bios just for good measure...that sets it back to factory default.

You can reformat a drive with a boot disk Before you have actually booted to you real os if your afraid of a cross infection between drives.(not usually a huge issue)

good luck and Tiger direct will attempt to scam you into a reservation rewards service...dont do it...but if you decline the 'get 15$ off your next TG purchase',you can buy from them okay...and I saw a build your own system with quad core proc and great specs for under 700$ just a week ago.  

I really don't know whether to laugh or cry about the fact that there's an IT guy that actually said your RAM was infected. Someone needs to explain to him the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory. Anyway, on to the problems.

If your computer is in fact infected as it sounds very much like it is. Then all of your security tools are worthless. Most new viruses and malware, honestly the malware is typically far worse than a virus, immediately disable security tools and sometimes even replace them with hijacked executables that do nothing but further the damage. I.R. has a great suggestion, you can also transfer your infected HDD to an external drive enclosure and access it on someone else's computer to get the data you want before formatting it. You may also want to look into a Rootkit detector just to make sure there's nothing hidden in the bowels, I think deleting the partition completely will remove anything that might try and remain.

So, the moral of the story here is if you are actually looking to rescue your data and your hardware I believe it is doable. Oh, and as yrag so eloquently put it please for the safety of you and your computer, don't ever ask that IT guy anything about computers ever again..


Good Luck!

Ya done good Brainy....

The virus is in his MBR. 'fixmbr' command via the repair console may or may not get it. Same with a fresh install. A new/different boot drive with a fresh install renders the vermin on the old drive harmless. As long as he doesn't run any executables from the old drive, he can attach it after the install is complete and get his files off it. He can then low level format the infected drive for storage.

Yea nicely done  :CONGRAT: 



Thanks yrag for this tid bit.  :CONGRAT: 

If you must have a new pc then build it your self rather than buy one from any whole sale dealer. I build my own so if you want help email me.  :CONGRAT: 

Sorry for the bad advice I gave, Reply #29. I really thought that was a given, had visions of you going "Sheez, now it's on 2 machines."

Sure puts a different perspective on data recovery, thanks for the info guys.

Nothing to be sorry about Dave. Diagnosing computers is nothing more then a crap shoot for anyone.

....hell...for all I know the virus is in his pants........ ;p

I wasnt sure the MBR could still be infected after a reformat or install so I assumed they would be clear...I WAS pretty sure that a crossinfection would be unlikely if he was careful about what he copies over.

If the bios got hit...hmmmmmm...good luck.(try flashing it)YRAG be tha man around here...listen closely.  

lol

I need to get my very, very old Compaq (96MB ram) up and running. I'm on here from work. Then I can get with you yrag and some of you others and maybe see if the PC can be rescued.

I would love to build my own, but the last time I put a new heating coil in the clothes dryer I had extra parts left over. Granted, it ran for another two years...but I had a box..a whole box of extra parts.

It's clear..I will not install the HD in anything else. The memory can not be infected. My company IT guy smokes banana peels. This was confirmed yesterday when my DM lost the password and admin password to their computer. The IT guy kept telling me to press control-alt-delete and enter the admin password. I kept saying..'We don't have the password." Then he would say 'Press control-alt=delete and enter the password." I repeated myself and he said OH, then enter the user's passowrd." sigh.

I will try to get the old compaq up this weekend and get back to you all. Thanks.

What about this one? It's a laptop. I don't know how but it can be hooked up to my monitor, right? Can both screens run at the same time?

WWW Link

I have seen some folks say they had issues with Object Desktop and laptops. Should I not even bother looking at laptops for what I want and like to do with graphics?

I'd say stick with a desktop system Po, way easier to upgrade and would definitely be better for graphics/video work (that stuff is more intensive and produces more heat, good cooling is a must).

I had a feeling that heat would be the issue. Thanks, Bebi.

That's why I started this post. I don't want to buy something and find these things out after I get it home. And when I talk to the so called 'experts' at the stores...bleh. I have yet to find one that doesn't look at me like I am speaking Klingon when I ask if the video card can handle per-pixle graphics.

Hey Po,
Check NewEgg.com also. They usually have some great deals and very reputable (imho). Personally I've purchased from both Tiger and Newegg with no problems from either one. Some stuff they are comparable on price and some things they aren't.

Also sounds like Yrag and IR have also given you some great advise on your system. Please be careful when buying from Best Buy and Wally World. Best buy has some very restrictive return policies if something would happen and Wally World is....well....just Wally World.

WWW Link
WWW Link
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p4__234234_Business_Supplies_1_10051_SC3:CG71:DP4119:CL161746#desclink
WWW Link

Don't go gateway. While many people have had good success with them more often then not, you will have too many problems with them. Maybe they've gotten better over the years, but I've fixed more of my friends Gateway's than Carter has liver pills.

Po' I'm also a Newegg fan and they have some good systems. Worth checking out and I'm told their customer service etc is second to none  

Po sent ya a PM