connection trouble - Computer Support & PC Help Forums

Bates · 11-14-2008, 05:15 PM

hey,

so, I'm staying at my Grandma's for a few weeks. I turn on the pc this morning, it says that a system file has been corrupted. I decide (knowing very little about computers), to just re-install XP Media Center Version 05 and start a-fresh. Now, my Grandma's pc used to give me a lot of trouble... it was just always a little temperamental. However for the few weeks leading up to the system file corruption it was working fine following a bit of remote help from the team at Dell to give it a clean. So, I've re-installed XP and what-not, got AVG, etc. and am now having the most infuriating of problems with both IE and Firefox. They seem to have no problem with loading up hotmail, no problem with google, and no problem with a lot of other sites too... but some sites (most notably facebook) make my browsers cry. I've had a good old fiddle with the security settings to try and get round it but am having no luck. On top of this, whenever i scroll down a webpage it seems to have to buffer (like it gets all jumpy rather than running smoothly down the page). I just want to go back to the way it was!!!!!

**beeceebee** · 11-14-2008, 06:14 PM

Hi Bates

If I understand correctly you have reinstalled XP and the PC is running ok except for the browser issue you mention.

If that is the case you seem to be describing a problem that is being caused by some form of malware that has been downloaded. The best next step to take is to follow the following steps to rid your PC of this infection.

Your computer most likely is 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
1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
5. Clear out old System Restore points
6. 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.

____________________________________________

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".

.

__________________________________________________

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 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

**Tootech** · 11-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Just wanted to add re: the bumpy screen when srolling - I think you need to install the video card driver.

If you don't know what/where it is, post the Dell Service Tag number,which is stuck on the PC and someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

Bates · 11-15-2008, 09:55 AM

thanks for the replies guys...

Tootech: I installed the video card driver and it resolved the issue with the screen... thank you for your help.

BeeCeeBee: Having been left to think about it overnight my PC seems to have resolved it's issues with facebook etc and seems to work fine (?!). I will still be following your clean up steps and will post my results in the near future. Thank you also.

Peace guys,

Bates

**beeceebee** · 11-15-2008, 10:08 AM

Glad we could be of help to you Bates!!!

As for the malware I would suggest do it sooner rather then later as it is always safer to be sure you are staring off clean. Then if you have a problem later you will know where you should start looking for problems and have a good retore point.

Anyhow I am glad that this has been resolved and your problem solved !