how do i get rid of a virus?

Question

I have windows XP
I can't use anti virus software because it closes almost instantly, so does the windows task manager. I can't even do a search on the internet for anything containing the word virus. The system restore doesn't work, it goes to the windows blue screen after the restore has finished, and i have to undo the restore in safe mode. I didn't get a restore cd with my pc. I can't log into Yahoo.com, i have to use yahoo.co.uk. I'm out of ideas. Can anyone suggest anythig worth trying? please!

Answer 1

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2001060517115206

Answer 2

Whoa! Hold-on! Why is everyone saying that your only option is to reinstall/format, etc. First thing you do is go offline, turn off the machine, and go buy (or freely download through another internet connection) a LiveCD (there are loads of Linux-based ones now - like Knoppix), if you are a computer newbie, then find a local geek to help you (often a friend-of-a-friend will be happy to do it for free - just to get the opportunity to show off what they know). Boot with the LiveCD in your drive (which runs the machine up to a working state without touching the hard-drive). Sometimes the BIOS might need the drives' boot-order altered, easily. Then you can mount the Windows partition read-only, and firstly rescue any valuable files you need. If a computer-guru is helping you, they might try booting windows inside a "virtual machine" program like QEMU, and tracing where it goes wrong - it's quite likely that the file that figures prominently is the virulent file. The next thing is to then visit a website like hackfix.org or similar and see what they advise for that virus. Often a virus, trojan, whatever can be manually removed. Having said all that, I personally recommend installing a linux distribution instead of Windoze, so that all this virus-nonsense becomes trivial [grin]

Answer 3

This might not be a virus, it might be a worm. Id you face reformatting and re-installing you may as well try a couple of things first.
You'll have to turn off System Restore, then clear out any unwanted files and programs to try to make some room.
Download and install Avast! antivirus if you can. Reboot in Safe Mode by reatarting and press the F8 key repeatedly after the bios screen but before Windows loads.
Safe Mode looks very different, the screen will run at 800 x 600, not everything will load.
Straight away call up the task manager and see if there are any processes you can stop to free up RAM.

If that doesn't work try the online scanner at Microsoft.
After you clean the system you need to beef up your security, here's a list of the best freeware programs currently available.

The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall

Shields Up security site, check your firewall works
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com

Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to
I.E.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

The best antispyware is Spyware Doctor
http://www.pctools.com The free version will give you the file name and location so you can get help removing them without having to pay.

http://www.ewido.net Ewido anti trojan

Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

http://www.avast.com Avast Antivirus

http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.

http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool

Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.
As a last resort always be prepared to go for a hard drive wipe and clean install; which means backing up all your data off the pc.
You can use Acronis TrueImage to image your operating system after you've activated Windows, installed your drivers and security software etc. Store a copy on the hard drive and a copy on a dvd. You'll never have to activate Windows again after that!
Then try to run Avast! and see how much it can clear off your system.
Next try Ewido anti trojan.

Answer 4

im afraid that without your task manager working you will have to re-install your windows operating system
it seems that you have a a major virus infection on your machine anyway ,as all your major programs such as system restore have stopped working
if you have a system recovery cd use that,and it will restore your p.c to the state when you first bought it,but back up any data you may need as a recovery will erase all data
otherwise you will have to buy a xp disc and re-install the o\s
goodluck

Answer 5

If you can find out what the virus is you can do a search on the net and the anti-virus sites should have a program/method to remove it.

wiping and re-installing is by no means the only solution to this.

Answer 6

YES you will have to go buy a windows cd from best buy or circuit city, or go back to the place where you bought your system and ask them for one, you will have to reformat, that means wiping your system clean, IF you can, put all the pictures and important things on disk and get to buying that new operating cd
good luck!

Answer 7

System restore doesn't always work. You should have had a back up on your own.

You can try this site for an online scan.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Some computers will automatically return your computer to the way it was when you bought it, without any disk.

Check your manual for the computer on how to do it.

Answer 8

what antivirus are you trying, if you can access the net download avg, go to control panel add remove programs, and remove the antivirus you are using.
then install avg free for home use.
after you install avg check for updates to it, it does this automatically you get to say check for updates and tell it to download, the rest it does itself.
when loaded run it, if it finds a virus choose to put it in the vault. when search finishes, go to the avg folder on the hard dirve it's called grisoft, open it and open the vault folder, go to edit select all and choose delete.
just to get it out for good.

Answer 9

virus contamination is the problem.try to use you anti virus scan in safe or boot scan mode.but turn off system restore (they hid in there).
also empty all cookies and temp and temp internet files.
MAY LUCK be on your side

Answer 10

I had a virus and a trojan only thing that worked for me was AVG
It is free and works very well. Good luck ....download it and run it daily.

Answer 11

you should of deleted the virus e-mail yep you have to do what Q-ington said i was going to say the same a little different