Virus on my computer?

Question

I can't switch on my other pc. It keeps saying check for viruses etc and then something about CHKDSK/R. I pressed F8 at start up but I'm not sure which option to choose. The OS is Windows 2000. It's a fairly new-to-me one and doesn't have any anti-virus software installed yet. Does anyone know what I'm on about? Any ideas about what I can do?

Thank you Lindsay - I'll try that. It's supposed to be a non-internet computer, but is occasionally hooked up.

WhoMe: YOU are a star. Thanks!

BobBob: What I mean is - my son has the computer in his room and he's too young for unsupervised internet access, so I'll hook it up if he wants to do something specific. And I didn't know that about viruses. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you have a virus and it's stopping your from starting up your computer, then of course you can't get on-line to download anything.

Also most viruses will not let you install an anti virus program if it has already infected your system.

When you click on F8 and get the menu, choose to start in SAFE MODE with networking and see if you can get on the Internet. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode, but it may not let you get on-line. If it does go to this link and download and install this free Computer Associates Anti Virus - http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/

However if you cannot go that far, then you have to create a boot up anti virus disk. It is possible to do that, but I can't remember exactly how. But if you have anti virus loaded on your other computer, you can create from it. You'll have to follow the direction in the HELP on that software.

Additionally you mentioned chkdsk - if you're getting a reference to that you need to be able to run chkdsk to verify whether your hard drive is ok. To do this you either need to start up the computer in Safe Mode, if it lets you, and then click on START - RUN and type CHKDSK and click ok. It will run chkdsk and hopefully fix any hard drive problems you may have.

If it does not let you start in Safe Mode then you need a boot up disk to do it, but with that I would advise you to speak to someone who knows computers pretty well.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The first answer is good, but you also need a firewall, an anti trojan and anto adware and you don't have to pay for anything!

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 and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

http://www.avast.com Avast Antivirus

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/30863/lng/uk/tpl/tpl01 -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.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.

Answer 3

Install a anti-virus prgram, That is the only way to remove the virus. For more help go to this web site. In the future, make sure your computer has anti-virus software installed before going onto the Internet.
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/

Go into the cyber safety fourm, they will help you with your virus problem. The help is for free, but you will have to buy a virus protection software.

Answer 4

You should know win2000 a bit catchy.
Well, Install McAfee Security Suite or Scan the whole drive online via McAfee free online check up.
This will sure get some good results.
Though, install maximum updates available on microsoft website.
This program may send and receive emails and spam using your pc tcp/ip ports.


http://360.yahoo.com/jcbroogley

Answer 5

Ive a question . Whats a non Internet computer?
you don't have to be on the net to get a virus. you can get a virus from anything that is attached to your computer with information on it

Answer 6

switch it off at the mains when the message comes up. ie just pull out the plug from the wall. wait 5 mins and push it back in. it will sort out

Answer 7

probably a virus id go ask a best buy or some technology company about your problem

Answer 8

here are a few free ones. I like ewido the best.
Spybots search and Destroy http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html?tag=pao
adaware se> http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php
a-squared Free> http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
X -Cleaner Micro Edition scan http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spywareguard too.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

Answer 9

if you can get to the internet i would suggest downloading a free anti-virus program such as avg (free edition).

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

Answer 10

download avast from avast.com install get it updated and use it
need valid e-mail for a code all free