Question for computer nerds : )?

Question

okay, so i got a message that was popping up in the righthand corner of my laptop screen. It said "computer is infected!" and some other stuff about how i had a spyware infection. Well, naturally i went and downloaded all this crap like antispyware and then got this thing that only allows me to access web pages through a firewall...so anywho, my little infection went away. BUT, while i was doing all that, somehow the picture i had set as my desktop background just like disappeared. So, i went into "properties" on my desktop, and selected backgrounds trying to set a new background and blah blah...well come to find out, they don't allow me to even click on then anymore. (They're all like greyed out and non-clickable) They seem like now they're inactive or something. So now i'm mad and all that jazz. What would have made my backgrounds stop working? I didn't touch any of those settings. Or how can i get them functional again? Any input helps besides dumb pointless ****. : ) thank u much.

Answer 1

I'm not a computer nerd but I know how to fix them :P

That original message that popped up was probably a scam to make you freak out and download some dodgy program. First thing I'd do is uninstall the one you downloaded. (Go to Control Panel then Add or Remove Programs)

Once you've uninstalled it, click this link http://djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix-2006-09-19.exe to download a program called Dial-A-Fix. For some reason the spyware has modified your local security policy to prevent you from changing the background... who knows why. Anyway download dial a fix then open it up. You will see a button called Policies. Click that.

It should pick up that there is a policy set to prevent the wallpaper being changed. Click it in the list then click the remove button. If it doesnt work straight away then restart the computer.

That should have fixed it but your computer is probably still got spyware on it that might steal passwords etc.

Go to http://www.ewido.com and download the trial version of Ewido Antispyware. Then make it scan your computer.

Be careful of pop up ads that say that your computer is infected; there is no way they can scan your computer over the internet so it's all just lies to either steal your money or infect your computer.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

It seems ur computer has been infected with some kinda serious spyware...the 'spyware-removal' ...:-( app. u readily installed was in fact itself a spyware (or virus or malware -- all rolled into one)...try getting some professional spyware removal app. from vendors like Norton or Symantec...if that doesn't work u might have to format ur hard-drive if u r not able to access other apps...also it might be possible that if apart from this desktop background thing, other apps seem to be working fine...the malware might be transmitting ur info to other locations, esp. when ur online...so the best option might be to reformat ur hard-drive, but not before making back-up of all ur important stuff on the system...as always prevention is better than cure..or as they say: if something is too good to be true, it probably is...so never-never download 'free' stuff from the world-wide web or wild wild web...:)...if u wanna download go to legit sides and try to carefully read the EULA (End User License Agreement) of apps...before installing any such 'free' apps.

Hope this helps n good luck.:-)

Answer 3

When you download whatever program it tells you to when you are trying to get rid of an infection, you are at the mercy of the program. It is probably one of the things you downloaded that is mucking with your settings.

All of the little windows and things that pop up saying you have an infection are actually ads for the program they want you to get. It's called Adware. It puts these messages on your computer so you will buy thier products.

You should try to uninstall them and try a trusted freeware program like spybot S&D.

There are alot of freeware that are fully functional and made just as well as spyware programs you have to pay for. Just look at some reviews and you can find what works for you to keep your computer spyware free.

Answer 4

Not an uncommon "trick". Try cntl/alt/del, find the program and disable it. Then, armed with it's name, right click drive C, find your programs folder and delete that file ONLY. Then go to www.ccleaner.com and download ccleaer. When you run it, make sure to also run the issues tab. You need spyware and antivirus protection if you don't have it. It will stop that kind of program before it fools you. Good ones are AVG and ADAWARE. Both free. Those three programs are all you need to be clean and serene.

Answer 5

You might be able to find your image using Windows Explorer, right-click on the image and click the Set As Desktop Background option.

The default window wallpapers should be located at:
C:\WINDOWS

In order for that option to be available, you need to go to View-> Thumbnails in Windows Explorer.

There's lots of cute pics for download at www.flickr.com

Answer 6

You have some viruses and spywares. Take your computer to someone who can fix it. It'll take you days-weeks to figure out how to fix it yourself. I fixed a few of these and it took me quite a few hours to clean out the virus and spyware. It's possible but it's a lot of work.

Answer 7

Two possibilities exist, the spyware has not been fully removed from your system or one of the programs you used to lock down your system is preventing you from making these changes.

Answer 8

Ditch the spyware downloads. restore your system and activate your firewall. Asuming you XP

Answer 9

Your image might be the problem in the first place. Its imbedded in your background. Firewall is what you should always have online.

Answer 10

well, i'm not a computer nerd, just a computer literate person, but um. it's either a virus, really strong spyware, or your firewall is being wayy too protective