How can I fix this mess on my computer now that I have tried to remove a virus?

Question

Okay so, a few days ago my computer had a Virus. It was using my email proxy to send out mass mailings to other computers(probably viruses). Norton was then scanning all the 100's of messages and declining them. So here's what I did:
Turned off system restore
restarted the computer in safe mode
ran Norton anti-virus
removed 32 viruses
deleted all temp. files
deleted all cookies
emptied recycling bin
then restarted computer to get it out of safe mode.(the only way I knew how to do that)

Okay...after that...computer ran great for a day.
Then took a crash again. Mouse and keyboard wouldn't work. All the mass mailing were in progress again. ggrrrr! And now it is somewhat working. All the icons on the bottom of the screen look really different. A few times when I clicked the Icon for IE it said there were not enough sources to open it. ????
What is all this about??
What can I do to fix this big mess without having to pay someone to do it??
Please help!! Thanks again!

Answer 1

Download the 30-day trial of System Mechanic and run it. It will resolve many issues, and provide solutions for others. A still better option would be to reformat your computer.
http://www.iolo.com/sm/7/std/download.aspx

Answer 2

The virus (or possibly worm) has most likely damaged sensitive files needed for the computer to function properly. Your best bet is to copy all the files that you are positive that are not infected and put them on an external hard drive, CD, USB or any other Mass Storage Device. After you've done this, make sure you still have the CDs that came with your computer. Now, restart your computer, and hit F12 (I'm pretty sure it's F12, if it's not, it's F11, F10, or whatever).

It should than take you to a Hard Drive screen where you can do different things with your hard drive. There should be an option where it says "Boot from CD or USB" (something like that), choose that and insert the main XP CD that came with your computer. Than just simply follow the instructions. This will reformat your computer, making the hard drive BLANK again, and than reinstall the main features of XP and what is needed to run a computer. After this, reinstall all the programs that came with the computer.

Another solution is that you can try to download AVG, Ad-Aware Personal, SpyBot S&D, do a full scan and delete everything. Or you can ask for advice at a website called Five Star Support.

Links in Source.

Answer 3

You're hired! An excellent attempt to remove that malware by standard means.

I do believe now it is time for a HiJackThis log to be posted at one of the major computer forums such as Major Geeks or Bleeping Computer.
HJT information is here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html
Seems like your have multiple infections that is too much for any "general purpose" anti-malware product such as Norton to handle.

Or you could pay a professional $75 to $125 to disinfect it. Or you could back up all your data, reformat and re-install Windows.

Anyway, good luck.

Answer 4

Wow thats one hell of a question you got there.

i think those virus did damage to your sytem files , even though they're gone the damage has been done, so unfortuantely u have to save what information thats important to you and reinstall windows.
If you have Xp then install that becoz if this happens again all u have to do is goto sytem restore and your trouble is gone.

its gonna be a hassle. goodluck.

Answer 5

Follow the malware removal procedure at my forum and post all the log I ask for in the location specified in the instructions.

http://malwaremedic.suddenlaunch3.com/index.cgi?board=Logs&action=display&num=1135140266


Best regards,

Windsor

Answer 6

save all your important stuff and reinstall your operating system