ANY attempt to access Virus-ware....

[Vigors]

......throws me off any web page and shuts down everything to the
start-up menu. Even if I click site on my "Favorite's" file. I can't even remove
the free AVG Anti-virus from "Add & Remove" programs...program will pop on
screen for about 1 second, then revert to start up page. Also tried other's:
"SuperAntiSpyware" and "NOD32 Antivirus" from ESET. If one site or program had a problem, I would understand, but EVERY SITE which deal's with anti-
virus applications shut's down ( or briefly shows site for 1 second, then shut's
down. This is a first for me ( and I started in DOS in 1992 ).

[KyRacer]

I had a similar problem a few years ago. I thought my virus protection program wasn't working right so I thought I would try the on line scan at TrendMicro, but when I tried to run it I kept getting a message that said it was already running and it wouldn't start up. Ever time I put the word security in the search engine I was using I started getting a lot of popups. I mean a lot. It also high jacked my home page.

I was eventually able to get TrendMicro's online scanner to work by using a different browser. I had just started to try Slimbrowser and it allowed the virus scanner to work but it didn't solve all the problems. I don't remember the name of the virus. My hard drive was old and beginning to have other problems so I just bought a new one and reinstalled everything.

You might also try going into safe mode and running your virus software from there.

[Tom]

Go to securitytango.com and "dance the tango" or "Let's Dance" on the left side.

Follow all instructions, in order.

You might need to use Stinger to correct this.

All software is free here.

[JustRalph]

boot up in safe mode..............with network support (it will look funny)

if you don't know how read this (you don't say which version of Winders, but I will assume it's XP)

If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
Ensure that the Safe mode with networking option is selected.
Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

You can troubleshoot some in safe mode. But if you have the same symptoms with the browser while in safe mode.........you have a hijacked browser at the core level and you need some serious help..........

If you can run some spyware apps without problems while in safe mode......you may be able to save things ............let us know what happens.

[Vigors]

....the suggested method's, and I want to thank each of you 3 ( which
I'll dub "Murderer's Row" ) for your timely suggestions... nothing worked and
I'm now stuck in a giant form of a "safe mode". I even tried a "system restore"
but it would only let me restore to today (it rejected EVERY other date), so
I'm now looking for some professional help (read EXPENSIVE) and some
Valium's (not neccesarily in that order)...oh well "Another day, Another $125".

Again, thank you.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by Vigors

....the suggested method's, and I want to thank each of you 3 ( which
I'll dub "Murderer's Row" ) for your timely suggestions... nothing worked and
I'm now stuck in a giant form of a "safe mode". I even tried a "system restore"
but it would only let me restore to today (it rejected EVERY other date), so
I'm now looking for some professional help (read EXPENSIVE) and some
Valium's (not neccesarily in that order)...oh well "Another day, Another $125".

Again, thank you.

you might want to recall this part of my post

"But if you have the same symptoms with the browser while in safe mode.........you have a hijacked browser at the core level and you need some serious help.........."

apparently I was right.............good luck...........

[the_fat_man]

what OS are you running?

[KyRacer]

You might try the Cleanup forum at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup . You have to go through their mandatory steps before they will provide assistance, but it's a good site.

The only other thing I can think of to do, even though it is a hassle, is to buy a new hard drive and reinstall your operating system and bring it up to date including virus checkers. Then connect your old infected drive as the second drive. Don't run any programs from it yet. Then scan it with all the virus checkers you have. I would then copy only important files (like your horse racing data and programs) or files thats not likely to be infected over to the main drive. After that you should probably format the original(infected) drive or remove it if you think it's still might be infected. Might be cheaper than taking it to a shop.

[Vigors]

......I'm running Windows XP. I'll try KyRacr's last suggestion as soon as I get
back from bank......just in case nothing work's and I have to find someone
over this holiday week....it's only 100 degree's in the high desert, and I have
to leave now before it get's REALLY HOT!!! 107 YESTERDAY.....and car
air-conditioner work's worse then my computer ( which is to say it DOESN'T
work ) You can see temperture & computer problem's hasen't affected my
sence of humor YET!! I'll keep plugging when I return........oh yeah,maybe
I'll refill my script for Valuims while I'm out.....

[michiken]

Download a Trinity Linux CD which was specifically designed to rescue Windoz

Read the documentation on how to virus scan.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Vigors

......I'm running Windows XP. I'll try KyRacr's last suggestion as soon as I get
back from bank......just in case nothing work's and I have to find someone
over this holiday week....it's only 100 degree's in the high desert, and I have
to leave now before it get's REALLY HOT!!! 107 YESTERDAY.....and car
air-conditioner work's worse then my computer ( which is to say it DOESN'T
work ) You can see temperture & computer problem's hasen't affected my
sence of humor YET!! I'll keep plugging when I return........oh yeah,maybe
I'll refill my script for Valuims while I'm out.....

I'm not following what's happening here. But, I'm always 'repairing' my cousin's XP system. She's always contracting some bug or other.

Take your XP install CD. Boot off it. And choose the install NEW OS option INITIALLY. Then choose the option to REPAIR the present system.

It'll REINSTALL all your system files but won't OVERWRITE your other files.

Works EVERY TIME and takes 1/2 at most.

[Vigors]

....after re-reading HP manual,there is a way to do a partial system
recovery without install disc's......however, after doing several input's, the
instructions made it sound like I had already went to far and I was doing a
compleate recovery......needless to say, I was doing the "humma' humma's"
( read Ralph Kramden ), and making several deal's with God while awaiting
the final reboot to see what had taken place. Everything except the
Virus & Spyware applications and the Handicapper's toolbar was there !!!
First I installed the PA toolbar, thank you , then I started rationalizing the
money I saved by not paying for repairs.....and added that to my E-Horse
account.I want to empathize how greatful I am to those of you that bothered
to send me the help and suggestions I recieved, as it DID make a difference
to my state of mind & depressed feeling ( I believe having a computer failure,
losing one's key's or wallet alway's put's one in a "funk" until the situation is
cleared up ). I believe we have the most involved and caring site's on the web
and I want to again thank you ALL for the imput.

[michiken]

Here is another way:

Open up a DOS prompt and type in sfc /scannow

Have your original Windoz disk ready.

When you get it fixed, make sure to get Zonealarm Firewall, AVG Free, Spybot Search and Destroy, AD-Aware from download.com