Big problems with my computer

**Missy D** · 2nd-December-2005, 09:07 AM

Can anyone help?

My computer has gone very slow! I run the BT anti virus thingy and each time there are trojans and highjackers everyday. I remove them but, one cant be permantely removed. I have so many pop ups. My computer freezes all the time. If i leave it for more than 10 minutes the screen wont come on so i have to restart the computer. It sometimes changes the default to internet explorer. And today i have so many icons on the opening page including casino games, enlarge your penis and things like that. What can I do? Where can I go? I live in North London. I have no idea about computers only that it really does pee me off everyday.

Please someone help!!

dxx

bigdjiver · 2nd-December-2005, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

Can anyone help?

My computer has gone very slow! I run the BT anti virus thingy and each time there are trojans and highjackers everyday. I remove them but, one cant be permantely removed. I have so many pop ups. My computer freezes all the time. If i leave it for more than 10 minutes the screen wont come on so i have to restart the computer. It sometimes changes the default to internet explorer. And today i have so many icons on the opening page including casino games, enlarge your penis and things like that. What can I do? Where can I go? I live in North London. I have no idea about computers only that it really does pee me off everyday.

Please someone help!!

dxx

The virus that cannot be removed is probably running your computer, sending out lots of viruses to everybody in your address book. Or it may just be a cloaking virus, which is hiding the one that is doing the work Your computer is probably not running slow, it is probably doing this evil work as fast as it can. If a virus is running your computer it is probably going to to nullify most anti-virus software.

You probably need expert hands-on help. Or you can try telling us the name of the virus that cannot be removed.

David Franklin · 2nd-December-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdjiver

The virus that cannot be removed is probably running your computer, sending out lots of viruses to everybody in your address book. Or it may just be a cloaking virus, which is hiding the one that is doing the work Your computer is probably not running slow, it is probably doing this evil work as fast as it can. If a virus is running your computer it is probably going to to nullify most anti-virus software.

You probably need expert hands-on help. Or you can try telling us the name of the virus that cannot be removed.

Almost certainly correct, unfortunately.

I found this website which has downloads for the most well known anti-malware tools; the two well known ones are Spybot and AdAware; there's also a notorious piece of malware called "CoolWebSearch" that needs a specific tool called CWSShredder.

If you want to give more information and see if anyone here can come up with something, can I suggest you include as much detail as possible - for example, where is it changing your default home page to? From what I've seen, those kinds of symptoms are often a lot of help in identifying exactly what has infected your machine.

Good luck!

**David Bailey** · 2nd-December-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdjiver

You probably need expert hands-on help.

PC World do this sort of service - PC Healthcheck. It's £70 if they have to come out to you, or £50 if you take the PC in (or there's a £99 version for 12 months' cover).

I've not tried it, but it should fix your problem - of course, usual caveats apply.

Failing that, there's a PC shop in Finchley Central (on the High Street, around Long Lane area I think) that may also be able to help - may be cheaper too.

**WittyBird** · 2nd-December-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

Can anyone help?

My computer has gone very slow! I run the BT anti virus thingy and each time there are trojans and highjackers everyday. I remove them but, one cant be permantely removed. I have so many pop ups. My computer freezes all the time. If i leave it for more than 10 minutes the screen wont come on so i have to restart the computer. It sometimes changes the default to internet explorer. And today i have so many icons on the opening page including casino games, enlarge your penis and things like that. What can I do? Where can I go? I live in North London. I have no idea about computers only that it really does pee me off everyday.

Please someone help!!

dxx

dont panic will come over at weekend at sort it for you

David Franklin · 2nd-December-2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJames

PC World do this sort of service - PC Healthcheck. It's £70 if they have to come out to you, or £50 if you take the PC in (or there's a £99 version for 12 months' cover).

I've not tried it, but it should fix your problem - of course, usual caveats apply.

The main caveat being the typical PC World "engineer" is a complete muppet. To be fair, as you say, it sounds like it should do the trick, but I just find that hard to tally with my experiences with the purple-shirted ones.

I'm guessing their "virus removal" basically consists of running Norton on the machine. I'm somewhat doubtful whether that will remove the kind of mess we're talking about here. I'd be upfront with them before making any agreement, and make it clear if they can't remove the problems, you don't expect to have to pay them. (At which point I expect they will decide they don't need your business, unfortunately).

doc martin · 2nd-December-2005, 10:45 AM

To find out what is causing the problem get a copy of hijack this (free) from:

http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3...-10227353.html

Then go to the spyware info forums and post the log file that hijack this produces.

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showforum=18

Make sure you read the sticky files at the top first. Most of the stuff you need to know is in them.

Someone will usually be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and where to get the fixes.

When you have the computer clean again, there are a few things I would recommend that you install. Do you have broadband?

Magic Hans · 2nd-December-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Franklin

The main caveat being the typical PC World "engineer" is a complete muppet. To be fair, as you say, it sounds like it should do the trick, but I just find that hard to tally with my experiences with the purple-shirted ones.

Sadly

I had a quick scan over Which magazine, which basically lauds the independents over any of the high street outlets.

Personally, I would suggest building a relationship with the local independent PC supplier/builder.

Either that, or make sure you know someone whose good enough (and careful enough) to deal with las resort situations.

**Dreadful Scathe** · 2nd-December-2005, 11:28 AM

If you are going to fix a problem like this you must first make sure you are not connected to the internet. Pre-download "ad-aware" and "avg free" virus checker from www.download.com and install and run them.

This may take ages, it would be quicker (but more complicated) to reinstall the OS.

Once done, switch on Windows Firewell before you go back on the internet (or download zonealarm from www.download.com and install it instead).

**El Salsero Gringo** · 2nd-December-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe

This may take ages, it would be quicker (but more complicated) to reinstall the OS.

Once done, switch on Windows Firewell before you go back on the internet (or download zonealarm from www.download.com and install it instead).

Definitely the best option. As long as you have the installation discs for the sperating system and the programs that you use.

spindr · 2nd-December-2005, 01:02 PM

Take a backup of all your data
Especially any of your course work.

Before you start messing too much.
SpinDr

**Missy D** · 4th-December-2005, 10:41 PM

Thank you all for help. I spoke to the pc man up the Road and he will sort it out for me for £40. Meanwhile i am struggling with these

Unknown hijacker
Midaddle Adware
Maxspeed Adware

The Trojans seem to have gone for now but i am sure they will return soon.

I so dont want the pc man to have my computer as I will miss the forum so much.

Think i need to get out more.

One thing the man wants me to bring along discs but i have none will this matter? I have nothing of importance on my pc.

bigdjiver · 5th-December-2005, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

Thank you all for help. I spoke to the pc man up the Road and he will sort it out for me for £40. Meanwhile i am struggling with these

Unknown hijacker
Midaddle Adware
Maxspeed Adware

The Trojans seem to have gone for now but i am sure they will return soon.

Adware usually justs reports back on your activities. Maxspeed tries to load several such programs which will slow your internet access, and also redirects search engines to where it wants you to go. Adware is usually easy to remove using programs available for free.

The "unknown hijacker" is a program, probably a trojan, that has handed control of your machine to another program or user. Your machine is working for them. As has been stated, the safest solution is to re-install all of your software.

Quote:

... One thing the man wants me to bring along discs but i have none will this matter? I have nothing of importance on my pc.

He probably wants to re-install your operating system. If you do not have the disks it is possibly because you may be using an illegal copy of the operating system. This is something that you may have to take up with the supplier of the PC.

Barryf · 5th-December-2005, 11:17 AM

Missy D sorry to hear of your troubles, all the advise so far is good stuff, BUT get a copy of NORTON Ghost , and make a clone of your hard drive BEFORE YOU GO BACK ON THE NET Again.

One engineer sent to sort our comps said he uses this to completely reboot his own comp about once a month regardless of all the anti virus and spyware protection, because there may be other NASTIES lurking. Takes 20 mins or so. But you do lose any saved stuff unless you take a backup of those files you need. (Check them before making the copy)

I do from time to time GHOST my comp back to the state it was known to be free of nasties. I also run a virus checker every day at noon, even though the checker is active at all times.

Also SPYBOT replaces their instructions with a dummy line in your comp so the SPY(ER )thinks his spyware is still there . Clever ??

Good luck

azande · 5th-December-2005, 12:45 PM

*azande bites his tongue trying to resist the temptation.....*

I would also add that it'd be better to avoid using Internet Explorer (except for software updates) and use Firefox.

doc martin · 5th-December-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

Unknown hijacker
Midaddle Adware
Maxspeed Adware

Here are instructions for removing midaddlle:

How to remove midaddle

You can also use HijackThis (see my previous post) to remove midaddle more easily.

Maxspeed generates extra pop-up ads while using Internet Explorer. See here:

Castle cops

Your virus scanner should pick this up. If yours is not, try another one. If you have broadband, download AVG antivirus and try that:

AVG antivirus

Azande is right about using Firefox instead of IE, but again you will either need broadband to make the download reasonable or get someone to burn it to cd for you.

**Missy D** · 5th-December-2005, 05:37 PM

I do go thru Firefox as recommended by ESG which was great for 2 months then the default changed itself opening thru internet explorer. I run the BT anti spy ware everyday at 3am. I have no firewall (dont know where that went). The computer was built by a man in Wales. I still have his details. I am now being invaded by Casino Games, Winfixer, and lots of pop up ads.

dee · 5th-December-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

I do go thru Firefox as recommended by ESG which was great for 2 months then the default changed itself opening thru internet explorer. I run the BT anti spy ware everyday at 3am. I have no firewall (dont know where that went). The computer was built by a man in Wales. I still have his details. I am now being invaded by Casino Games, Winfixer, and lots of pop up ads.

I also go thru Firefox and i still get Casino games, winfixer and alsorts maybe i should bring mine up to the man up your road sis but just to get it done for £40 quid there is no way i'm doing that

you are a brave woman

ask him if i can bring my pc over but i will have to pay the full price

ta.

ChrisA · 5th-December-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy D

I am now being invaded by Casino Games, Winfixer, and lots of pop up ads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dee

I also go thru Firefox and i still get Casino games, winfixer and alsorts

Maybe you both visit the same sort of web sites

2nd-December-2005, 09:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Missy D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: N3 Posts: 3,612 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 1339	Big problems with my computer Can anyone help? My computer has gone very slow! I run the BT anti virus thingy and each time there are trojans and highjackers everyday. I remove them but, one cant be permantely removed. I have so many pop ups. My computer freezes all the time. If i leave it for more than 10 minutes the screen wont come on so i have to restart the computer. It sometimes changes the default to internet explorer. And today i have so many icons on the opening page including casino games, enlarge your penis and things like that. What can I do? Where can I go? I live in North London. I have no idea about computers only that it really does pee me off everyday. Please someone help!! dxx

2nd-December-2005, 10:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
doc martin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: fife Posts: 335 Rep Power: 2 Reputation Total: 419	Re: Big problems with my computer To find out what is causing the problem get a copy of hijack this (free) from: http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3...-10227353.html Then go to the spyware info forums and post the log file that hijack this produces. http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showforum=18 Make sure you read the sticky files at the top first. Most of the stuff you need to know is in them. Someone will usually be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and where to get the fixes. When you have the computer clean again, there are a few things I would recommend that you install. Do you have broadband?

2nd-December-2005, 11:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dreadful Scathe Papa Smurf Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Scathe Posts: 9,789 Rep Power: 7 Reputation Total: 2273	Re: Big problems with my computer If you are going to fix a problem like this you must first make sure you are not connected to the internet. Pre-download "ad-aware" and "avg free" virus checker from www.download.com and install and run them. This may take ages, it would be quicker (but more complicated) to reinstall the OS. Once done, switch on Windows Firewell before you go back on the internet (or download zonealarm from www.download.com and install it instead). __________________ "defiantly a pork soared" -fletch "This is a discussion forum, not some sort of hippy poetry-reading commune" - TAFKADJ

2nd-December-2005, 01:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
spindr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 1,557 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 686	Re: Big problems with my computer Take a backup of all your data Especially any of your course work. Before you start messing too much. SpinDr

4th-December-2005, 10:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Missy D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: N3 Posts: 3,612 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 1339	Re: Big problems with my computer Thank you all for help. I spoke to the pc man up the Road and he will sort it out for me for £40. Meanwhile i am struggling with these Unknown hijacker Midaddle Adware Maxspeed Adware The Trojans seem to have gone for now but i am sure they will return soon. I so dont want the pc man to have my computer as I will miss the forum so much. Think i need to get out more. One thing the man wants me to bring along discs but i have none will this matter? I have nothing of importance on my pc.

5th-December-2005, 11:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
Barryf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Stockton-on-Tees Posts: 28 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 27	Re: Big problems with my computer Missy D sorry to hear of your troubles, all the advise so far is good stuff, BUT get a copy of NORTON Ghost , and make a clone of your hard drive BEFORE YOU GO BACK ON THE NET Again. One engineer sent to sort our comps said he uses this to completely reboot his own comp about once a month regardless of all the anti virus and spyware protection, because there may be other NASTIES lurking. Takes 20 mins or so. But you do lose any saved stuff unless you take a backup of those files you need. (Check them before making the copy) I do from time to time GHOST my comp back to the state it was known to be free of nasties. I also run a virus checker every day at noon, even though the checker is active at all times. Also SPYBOT replaces their instructions with a dummy line in your comp so the SPY(ER )thinks his spyware is still there . Clever ?? Good luck

5th-December-2005, 12:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
azande Meglio del Cioccolato Demo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,476 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 807	Re: Big problems with my computer azande bites his tongue trying to resist the temptation..... I would also add that it'd be better to avoid using Internet Explorer (except for software updates) and use Firefox.

5th-December-2005, 05:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
Missy D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: N3 Posts: 3,612 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 1339	Re: Big problems with my computer I do go thru Firefox as recommended by ESG which was great for 2 months then the default changed itself opening thru internet explorer. I run the BT anti spy ware everyday at 3am. I have no firewall (dont know where that went). The computer was built by a man in Wales. I still have his details. I am now being invaded by Casino Games, Winfixer, and lots of pop up ads.