PC experts...help needed.

[Super T.I.B]

My PC at home is giving me the sh*ts. It is shutting down every couple of minutes saying it has found "spyware" and needs to do a physical memory dump. 

And also saying I have a unregistered version of antivirus that I don't run anyway. , that wants to run every 15 seconds! 

I have upgraded my anti virus software but the PC is causing me grief.

What do I need to do? Do I backup all my files and wipe the hard drive and start again?

 

And I don't want any Mac sarcasm. 

[mattyvas]

That's your best idea, back wipe the drive re format and see how you go from there.

[Super T.I.B]

That's your best idea, back wipe the drive re format and see how you go from there.

Thanks Matt.

If no one else chirps in with something else, I will do that.

Those Mac's I was looking at yesterday are looking better everyday. 

What's with the god awful mouse on them? Me no like Mac mouse. 

[CairnsDuc]

I run a Mac (And no I won't try to push you down that path)

But should you ever by a Mac, Ditch the Apple mouse, it blows, I run a Logitech and have been very happy with it.

As far as your problem, I agree, format and start again.
It's a pain, but so many customers I see coming into the store where I work (electrical retailer) get spyware and viruses, the computer boys tell them to format and start again.
By the time they try to remove it and maybe get rid of it, it would have been quicker to just format and start over.

[Spider]

The new Macs are like 2 computers in one - you can boot into Mac or PC...

I've been running Mac OS for longer than I care to admit (well over 15 years) and never formatted a hard drive.

I ran the PC for 15 days and had to do a complete re-format and re-install...it was like waking up next to Amy Winehouse, I didn't know what I'd picked up but I knew that something wasn't right!

what do you mean about the mouse? It has the little trackball on it (goes vertical and sideways - kind of like Amy!) and even has a "right button" simulated for when in PC mode.

Regarding formatting: it's one of the great advantages to the new music players - I use my iPod as a mobile storage drive.

Best of luck...format the mother!

[mattyvas]

So I believe it is back-up and format then.

[R_usty]

Super - My guess is that you are on the wrong forum to get real help on this.

It seems that you have 'clicked' on one of those ads that infect your PC and then try to sell you some crap to fix the problem they caused.

There are a couple of Free programs you can get to help you out of this problem.

Try http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html - This is a free antivirus, free spyware removal and antiroot kit for your home PC. It is probably the bext free program out there.

You can also try http://free.avg.com/ AVG free is another free anti virus but it also contains a good spyware removal system and anti-rootkit. You will need to remove any other anti-virus your have first though...

Good luck and keep us posted.

R_usty

[DosVerde]

I'm with the re-formatting crowd. Just 'cos it wil give you a better resolution in the end, a nice fresh install. Although kiss goodbye a day as you download and install everything again.

Yep, sounds like your PC has been "Hi-jacked" with malware that is trying to sell you software to fix it. Rusty's suggestions are definatly worth a go, 'cos you might be lucky and they get rid of it. I would add SpyBot to the list of programs to try.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html


Usually you need to find out exactly what malware it is and find the specific removal script for it. Google the exact messages it gives you and I'm sure someone has already posted the same problem, and hopefully someone has posted a fix.

Good luck

[roy-nexus-6]

There is probably a couple of other things you could do other than reformat.

1. Usually you need to find out exactly what malware it is and find the specific removal script for it. Google the exact messages it gives you and I'm sure someone has already posted the same problem, and hopefully someone has posted a fix.

If that fails, you can CTRL + ALT + DEL - don't hold them down, just tap the delete key to bring up the task manager. Click the processes tab to see what is running - write down the list. You'll then need to do a google search on processes you don't recognize to identify what is running which is causing the problems. Once you've done that, you can right click it and select END PROCESS. This will terminate the application that is causing your problems.

2. Now you have the time you need to fix your system. If you're running Norton antivirus, uninstall it.

3. Download AVG antivirus OR Avast antivirus. Both are free and award winning. Install your choice, then UPDATE the virus library.  (which is exactly what R_usty recommended - missed his suggestion on the first read  )

4. Run the antivirus to track down the program causing your problems.

5. Download and install Zone alarm firewall. It's free. Once switched on, programs will ask permission to access the internet. Click 'yes' for those you recognize, google those you don't. Once calibrated, you won't have to touch it again.

 

[Super T.I.B]

Beewdy! 

I downloaded Spybot last night and it came up with a few (ALOT) of malware and got rid of it.

Problem is still persisting and I will have a go at other suggestions tonight.

BTW, what comes up when it goes to the blue screen and says it's going to do a physical memory dump, the whatever it is that it's called has "Monster" in the problem line.

So, be on the look out. 

[DosVerde]

Are the symtoms still exactly the same after you did all the SpyBot and Anti Virus stuff?

Whats the name of the Anti Virus that the message says is unregistered?

[Super T.I.B]

Are the symtoms still exactly the same after you did all the SpyBot and Anti Virus stuff?

Whats the name of the Anti Virus that the message says is unregistered?

I'll have another look when I get home, the Anti Virus is the Microsoft 09 one which I don't run and haven't even installed.

Symptoms are exactly the same....it wants to run Microsoft AV every 30 seconds or so saying it's found blah blah blah, then after closing those AV windows without opening the AV a few times, I get the blue screen after which it spits the dummy and restarts the PC.

Does that make sense, i'm starting to confuse myself now. 

[DosVerde]

I reckon this is what has infected you...

http://www.enigmasoftware.com/support/antivirus2009-removal/

Have a read, and see if makes sense. I think the link to the SpyHunter should be OK, or about 3/4 down the page there are manual removal instructions if your brave.

But before you do that, have a read of this to see if it looks like what you have, expecially identifying the av2009.exe process in task manager.

http://blogs.msdn.com/mcampos/archive/2008/07/05/removing-the-antivirus-2009-infection.aspx

Cheers

[Super T.I.B]

I reckon this is what has infected you...

http://www.enigmasoftware.com/support/antivirus2009-removal/

Have a read, and see if makes sense. I think the link to the SpyHunter should be OK, or about 3/4 down the page there are manual removal instructions if your brave.

But before you do that, have a read of this to see if it looks like what you have, expecially identifying the av2009.exe process in task manager.

http://blogs.msdn.com/mcampos/archive/2008/07/05/removing-the-antivirus-2009-infection.aspx

Cheers

That is exactly what it is. I will run that tonight when I get home.

Thanks Dos, I owe you a beer.