*Brian, Thanks much for the advice. Before I do reformat and reload my operating system as you suggest, want to be sure I have to go through this. For past 3 days, computer suddenly seems to be working normally, except maybe that I couldn't launch a new anti-malware program (run error) suggested here. Otherwise, things seem to be okay.
AVG does report that on 2/26 and 2/27 Trojan horse Generic 16BZFO was found and also the virus vault contains 2 or 3 warnings around that time that a registry key with reference to an infected file was found. There was one other reported infection from a scan back in mid December. Since Feb 27 the daily automatic scans and 2 I did manually report no infections. Does this mean that AVG has found and contained the virus? On 2/26 and 2/27 AVG scan was interrupted before completed and there is a note that the log was corrupted one of those days and an earlier day. The scans since then have been completed according to the log BTW, is it important to delete the viruses in the AVG virus vault? Finally, what are the most likely ways to get this sort of virus, if that's what it is? I do have a back up drive. Thanks Randall * On Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 6:50 PM, Brian Jones <uwhar...@carolina.rr.com>wrote: > Well Rambo, I saw this one on a customers computer last week. It's a > tenacious sucker, and yes, it seems to wait a bit before launching after > booting in the morning. It traps most operating system calls preventing you > from running diagnostic software or restoring your registry to an earlier > date. There is good news and bad news... the bad first. You will need to > reformat and reload your operating system. The good news: this virus will > block all attempts at removal, but it will not interfere with your copying > of your important files to a USB drive.... so: > > Copy your important files to a backup drive, > Look in your owners manual for the sequence to restore your operating > system. > Go to Windows Update in the Accessories menu (repeatedly) to get your opsys > up-to-date. > Reload all your favorite programs and files. > > If you have a Dell, HP, or Compaq, you must hold down an F-key (see > owners manual) while booting to discover the hidden partition with your > operating system restore files. > Older computers will have a disc that came in the box that has the OpSys > restore on it. > For a few years, computers were delivered without a restore disc, and > asked you to make your own (which very few people actually did). For this > reason, you can contact the manufacturer and get a restore disc for anywhere > from free to $30, depending on the company. There are a few off-brands that > don't have a support site, but you can go to special merchants that collect > restore disc's and will sell you a set for about $30. > Of course, the easiest solution is to drop you machine at a local computer > store /repair shop and let them do it.. costs around $100 to $150. > > Hope this helps! > > If you give the brand name and model, maybe we can help you find the > key-sequence or source disc. > > Good Luck! > > - Brian > > > > > Ranbo wrote: > >> *Since today my Dell desktop is acting crazy. Keeps popping up with >> messages (every few seconds) that my computer is infected, when I try to >> run >> programs it says they are infected, and can't access AVG (says that is >> affected), can't find Zone Alarm, and several times has brought up an >> alleged antivirus program called Soft antivirus which starts scanning my >> files. Actually, not sure if it is really scanning my files or this is >> their "demonstration." At bottom of screen it is trying to get me to buy >> this program to disinfect the computer. I don't recall ever having >> installed this software and can't even find it listed. Can't even go to >> add >> or remove hardware. When I'm not on the computer for awhile I notice that >> it is bringing up webpages (fake pages?) for porn sites, VIagra and other >> similar stuff. >> >> I have no idea what to do to try to remedy this. I'm running Windows XP. >> Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can connect to the internet and >> use >> email, so long as about every 5 seconds I say no to the pop-ups that say >> my >> computer is at risk or infiltrated or bring up these websites (using IE, >> while I am only using FireFox). I keep stopping the scan this new >> antivirus >> program seems to be running because I am afraid it itself is a virus, >> maybe >> part of a scam to infect the computer in order to get me to buy the >> software >> to disinfect it! >> >> Help! And thanks >> >> >> >> > > > ************************************************************************* > ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** > ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** > ************************************************************************* > ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
