Okay, I was on mingle and photobucket a couple nights ago when I start getting this message saying my computer is at risk for viruses, etc. so I need to purchase some type of windows virus protector.

I attempted to do two system restores because it kept popping up that my comp. had been infected.

Now when I start the computer it doesn't even want to bring up any of the programs, internet access, or anything! I have Norton's but I can't seem to get it working either!

It appears to be some type of adware issue, but I can't get any programs to load on it to fix it. Anyone know of any stand alone things I can download that might allow me to fix it? Or does anyone have any suggestions for fixing it? It's such a headache not having the net except at work!!!

I appreciate any help and advice...

Whoa!! This sounds very much like "Anti-Virus 2009" or something very similar. It is a virus.

Are you currently running an anti-virus program?

This just my advice, but with so many things that could cause the problem...I would just "suck it up". and have it reformatted, re-install the operating system. Would be better, if you had the restore discs that may have came with the computer to start with.

Just remember, as long as your running Microsoft O/S(i.e.WinXP, etc)your always going to be a target for viruses/hackers! Especially if your going to get on the Net with it. It is OK, if off line stuff is all that you do.

Norton's is one of the worst AV software you can get. I've seen viruses, that go in and disable Norton's, and McAfee both. My suggestion would be the FREE version(a paid version is also available)of AVG...down-loadable from the Net.

If you want to surf the Net more safely...then I would recommend a Mac! I use both...the PC for off line computing, and the Mac, if I need/want to get on the Net. I've had a Mac for 8 years now, and have NEVER had an anti-virus program whatsoever on it, and have NEVER had any problems, or a virus! That's amazing, and the truth.

I've retired now, but spent over 30+ years building/repairing computers. These are just some free/friendly advise for you. Good luck in your resolution of your computer.

AVG is available for a 30 day trial at Grisoft.com. Also Spbybot Search and Destroy is good with adware. Good luck

Yes. Norton was on it and never showed a problem..


I appreciate all the help, you all!!!!

Direct-
First shut off Most of the things in your "Start Up Group"

Then try pretty much All of Thses Free Products- AFTER you Uninstall Norton

AVG Free Anti Virus http://majorgeeks.com/AVG_AntiVirus_Free_Edition_d886.html

SpyBot-Search & Destroy
http://majorgeeks.com/SpyBot-Search_&_Destroy_Tools_d2471.html

and Threatfire (Free Edition)
http://www.threatfire.com/download/

yeppers thats right about macs.i have a mac laptop and i have had this for a couple yrs. and i dont have a anti virus on it. for macs dont get them.... my sister has a desktop mac and has had hers for about 10yrs or longer never had a problem or even had anti virus.. no worries.
i also have desktop and with that i do have a anti virus protection(its not a mac)

I'm Assuming that you are Not on the infected computer now? DL the programs it seems that we all have mentioned with the links I've given you. If you need more help, I'd be happy to give it to you - that is what I do for a living! *Smile*

Try doing a system recovery, it's worked for me before. It's different from a system restore, in that you reinstall the whole system basically, but unlike reformatting, you don't lose any of the stuff on there now in the process.

I would also recommend some of the above things too, avg, spybot, etal.

I really appreciate all the help here! It's driving me crazy!!

No I'm not on the messed up comp. Right now...I couldn't get it to get back online.

Have a look at this:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/uninstall-antivirus-2009

if you dig around on the site you can get to the free version for home users. no trial but a good anti-virus. just has a few less features than the paid version. but no cost to you.

http://www.avg.com/product-avg-anti-virus-free-edition

Hey Baby, try this and if you need any help just call me (call me of you don't need too ).


Automated Removal Instructions for Antivirus 2009 using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:


1. Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.

2. Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, or MBAM, from the following location and save it to your desktop:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Download Link


3. Once downloaded, close all programs and Windows on your computer, including this one.

4. Double-click on the icon on your desktop named mbam-setup.exe. This will start the installation of MBAM onto your computer.

5. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button.

6. MBAM will now automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program before performing a scan. As MBAM will automatically update itself after the install, you can press the OK button to close that box and you will now be at the main program as shown below.


MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Screen

7. On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform quick scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for Antivirus 2009 related files.

8. MBAM will now start scanning your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while, so we suggest you go and do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan. When MBAM is scanning it will look like the image below.


MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Scanning Screen

9. When the scan is finished a message box will appear as shown in the image below.


MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Scan Finished Screen

You should click on the OK button to close the message box and continue with the Antivirus 2009 removal process.

10. You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should click on the Show Results button.

11. A screen displaying all the malware that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below. Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.


MalwareBytes Scan Results


You should now click on the Remove Selected button to remove all the listed malware. MBAM will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the programs quarantine. When removing the files, MBAM may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow it to do so. Once your computer has rebooted, and you are logged in, please continue with the rest of the steps.

12. When MBAM has finished removing the malware, it will open the scan log and display it in Notepad. Review the log as desired, and then close the Notepad window.

13. You can now exit the MBAM program.

Your computer should now be free of the Antivirus 2009 program. If your current anti-virus solution let this infection through, you may want to consider downloading and installing Avast

Retrieved from bleepingcomputer.com

You could try and push [ctrl+alt+del] to see if you can get your task manager up and run explorer.exe from there (top bar [File-New Task (Run...)]) type in explorer.exe...I'd try this before restoring from disk.

Insert whichever windows disk you have, should be an option of restore. If it doesn't boot from disk, enter your bios and change it so it will (though it should). Do this if the above doesn't work.

This is if I'm reading your issue correctly, as in you cannot see anything on your desktop.

Just clean out your msconfig startup. It's a maleware program that faulsely reports more and more viruses until they get you to buy the software they are selling. You probably do not really have a virus.

msconfig fixes 94 percent of all computer problems. The only question I have is why msconfig has a startup tab. Windows allows you to put stuff in the startup folder; so why is there a startup tab in the ms configuratore? If you put something in the startup folder that already starts in the configuratore, wouldn't that just cause problems?

i do not think it would cause a conflict. it really depends on how the software was written. usually any program that would cause a problem because of two copies running have a check built in that will not allow a second copy to start if one is already running.

Msconfig doesn't really fix anything, it can stop whatever is running from running but it does not eliminate the problem. Makes it easier to fix the problem though, without the program running most scans can pick them up easier.

The startup tab is for killing programs from running I believe, pretty much selective startup and the likes (only essential programs run).

All I know is that I get lots of calls a day at the store asking me for advice, I always say clean out the msconfig, and that usually works. I always say that if they sell software, it must work, or they wouldn't see it. The reason that it may not work on one computer would be because you have too much crap running in the background.

But, Macfee and Norton anti-virus will both load themselfs in the msconfig file. Two anti-virus programs running at the same time can really screwup a system.