Computer Gurus

[Alba]

I have been having issues with my daughter's and my laptop. My daughter's suffers really, really badly from adds popping up to the extent it's close to unusable, my laptop has became so slow at loading web pages and yesterday Microsoft Security Essentials found a trojan. I reformatted my daughter's LT (the one that does not wipe the drive) no difference if i remember i followed the Microsoft instructions. Both LT's apply Microsoft up-dates and both run Microsoft Security Essentials, so i'm rather cheesed off...............

I have not created a backup disk and don't have disks to install Microsoft as it came preloaded.

Any tips to bring them back to life ???????????

 

[Ian Porter]

try running Spybot on it to clear out any stuff that shouldn't be there then see how it is

http://www.safer-networking.org/dl/

 

[hotbulb]

try running Spybot on it to clear out any stuff that shouldn't be there then see how it is

http://www.safer-networking.org/dl/

And also Malware-bytes, from http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-A ... 04572.html

With this sort of problem, it's usually worthwhile to run the "killer" software a few times, and try a couple of different ones, and your usual anti-virus scanner - you should end up with a clean machine that runs properly. Just make sure afterwards that the usual anti-virus software is then kept up-to-date AND run scans regularly.

 

[Rubberchicken]

and try a couple of different ones

Though be very careful where you get them from. The scum likes nothing better than hiding malware in what looks like malware cleanup tools.

I vaguely remember Spybot being good stuff, but I haven't looked at this stuff in a decade.

 

[Lutin]

You could always try the Avira Rescue System - you'll probably need a good known clean computer to download the image file and burn it to a CD. The whole thing then runs from the CD (it's based on a version of Ubuntu Linux) to give your computer a thorough checking out.

 

[hotbulb]

Malware-bytes, like to hide one or two annoyances within the program, if you do use this once you've sorted your problem get it uninstalled off your system

Thanks for the warning, Russ.
Interesting! I've had no problems with Malwarebytes in the past (maybe lucky )
I've been doing a clean-up job on someone's elderly PC ....full of all sorts of "browser helpers" speed-up things etc, and running XP SP3. I've got rid of most, if not all, using Malwarebytes, McAfee's Stinger, CC Cleaner etc. What, please, should I be looking for as a result of using Malwarebytes?

I notice it's changed layout/appearance recently, and it's more fiddly to download. It used to be one of the "staples", but I suppose, like all good things, it might have come to an end.

 

[hotbulb]

Sorry my previous statement was perhaps a little unfair and misleading, You've just got to be careful where you get Malwarebytes from there are a number of versions out there bundled with malware just be sure that you pay attention to where your are downloading it from and beware fake download buttons which are actually links to malware
being the most popular tool also makes it the most targeted

Cheers! Yes, I know what you mean: Malwarebytes.org own site wants "name, rank and number" even for the free version so I've gone via downloads/cnet, which seems to be clean. But either way there are several download buttons on show, some of which lead to "download enhancers" etc, and , as always, one needs to be vigilant during the install process to avoid installing spurious "search bars" and the like.

 

[TopBuzz99]

try running Spybot on it to clear out any stuff that shouldn't be there then see how it is

http://www.safer-networking.org/dl/

+1 on Spybot - great app!

 

[Alba]

Thanks guys reads like malware and spybot is the route to take. May give it a go before the national. Any recommendations on which sites to use as based on the likes of DC's post I could import a problem....

Sent from my HTC Desire 601 using Tapatalk

 

[-XP-]

I have not created a backup disk and don't have disks to install Microsoft as it came preloaded.

A lot of the times the operating system is stored on a separate partition on the HDD and you can restore it to factory default settings as it boots up.

There's usually a few different ways to do it, holding the 0 (zero) key whilst powering it up, pressing a certain `F` key as it boots up etc... brings up a menu that allows you to restore it. Have a look at the make and model number and google how to restore it and it should let you know what to do.

Even if you have to restore using a disc then all is not lost, as long as you have the windows key (usually on a sticker on the laptop somewhere) then you just need a copy of that version of windows and you should be able to get one cheap enough, e-bay etc?

Let us know how you get on m8.

 

[Alba]

Cheers, Graig. I have downloaded spybot and malware at work more than enough firewalls and virus software here to detect an issue. I will try your pointers once they have completed there magic

 

[Alba]

Used both programs a shed load found and 6 severe threats, so thanks for the advice.

Three threats remain that spybot can't currently remove, it pops up a message it will continue to try and remove, I will run a spbybot, mallare and microsoft essentials tonight a see what happens.

Big thanks