Posted on 01/24/2005 9:47:17 PM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99
Ok. I am in a major catastrophe right now. My Microsift explorer was riddled with viruses and other bad things. I tried to repair it. I fiddled with it for hours until all I could see was red.
I stopped using explorer and started using netscape. It still caused me problems even though I wasn't even using it anymore. Apperently, it is embeded into the windows program. Yeah, bill Gates. I removed explorer from my machine using add/remove programs. It still was giving me problems. I went and removed explorer compnents by hand.
Now, everything is messed up. I am having all kinds of strange errors. I can not read the windows disc anymore. I can not seem to download explorer from microsoft's site and i can't network my computers in the house anymore.
HELP!
1)wipe hard drive
2)install Linux
Okay first of all I paid a kid to fix my computer but I watched carefully and can relate some of what he did. He downloaded several anti-spyware programs including the one from microsoft. He ran them. He downloaded firefox and thunderbird and installed them. Then he cleaned out my computer like you clean out a closet. Threw everything out except what you really need.
Restore your entire recycle bin and clue us in on the which OS you are using.
1) i don't have linux
2) I don't think i want to learn a new system.
3) what about the stuff I have on this drive?
Seriously, don't use Internet Explorer.
Use Mozilla or Firefox.
Buy, install, run an up to date anti-virus software.
It didn't help matters that your deleted explorer and started deleting files by hand.
A:\Format C:
Sue Microsoft. They've got lots of money and might offer a nice settlement.
can you run system restore at all? What's your operating system, Windows 2000, or what?
Didn't you make restore disks when you bought your computer, they used to give you a set but now you have to order one or download to cd's. If you did, just wipe your hard drive clean and use your backups.
Heck, I was think lighters fluid...
I had a similar problem a few months ago but the damage was less severe. Your computer is probably filled with spyware and IE hijackers. Here is one suggestion:
Use a safety/start-up disk to start Windows. Go to the Web and get AdAware, Spybot, and the new MicroSoft anti-spyware beta (from their site). Run these programs and clean your computer.
Next, install a firewall. A firewall will slow yr. computer slightly (depending on your base processor speed and RAM) but the protection is great.
Get the latest anti-virus definitions and run an updated virus check.
Finally, install either Firefox or Opera and use either as a browser in the future. HTH.
Stick a "ing" in there somewhere...
Prepare for 100 followups that all offer different advice.
Go crazy trying to figure out which advice is best, then give up and take your PC to a certified technician who will restore it.
Yep. Format the hard drive and reinstall. Probably with one of those other programs. But otherwise, reinstall it all again. You're at the 'you don't have a choice' phase.
It's probably too late, but here is a small virus killer that you can download (from another machine?) and run on the disaster: http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
Don't suppose you have a machine with "System Restore" which can backdate?
If that fails and you can get to a dos prompt, you may be able to copy important files (not programs) to floppy, then format C: and reload Windows.
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