If any one has links to a good system scan-diagnostic program I would appreciate it if you could post. I don't trust searching for one online right now.
Bump for later
It applied hidden and read only attributes to my D E F and G drives, deleted my programs folder and wiped out my windows folder.
The only recovery possible since nothing is left of the windows system and programs folder is to either do a recovery from an already existing backup image or completely formatting the drive and reinstalling windows and all your programs from scratch.
The virus also installed a trojan.
I did have Microsoft security essentials running which told me when the virus and trojan hit but it didn't stop the damage from happening.
For what it's worth, I have been working with computers since 1967 as an operator, programmer, systems analyst, and systems engineer. I own my own consulting company and build my own PCs.
What a day! I am now back in business thanks to the help/suggestions/links you provided and really I can’t thank all of you enough. Just in case somebody digs this out of the archives in the future I will recount what I did.
I went to the liquor store...no wait wrong tale! lol
I managed to get the Task Manager up and running
I typed in ‘restore’
System Restore came up and I set it back just before the virus scan at 4:00AM yesterday morning. It worked! (this function has NEVER worked for me before)
My desktop was restored, minus several files/icons and all program files were back in the start menu as well as email etc.
I then went about ‘cleaning house’
I went to bleepingcomputer (a fitting name I might add) and downloaded combofix and ran it. I was watching the ‘scan’ and at the end it started deleting files (I panicked but resisted the urge to cancel the scan). After that it logged what it did so I have that saved.
I also ran the registry scan that is on that site and it picked up over 525 problems with the damage level being ‘high’. It “fixed” 16 but...if I want the remaining to be fixed, I have to pay...not ready to do that just yet.
Then I ran malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes picked up 2 infected areas ‘trace.win’. At the end I clicked remove and they were nuked.
In the meantime, Microsoft essentials icon turned red and said that there was a ‘threat’ and asked if I wanted to fix it (rated severe btw). I clicked yes and it was nuked. From the name, ‘Trojan.fake...’ I’m relatively sure that was the culprit.
I then went to the control panel, folder options and clicked on show folders and the remaining icons came back on my desktop.
All my pictures and Documents are back as well; however, they are ‘dimmed’. Don’t know what is up with that. All the information is there though.
All my Favorites have been wiped out as well as the ‘Favorites Bar’. I’m bummed about that because there were many sites marked plus I had a FR Folder which I ‘stored’ various threads. So if anyone knows if there is something I need to do to retrieve those, please let me know. (Like with the hidden files option)
I’m not finished as I am running the Cleaner that is on C-net and probably will do an additional MS scan yet tonite.
Oh btw, on bleepingcomputer, when I downloaded combofix, an option came up to install a ‘system restore console’ which surfaces after a reboot. This will be handy if something ever happens to the task manager or whatever.
So..that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. Thanks again. I would buy all a drink/soda or something if we were in the same area but as it is just know I am grateful to you. (This internet thing NEVER ceases to amaze me...even after all these years!)
ow