Posted on 10/23/2012 7:47:47 PM PDT by Smokin' Joe
I have apparently picked up a virus which disables excel. I'm running Excel 97 in Windows XP (ser. pack 3) on an older Toshiba laptop, and suddenly when I click on a different worksheet in a workbook it puts up the little sheet mini icon but I can't move the sheet. If I open a new workbook, and click on a space, it will not 'let go', whether I click on it again or hit 'enter'. Whatever happens, the first thing I do is the last, I can't even close the program using the 'X" at the top right of the window, but have to right click on the taskbar and click 'close'.
I have a lot of data in this computer in Excel spreadsheets, and don't dare move any of it to another computer for fear of infecting another computer. I use the others to make a living, and can't take that chance.
I would appreciate any suggestions from FReepers who may have run into the same problem or similar who know of a 'fix'.
I have run Norman Malware cleaner, but did not get rid of the problem.
Use system restore. Some viruses disable this feature. If that is the case, shut down and restart in “safe mode.” Try safe mode with networking first and restore there. I have had to restart in safe mode with command prompt. When the computer boots you will get a command prompt like in DOS. At the prompt type rstrui.exe Some of my computers use different F keys to reach “safe mode”, one uses F4 during startup, another uses F8. Hold the key down while the computer is booting. My office staff like to surf the internet, and I have had to deal with several viruses. This has always (well, almost always) worked.
Try Malware Bytes and TDSS Killer (running TDSS Killer with TDSS file system checked off). If not, open up an Elevated Command prompt and type chkdsk /f.
If that doesn’t work and you have the excel disks, just uninstall and reinstall Excel.
It could just as easily be a virus as it is application corruption on an older machine.
Best course of action - get a Mac or an iPad and you can skip all the anti-virus cost and have a much more enjoyable experience. You are using a non-supported operating system that is prone to exactly the type of issues you are experiencing. If you enjoy the pain, keep patching it and restoring and wiping the hard drive and doing safe mode and asks strangers for help.
Back up your data file to a thumb drive or portable drive.
1.Download Windows defender ISO. and burn on a CD.
2.Boot your computer from this CD and run a complete scan.
3.Open C>prompt Run SFC /scannow To check system files.
4. Control Panel > add/remove Programs > Select Excel > click repair.
Reset the system to a restore point when the system last worked correctly. If that doesn’t do it, clean out the registry with a product like Auslogic.
I’ll be honest, I don’t think you picked up a virus that did this. Sounds like a glitch somewhere along the way. Of course, step 1 is to always reboot. Step 2 would be to ensure your Scroll Lock key on your keyboard is off (press it once).
The fact that you have to right click X makes me think something is messed with your mouse - did you try unplugging it and plugging it into a different USB port?
Do what Rodm suggested in #6!
For my money you can't beat the combination of Microsoft's Windows Defender/Security Essentials and Malware Bytes. If used right those two will get rid of anything bad.
AVG free edition does a good job of cleaning up most any virus I might get, and I’ve had some duzies.
Running excel on an ipad?
You don’t actually use computers for work, do you?
I tend to agree with the glich as being most likely.
But if it’s a macro that is misbehaving, try setting your macro security to high. Close and reopen and that should disable any macros.
I’m not sure about Excel 97 but Office 2000 and later versions have an Office diagnose and repair tool that you can find in your start menu under Microsoft Office.
Like “Slump Tester” said (typed) this might not be a virus.
But I have used the free version of AVG and liked it. It does give false positives on some software you might really want.
I beg to differ. But I do think you are a masochist.
That’s not a virus, Joe. FReepmail me, let’s exchange details, and I’ll tell you how to fix it.
I run Parallels on my MacBook Pro and run Windows XP, Office, etc. in virtual mode when I have to. Never have bought any anti-virus. When I have a choice I always go to the Mac side, as it is much faster, Safari is better, and it always works.
He’s a mac user. What do you expect? He probably has the windows user help him turn it on?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.