A virus Killed my old computer.

[aerogt01]

I agree with the rest of the replies. It sounds like it only FUBARed your account, but not necessarily the documents in it. In that case, it would be a simple matter to retrieve your files, as long as they are still intact (I highly suspect they are.)

 

[TheCougarGuy]

Can you boot into safe mode?

If so, you will be able to retrieve your files. Ive never once in my life encountered a virus that deletes your personal files, maybe make it so you cant access, but never delete.Virus makers then to design to make life miserable lol. Alot of them nowadays are fake antivirus scanners that say your infected and want you to pay to remove the non existent viruses, stealing your cc info.

I'm sure that is what's going on. Lately, there are a ton of those bogus antivirus program infections going on. I agree that the data is probably fine. Those malware programs just don't allow anything to be run unless you can kill the process before it starts up. Most of these programs I've run across lately will run in safe mode (they're getting pretty clever when writing these).
ftp://ftp.cise.ufl.edu/pub/mirrors/knoppix/ADRIANE-KNOPPIX_V6.2.1CD-2010-01-31-EN.iso

 

[aerogt01]

In cases like these I usually don't even bother with safe mode. I remove it and put it in another computer to scan first.

 

[flyinion]

Interesting...I'll have to check it out. I'm not too confident in alot of MS products. Although I must say their new window's phones are sweet.

Yeah I wasn't too sure about it either, but with all the good reviews I was seeing I had to try it. These weren't paid/professional reviewers, just good old techy geek types like myself that build our own computers and are computer hardware enthusiasts. It's also been getting good pro reviews too as well, but that first category (real users) is what really matters a lot of times. I had trial tested one of MS's previous attempts at an AV product back in 2007 and was definitely not impressed.

 

[timaishu]

I'm sure that is what's going on. Lately, there are a ton of those bogus antivirus program infections going on. I agree that the data is probably fine. Those malware programs just don't allow anything to be run unless you can kill the process before it starts up. Most of these programs I've run across lately will run in safe mode (they're getting pretty clever when writing these).

I worked at staples as one of their computer tech for 8 months. 8 times out of 10 the virus removals I did were for fake scanners. I saw a few that booted into safemode, they are getting pretty good.

In cases like these I usually don't even bother with safe mode. I remove it and put it in another computer to scan first.

Agreed. Remove the infected HDD and attach it to your new computer. Dont worry, it won't infect your new one.

Download and install malwarebytes on your new machine and scan the old the drive and remove everything it finds. You can also backup your files this way as well. Just navigate through the drive and you should be able to find what you need.

If you're lucky, that will be all you need to do. If it damaged the OS, which can happen, you may still be able to boot into windows and backup your stuff and then re-format the drive.

 

[IOMCAMARO]

I worked at staples as one of their computer tech for 8 months. 8 times out of 10 the virus removals I did were for fake scanners. I saw a few that booted into safemode, they are getting pretty good.



Agreed. Remove the infected HDD and attach it to your new computer. Dont worry, it won't infect your new one.

Download and install malwarebytes on your new machine and scan the old the drive and remove everything it finds. You can also backup your files this way as well. Just navigate through the drive and you should be able to find what you need.

If you're lucky, that will be all you need to do. If it damaged the OS, which can happen, you may still be able to boot into windows and backup your stuff and then re-format the drive.

:iagree:

 

[rwisejr]

In addition to the AVG recommendation, Microsoft's latest (and now free) AV program has been getting rave review around the techy geek websites that I hang out on. I actually got rid of my very good ESET software last January and switched to the MS product full time on all my computers. Virus, Spyware & Malware Protection | Microsoft Security Essentials

This and Malwarebytes work amazingly well. Dave it just appears that the virus locked your profile. You should be able to boot in safemode with networking support. Download and run malwarebytes to remove the nasties. Unlock your user profile. You should be able to recover your files. I do this all day long for 1000's of machines.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I got that NY ticket email in my spam folder this morning, it looked convincing, if I hadn't read this thread I might have been tempted to look at it, even though I haven't been in NY in months. Thanks Dave.

I'm presuming my AV would have nailed it if I had opened it, never again will I let myself get outdated on AV after our friends at that other detailing forum socked me.

 

[alko]

This and Malwarebytes work amazingly well. Dave it just appears that the virus locked your profile. You should be able to boot in safemode with networking support. Download and run malwarebytes to remove the nasties. Unlock your user profile. You should be able to recover your files. I do this all day long for 1000's of machines.

yes malwarebytes is awesome. Also try e2 or esquared. That works great for finding trojan horses.

 

[tuscarora dave]

Dave-
Computers are my life. I would be very happy to help you out, especially since you have a reputation for doing so much for others. It's your turn, my friend. I've repaired and retrieved data like this from a bunch of computers. Not guaranteeing anything but I have had a lot of success. I don't want to be paid; maybe just to watch and learn your magic. I'll pmcall you. And, sorry for the virus. Congrats on the new rig. Nice!

Kim, thanks so much for the kind words, and thank you very much for meeting with me yesterday and taking the time to attemt the recovery of my files. It was very nice meeting you in person and talking with you. I look forward to us tackling a detailing project together.

That was an uncalled for shot against us that live in the area. I'm sure you have some undesirable spots in your town too.

I too am certain that was just a joke.

On a separate note, how did you like Nietzches Dave?

Thanks for asking, Nietzches was a great venue to see one of my favorite bands. I sat at the stage end of one of the balconies and had a wondeful view of the show. I like small venues like that because it makes interacting with the band members easy.

Project Object is a band that makes sure to mingle with their fans. Short of a few technical difficulties the show was great. There was a great opening band called Peanut Brittle Satelite that loaned Ray White of Project Object one of their amps so the the show could go on as seamless as possible. We had dinner at a place called Towns restaurant. They had great Buffalo Wings.

 

[ronkh57]

call gus

 

[tuscarora dave]

call gus

Yeah, Gus Gus fixed it for me last time I had problems. He certainly is a wizz at computers. I was quite overwhelmed and impressed with his knowledge. Thanks Ron. The hard drives are in good hands now and only 20 minutes away.

 

[alko]

Dave...I HIGHLY suggest you get an external drive that you can do a backup to.

 

[Flash Gordon]

My computer was acting a fool yesterday, now today it acts fine. Whats up with that?

 

[alko]

My computer was acting a fool yesterday, now today it acts fine. Whats up with that?

If its not an Mac then you're going to have that problem. Run your anti virus software. Get a firewall like zone alarm (free version).

 

[Flash Gordon]

If its not an Mac then you're going to have that problem. Run your anti virus software. Get a firewall like zone alarm (free version).

It's an IBM. I think its Malware I use for protection. Does that sound right?

 

[erock]

im a long time mac user......never had any issues....guys seriously PC,s are a thing of the past......the money saved on buying new computers or fixing them is enough extra to go with the mac.....Ill never go back ...EVER

 

[timaishu]

im a long time mac user......never had any issues....guys seriously PC,s are a thing of the past......the money saved on buying new computers or fixing them is enough extra to go with the mac.....Ill never go back ...EVER

Im not gonna get into a flamewar.

But macs are just as vulnerable as windows based machines. The key difference is that virus coders target windows due to the much larger user base.

Im using windows 7. I built my computer 4 years ago and also, have never had any problems just like you. All it takes is a little common sense when using the internet.

I worked at staples as one of their techs and all the virus removals I did could all be attributed user ignorance.

 

[alko]

Im not gonna get into a flamewar.

But macs are just as vulnerable as windows based machines. The key difference is that virus coders target windows due to the much larger user base.

Im using windows 7. I built my computer 4 years ago and also, have never had any problems just like you. All it takes is a little common sense when using the internet.

I worked at staples as one of their techs and all the virus removals I did could all be attributed user ignorance.

You're right. The fact of the matter is, until a few years ago, Mac's weren't prevalent. The majority of the households had a PC. Why would hackers and people who write malicious code target Mac's if they aren't going to benefit from it? Now that Mac machines have saturated the market, you're going to hear of more and more viruses targeting Mac computers. Mac's are't immune to viruses. I'm a systems administrator at my job and I see emails once a week updating us on the different Mac viruses and malware. As a matter of fact I just got an email yesterday saying there's something going around now that screws up the OS. So yeah...Mac's get it too.

 

[AeroCleanse]

If its not an Mac then you're going to have that problem. Run your anti virus software. Get a firewall like zone alarm (free version).

Hmm, I run OpenSUSE and have never had issues.