Computer Problems, need some help or I'm out another 100$

[Mcupobob]

My grandparents recently got 7 virus from hell that buried themself's deep into the Registry code. So now everytime they try to run a program, windows ask us everytime what program we want to run it with and the always run it with this program check box is gray'ed out. The command prompt has also been disabled.

So I was wondering if the escapist can help me out here. Does anyone know were I can find a safe program that can fix these registy errors? Or any other way to fix this.

We can take it back to the computer tech tomorrow, but if I can get it fix'd tonight and for free that would be awesome sauce.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the computer tech manged to get rid of the virus, but it messed up the registry code.

 

[Firoth]

Did you try running the comp in safe mode and doing a system restore to a few days before the virus manifested?

 

[zidine100]

You got the factory restore disks that are provided by the oem that should have came bundled with most factory made pcs, that should be enougth to take it out.

unless you have a spare windows disk, in which case id recomend reformat and re installation.

or alternatively you could give us the name of said virus and we may be able to help that way.

 

[Mcupobob]

Did you try running the comp in safe mode and doing a system restore to a few days before the virus manifested?

We got rid of the virus, but the anti-virus the guy used to clean it up deleted some of the system32.

 

[DarthFennec]

Did you try reinstalling the OS? That'll definitely fix it.

 

[Mcupobob]

Did you try running the comp in safe mode and doing a system restore to a few days before the virus manifested?

We got rid of the virus, but the anti-virus the guy used to clean it up deleted some of the system32.

You need to reload the OS, first wipe the drive by writing 0's to every sector.

Use this:
http://www.killdisk.com/

It has a free version, Gateway's website used to have a free utility as well, when I workd for them it was a common tool to remove rootkits.

Once That is done reload the OS and install antivirus and antispyware you can use AVG Free it is great and it works.

http://free.avg.com/ca-en/download-free-antivirus.tpl-crp

Once that is done connect to their internet and do all updates. You will be back up again in no time.

After a severe virus it is only advisable to reload, backup data and then restore it later. Never, ever use system restore unless it is a last resort. It breaks more than it ever fixes, and viruses just lie dormant and return not long after. If you think the virus is totally gone and you can't or really don't want to reload you can try a repair install. May fix the system files the guy who fixed the virus broke or the virus itself took out when it was removed (this is common). Good luck, I loved fighting viruses when I worked for Gateway, then again when I worked for Dell. Don't get much chance to do that now as I work behind a well protected corporate intranet.

Thank you for the help, since this was a hand me down computer it doesn't have any of the OS disk so it looks like their gonna have to pay for the upgrade to windows(Which isn't too bad, since vista has been nothing but a cluttery mess).

 

[Kevonovitch]

step 1: start in safe mode, step2: copy all you want to keep on an external drive, step 3: format the shiznit outa that bugger! >=D step 4: ????, step 5: profit! \o/

 

[spartan1077]

You can try wiping the hardrive/rebooting the OS/ get windows 7/XP

 

[zidine100]

Did you try running the comp in safe mode and doing a system restore to a few days before the virus manifested?

We got rid of the virus, but the anti-virus the guy used to clean it up deleted some of the system32.

You need to reload the OS, first wipe the drive by writing 0's to every sector.

Use this:
http://www.killdisk.com/

It has a free version, Gateway's website used to have a free utility as well, when I workd for them it was a common tool to remove rootkits.

Once That is done reload the OS and install antivirus and antispyware you can use AVG Free it is great and it works.

http://free.avg.com/ca-en/download-free-antivirus.tpl-crp

Once that is done connect to their internet and do all updates. You will be back up again in no time.

After a severe virus it is only advisable to reload, backup data and then restore it later. Never, ever use system restore unless it is a last resort. It breaks more than it ever fixes, and viruses just lie dormant and return not long after. If you think the virus is totally gone and you can't or really don't want to reload you can try a repair install. May fix the system files the guy who fixed the virus broke or the virus itself took out when it was removed (this is common). Good luck, I loved fighting viruses when I worked for Gateway, then again when I worked for Dell. Don't get much chance to do that now as I work behind a well protected corporate intranet.

Thank you for the help, since this was a hand me down computer it doesn't have any of the OS disk so it looks like their gonna have to pay for the upgrade to windows(Which isn't too bad, since vista has been nothing but a cluttery mess).

sometimes theres an emergency backup/ recovery partition if it was made by a company and not by yourself, you could try and look into that one.

just try tapping f9 while its opening up, you should be able to tell from there, and put it back to factory settings (usually wipes, and re installs os)

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

@TEMHOTA, XP is Actually a shit-ton better then Vista. The only feature Vista has over XP was a fancy look.

VIsta is nutorious when fuck-ups like this happen, especially as doing a Recovery install is neer impossible with the fucker. go into safe-mode (if possible), copy all your data and do a fresh re-install. When you do, make sure you do a Full install NTFS - If you do a quick one there's a possibility it'll fuck up later on. Doing a full one erases the "Master Boot Record".

basically fresh hard drive.

Also, since HE deleted the System32 files, by business laws it's his duty to fix the mistake he caused. I'd be looknig into confronting him (unless hes a guy @ his parents house/friend)