irratating computer virus

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Spacewolf

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So far is stopped my access to the internet as well as slowing my computer and stopping my McAfee's real time scanning and normal computer scans from working. At the moment ive tryed booting up in safe mode which didnt work as it still topped the scans as well as a system restore which didnt work either. Both spyware terminator and spybot S&D (which can scan) failed to turnup anything. So does anyone have any idea what to do next to get rid of this virus?
 

C_sector

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When i get infected i just backup all my important files, music, saved games, assignments, etc and do a full format. I know its a bit extreme but it always works, and be sure to scan the backup before copying over your files incase they are infected. Ive formatted my computer twice for 2 different virus infections :-(.
 

Spacewolf

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Crypticonic said:
When i get infected i just backup all my important files, music, saved games, assignments, etc and do a full format. I know its a bit extreme but it always works, and be sure to scan the backup before copying over your files incase they are infected. Ive formatted my computer twice for 2 different virus infections :-(.
ive never done a reformat before and i dont have anywhere to store any folders as i carnt use the mcafee backup tool and i dont have a pendrive capable of holding more than a few MB
 

C_sector

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Spacewolf said:
Crypticonic said:
When i get infected i just backup all my important files, music, saved games, assignments, etc and do a full format. I know its a bit extreme but it always works, and be sure to scan the backup before copying over your files incase they are infected. Ive formatted my computer twice for 2 different virus infections :-(.
ive never done a reformat before and i dont have anywhere to store any folders as i carnt use the mcafee backup tool and i dont have a pendrive capable of holding more than a few MB
Unlucky, mine is 8 GIG :D
 

Necator15

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Give reformatting a go. If you don't have space for backup, you could use SkyDrive (Windows Live gives either 15 or 25 GB of online storage to anyone with an account, and the accounts are free.)
If you can't get to Skydrive, I recommend spending a few dollars on a 4GB flash drive.

When you get your computer running again, I also recommend switching from McAfee to AVG or Avast. They're both free, and work far better to my experience. (Also aren't quite the resource hogs McAfee is.)
 

Spacewolf

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apparently m usb ports arnt working either i tryed starting with no other programs running but again it didnt work as mcafee couldnt scan and since i use a usb drive to connect to the internet i carnt use that to backup any files.
i dont suppose theres anyway to identafy a virus as ive had this computer for quite a while and so its got alot of stuff on it that if i reformat it i wont be able to get it back
 

fenixkane

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Necator15 said:
Give reformatting a go. If you don't have space for backup, you could use SkyDrive (Windows Live gives either 15 or 25 GB of online storage to anyone with an account, and the accounts are free.)
If you can't get to Skydrive, I recommend spending a few dollars on a 4GB flash drive.

When you get your computer running again, I also recommend switching from McAfee to AVG or Avast. They're both free, and work far better to my experience. (Also aren't quite the resource hogs McAfee is.)
He said he didn't have internet access.

I would recommend the reformat as well. Just go to a place that sells flash drives (was trying to think of a good example but there are too many to choose from) and get one. 8 gig ones are like $15 tops now.

edit: usb ports not working... crap. Get ubuntu live cd (or any linux distro that has live cd) and use that to backup your files.
 

Private Custard

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You need to buy yourself an external HDD. I'm running three backup drives as I have 20,000 photo's I really can't lose!

I'll always recommend running a couple of extra drives. Keep one in your house and give the other to your neighbours to look after, just in case you have a house fire or something.
 

mad825

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One would laugh at other ones misfortune if it had infected the BIOS as well....just hoping you are keeping this in mind as well however I doubt it has as there are only few that I know that can.
 

fenixkane

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mad825 said:
One would laugh at other ones misfortune if it had infected the BIOS as well....just hoping you are keeping this in mind as well however I doubt it has as there are only few that I know that can.
Fixing an infected bios is easy. Just pop open the computer and pop out the cmos battery, put it back in and presto, fixed. Mind you I'm pretty sure this isn't that.
 

justcallmeslow

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fenixkane said:
Necator15 said:
Give reformatting a go. If you don't have space for backup, you could use SkyDrive (Windows Live gives either 15 or 25 GB of online storage to anyone with an account, and the accounts are free.)
If you can't get to Skydrive, I recommend spending a few dollars on a 4GB flash drive.

When you get your computer running again, I also recommend switching from McAfee to AVG or Avast. They're both free, and work far better to my experience. (Also aren't quite the resource hogs McAfee is.)
He said he didn't have internet access.

I would recommend the reformat as well. Just go to a place that sells flash drives (was trying to think of a good example but there are too many to choose from) and get one. 8 gig ones are like $15 tops now.

edit: usb ports not working... crap. Get ubuntu live cd (or any linux distro that has live cd) and use that to backup your files.
Or get an ubuntu live CD and use that to run the ubuntu version of AVG. That's what it's there for, it's not like you need to scan ubuntu for viruses. AVG is a better virus checker in my opinion and should clear up the problem nicely (even if just because it's running free form the effects of the virus).
 

Laughing Man

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You have a failure that is specific to the USB system on your computer. The fact that you have not run just one but two different programs and both have come up with nothing suggest that it isn't a virus, combine that with the fact you have an AV program running and that is three different anti virus software programs that have all been defeated by this 'virus'. Unlikely, even the worst of these would at least give some sort of suggestion of a virus or program doing something it shouldn't but all three and nothing... unlikely.

The internet failure, the issues with Mcafee, the overall slowness of the PC can all be linked in one way or another to a corrupt USB driver or worse a failure of the USB hardware itself.

At boot Windows will attempt to intiliase all devices connected to the PC, that includes the USB hubs as well as the devices connected. If their is a corrupt or damaged component to the USB ports then Windows can get stuck in a constant loop looking for a way to initialise the devices.

Mcafee will spaz out because it's on access scan will attempt to scan any device connected to it, if the USB drive is there but not working their is a chance the active scan part of the software is waiting until Windows successfully initialises the device before it loads the active scan software.

Your internet isn't working because it requires your USB ports to be working, if they don't work your internet access point won't work either.

System restore won't work, if by won't work you mean it doesn't resolve the slowness and the issues then that makes sense system restore can't fix a hardware issue, although it could very well resolve a corrupt driver issue.

Finally, and I am sick of saying this.

a). You have a problem but have provided NO information about your system. The Operating system would be a nice start

b). The folk here know nothing about computers, seriously they have all assumed that you have a virus and all reached the conclusion that you should save data and reformat. Even given the basic information needed to reach a preliminary conclusion, if anyone's first answer is backup data and reformat then their advice isn't worth listening too. Anyone that suggests that without any real information, ala this topic so far, then they are an idiot.

If you are someone who has replied and feel that I have some how slighted you by calling you an idiot, then please reread your advice to the OP. If it contains the words' backup' and 'reformat' and doesn't at any point ask the Op for more information about his computer... then yes you're an idiot and I don't really care what you have to say on the fact.

Finally a very quick test for the OP to try.

If it is indeed a USB issue and it is indeed a software issue you can force Windows to reload them by going to device manager finding the entry that refers to 'universal serial bus controllers' and then uninstall these. Shut down and reboot and Windows will reload the USB drivers, it may however ask for the original installation disc to do this.
 

fenixkane

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Laughing Man said:
I'm pretty sure everyone assumes (you included) that Spacewolf is using Windows (version doesn't matter much) (plenty of implied reasons in the first post).
I do however admit that some backing up and reformat advice did come from me. I will also say that Ubuntu live cd would be a good indicator if the usb functionality is really broken (if it works, probably a virus. if it doesn't then you've got a whole new forum topic).
So to backtrack a bit:
Spacewolf, what OS are you using, what kind of computer (Laptop (Brand), Desktop: Store bought (Brand), Built yourself)
 

Private Custard

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I suggested he runs more than one drive as a backup just in case, but didn't suggest a re-install.

Am I an idiot? Just wondering where your idiot/smart line is drawn!
 

Spacewolf

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Laughing Man said:
im using windows XP

ive managed to get the 1 usb internet stick to work (a flashing light on it has come on) but when i try to load the internet it says that it needs to reinnstall clicking yes does nothing, internet explorer just says there is a problem and it carnt connect and Mcafee still wont turn on its live protection it just turns on then instanly turns off and scanning still wont start. Plus its loading and booting up very slowly (does this sound ike its a virus)

edit: ive also loaded AVG onto a CD and tryed to use that but it simply wont load
 

fenixkane

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What about other cds. Try whatever cds (or dvds) to see if your drive is not working. If that were the case then either you have a massive computer failure or a mean virus.
Also are you using a laptop or a desktop?
 

Spacewolf

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fenixkane said:
What about other cds. Try whatever cds (or dvds) to see if your drive is not working. If that were the case then either you have a massive computer failure or a mean virus.
Also are you using a laptop or a desktop?
desktop CD's seem to work (as in it detects them) but it doesnt show the iages of them and often doesnt load there contents if you tell it to

Laughing Man said:
i tryed the device manager thing nothing is showing up on the list at all