computer issue

[jsab]

Boot the computer, and before it boots to the OS, press F8 and a menu will come up, choose "safemode with networking" and it will load the minimal drivers for operation, takes a bit for it to do this. This will bypass most all drivers, and will not load the virused application. The virus you have just redirected the DNS server you connect to to a different DNS system, namely the one that points to the bogus virus removal application that you are seeing.
Some of these viruses are very well written, and even safe mode won't help, but usually they can be removed, but it is a pain in the ass.

[maytag]

Boot the computer, and before it boots to the OS, press F8 and a menu will come up, choose "safemode with networking" and it will load the minimal drivers for operation, takes a bit for it to do this. This will bypass most all drivers, and will not load the virused application. The virus you have just redirected the DNS server you connect to to a different DNS system, namely the one that points to the bogus virus removal application that you are seeing.
Some of these viruses are very well written, and even safe mode won't help, but usually they can be removed, but it is a pain in the ass.

+1.
And they are a ROYAL pain in the ass. I keep one computer here, firewalled from the rest on my network, just for the kids and all their facebook & twitter crap. for awhile, they were coming across another variation of these virii (is that plural for virus?) every week! Antivir does a good job of catchong a lot of it..... but the ones I love are the trojans that tell you to click to close, and when you do: BAM-O!

[spiderrey]

I learned along time ago not to click to close anything thats not mine. I just shut the system down and it usually comes back up cleared.

[spiderrey]

Maytag, i took it in to have it diagnosed. Just a precaution. You were right. Graphics card was shot, but the hard drive is also bad along with a failing mother board. Kind of like a rusted out Fiat. looks like its now only good for parts. Just need to get my info out now.

[maytag]

Maytag, i took it in to have it diagnosed. Just a precaution. You were right. Graphics card was shot, but the hard drive is also bad along with a failing mother board. Kind of like a rusted out Fiat. looks like its now only good for parts. Just need to get my info out now.

SUNNUVA!!!

Good thing you did... you'd have been throwing good money after bad. At least now you know. Any idea what made it all go? did you have a power-spike?

[spiderrey]

I have no idea.

[spiderrey]

O K, one more question. If I get that thing that I plug my old hard drive into. Is it easy to transfer my data to another source. Can I look at whats there before I transfer it. These things start at 25 bucks on amazon. And best buy wants 85 bucks to transfer it them selves.

[maytag]

Yes, very easy. Very, very easy. But; that assumes your hard drive is good. I think you posted threat they told you your hard drive was toast? If it is corrupt, or won't spool, then you won't be able to read it.

[jsab]

I've been a computer engineer since '77, started with IBM repairing mainframes. Now I build systems for NASA, JPL etc. Here's a tip most shops don't know about concerning hard disks that you are having trouble accessing data from... Put the disk in the freezer overnight, then you should have no problem accessing the data long enough to transfer it. This even works when the disk won't spin up, but freezing it will free the bearings so it will spin.

As usual, computers are a boatload of fun, aren't they?

-John

[joelbert2k]

Just to throw my 2 cents in,
Like jsab, I've been working on computers and electronics in general for more years than I'd care to say and what I have found to be true in sooooo many instances is that when you are presented with multiple seemingly unrelated problems look to the common part. That would be the power supply. It may be heating up and failing, causing voltages spikes or a low voltage/high current situation that wiped out some other things or you could get lucky and just replacing the psu will take care of everything.
Joel

[spiderrey]

Thank for the responses, best buy says they can retrieve the info. So I think it can be done. I think Ill try it.

[Daniel]

Hi John

Now I build systems for NASA, JPL etc.

Do you know Winston Quimson he works at JPL in the IT department

[maytag]

jsab & joelbert:
thanks for chiming-in! Where were you 3 weeks ago when this thread started?

really, you two are infinitely more qualified to be helping rey with this problem than I am.... the only stuff I know is stuff I had to learn 'cuz I broke somethin'.......

[joelbert2k]

My apologizes, Maytag. I've seen a lot of other computer problems brought up on other forums and they usually are a virus or just goofed up software or something. Lots of people usually throw all kinds of troubleshooting tips at the poor fellow, some good some not so good, so I usually just avoid them. That and I'm not all that good at troubleshooting something I can't see or touch. It's a visualization thing I guess.
Joel

[jsab]

Maytag, I'm sure that I was working on my Fiat or Lancia 3 weeks ago....
Daniel, the name rings a bell, I'll have to look thru my contacts at work to see if I have spoken to him.
I agree with Joel, I do the same, it's hard to troubleshoot over the forums, I need to see the problem for myself.
Everyone, enjoy the holiday with your families.

-John