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Posted by Malke on October 17, 2008, 7:21 am
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jlnsmom wrote:
> I could really use some guidance. My son clicked on an auto update for
> windows on Sunday, Oct 14. It appears that since that date, my computer
> has
> lost its files on the operating system?. When "logging" on, my personal
> sign
> ons have dissappeared and the only choice I have is "administrator". My
> documents and settings are all at the default and none of my files,
> pictures,
> music, or documents appear. I did check my hard drive at the c prompt and
> the files are still there, they are just not in windows Xp. In addition,
> everytime I boot up I get a spyware of some sort that tells me my Trend
> Micro
> Antivirus has expired. I have never used that before. I have McAfee
> through
> Comcast and it looks as if that is gone as well. So I tried to install it
> and it gets to the end of the installation and it says it failed. I then
> tried to us Microsofts website and run their Anti Virus scan and it does
> process but after about 1/4 through it, my computer screen goes completely
> white and freezes. That has happend about 4 times to me!! Then I went to
> Kaspersky to run their free scan and the same thing happens, my screen
> goes
> white! What can I do at this point?? Any suggestions?
>
It certainly sounds like your computer may be infected, but no Microsoft
update would have caused this. Your son clicked on something else.
Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions
You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.
Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself
(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the
machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent
of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be
so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have
all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
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