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Computer Got a BAD, BAD cold!
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These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Computer Got a BAD, BAD cold! // Tech Forum
Post by Jack Edwards // Mar 2, 2009, 3:36pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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Yeah good point, Kaspersky doesn't like Spybot. Probably because it interferes with the way Kaspersky hooks into the web browsers.
Personally I use AVG as my primary AV software, and Spybot for browser stuff. Though the new AVG does a good job handling the browser stuff too these days. I haven't had any problems... but it does take AVG 7 hours to do a complete scan on my computer (1.3 TerraBytes)... xD. |
Post by v3rd3 // Mar 2, 2009, 8:08pm
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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LOL, can you say partition?????? |
Post by Délé // Mar 2, 2009, 8:57pm
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Well, it's been exhausting, but I think I've regained control of my computer and cleaned up most of the mess. I installed both AVG and Spybot. Spybot got my registry mostly fixed. I now have access to my task manager and registry, and I'm not getting any more of those stupid fake virus alert messages. :jumpy:
As far as I can tell, the only issue yet to resolve is the desktop. When I got into the registry I noticed that instead of pointing to a bitmap, it was pointing to an html file. It showed the pathway but I wasn't able to hunt down that html file. I did try changing the registry to point to one of the standard Windows bitmaps though. It won't show the bitmap, but at least now it's a black background instead of the horrible colored squares. Just seeing that makes me feel like I have my computer pretty much back.
I still have to figure out how to fix the background though. For some reason it has grayed out all of the bitmaps as you can see in the image. I can't select anything from the list. It is showing the accent image that I pointed to in the registry, but it defaults to the background color instead. So something is still amiss there. Any ideas?
18684
I think I'll just let my McAfee security suite run out this summer and keep AVG instead. I've had McAfee for several years (before it was bundled into stuff) and I just kept letting it renew. However, the last few years I've started disliking them more and more. Their customer service is absolutely horrible. Now I'm suspicious that it isn't working as good as it should and instead they are charging money for virus removal. It seems like a conflict of interest there to me. :rolleyes:
I couldn't find the free AVG version, I just have the trial. It does look reasonably priced though. $80 for a two year subscription. Cheaper than McAfee, and probably better quality now too.
So now I think I just have to fix that desktop issue and all is well. Although I'll have to keep my eye on things for a while to make sure it doesn't come back. Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it. :) :banana: |
Post by Délé // Mar 2, 2009, 9:04pm
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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but it does take AVG 7 hours to do a complete scan on my computer (1.3 TerraBytes)... xD.
Holy crap Jack! Let me guess, the 1 TerraByte is for Vista...What do you have on the other 300gigs? :p JK |
Post by v3rd3 // Mar 2, 2009, 9:50pm
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v3rd3
Total Posts: 388
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...What do you have on the other 300gigs? :p JK
:D It's called the page file.....
PS when I installed avg, some time ago, the demo is fully functional for "x" days then the full features are disabled and you are left with the free version. Probably the same promotion now. |
Post by Norm // Mar 3, 2009, 5:45am
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Norm
Total Posts: 862
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http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/93214.mspx?mfr=true
Basically delete the entry and then restart machine. Once restarted, you have the option to change wallpaper.
The premise behind these hacks is that the hacker is setting items that majority of users never are bothered with as they are typically home users. So it is very tedious to get to all the settings that were changed in the hack. To be honest, a few yrs ago I got hit with a similar scenario and my ability to change wallpaper was gone. I used basic color so that was good enough. When I read your scenario and realized I too suffered from that remnant of a hack I did a quick search and tried the resolution. It worked for me :) as I just finished a reboot and found the ability to change wallpaper was returned to me.
HTH |
Post by TomG // Mar 3, 2009, 5:58am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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So according to that, delete the registry entry to be able to choose from the normal Windows options, as if it is set via registry, it disables the ability to set it manually in the Windows options.
Most likely the virus added the registry and pointed at a file that has been cleaned out, making it an invalid entry (which the articles says still stops the user from choosing in Windows). So rather than set a valid entry there, the registry entry should be removed altogether.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by RAYMAN // Mar 3, 2009, 8:10am
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RAYMAN
Total Posts: 1496
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I´d burn those working files onto Dvd´s as soon as possible and make hard copies of it. I wouldnt trust the peace !;)
Things that are burnt into iron dont change(not that fast)...... Backup on seperat harddrives do..:o
Start with the most important and go down the list...
It will take you some time but you will have to do that anyway sooner or later! |
Post by Délé // Mar 3, 2009, 10:42am
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Thanks Norm, I think what you found there is exactly what I need. I had found a couple of other fixes online but neither of them worked. I do have that REG_SZ entry in my registry though. Unfortunately it won't let me delete it. Not sure why. :confused:
As for backing up, I'm already on that for sure. ;) |
Post by Jack Edwards // Mar 3, 2009, 3:02pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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The free version of AVG is something different. You can get it here:
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?tag=contentBody;mostPopTwoColWrap&cdlPid=11009475
It's not a bad thing to support them for making a great product though. ;)
BTW, good news is that Windows Defender now detects and removes this virus also, so if you update Windows Defender and run a scan it should finish getting you sorted. :)
Don't forget to run the "Immunize" with Spybot, since that will block a lot of this browser crap. Also when installing Spybot, I don't install the "TeaTimer" because that gets annoying with it always asking me if I really want to make changes to the registry all the time.
Glad you got back up and running. :banana: |
Post by Norm // Mar 3, 2009, 4:05pm
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Norm
Total Posts: 862
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Is possible you are not logging in with admin priv's.
Thanks Norm, I think what you found there is exactly what I need. I had found a couple of other fixes online but neither of them worked. I do have that REG_SZ entry in my registry though. Unfortunately it won't let me delete it. Not sure why. :confused:
As for backing up, I'm already on that for sure. ;) |
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