Computer Problem

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi,
looking for someone who understands computers specifically windows [which i suspect is at fault here]

my computer which runs on windows xp has just developed a who new fault which is proving a bit of a pain

it keeps closing windows without warning [asthough i'd pressed x in the top right corner]
the FreeAVG wouldn't update it's self so i un-installed it and re-downloaded it thinking it was faulty only to discover the computer won't run the program i've down loaded

today i've discovered it wont run various other programs previously on the system such as the photoexpress when you click on a photo icon to open the picture the open screen of the program appears briefly then disapeares again asthough something in the system has just closed it down again

any guesses as to what's wrong
i've been through the secuity system in windows even set the levels at low in the hope but with no joy
Dave

[Chris aka divingchef]

Well it's XP !!!!

[Ben Panter]

Hi Dave,

It's very difficult to diagnose a fault like this without being sat at the machine. I'm sure that people will offer you solutions, but the first step is to make every effort you can to back up anything you would be sad to lose - photos, web bookmarks, documents, dive logs - then start trying to fix things, safe in the knowledge that if the worst comes to the worst you can reinstall from scratch and still retain all the things you treasure.

Ben

[TerryH]

Accessories, System Tools, System restore.
Backup first, then restore to a time before all this happend.

HTH. T

[Barnaby_S]

I don't want to shout virus on all occasions, but this does sound like it might be one.
A lot of recent viruses (virii?) attack antivirus software as the 1st thing that they do, and then can go after other programs.
I would echo the comments about backing up anything you can't lose as the 1stage. Then I would recommend one of the free online virus checks, for example Symantec security check (http://security.symantec.com/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym) . If you find you can't get onto symantec's website it is almost certain that you do have a virus as part of the way they protect themselves is blocking access to the main antivirus website.
They do this by editing the hosts file to point the websites either back to your own computer or to another website of their choice.
If it is a virus that the check does identify Symantec normally give instructions on how to remove it.
Oh and Symantec are the people that make the Norton range of products, I belive McAffe and others also offer similar online checking.
If it stops you accessing the website it is time to bribe a geeky friend (beer and pizza often work).

[Jon H]

Virus virus virus!!!!! might be loads of thing but sytem restore might be your best chance. Depends there might be somthing wrong with your computer. Also it might be you pressing a key on your keyboard. (I know sounds stupid but may be the case. But if it is a virus best getting a good virus scan to see

you could try

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/trial_zaFamily/trial_zaFamily.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=zassskulist2_trial

and download the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. find it very good and it also go rid of some keyloggers. it only a free trail but give it ago (it offers the same as the payed one) and if it comes to last resort back up everything and then reinstall all of windows.

And by the way symantec is the same as nortan (well i thin) and there is viruses that run loops around it and get into your computers. so watch it

[Matt-75]

Ok. Lets start at stage one.

Lets kill virii first (if their are any).

Get the trend system cleaner and save it somewhere.

http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/sysclean.com

Get a pattern file (whatever is the latest).

http://www.trendmicro.com/download/viruspattern.asp

Download it to the same place as sysclean.com, unzip the contents to that folder.

Now restart in safe mode (hit F8 when booting up until you get a screen with loads of options). Run sysclean.com and scan your entire system.

Next stage: malware, trojans, spyware.

Get a copy of spybot search and destroy.

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Install and run it, then update it, then scan your computer and see what it finds. Kill everything it suggests.

Stage 3: Get a good firewall.

Zonealarm free works for people i know very well and i install it on many machines that arent mine (i have linux so im not afflicted by these windows annoyances :p ). Sygate firewall is apparently as good, but i hated the interface but you could give it a try if you want.

Overall if you are planning on investing in a virus killer, then the one most computer people i know and hang with use and recommend, Nod32.

http://www.eset.com/

For more advanced anti trojan scans look at a-squared.

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

But at the end of the day not downloading porn and dodgy programs from dodgy sites will safeguard you better. Also dont use any microsoft product for browsing the net or dealing with email or you invite trouble and will be plagued with more problems due to the way they are integrated into the operating system.

Theirs loads more tips i can give if you want, but i wont unless requested on here or via pm.

Hope that helped.

[Andy Wade]

Hi,
looking for someone who understands computers specifically windows [which i suspect is at fault here]

my computer which runs on windows xp has just developed a who new fault which is proving a bit of a pain

it keeps closing windows without warning [asthough i'd pressed x in the top right corner]
the FreeAVG wouldn't update it's self so i un-installed it and re-downloaded it thinking it was faulty only to discover the computer won't run the program i've down loaded

today i've discovered it wont run various other programs previously on the system such as the photoexpress when you click on a photo icon to open the picture the open screen of the program appears briefly then disapeares again asthough something in the system has just closed it down again

any guesses as to what's wrong
i've been through the secuity system in windows even set the levels at low in the hope but with no joy
Dave

You need Castle Cops (http://www.castlecops.com/).
These are geeky guys that just love to solve computer problems - free.
Although they'd appreciate a PayPal donation when they've sorted out your problem for you. It helps to keep their site going...
I had something very similar to this and it was a bit of Malware and a BHO (Browser Helper Object) that had downloaded itself and was busy helping me with whatever it thought I needed doing. The tw*ting thing.
Castle Cops talked me through it on the forums and I had it solved in a day.

But yes to backing up everything to CD/DVD first. Then try sorting the problem.

I also downloaded the Microsoft Antispyware programme and it seems to be keeping me free from trouble...

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi Guys,

thanks for all your help and advice. it turned out to be a virus [a trojan according to the anti-virus on line thingy i used], which some kind spamming aabdrst had sent me! which having downloaded installed itself into my system, disabled the anti-virus update so i'd never find out it was there and then set about closing down programs as they started up

system backed up and reinsalled

Dave.

green to all who helped, with my thanks. we obviously all have different skills we bring here, if anyone needs to know how to make themselves embarisingly drunk and fall over - just ask.

[Barnaby_S]

The reason I suggested running an online scan (and I think Trend Micro also offer one of these) is a large number of current viruses (virii, whatever the plural is) disable anti virus software, so when you download and install one it simply won't work.

But over all I also second the recommendations of firewall software and anti-spyware software.

Barnaby