Save Me From The Flames.

I'm getting FLAMED by pop ups. I just had my computer completely overhauled by a tech guy. I installed my AVG anti-virus software and I'm getting hammered by "threat detections" left and right. I get pop ups everytime I change a page. I live in a house with 2 guys and it's kind of the communal computer. I know they're not going on anything too crazy but I wouldn't be surprised if "good for nothing Dave" is watching celebrity porn or something. Even before I got my computer overhauled it was NEVER this bad.

I tried to stop all the spamware/adware by following a great thread below and it helped for a second but eventually to no avail. I'm not too computer savve,either.



How do I overhaul my own computer or make it so it runs smoothly. This is getting entirely out of hand.

Might I suggest downloading Combofix.exe.
*Note* Remember where you save it to.

Turn off System Restore.

Boot to Safemode (without networking).

Run Combofix. It takes a moment. Leave it alone after you've got it running.

It will reboot automatically.

Test to see if your ok. If so, turn system restore back on.

If not, let us know some more details, or try Smitfraudfix and or Drweb_cureit using the same methods.

Don't forget to turn system restore back on when done. Let us know how it goes.



Best of luck
makeitso.


[edit on 10/14/07 by makeitso]

Follow the above. If that doesn't get you fixed up, post back and we'll go from there.

Good info and overall blanket approach, makeitso.

 

I really appreciate it, guys. I'm going to download it right now. I'll let you know how it goes.

An absolute 180.

My machine was lagging so bad that I couldn't type fast. The letters wouldn't register. Which is a pain in the a* all its own.


Altough, just as I was typing this another pop up for the "internet speed monitor" just came up... Am I not over this.

I also have this weird file on my desktop that is labeled "leeman_2" and I can't delete it because of some BS "copywrite" and it doesn't show up on add/remove. You guys have any round 2 advice?

Sounds like you got a good start to the cleanup.

Did you run the other two apps, or just combofix?
Did you run it in safemode?

Are you running XP?

I had only run the first program. You may get a kick out of this but... I don't know what windows I'm running.


I know, I know.:bash:

Hehe. Thats ok.

You should probably go ahead and try one or both of the other 2 applications in safemode before we move on, if you can.

Later, if your still having problems, we may have you do some other minor things, but for now, lets hope one of the other two do the job.

OK?

reply to post by makeitso


This is why I love ATS. So many cool people willing to give you a hand even if they think you're a dip*.

I really appreciate it. I'll let you guys know how I fair in round 2.

2 hours to run the russian "Cure It" program. Well worth it. ZERO LAG. ZERO pop ups and it found 7 viruses the "Combofix" didn't.



And yes.. I figured out I run WindowsXP because of the big "WINDOWSXP" that is displayed when starting up everytime for the past 2 years.


As far as maintanence... What program do you guys recommend?

Originally posted by DeadFlagBlues
2 hours to run the russian "Cure It" program. Well worth it. ZERO LAG. ZERO pop ups and it found 7 viruses the "Combofix" didn't.

Whoot! Excellent news.:w:
I'm very happy it fixed it for you.

And yes.. I figured out I run WindowsXP because of the big "WINDOWSXP" that is displayed when starting up everytime for the past 2 years.

hehe. I won't say anything. I'm human too.

As far as maintanence... What program do you guys recommend?

Just following the suggestions about anti-spyware, anti-virus, and good surfing habits in
this thread should go a long way to keeping your pc cleared up. I like Windows Defender, Spybot search and destroy, and any of the free anti-virus listed in that thread, but everyone has different preferences.

Feel free to ask questions about anything in it.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

P.S.
Don't forget to turn System Restore back on.


Oh, I forgot to ask about that folder on the desktop you couldn't remove. Is it gone now?

[edit on 10/15/07 by makeitso]

Yeah. It kept giving me a warning prompt and told me I couldn't delete it because it may be "copywritten" which doesn't make any sense.. I went into safe mode and deleted it with no issues.

I can't remember the last time I didn't have to type at 12 GWPM just to avoid grammatical errors. I'm very grateful for all the one on one help and the archive of computer help you guys have referred me too. If there's anything I can help with in return, let me know.

Can i run these programes in normal mode orwill it harm my pc?

im running XP and i press F8 but i do not get an option to boot in safe mode.........any tips?

thanks

reply to post by N.B.A.Y.S.O.H


You've got to press F8 when you start the PC, just before the screen with the big XP logo with the moving bars at the bottom comes up. What I usually do to get into that menu is reboot and just keep on pressing F8 at a rate of once per second when the PC restarts (because PCs these days tend to go too fast, not even showing the "Starting Windows..." prompt)

reply to post by Beachcoma


I did it

on my PC if i dont tme it right and hit F8 at the right time it takes me to whole diffent screen with many options but no safe mode


thanks for help

reply to post by N.B.A.Y.S.O.H


No problem

Oh yeah, that different screen you entered is called the BIOS menu. I forgot, some motherboards use the same key (F8) to enter the BIOS.

I missed the F8 que the first time myself. Haha.. I don't know how these computer kings put up with us. It must seem like your children asking "why?" All the time.

Originally posted by DeadFlagBlues
I don't know how these computer kings put up with us. It must seem like your children asking "why?" All the time.

Heh, so long as you remember the answer and not repeat the same exact question I'm alright with it. Only 1337 haxors wannabes get annoyed by the questions, in my humble opinion.

reply to post by Beachcoma


Near photographic memory! You guys won't be hearing from me for a long time. And once again, thanks for everything that contributed. I can't believe how fast my machine is now. There's no glitch whatsoever.


Thanks all.

Two programs I really like and they are free.

www.avast.com... Self updating virus program free.

Adaware for those pesky tracking cookie's and more. Free too.

www.lavasoftusa.com...

Enjoy!