Hello,i'm hoping someone can help me here.I think my AVG antivirus is corrupt.The last two weeks,i've been getting heaps of trojans.The AVG scan removed them until one day,i could'nt access any ebay pages,or AVG updates.I thought is was the anti virus,file infected,but now if i scan,there is no virus.I have deleted,and re-downloaded AVG,but still can't get any updates.My system is slow,takes an hour to load up an ebay page.It won't download some antivirus and spyware programs.I'm running XP pro.The computer won't even let me do a system restore.I have heaps of programs and files i want to keep,so i am trying to avoid having to reformat if i can.Thanks for any help.

Hello qlda, Yes sounds like you have a virus and it is blocking you installing certain 3rd party softwares. I have had this problem also before. I would search out the file that has been installed by the Virus. Once i have found this file i would delete it. ( This is hard if you try to do it in windows) So boot the system into dos and navigate to the file and delete it in dos.
Reboot your system and try to install the 3rd party software. If you get stuck tell me what software you want and i will zip it in a file and e-mail it to you!

Also it sounds as if the infection has spread i understand that yo do not wish to do a full format andÂÂ! install but really this is the best option to make sure that the system is clean.

can you tell me do you have 1 hard disk or 2 or do you have 1 hard disk that has 2 partitions on it?

If you have a second disk or had a second partition installed on your drive then you can move all your important data to the non windows partition or drive then format the Windows partition.

Let me know the software you want and i will send it 2 you in a zip file (freware or shareware of course) Loz

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! <a href="http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php">Computer Forum</a>

Dos mode eh,ok.You'd better tell me how to get into dos mode,and what to look for.Sorry,my abilities are limited.I'd like to add when i boot up,i get a message saying"invalid boot INI file,booting from C: windows".Thanks for your help,and quick response.

Aha.. I wish you had told me this first lol no problem before anything else we have to correc your boot ini.

It sounds like the virus installed some ini file so when you boot you boot something belonging to the virus now yo have deleted the virus the ini is searching for it but cannot find it so here is how you sort out your ini problem first.

In win XP

1: Click the Start button

2: On the Start Menu click Run

3: In the Run dialog box type: msconfig

4: The System configuration utility window will now open

5: Click the Boot ini Tab

6: In the boot ini tab click the button marked Check all boot paths

7: The system will check the boot paths and remove any invalid ones

8: Finally Close the System configuration utility

9: You will need to restart your pc for the changes to take effect

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! <a href="http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php">Computer Forum</a>

If you can get into Windows and get on the internet without too much trouble, then download SpyBot Search and Destroy and AdAware 6.0

If that's not possible, consider going to the library or someone elses computer and geting the programs (save to USB drive or something similiar that you can take home.) Then go home and install them.

they should get rid of any trojans and w/e else you have and help AVG keep everything covered. I use all 3 myself.

__________________
Can I eat your brain? - http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?4W4K3<br /><br />PII 400MHz Deschutes<br />Intel i440BX/ZX<br />384MB SDRAM 100MHz<br />MGA-G100 B4 4MB 230MHz AGP<br />Quantum Fireball 6GH HDD<br /><br />Back to the basics...

Thanks Loz,but when i click on check boot paths or other buttons,microsoft error report comes up and cancels the action i think. ??? Thanks too Eric,i'm trying to get the latest Spybot now.Most of my AV or adaware file downloads won't even start.Grrrrrr!

No problem qlda.. If you cannot download this software let me know and i will download it 4 u and zip it so you can get it in your email. Loz

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php&quot;&gt;Computer Forum&lt;/a&gt;

Hi,i managed to get the latest spybot.There's only a slight improvement.I noticed there is 2-3 strange files in windows.I tried to delete them,but a message says cannot delete,another person or program is using it.Could these be the bad files that have stuffed my system? :-[

As always trying to sort such problems out when not at the infected computer is not the easiest of things to do but i am sure we can get it sorted if you are prepared to stick with it. Ok can u give us the names of these files as they could be anything. Try this right click the files properties and change them to read only! then save. Re start your computer and then try to delete them if they do not delete then yes they could be infection files. So take the names down and let us know the names of the files.

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php&quot;&gt;Computer Forum&lt;/a&gt;

Yeah ok thanks Loz.The 3 suss ones,that i can't delete are-
ime 640kb 3 files 14 folders
mui 0kb 0 files 0 folders
srchasst 12.3mb 37 files 3 folders.
I remember there used to be a file called dvpll,or something similar that was always getting infected.So i deleted it.Is this file connected to the boot INI?
I've also tried running xp over the top,but a message says critical boot file is missing.Bugger! >

Please do a search in the file "srchasst" for this >>> srchasst.exe

XNSearchAssistant
SrchAsst.exe
iWon Search Assistant - spyware.

The other 2 files are just for diplaying text in a foreign language IME is a microsoft product.
The other file is harmless.

If you do have this file then i would say from the size of the file you have mutiple infections on your computer.
Can you tell me your Hard drive configuration? Do you have a C and D drive ? Or just a C drive? Do you have a DVD or CD burner?
Thanks Loz

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php&quot;&gt;Computer Forum&lt;/a&gt;

Geez Loz,your da man! I wish i was as brainy as you! I clicked on the properties of the search asst sub files,and they are microsoft related.I tried to delete them,but they keep bouncing back!I have c drive only,and i cdrm/burner combo.I have most of my files and programs backed up,so i am ready to format if i can't fix this bug. :

If i were you qlda i would do a full format and install of your OS just to make sure that you have got rid of all of your infections. Now that you have backed up it will be a lot quicker spending 2 or 3 hours on a reinstall than messing around hunting out the problems that you have. Remember after you have formated and installed - to virus scan your cdr to make sure you have not copied any infections to your cdr.

I would also partition your c drive into 2 drives C and D so keep all of your important data on the D drive.
Then if you have any other problems in the future you only need to sort out your C drive. This saves loads of problems. When problems do arise.

Also 2 drive partitions help when you are defragging your pc as it speeds things up. remember 2 install

spybot - Adaware -ÂÂ! Anti Virus programme - and firewall before logging onto the internet.

It is strongly advisable to have 2 way protection you can get this by a combiation of hardware and software working together 2 protect u so a router with a nat firewall installed is a great hardware protection add to this AVG or Zone Alarm or Sygate and you have 2 way protection from viruses and other nasty things.

It is also on a windows machine a good option to stay away form warez sites and P2P software and downloads.

i am glad that you feel that we have helped you and hope u will stay a good member of our site Loz

Ps. Please tell your friends about us

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php&quot;&gt;Computer Forum&lt;/a&gt;

Thanks again Loz,love your stuff.I've formatted and reinstalled.It's like a brand new system! It took only an hour to reformat,but several hours to backup info.I've had AVG and zonealarm for years,without any trouble.I've got the latest spybot as well.Any future hassles,i'll be back here.Thanks again mate,your a champion!

Bernie.

Yeah glad we could help u qlda.....

__________________
Thanks For Using ItsallPCÂÂ! &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/index.php&quot;&gt;Computer Forum&lt;/a&gt;

Hi there, just stumbled across this place completely by chance whilst checking out that new link directory bulk-links.com (I found this site in there!), and loving what I'm seeing so far!

I would like to just add in a couple of things if I may.

I recently had a nasty virus having a rampage on my site - I use Trend Micros' PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005 and it knocked that out, which was... nice.... :-\

I managed to remove it by running a piece of software called "HijackThis", I've not seen any mention of it on this site but basically what it does is scan the registry and shows you everything that is due to run on startup, and gives you the option to clean it up.

You can read more about HijackThis from here, or download it (it's a zip file) from here

Basically though, if things seem to be running slow just run HijackThis and post the log, I am able to analyse it and can advise you on what is safe to keep and what you should remove.

Also, with regard to fighting Adware and Spyware, I STRONGLY recommend that you consider Webroots' SpySweeper software. More information from here, please be aware though, this is a 30-day free trial, after 30 days is up you either have to purchase or remove the software.

I look forward to being a - hopefully helpful - member of this site, and will try to get by as often as I can!

Nice to meet you all,

Ad

hi there, newbie to this site.

i cant help with tech help for your problem, but just want to ask are you running AVG free or AVG pro (paid version)
if u run the FREE version then your pc was no doubt infected as mentioned as AVG free does not do VIRUS DEFINITION updates every day, only monthly, the PRO version does daily updates because u pay for it.
you cant expect a free program to give u good anti virus protection, your kidding yourself if u think it does.
i am an internet security consultant so i have no sympathy for anyone using these freebie programs, but i do feel sorry for those who are conned by others who use these freebies saying they are great programs when in fact they are rubbish.

no good complaining about having spyware or viruses if u dont run the best u can get, if u dont do your housework, your house gets dirty, same as your pc. for just a few $$$ u can have the best on the planet, referring to BITDEFENDER PRO and KASPERSKY PRO which both have built in firewalls and anti spam modules which can be turned off or on at will, these 2 are proved the top 2 on the market as well as pcillin, and all cost less than us$100, and all run VIRUS DEFINITION updates every 3 hours, unlike AVG.
when u do get a good antivirus program, make sure its configured correctly, most peole have no idea how to setup and configure them, meaning more problems.

as far as spyware goes, most spyware programs actually install spyware files onto your pc during installation, they are paid to do it, and u think your new spyware program is going to detect and remove those files during your first spyware scans, I THINK NOT.
webroot spy sweeper and spyware eliminator are the absolute 2 top spyware detection and removal tools on the market.
my preference is for spy sweeper and this is all i run as a spyware monitor on my pc, it runs actively in the background while the pc is running, and every week ill run a scan with spyware eliminator to get any spyware files that got thru the spy sweeper (it can and will happen even with the best)

if your going to run any other spyware program on its own, you are not going to be spyware free, and if your spyware program is not monitoring your pc all the time, then running a scan on your pc once a week is of no benefit, the files are already working away at your pc.

external firewalls are also something you do not need if you are running a router/modem that has a built in firewall, all u need is the router and windows firewall and its as good as you need. if u do need to run an ext firewall, then a copy of bitdefender pro or kaspersky pro will be very helpful, and zone alarm is another great stand alone firewall, but for all round quality, versatility, cost and value for money, get bitdefender pro or kaspersky pro, spy sweeper and/or spyware eliminator, with these you wont go too far wrong.

do a complete backup of your files to cd or dvd if u only have 1 hard drive, then reformat, then get another hard drive as a storage drive for backing up your pc files, very handy and everyone should have 2 hard drives.

regards.....GLEN

Are you sure about the AVG updating glenpinn? I use the free AVG and i update everyday, sometimes 2-3 times a day with "priority updates" or "normal" updates. I've been running the free version for a good while now, and don't have any security problems (i also run free ad-aware6.0 SE, free spybot search and destroy, etc.) i dont use a firewall, although i am behind a proxy on the network from my home.

i actually ran Norton Corporate Edition (2003? i think) for the longest time, but it never caught anything and bogged down my system tremendously. it wouldn't catch the things adaware or spybot did, so i just removed it and traded it for AVG on my system which doesn't use as many resources and does jsut as good a job.

my GF and her lil' bro also run the same 3 free security softwares that i do, and have yet to have to go over there and fix there PC from malware of any kind. seems like these 3 free programs are jsut as good as any other, and i've got many months (if not a year already) of malware free computer usage to back my statement up

__________________
Can I eat your brain? - http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?4W4K3<br /><br />PII 400MHz Deschutes<br />Intel i440BX/ZX<br />384MB SDRAM 100MHz<br />MGA-G100 B4 4MB 230MHz AGP<br />Quantum Fireball 6GH HDD<br /><br />Back to the basics...

Have to agree with Eric here.
I have run free antivirus and anti spyware for years now and never had a problem.
Spybot search and destroy
ad-aware - personal.
spywareblaster.
Zonealarm
I run all the above on my computer with no conflicts they are all tryed and tested by many many knoweledgable pc advisors, so dont be afraid to use them.
I would just like to add that most free software is bad, and i can only recommend the above.

avg or Anti-vir (both as good as each other)

Also never had a problem updating any of them.

Why pay for something when you can get it for nothing.
Its more likley the ones you pay for that actually install nastys on to your computer so you think "WOW this is good"

BTW i had Norton in my first year of computing, it became corupt and more or les brought my internet activity to a stand still.
I can remember having to download an app to uninstall norton from Symantec (what a performance)

HI, U could try Norton Ghost, it makes an image of all the important files on your computer; like all of the system files and the when u need to reformat ur hard drive u can just put this image of ur hard back on so that u dont lose any important files and in the image u can also put games and anything else, that you would like to keep on ur computer.

I hope that this helps u, with ur problem and please let me know how u go.