I have read questions regarding virus removal but I am posting my issue so I can give details and get the correct help. I had McAfee installed when this happened. My computer started getting strange error messages at start up such as Error loading c:\windows\system32\calc.dll the specified module could not be found. Also when I Google something then click on a link I get redirected to some other page that has nothing to do with what I clicked. Now when I shut the computer off and turn it back on everything on my desktop is gone except for the tray at the bottom which keeps showing a bubble telling me to open the security center and when I click that icon in the tray it proceeds to scan the pc, tells me I have 40 known threats and gives me the option to remove them or proceed unprotected when I click remove it shows me a screen where I have to pay. When I use my mcafee to scan the system it says there are no known threats. I also have been receiving popups for what claims to be a "make money with google" site and my popup blocker is on and I haven’t received a popup in years. Does any one have any idea what is going on and what I can do. Also I don’t hav the Windows XP disc because my pc had it already installed when I purchased it.
When I reboot the pc so I can start in safe mode I get a blue screen message whenever I chose safe mode. It says a problem has been detected and the computer is shutting down. The reason I came here to get help to do it on my own is because I’m not able to take it to someone to pay for it getting fixed. So I reeally appreciate evryones help.
I went to the help forums suggested by Sly_Old… and MrGrump and was not able to download the programs that I need to start the halp process because it says my security settings won’t allow me to download it. What could be causing that I have not changed any internet security settings and even when I check everythings the same as I left it. I don’t know what else to do I’m getting kinda discouraged.
The Best way to Remove all kind of Virus,Trojans,Malware,Spyware,
Worm,Pop Up Advertisements ,Hijack Web browser rootkit and all Rogue Fake
Anti-virus in you Computer is Restart You Computer Safe Mode with Networking
1. Log out and reboot your machine.
2. When the machine starts the reboot sequence, press the F8 key repeatedly.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the resulting menu.
4. Login. If the malware has changed your password, try logging in as
Administrator. By default, Administrator has no password.
5. The machine will continue booting, but the Windows desktop will look different.
Then in The Safe With Networking .Download and Scan By Using Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=contentBody;mostPopTwoColWrap&cdlPid=10997763
Download and Scan By Using Super Anti-Spyware Press here http://www.superantispyware.com/
Download and Scan By using Norman Malware Cleaner Press here http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=5450&file=1&evp=6980e63d4e482f0670e991265b3250e7
Download ATF is a new, freeware, temporary file cleaner for Windows, IE, Firefox and Opera with a simple, easy-to-use interface.
The main screen allows the user to either clean all temporary files, or select files for cleaning. The program also knows if Firefox and or Opera is being used, and gives the option of cleaning the temporary files associated with those applications.
ATF Cleaner provides the user with a window showing the total bytes freed upon completion. The program is small (36kb), quick to run and no installation required. to Download ATF Cleaner press this link http://majorgeeks.com/ATF_Cleaner_d4949.html
6. When you’re finished Remove Virus, Malware, Trojan, Worm,
rogue
virus rootkit and
Spyware log out and reboot back into normal mode
Download the latest version AVG Free Edition 9.0.707 and install
http://www.filehorse.com/download-avg-antivirus/
If you want, you can try the "Ultimate Boot CD for Windows," which allows you to scan your computer from a "clean" environment (in other words, the virus isn’t running while you scan your computer). Here’s a video that I’ve made about using the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows: http://screencast.com/users/rtobyr/folders/Default/media/5cad7ef2-31f1-4382-83c8-d660b09b53b0
Even though your computer had Windows installed when you purchased it, they should have still provided you with a disk. Check again wherever you have saved everything that came with your PC. It might be called a "Recovery Disk."
I’ve been a network administrator for over 12 years now. Here’s what I do about virus and spyware infections: I backup all the documents, pictures, music, etc., and then I put in the Windows CD and have it format the hard drive and start over. That’s the only way to be 100% sure that all of the infections are removed. For backing up the data files, I prefer an online file host (such as http://www.drivehq.com ) instead of a USB drive because recent viruses (like Conflicker) can infect your USB drive.
What should you back up? Almost always these days, if you just back up your "My Documents" folder (and the My Documents folders for other users on the computer), you’ll have saved everything. Microsoft and third party software manufacturers are becoming very good at making sure all of your stuff goes into that folder, or a subfolder (such as My Pictures).
For the future, I recommend that you use Mozy Home Free Edition to keep your documents backed up online. Then you won’t have to hesitate if you want to ever reformat your computer again. Here is a YouTube video that I made about how to use Mozy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmhAoPCmOdY
I also recommend installing Site Advisor at http://www.siteadvisor.com. It will pop up a red balloon any time you go to a web site that has malicious downloads. It will also put red, yellow, and green icons next to your Google and Yahoo search results.
Lastly, here are my recommendations for anti-virus products:
All antivirus do just as well at detecting viruses. So the best antivirus is a free one. Here are three free ones that you can choose from:
AVG Free Edition: http://free.grisoft.com
Avast 4 Home: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
Avira Antivir Personal: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html
PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition: http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
Comodo Antivirus: http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/antivirus.html
To get the actual comparisons of how every anti-virus program compares with the competition, go to the following link check out their comparative tests:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/
A computer virus is much like a real virus. It is a harmful bug that enters your computer system and causes your PC to act poorly. Computer viruses have many different effects, some cause your system to run very slow, some leave your important data vulnerable to intruders, and some do both. Since I have a lot of experience removing viruses, I would like to share my knowledge with all of you.
Step 1CLEAR TEMP FILES. In MY COMPUTER, go to C:/Documents_And_Settings/%user%/Local_Settings/Temp. (If you don’t see LOCAL SETTINGS directory, make sure you have Hidden Files shown) Delete all files in TEMP folder.
Step 2DISABLE SYSTEM RESTORE. Right-Click MY COMPUTER. Click PROPERTIES. Go to SYSTEM RESTORE tab. Check check box that says TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE.
Step 3RUN SPYWARE SCANNERS FROM SAFE MODE. I find it is always better to run more then 1 spyware scanner applications. I use SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY and MALWARE BYTES. Just go to google and search for these FREE programs to download. Make sure you download all definition updates before running scan. To enter Safe Mode, click F10 key (may be other F key depending on PC type) on Computers BIOS Startup screen and choose Safe Mode with networking.
Step 4The above steps are usually sufficient in removing most viruses and spyware. A few more helpful ideas would be to:
1) remove unwanted programs from ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS in control panel
2) remove unwanted startup items from MSCONFIG, Click Start > Run > type "msconfig", choose startup tab on top of window
If you are using Internet Explorer open tools or the settings. Make absolutely sure there are no other web addresses included with your hoe page. This is an area that is exploited with scare tactic web pages that will throw all kind of things on your screen. Because of this location, no spyware or virus software will find this. If this isn’t the case try to download a LiveCD Anti Virus program (DrWeb Anti-virus is a good program that I use to clean a customers computer with, burn it to disc and boot from this disc. It takes the computer out of the Windows environment and allows a 100% scan of the hard drive. Doing a virus scan in Windows is probably 90 to 95% complete.
before you do this try getting into your secury shield on rigth corner botton open that up go to your malware anti-virus. and turn it on, then go open the internet go to options, down to internet options go to security raise your security to max that will cause the system to block any incoming or outgoin. after that run your mcafee anti-virus and malware protection. this will help erase your malware but it will block from leaving your system when you start cleaning cause what your doins is cleaning your computer with the net fully open to the outside world where it came from.
Preparation Guide For Use Before Using HijackThis and other Malware Removal Tools, Instructions for receiving help in cleaning your computer
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html
Follow the instructions in the link below and a trained analyst will check your logs and help you get rid of any infections for free.
If you cannot complete any of the steps, let the analyst know and he will advise you what to do next.
http://www.tnthelpforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=834