Computer help « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A

Computer help

[29 posts] [11 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 2 years ago by HeySquare
Latest reply from GViewProgrammer

Tags:

No tags yet. Add them below.

12 Next »

HeySquare
German Village
Login to Send PM

I need some nerd help.

My laptop at home is having problems, and I couldn't get on the interwebs last night. I suspect one of several things has happened:
1. I caught a virus.
2. When I tried to update my Explorer, something went very wrong.
3. Time Warner was down (I just switched to Time Warner a few weeks ago)

I can explain more about what has been going on, but I need some diagnostic help, specifically I need someone with a functional computer to
1. check my internet to see if it is working.
2. run a security check on my computer
3. if all else fails, remove and reload Explorer on my computer.

I'm afraid if I touch anything else it will get worse, and I've pretty much exhaused my limited computer skillz. And I don't trust the guys at these fix-it places: the last time I had a problem with a computer they wanted to wipe out my entire hard drive and reload. I actually had a faulty hard drive cable.

If anyone can help me with this hot mess, I will take you out to dinner (your choice anywhere).

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

HeySquare, I'm assuming your at work right now. It would be my pleasure to assist you over the telephone when you get home, because obviously this leads to further questions, and much can be resolved over the phone.

Pretty sure you'll have someone take up your offer as the thread progresses. But I'll send you my number later if there are no takers.

Posted 2 years ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
Login to Send PM

Mozilla Firefox

</thread>

Seriously though, there could be more than just a lame browser.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
Login to Send PM

Lee- thanks. Yes I am at work :)

here is the sequence.

I got a note from a friend that one of his emails had been generated by a virus, and he had sent out an infected email. I know I opened that. When I got that note, I ran my Norton anti-virus program. It said the computer was clean. But I haven't updated in a while, and my subscription has expired. So I tried to renew my anti-virus subscription. The Symantec website kept telling me that it couldn't complete the connection because I didn't have the right version of Explorer on my computer. So I tried to update Explorer-- ran the auto update.

Now Explorer has been acting weird. Very slow. I think it was trying to redirect me to places I didn't click... so that was why I was thinking it was a virus. I've also had problems shutting down. It kept telling me that there was a program still running iexplore.exe... that's why I thought it might just be a problem with Explorer.

Frankly I'd be happy to scrap the whole thing and switch to a different browser... but now lacking the ability to connect to the internet (last night it wouldn't connect at all) I can't download anything.

I'm happy to pay for a fix-- but I don't want to buy new security when I really just need to remove explorer, or vice versa.

Posted 2 years ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
Login to Send PM

I feel you on computer problems as I don't know anywhere as much as I probably should.

After I bought my computer, I was urged by the computer literate to dump Norton as it was rather unsecure. I replaced it with NOD 32 that I bought from Microcenter a few years ago and it's been very good. In addition, I also have loaded Spyware Doctor antispyare software from Microcenter.

After reading about security issues with Explorer, I've downloaded the Mozilla Firefox browser and continue to use it as my browser.

Just food for thought, take from it what you will. Maybe Mr. Lee or others here have some other advice for you.

Posted 2 years ago #
rus

Login to Send PM

Been a long time since I troubleshot a windows desktop ( talk about thankless work ) but a quick check of the hardware and time warner connection would be to boot the laptop from a linux live CD ( Ubuntu, puppy linux, or similar ).

If that boots, finds the nic, negotiates dhcp for an ip and connects, the problem is windows. If that's true, then slicking the machine ( reinstalling the OS destroying all data on it ) is about the only 100% safe way to clean up virus hits. Some of the newer ones rewrite network tools, disable virus protection, etc. . Nasty stuff.

Clamwin:
http://www.clamwin.com/

Is supposed to be a good alternative to norton / mcaffee. I've had problems with both; norton caused problems on one of my old machines while mcaffee released a bad definitions file last month that identified itself as a virus... managed to corrupt a few machines at work.

Being behind a NATd firewall ( like most of the wireless access points today ) and running not-internet-explorer ( firefox, opera, et. al. ) can help a lot.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
Login to Send PM

I was a big FireFox fan but here lately it has just been disappointing me. I switched to Opera and man I am never going back. It is fast as hell and I love the features it has. My fire fox was absorbing about 200k usage Opera is only 20k. Give it a try

Also screw Norton
Try Advast and spybot
My fav is ZoneAlarm

Posted 2 years ago #
Matthew
Hilltop
Login to Send PM

I have had zero issues with Norton 360.

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

You can get free virus software, AVG is what I use. Firefox browser is also my choice. As for internet connection problems, Virus is always a possibility and not always caught or cleaned by any anti-virus program if it is viral enough. Would like to see if you can connect through another wireless network. There are many things to try and attempt to diagnose before I yell panic. Obviously your computer is kablooyee(Kablooyee being one of those high tech jargon words). Your modem lights etc: Really this could be simple or complicated. Disconnecting your modem and plugging it back in etc. Checking for running task. You have my number Heysquare.

Or I can always come over wearing my construction belt! A boy can only dream :>)

And the more you describe here, the more the geek nation might provide further insights - but yes, difficult to diagnose while your not sitting at your puter. No HeySquare, if I can be of help a thank you is gratitude enough!

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

Can you tell us what virus you may have been sent? Some can still be beaten...otherwise I am afraid Rus is right on the money about clean reinstall.

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
Login to Send PM

I remember these days. There's nothing that makes you feel more helpless than sending out that plea for help because your computer just hates you. (Yes, I have to assume it's personal -- and perhaps the computer has become sentient -- because I don't have the tech know-how to assess it more usefully.)

Then I found Mac and learned that tech problems were not actually an inherent law of computer usage.

Posted 2 years ago #
rus

Login to Send PM

TaraK wrote >>
I remember these days. There's nothing that makes you feel more helpless than sending out that plea for help because your computer just hates you. (Yes, I have to assume it's personal -- and perhaps the computer has become sentient -- because I don't have the tech know-how to assess it more usefully.)
Then I found Mac and learned that tech problems were not actually an inherent law of computer usage.

Mac user myself, in addition to playing around with the occasional linux distro. Good stuff.

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

But, does that really have anything to do with Mac, or the fact they are not targeted?

Posted 2 years ago #
rus

Login to Send PM

LeePaul wrote >>
But, does that really have anything to do with Mac, or the fact they are not targeted?

They're targeted. Saw a malware page the other day for safari; tried to download a .dmg ( disk image ) and install something. There's also been trojans on some of the p2p traffic.

Difference is there's a lot more user interaction required. Worms, for instance, are unheard of. Just opening an email isn't enough.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
Login to Send PM

I would email the sender... but... :) It was something that was entitled like.. "Cute card from Hallmark"

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

Strong possibility you do have a virus, possibly the "storm virus" or varient. Have to do some research and get back with you. See how helpful you are?
If you have been vigilant about updating/patching your windows op system your puter should have been protected. So have you?

Also could be a complete hoax. Now isn't that helpful!

Posted 2 years ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
Login to Send PM

I'd take care of the virus first.. then worry about updating or installing fresh software.. I've used ClamAV on UNIX, and it seems to get the job done. I'd imagine the windows version works just as well. On my windows machines, I've used both the free and pay versions of AVG in the past and it works well.

I've used Firefox for years and I agree that it's gotten a bit more resource intensive, but the most recent updates to 3.5 seem to be slimming FF back down and improving the reliability. I also recommend add ons like Ad Blocker Pro and one of the flash blocker programs. That seems to cut down the memory footprint.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
Login to Send PM

But how do I get AVG if I can't get to the internet? Do they sell it at Microcenter or Best Buy?

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
Login to Send PM

Hoping to get you on the net from your home computer. That is the first goal.

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
Login to Send PM

LeePaul wrote >>
Strong possibility you do have a virus, possibly the "storm virus" or varient. Have to do some research and get back with you. See how helpful you are?
If you have been vigilant about updating/patching your windows op system your puter should have been protected. So have you?
Also could be a complete hoax. Now isn't that helpful!

Yes dad, thanks for the lecture :)
Here is the thing... I've killed one computer in my life, and it wasn't because of malicious software... it was because of incompatible software. I don't download much, and I stay away from chain email. Every time I download a patch... my computer ends up with settings I don't want, or stupid crap installed on my computer that I don't want, or I can't find anything on the toolbars. I love Mac, but frankly I'm indoctrinated with PC and Windows, and that's that. The technology is not the end game, and I am techno-fucking-tired, and I just want what I have to work. [/rant]

*sigh* it probably was that darn email. that is the one thing I am mad about... I know better than to open those attachments. And I even hesitated.

Posted 2 years ago #