Computer stuff.

[funwithzippers]

Okay, so none of your lovely helpful home remedies helped. This Virus is a tricky one. I really really really don't want my computer to be eaten alive! What should I do?!?!?!

Oh and I have literally NO money so I can't take it in to see a professional. HELP!

EDIT: It's all fixed! Thanks Joel!

Comments

[ribbin]

Are you currently in school? If so, go to your school's computer store or computer area of the bookstore. Alternately, go chat up some people in the Computer Sciences portion of campus.

Or try Craig's List. You never know what sort of crazy deals you can find there.

Good luck!

[funwithzippers]

Not is school right now, so that options out. Thanks though!

[ribbin]

Why don't you just try at a random college? Worst come to worst they'll tell you to go away:P

[phantomdancer]

Free anti virus tools.
Avast antivirus
http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html

AVG
http://free.grisoft.com/

antispyware/malware tools

spybot search and destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/

ad-aware
http://www.lavasoft.com/

try scanning with a virus scanner, then checking with spybot and ad-aware. then boot to safe mode and do it all again. Good luck with it.

[funwithzippers]

The problem with the virus is that it won't allow me to open certain programs (ie the ones that can destroy it).

[phantomdancer]

well, if all else fails, formatting the drive and reinstalling windows is always an option.

[waltzwithme]

I have a free copy of Norton on a CD. Don't know if that will work any better than trying to download, but the program will install and run automatically from the CD if you want to try it. Will you (or anyone who can get the CD to you) be at FNW this week?

[funwithzippers]

I won't be at FNW, but Joel probably will. Can you give it to him? And tell him it's for me?

[spurious_logic]

That probably still won't work since the virus is blocking the executable that runs the program. Crafty little buggers.

Once more with feeling

[spurious_logic]

okay, try this . .

Shut down your laptop and start it back up.
Before Windows starts to boot, start hitting the F8 key (this should get you into the "Safe Mode" screen)
Run windows under Safe Mode (no networking)
now run your anti-virus programs that you have downloaded.

If all else fails, I can pick you (and the laptop) up at BART tomorrow, try to fix it at my place, and drop you off on my way to FNW

Re: Once more with feeling

[funwithzippers]

YES! It worked! I am doing a crazy happy dance!

[amy_rene]

yay to Joel being able to help!