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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Tech Impaired on November 03, 2004, 09:10:11 PM

Title: I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 03, 2004, 09:10:11 PM
Running:
Win Me
Avast Pro 4.1
Zone Alarm
Ad Aware
CW Shredder
Spybot Search
RoadRunner
Spyware Blaster
Awclnr.exe

Ad Aware finds them but can't delete.  Same with avast.  avast identifies the virus as VX2.  Spywareguide.com instructions don't apply to where my infected files are-which I have found but cannot access-change name-delete or alter.  _Restore is the folder.  I've worked on this for a couple of days--and deleted god knows what else from my puter--except for these files.

In DOS-all I can get is "Bad file command."

What now?  Shoot myself--or the puter?  Pleeeeze help!
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: lister on November 03, 2004, 09:18:18 PM
_Restore is the system restore, you will need to disable it before scanning and removing the virus, or system restore will just put the virus back again.
Unsure how to do that in WinME though.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Lisandro on November 03, 2004, 09:22:46 PM
To disable it:

Start > Control Panel > System > System restore > Disable
Click Apply
Enable it again
Click Ok
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 03, 2004, 10:21:57 PM
Thanks for the replies.  :)

I read about this solution on the thread "virus multiplying" or something similar--and tried this then.  I also tried this twice since you suggested to do so.  I cannot access the file--permission denied.

I did manage to switch it to opening with notepad--but of course-editing is not allowed either.  I also dumped i.e. and loaded Mozilla because of all the bad press.

And--if this comes down to my having to use a gun--I'll need to borrow one.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Lisandro on November 03, 2004, 10:40:19 PM
And--if this comes down to my having to use a gun--I'll need to borrow one.

Oh, I have a gun but I do not borrow it. I keep it for the bad computer days but not to shot myself but the computer  ;D
Welcome to avast forums  8)
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: DavidR on November 04, 2004, 01:02:43 AM
Win XP-ME - How to disable System Restore (http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm)

Once you have disabled system restore, reboot, that should automatically delete the contents of the _Restore folders. Scan your PC again and if clear enable system restore.

If that hasn't resolved it (keep system restore disabled) reboot into safe mode (usually by pressing the F8 key during boot. This stops many programs running and getting into memory (including some viri), once in run avast and scan in boot mode.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Lisandro on November 04, 2004, 11:50:49 AM
If that hasn't resolved it (keep system restore disabled) reboot into safe mode (usually by pressing the F8 key during boot. This stops many programs running and getting into memory (including some viri), once in run avast and scan in boot mode.

David, sometimes I read that not all programs can run in Safe Mode.
Is avast among them? (I have XP)
Can all features of avast used under Safe Mode?
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: cnw on November 04, 2004, 02:28:47 PM
Good question and can you run a boot scan anytime or only when the screen appears that a virus has been found?  If so, how?

I know how to scan but not how to run a boot scan on demand.  Thanks
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: DavidR on November 04, 2004, 04:09:18 PM
If that hasn't resolved it (keep system restore disabled) reboot into safe mode (usually by pressing the F8 key during boot. This stops many programs running and getting into memory (including some viri), once in run avast and scan in boot mode.

David, sometimes I read that not all programs can run in Safe Mode.
Is avast among them? (I have XP)
Can all features of avast used under Safe Mode?

I'm not 100% sure, I have never had to try it myself, I wouldn't normally try, it would be easier to reinstall my last backup image.

It was more a last ditch attempt if nothing else had worked. I suppose that Igor or Vlk would be able to say for sure if avast would work on safe mode and what functionality.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Eddy on November 04, 2004, 04:35:17 PM
Quote
can you run a boot scan anytime or only when the screen appears that a virus has been found?
Anytime you want.
start Avast > Menu > Shedule boot scan

Avast does work in safe mode on XP (tested it on three systems), however I noticed it was slower than in normal mode.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: DavidR on November 04, 2004, 04:46:22 PM
Quote
Avast does work in safe mode on XP (tested it on three systems), however I noticed it was slower than in normal mode.

Thanks for that Eddy
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 11, 2004, 02:10:02 AM
The sad-sad ending to this story.

I ran to Staples--bought an external backup drive (Maxtor)--saved what I could--wiped "C" drive clean-found myself forever stuck in DOS--took the machine in and just got her back.

This virus stuff is going to end the web.  I'll not spend the big bucks to have one removed again.  I'll ditch the puter.

I do appreciate everyone's input and eagerness to help in such a timely manner.  :)
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: bob3160 on November 11, 2004, 05:33:42 AM
Guess it must be easier to go out and spend money then to follow simple instructions. ??? ???
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 11, 2004, 06:41:27 AM
nut uh.  I did everything--every single thing I was told to do by this forum and also from spywareguide.com.  The advice did sound easy enough--it just plain old didn't work in this situation.

I was veeeery close--but no cigar.  DOS got me-and I couldn't go online to search the commands I needed.

However--your inference did not go unoticed.  Only some things are over my head--ya know?
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Eddy on November 11, 2004, 12:40:25 PM
Quote
Only some things are over my head--ya know?
If you don't understand what we are saying/asking. Just say so and we will refrase it and keep refrasing it till you do understand it. Most of us are very patient and don't give up easily when we are trying to help someone.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: bob3160 on November 11, 2004, 02:28:15 PM
Tech Impaired
You went from:
Quote
I cannot access the file--permission denied.
to this:
Quote
The sad-sad ending to this story.

I ran to Staples--bought an external backup drive (Maxtor)--saved what I could--wiped "C" drive clean-found myself forever stuck in DOS--took the machine in and just got her back.
You where asked to disable System Restore because the file was in the system restore folder and therefore couldn't be accessed.
DavidR also referred you to step by step instructions on exactly how this is done.
As Eddy said, if you don't understand an instruction, all you have to do is say so.  We are here because we enjoy helping people solve their problems. We try very hard not to give up on a problem till it's solved but, that requires the same dedication from the person having the problem.
Hopefully, if you have another problem, you'll have the same patience with us. Thanks :)
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: conazus on November 11, 2004, 02:38:05 PM
Quote
Only some things are over my head--ya know?
If you don't understand what we are saying/asking. Just say so and we will refrase it and keep refrasing it till you do understand it. Most of us are very patient and don't give up easily when we are trying to help someone.

er..  I don't believe that is what he meant by that comment Eddy  :)


Quote
Hopefully, if you have another problem, you'll have the same patience with us.  

bob....

  if he did do all (as he says he did)  that he was told by people here to do ,   and it somehow screwed things up  (can happen)  and he wound up in DOS and didnt know what to do from there...    that I totally get,   as many many many people do not know how to recover from some major problems.        We need to remember that  a longggggg time ago,  before we learned what we have now...    there were times for most all of us that we "thought"   things were worse then they are.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 15, 2004, 02:37:57 PM
Thanks Eddy.  I got myself stuck in DOS with no way out-and no way to get back online.

I would have responded earlier--but I went from having a virus to not having access to my email account.  puters huh?
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Eddy on November 15, 2004, 02:57:21 PM
Put in the Windows cd and do a repair installation. Make sure you install in the same folder windows is currently in.
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Tech Impaired on November 15, 2004, 03:13:41 PM
I'm done now--well except for getting my puter to recognize my external backup drive.  I think this is a matter of finding the correct usb port--but frankly--I'm tired of this and am taking the day off.  :)
Title: Re:I need Heip w/ a Virus Infection--Please speak slowly.
Post by: Eddy on November 16, 2004, 05:55:59 AM
Quote
I'm tired of this and am taking the day off.
That is ok with me, as long as you don't give up ;)