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[jon]

Alright I'll admit that I was being stupid and was trying to find a registration key for a program to boost up my pc's performance....Not sure how illegal it is, but since I've gotten a serious virus/spybot infection, I have no intention of ever doing something that stupid again and I've learned my lesson. But my question starts with some information to make it as clear as possible....Ok, so at first after I downloaded a file which was supposed to be just a registration code, my computer tweaked out being slow, and wouldn't let me do anything...so then after a panic attack I ran the free avg 8.0 and found about 6 or so trojans. I can't seem to find everything because, whatever it is, won't let me update avg or even acess their website...also...I can't visit any other virus scanning websites to download them...for some reason I can acess myspace and google, but I can't click on any of the google results. (trying to keep this short so i don't lose your interest in helping me...lol) when I click on one of the google results it opens up a completly different page than what the google results link said....so I have a feeling that it's some kind of spyware because of the random add popups that I can't keep from popping up. Please help me guys. I'm trying to get this fixed so i don't have to keep going to the public library to do my homework everyday...or even worse...Pay 100+ bucks for Best Buy (also known as RIP U OFF) to fix it...I was considering reformatting the hard drive but I don't have the Operating System Disc, unless one of you comp wizzes knows how to work around that. btw it's an XP. thank you guys I'd really appreciate your help. thank you thank you thank you. looking forward to your answers.

[Wayne R]

You could try using Spybot SD or AVG. These are free programs that are light and strong. They dont keep much load on the comp and are very effective at the same time!

[Max]

Use Housecall, an online anti-virus scanner, to help find what's running.

[cotojo]

Do NOT use System restore or you will infect the Restore partition.
You have a malware infection, use the following free programs, download, install, update and reboot into Safe Mode to scan:
Remove Restrictions Tool:
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/RRT-Remove-Ristrictions-Tool-Download-68926.html
Download from Softpedia Secure Download (RO), install, run and check all boxes then click Apply and then reboot. This tool re-enables what codecs/viruses have disabled.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?hhTest=1.
Download, install, update and select Full Scan.
Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition:
http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html
Download, install, check for updates, then select Scan your Computer, select your drive and select Perform Complete Scan

Spybot S&D:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Download, install, update and Immunize, turn off Tea Timer then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'
Open Spybot, click on Mode, select Advanced, click on Tools then Resident and untick Resident 'Tea Timer'
Do NOT untick Resident 'SD Helper' as that is your protection.

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:
http://pack.google.com
Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

SmitFraud Removal:
Firstly, download the removal tool from here:
http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php
Then follow the instructions on the page

ONLY IF the problem persists, turn OFF System Restore, Right click My computer > select Properties > System Restore Tab > Tick Turn Off System restore on all drives.

After scans are complete and machine is clean remember to turn system restore back ON and create a new restore point.

[DUNBAR PAPPY]

If your browser is misbehaving (POP-UP's, going to weird, unrequested sites, goofy warnings, etc.) do this BEFORE other major system makeovers:
Apart from removing any malware already installed on your system, you must
TURN OFF 3rd PARTY COOKIES!!
This stops un-requested cookies ( =pop-ups & websites) from being displayed in your browser.
For Internet Explorer: go to Tools> Internet Options> Privacy> Advanced: here check 'Override automatic....' 'Allow session cookies' 'Allow 1st party cookies' & 'Block 3rd Party Cookies'.
For Firefox: go to Tools> Options> Privacy: here un-check 'Accept 3rd Party cookies'
Junk in your system will have to be extracted with Spybot, Ad Aware, and all available good cleaners. Good luck.

[SecurityExpert]

Download and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from http://www.spywaregeeks.com/rogue-antispyware-removal.html to check your computer for all kinds of threats.

[Pink]

You need to start your computer in safe mode and THEN run the virus software, if this still doesn't work run your computer in safe mode and reset to a previous date where it wasn't like this. If all else fails take it to a real computer specialist ( not best buy or staples) There has to be at least one in your town or in a neighboring town. Either way if you do not own a valid operating system with a valid key you will have to buy one if they have to reformat the hard drive, that alone is a pretty hefty price.

Downloading a virus scanner after the fact is about 98% useless, once a file has been embedded with a virus many of them cannot be extracted without destroying the file so the virus scanner will place this in quarantine so you know which files you may need to replace, but other than that the file is now useless. Invest in a good virus scanner such as AVG even the free one works just fine, I do not recommend Norton unless you have a super computer since this program is more of a resource hog than anything else. The biggest thing is keeping them up to date and running otherwise they are all around useless.

From what you have described it sounds more like a virus, you wouldn't believe what they can do now. One virus makes your computer look like it has blue screened but leaves the mouse active? pretty neat! Oo welp good luck to you!

[Neeks]

Given the fact that your current antivirus is not working and that you cannot access the internet to download a free virus/spyware program, I would unfortunately have to suggest that you reformat your hard drive to wipe it completely and then reinstall all your software. This will get rid of the viruses.

I would not recommend purchasing new antivirus software from a store, because the likelihood is they wont help. You will mostly likely have to update them once they are installed on your computer before you can run a scan with them, and you have already identified issues accessing the internet.

If you are happy to spend money, then I would suggest that you look at purchasing a new OS disc. You other option to gain a new OS disc, is if your system isnt too old, contact either the place you bought it from or the company that made it, with make and model details and see if they can provide you with a system recovery disc.

[Bomber]

the first thing to do is disable system restore to do this is click start and right click on my computer and left click properties (virus's can hide in the system restore files and you can get reinfected) now click the "System restore" tab put a tick in the box to turn off system restore and click apply.
now reboot your computer in safe mode to do it keep pressing the F8 key before the the windows logo appears when the boot menu appears use the cursor keys to highlight safe mode and press the enter key.
when it's loaded run your anti-virus again and while you're doing that run an anti spyware scan as well if you haven't got anti spyware you may have to download it with another computer and install it on yours via a cd I suggest spybot search and destroy or Ad-aware 2009 both are free
doing it this way makes sure the virus's can't interfere with the anti virus program doing it's job
if everything is ok just reboot and re-enable system restore by removing the tick and clicking apply again

[brewboy1962]

Bite the bullet and buy a new OS disc otherwise all you have is a really expencive piece of equipment that can only be used for a boat anchor!
WHATEVER you do DO NOT type in any financial information or passwords till you've cleaned the comp up because it also will have a keystroke log that tells whoever invented the virus everything they need to know to steal you indentity and or all your information you've entered when regestering on websites you visit!
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!