Q. I have a HP pavilion laptop and I have found out that it's got an alureon virus. After looking up the virus online to try and get rid of it I've resigned myself to just doing a complete system restore. Only I just realised that I am meant to create my own system recovery disks. I was unaware of this and now do not have any recovery discs. Can I make the discs now that I have a virus? Can I buy them off HP? I'm desperate for answers.
A. So you were late to realize that you should have created the recovery disc right after you got the computer from the store. Anyway, yes you can buy a recovery disc from HP. It usually costs $25-30.
I doubt that it would be safe at this time to create a recovery disc from your infected computer as you might carry over the infection to the disc as well. Alureon is a rootkit and hides well in the operating system. It is very difficult to detect. However, maybe the well-known TDSSKiller made by Kaspersky to remove that rootkit will do:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-tdss-tdl3-alureon-rootkit-using-tdsskiller
If the TDSSKiller is able to remove the rootkit then it might be fairly safe to create your recovery disc.
Meanwhile, you can also consider running the recovery program in the hidden partition:
1. Turn on or reboot/restart the computer.
2. Tap the F10 key repeatedly once you see the HP logo until the recovery screen appears. On some models it may be the F11 key.
3. When the recovery screen appears, press "Next" and then "Yes" to perform a non-destructive recovery.
4. To perform a destructive recovery, click "Advanced" and then "Yes".
5. After the recovery is finished, the laptop will reboot.
Note that you you will lose your data when you do a system recovery regardless if it's through the hidden recovery partition or from a recovery disc so back them up somewhere else.
I doubt that it would be safe at this time to create a recovery disc from your infected computer as you might carry over the infection to the disc as well. Alureon is a rootkit and hides well in the operating system. It is very difficult to detect. However, maybe the well-known TDSSKiller made by Kaspersky to remove that rootkit will do:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-tdss-tdl3-alureon-rootkit-using-tdsskiller
If the TDSSKiller is able to remove the rootkit then it might be fairly safe to create your recovery disc.
Meanwhile, you can also consider running the recovery program in the hidden partition:
1. Turn on or reboot/restart the computer.
2. Tap the F10 key repeatedly once you see the HP logo until the recovery screen appears. On some models it may be the F11 key.
3. When the recovery screen appears, press "Next" and then "Yes" to perform a non-destructive recovery.
4. To perform a destructive recovery, click "Advanced" and then "Yes".
5. After the recovery is finished, the laptop will reboot.
Note that you you will lose your data when you do a system recovery regardless if it's through the hidden recovery partition or from a recovery disc so back them up somewhere else.
What sort of viruses can effect the .exe files of recent/new downloaded software causing them not to function.?
Q. I have good reason to believe a virus has infected my computer because all the software i recently download, such as ooVoo, or sandboxie, do not work. I get pop ups stating the shortcuts for these files are improper. I just want to know, what I can do to locate, and remove this infection, perferrebly free and manually if at all possible.
A. This is a patching virus (virut or sality most likely) they will do things similar to what you're seeing
Before reading: Malware removal may result in an unbootable PC. To fix this, get your Windows disk, boot from it and run a recovery after the malware removal is complete.
Also, disable system restore first. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
If you cannot execute anything, you will need to go into a bootable environment. Unfortunately, you will need a friend's PC or another PC do to this.
First, get on another PC.
Second, download this .ISO file http://www.freedrweb.com/livecd/
Third, download image burning software such as this http://www.imgburn.com/ and burn the file you just downloaded to a CD/DVD disk.
After that, insert the disk into your PC and restart it. You should see something upon bootup such as "Press any key to boot from CD." When you see this, press any key to boot from the CD, go into the Dr. Web CD and run a full scan with it. I recommend the "cure" option for any Windows system files or files you do not want to delete.
Note: If you do not see a "boot from cd" option upon bootup, you must go into the BIOS and change the boot devices to boot from CD first (google it for your motherboard.)
After this, your PC will likely still have some traces of viruses on it, but you will be able to boot it or execute files on it.
Download, install and run a full scan with the following tools in order to remove the traces.
Malwarebytes Antimalware - http://www.malwarebytes.org (Get the free version, this is a very powerful tool to remove most malware infections. Make sure to run an update which will be under the "update" tab of the program prior to running a scan which will be under the "Scanner" tab. Make sure to check "perform a full scan" button under the "scanner," tab before beginning. This scan will take up to 2 hours, so be prepared to wait a while. You can still use your PC while it is scanning, however be sure not to log into anything or type any personal information as you may have malware on your PC still)
Hitman pro - http://www.surfright.nl/en (Very simple program. Just download Hitman Pro from this link and click the "next' button on the main interface)
*Don't have to read after this line, however I recommend that you do*
After all the malware is removed from your PC, you still need protection from future threats. A free antivirus is good if you don't want to pay.
Free antiviruses:
Avast - http://www.avast.com (Great detection rate, somewhat complicated user interface)
Avira - http://www.free-av.com (Great detection rate, complicated user interface)
Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials (Good detection rate, ideal for novice users)
Paid antiviruses:
Norton - http://www.symantec.com (Has really improved in the newer products. Amazing detection rate and many lines of defenses, simple user interface. Very light on system resources. All around good product)
G Data http://www.gdata-software.com (Really, Really good detection rate. Uses two engines. Scored 99.9% detection rate in the latest AV-Comparatives.org test. Somewhat heavy on system resources)
Kaspersky - http://www.Kaspersky.com (Really good detection rate. Heavy on PC resources, however.)
Feel free to email me (click my name and click "email this user") if you need any extra support (like remote support)
Before reading: Malware removal may result in an unbootable PC. To fix this, get your Windows disk, boot from it and run a recovery after the malware removal is complete.
Also, disable system restore first. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
If you cannot execute anything, you will need to go into a bootable environment. Unfortunately, you will need a friend's PC or another PC do to this.
First, get on another PC.
Second, download this .ISO file http://www.freedrweb.com/livecd/
Third, download image burning software such as this http://www.imgburn.com/ and burn the file you just downloaded to a CD/DVD disk.
After that, insert the disk into your PC and restart it. You should see something upon bootup such as "Press any key to boot from CD." When you see this, press any key to boot from the CD, go into the Dr. Web CD and run a full scan with it. I recommend the "cure" option for any Windows system files or files you do not want to delete.
Note: If you do not see a "boot from cd" option upon bootup, you must go into the BIOS and change the boot devices to boot from CD first (google it for your motherboard.)
After this, your PC will likely still have some traces of viruses on it, but you will be able to boot it or execute files on it.
Download, install and run a full scan with the following tools in order to remove the traces.
Malwarebytes Antimalware - http://www.malwarebytes.org (Get the free version, this is a very powerful tool to remove most malware infections. Make sure to run an update which will be under the "update" tab of the program prior to running a scan which will be under the "Scanner" tab. Make sure to check "perform a full scan" button under the "scanner," tab before beginning. This scan will take up to 2 hours, so be prepared to wait a while. You can still use your PC while it is scanning, however be sure not to log into anything or type any personal information as you may have malware on your PC still)
Hitman pro - http://www.surfright.nl/en (Very simple program. Just download Hitman Pro from this link and click the "next' button on the main interface)
*Don't have to read after this line, however I recommend that you do*
After all the malware is removed from your PC, you still need protection from future threats. A free antivirus is good if you don't want to pay.
Free antiviruses:
Avast - http://www.avast.com (Great detection rate, somewhat complicated user interface)
Avira - http://www.free-av.com (Great detection rate, complicated user interface)
Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials (Good detection rate, ideal for novice users)
Paid antiviruses:
Norton - http://www.symantec.com (Has really improved in the newer products. Amazing detection rate and many lines of defenses, simple user interface. Very light on system resources. All around good product)
G Data http://www.gdata-software.com (Really, Really good detection rate. Uses two engines. Scored 99.9% detection rate in the latest AV-Comparatives.org test. Somewhat heavy on system resources)
Kaspersky - http://www.Kaspersky.com (Really good detection rate. Heavy on PC resources, however.)
Feel free to email me (click my name and click "email this user") if you need any extra support (like remote support)
What are common fixes/repairs for a normal computer repair shop?
Q. I'm looking to do some computer repair work on the weekends for abit of extra cash.
I have a large knowledge for computers repairs but just wandering what sort of fixes/repairs would be done on a normal day at a computer repair shop.
Thanks in advance.
I have a large knowledge for computers repairs but just wandering what sort of fixes/repairs would be done on a normal day at a computer repair shop.
Thanks in advance.
A. Virus removal, data recovery and hardware installation/upgrades would be 90% of the business.
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