What'd I do to my computer!? Help Please.

[JusFlyinBy]

I'll try to sum this up as small as possible. I know theres a lot of people on here who are good with computers. I mean, you guys are here conquering the internets.

Computer was acting strange. Decided to restart. It boots up to Windows, as it's loading up the programs in the background, flash, restart, about 10 seconds in. Continues to do this.

Booted in Safe Mode. Boots up ok, but I notice the processor use is freaking out. I check out the task manager, and see an extra "Iexplorer" keeps popping in and out of there. Loading, unloaded, loading, bla bla bla. I run Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot to try and find any bogus software. I leave the computer running, doesn't overheat to cause a restart or anything. Decide to run my antivirus. AS SOON AS I open the virus program, boom, reboots. Did this twice, in Safe Mode.

I figure, ok, Uninstall anti-virus. Apparently I can't do that in safe mode. So I figure, ok, Ill go to MSCONFIG and disable ALL start up programs so it doesnt run the antivirus on normal boot up. Try that, no luck, just reboots as usual.

I think, ok, RAM problem? Maybe it just dies when it tries loading too many programs? So in safe mode, I run everything I can. Doesn't reboot. I even tried pulling one 512 stick, reboot. Same problem. Pull the other 512 stick, re-boot, same problem.

I'm at a loss. How do I uninstall my anti virus program in Safe Mode? That's the only program that causes an immediate reboot.

P.S. - Possible Warning. I never had spyware on this computer. About two weeks ago I downloaded a video off the sticky Top Gear link, and I've gotten more spyware then I can even imagine. I don't know how the hell it got on the computer.

[SpeedingFirebird]

overheating or memory is not the problem. This sounds like it's software.

Lots of things start up at boot that are not listed in the Startup folder (e.g. services). I am not sure how to find them all, but I suspect it will take some registry hacking.

[youngsc]

If you still have the startup disk that came with the computer give that a try. Like ^ he said most likely software. It seems like I remember mine did that and I had to reinstall before.

[nikon]

you can run small versions of windows off of a jump drive..If I had time I'd find a link for you...but ya, just boot windows off the jump drive and delete the software off the HD...if thats your only problem...if not, just format...most of the time it's not worth the hassle....pop the drive out and stick it in another pc and copy what you need <--easiest thing to do.

[DAS BOOT]

didn't read it but probably related to large amounts of porn

[youngsc]

didn't read it but probably related to large amounts of porn

:rofl: I've had to remember what sites not to go to because that **** can seriously screw your computer up if you hit the wrong site. I got McAfee virsus scan and when I hit one of those sites it lights up like a xmas tree and I start clicking like a mad man to get out of it.

[bah]

virus. reformat and reinstall windows, or switch to a mac

[airattack111]

virus. reformat and reinstall windows, or switch to a mac

ditto

mac osx>all

[3.4 slow to go]

only goobers use mac


:popcorn:







(waits for obligatory admin remark)

[Fireball27]

ditto

mac osx>all

Except when you're trying to do your freakin taxes, then Mac sucks the big ones as it refuses to print a VERY nessesary .pdf file :mad:

I should commend you on your patients. I have absolutely none when it comes to computers.. things should just work, and if they don't... well they get destroyed.

[JusFlyinBy]

Unfortunatley, reformating is just not an option right now.

So, there is no way to uninstall a program in safe mode? This isn't good. I've been using this Virus software for a good year now with no issues, then all of a sudden this? Registry hack? Ugh, I don't like the sounds of that.

Really, if anyone knows a way to eliminate this virus scanning software without a reformat, It may clear this whole thing up.

OR, tell me how to turn off this auto scan on boot. The only way I know how is to access the software, and shut off that option. But as you know, when I access the software, it immediatley reboots the computer. Suggestions?

Thanks!

[3.4 slow to go]

cain you boot up in safe mode as an admin? maybe also see about uninstalling IE adn see what happens.

[SpeedingFirebird]

cain you boot up in safe mode as an admin? maybe also see about uninstalling IE adn see what happens.

:confused: I don't think you can uninstall I.E. It is "part of the OS" according to MS.

[nikon]

cain you boot up in safe mode as an admin? maybe also see about uninstalling IE adn see what happens.

It's prolly set to 'easy login' so Ill say no to that...if you can login and before it reboots access your registry (ctrl+r -->regedit-->enter) lemme know and Ill tell you how to disable the startup programs...more stuff to disable than what lies under the 'startup' folder.

wait a sec....if it's safe mode it's not easy login.....type administrator in the username field, and whatever the main password is when you installed windows....you should be able to disable/uninstall from there.

[SpeedingFirebird]

It's prolly set to 'easy login' so Ill say no to that...if you can login and before it reboots access your registry (ctrl+r -->regedit-->enter) lemme know and Ill tell you how to disable the startup programs...more stuff to disable than what lies under the 'startup' folder.

wait a sec....if it's safe mode it's not easy login.....type administrator in the username field, and whatever the main password is when you installed windows....you should be able to disable/uninstall from there.

registry hacking is not all that hard once you know what to look for. If nikon knows what to edit, then you should try that before reinstalling.

[bah]

its not worth messing with that crap, just reinstall, you will manage, the rest of the world does, its not a problem with your virus software, its a virus itself, there is no way to get rid of it and your os to be 100% back to normal, that just doesnt happen with all the crappy code that microsoft calls an operating system

[JusFlyinBy]

cain you boot up in safe mode as an admin? maybe also see about uninstalling IE adn see what happens.

I always boot in as admin. I don't have profiles set on my computer. No password login, just boot right up. I can't uninstall IE because Safe Mode will not let you run uninstallers.

It's prolly set to 'easy login' so Ill say no to that...if you can login and before it reboots access your registry (ctrl+r -->regedit-->enter) lemme know and Ill tell you how to disable the startup programs...more stuff to disable than what lies under the 'startup' folder.

wait a sec....if it's safe mode it's not easy login.....type administrator in the username field, and whatever the main password is when you installed windows....you should be able to disable/uninstall from there.

OK... I tried the Ctrl+R thing. A window popped up and I started writing 'regedit' but it reboot on me. I wasn't quick enough. Reason being, is that stupid "System Configuration Change" window popped up to let me know I made changes to the start up programs. It popped up while I was typing and wouldn't go away. So on the next boot up, I clicked "Do not show me this message again." Now, Ctrl+R doesnt do anything. I only see my desktop for probably 5 seconds before it reboots.

When I login to safe mode, there is no field for password or username. Profiles are shut off.

its not worth messing with that crap, just reinstall, you will manage, the rest of the world does, its not a problem with your virus software, its a virus itself, there is no way to get rid of it and your os to be 100% back to normal, that just doesnt happen with all the crappy code that microsoft calls an operating system

The problem with that is, I have a sh*t ton of programs from college if you can imagine that I don't have legit copies of. I know, boo hoo for me if I lose them, but I'd rather the whole reformat thing stays one of my last options.

I seriously appreciate all the help guys. Thanks.

[slow6]

Can you RESTORE to a previous point?

[JusFlyinBy]

Can you RESTORE to a previous point?

You know, as simple as that sounds, I thought I couldn't do a system restore in Safe Mode since I was getting a pop up window stating specifically I couldn't. This time I read it a little closer, and saw if I clicked the option I could. So I did that and now the computer loads up just fine... Hmm, Interesting. It also said Virus found and taken care of. Smart man you are slow6, lol. Smart man. :)