Stevec

I picked up a virus that redirects Web sites and searches. I can download anti-virus software, but it won't execute. I was running AVG. I'm no geek, so...

If I go buy Norton or something, will it work? In other words I can't get it from the Web, so is the virus going to stop the CD from loading, too?

Or do I take it to Circuit City or somewhere to have it fixed?

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CEN2MENTAL95

thats not a virus..its spyware...and I'd tell you the easiest way to rid your computer of it would be to first download a program called HIJACK THIS which scans registry for spyware and provides you an easy opportunity to get rid of them but if you remove the wrong registry entry, you can do more harm than good.

samblaze

A very easy to use spyware remover for non-experts is Spyware Doctor from PCTools, also available on CD if you can't get on the website to download it. It's about $20.

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whats77inaname

Your best bet is to go to www.windowsdefender.com and download/install it. It is freeware from Microsoft, and it is one of if not *the* most thorough spyware detectors out there. You also get free updates, and a host of other features. I install it on every machine I have, as well as every machine I manage.

CEN2MENTAL95

FYI, that program will NOT install on an illegitimate copy of XP

whats77inaname

*lol* I don't have any Enterprise key, my friend

And to tell you the truth, as easy as it is to get your copy authorized, I don't see why there are any ill. copies out there. All you have to do is get to the reg key page in Windows, select to reg by phone, call Microsoft, give 'em that long 48 character key that is listed, tell them that you replaced the hard drive ONLY (no matter HOW MUCH THEY TRY TO GET YOU TO SAY OTHERWISE) and they'll issue you a new 48 character key to validate XP. I speak from experience.

CEN2MENTAL95

the key that you've got is probably the one thats been posted online for many years, which doesn't update and won't install service packs...unless you have a copy from a company that you work for...then disregard what I just said

whats77inaname

I have one that I've had for about 4 years. I rebuilt a machine last night. XPSP3, Defender, the whole 9.

You can also use a XPSP2 Dell Resource CD on any machine and do the same thing. You don't have to have a key, just say that you had to replace the hard drive. Dude, seriously, if you don't believe me, try it yourself. I had a valid copy of Vista Ultimate that I had installed on my Alienware MediaCenter that took a dump. Blown transistors. Since I didn't replace it, I instead loaded Virtual Machine on my laptop, and then installed Ultimate on it. Of course it wouldn't install b/c the key was already used. I called Microsoft and was on and off the phone in 5 minutes. With an active copy of Ultimate installed in V.M.

CEN2MENTAL95

yeah that method works twice...thats it....trust me, I know from experience...

no matters to me now since I've UPGRADED to a Mac Pro Quad Core (which never needs activation with any program)

Stevec

Windows Defender won't download. HI JACK THIS redirects to MonsterMarket which has HI JACK THIS listed, but I'm afraid to open it from there. So, do I go buy Norton, or take it in?

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whats77inaname

Negative, ghost rider. They can't tell how many times you can rebuild a machine b/c a hard drive has crashed.

Yeah, I feel you. I have a dual boot XP/Linux @ home, and plan to install it shortly via VM on my laptop



Norton won't handle your issue, as your issue is Spyware. If I were near you, I could handle it for you. What happens when you try to download Defender? I've never used the other program, so I can't comment on it.

But you're saying that you don't have *any* kind of antivirus app on that machine????

CEN2MENTAL95

d/l HIJACKTHIS off here:

Trend Micro HijackThis - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

Daddymac117

Reboot into safemode with networking. (Press F8 while XP is loading and it'll give you a small menu). From here, you should be able to run AVG without the hijacker running in the background. AVG might catch it, but if not, you can go download HijackThis while in safemode.

And I happen to swear by Adaware Pro + Spybot: Search and Destroy + CCleaner + RevoUninstaller (program uninstaller that cleans the registry too) for my XP installs.

I fail to see why anyone would need to pay for expensive/shitty software to keep their computers clean. The free stuff does the job perfectly fine.

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Stevec

Defender stops at plug in on Firefox and errors on Explorer. I had free AVG. I wanted to reinstall after I got the spyware, now I have nothing.

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Stevec

I get as far as the little download box that sits there saying "Search..."

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