I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).

This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.

After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.

I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:



"PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR

2 threats + 13 infections

1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)

2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)

Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
subscribe online now."



When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
product is a respectable one, so what's going on?

I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
which found nothing.

My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
problem.

Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

alan wrote:
> I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
> computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
> connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
>
> This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
>
> After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
> finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
> Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
> up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
>
> I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
> desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
>
>
>
> "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
>
> 2 threats + 13 infections
>
> 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
>
> 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
>
> Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
> remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
> subscribe online now."
>
>
>
> When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
> already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
> Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
> product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
>
> I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
> Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
> which found nothing.
>
> My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
> or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
> feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
> problem.
>
> Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
>
> Thanks in advance.

You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
you have your important data backed up.

--
Alias

On 11 Apr, 17:21, Alias <a...@maskedandanymous.com.invalido> wrote:
> alan wrote:
> > I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
> > computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
> > connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
>
> > This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
>
> > After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
> > finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
> > Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
> > up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
>
> > I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
> > desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
>
> > "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
>
> > 2 threats + 13 infections
>
> > 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
>
> > 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
>
> > Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
> > remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
> > subscribe online now."
>
> > When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
> > already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
> > Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
> > product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
>
> > I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
> > Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
> > which found nothing.
>
> > My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
> > or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
> > feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
> > problem.
>
> > Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
>
> > Thanks in advance.
>
> You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
> SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
> you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
> on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
> you have your important data backed up.
>

Thanks for that advice.

I'm a bit mystified, though. From what I've just seen from Googling
'Spyware Doctor', both on the Web and in news groups, it seems to be a
respectable program, from a respectable company. So why are they
apparently holding me to ransom like this?

One other question: is it safe to copy my data files (mainly Web pages
I've saved, plus a few Wordpad docs) to a memory stick, before I
reinstall XP, or is there a danger these files will have been
infected?

Thanks

alan wrote:
> On 11 Apr, 17:21, Alias<a...@maskedandanymous.com.invalido> wrote:
>> alan wrote:
>>> I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
>>> computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
>>> connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
>>
>>> This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
>>
>>> After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
>>> finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
>>> Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
>>> up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
>>
>>> I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
>>> desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
>>
>>> "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
>>
>>> 2 threats + 13 infections
>>
>>> 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
>>
>>> 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
>>
>>> Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
>>> remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
>>> subscribe online now."
>>
>>> When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
>>> already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
>>> Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
>>> product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
>>
>>> I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
>>> Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
>>> which found nothing.
>>
>>> My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
>>> or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
>>> feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
>>> problem.
>>
>>> Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
>>
>>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
>> SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
>> you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
>> on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
>> you have your important data backed up.
>>
>
> Thanks for that advice.
>
> I'm a bit mystified, though. From what I've just seen from Googling
> 'Spyware Doctor', both on the Web and in news groups, it seems to be a
> respectable program, from a respectable company. So why are they
> apparently holding me to ransom like this?
>
> One other question: is it safe to copy my data files (mainly Web pages
> I've saved, plus a few Wordpad docs) to a memory stick, before I
> reinstall XP, or is there a danger these files will have been
> infected?
>
> Thanks
>

I would put the data on a pen drive and then stick in another computer
while holding the Shift key so that it doesn't auto run and then run a
virus/malware scan on it. You should also run SuperAntiSpyWare and
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware on the pen drive.

--
Alias

"alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:f0d96c54-56fa-41e8-84a7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 11 Apr, 17:21, Alias <a...@maskedandanymous.com.invalido> wrote:
>> alan wrote:
>> > I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
>> > computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
>> > connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
>>
>> > This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
>>
>> > After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
>> > finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
>> > Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
>> > up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
>>
>> > I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
>> > desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
>>
>> > "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
>>
>> > 2 threats + 13 infections
>>
>> > 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
>>
>> > 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
>>
>> > Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
>> > remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
>> > subscribe online now."
>>
>> > When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
>> > already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
>> > Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
>> > product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
>>
>> > I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
>> > Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
>> > which found nothing.
>>
>> > My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
>> > or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
>> > feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
>> > problem.
>>
>> > Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
>>
>> > Thanks in advance.
>>
>> You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
>> SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
>> you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
>> on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
>> you have your important data backed up.
>>
>
> Thanks for that advice.
>
> I'm a bit mystified, though. From what I've just seen from Googling
> 'Spyware Doctor', both on the Web and in news groups, it seems to be a
> respectable program, from a respectable company. So why are they
> apparently holding me to ransom like this?
>
> One other question: is it safe to copy my data files (mainly Web pages
> I've saved, plus a few Wordpad docs) to a memory stick, before I
> reinstall XP, or is there a danger these files will have been
> infected?
>
> Thanks

Alan. Before you tale Alias' advice, download and run
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Run it in safe mode and do a full scan. You may not have to reformat and
re-install.

On Apr 11, 12:48*pm, alan <alanhemb...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> On 11 Apr, 17:21, Alias <a...@maskedandanymous.com.invalido> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > alan wrote:
> > > I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
> > > computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
> > > connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
>
> > > This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
>
> > > After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
> > > finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
> > > Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
> > > up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
>
> > > I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
> > > desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
>
> > > "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
>
> > > 2 threats + 13 infections
>
> > > 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
>
> > > 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
>
> > > Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
> > > remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
> > > subscribe online now."
>
> > > When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
> > > already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
> > > Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
> > > product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
>
> > > I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
> > > Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
> > > which found nothing.
>
> > > My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
> > > or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
> > > feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
> > > problem.
>
> > > Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
>
> > > Thanks in advance.
>
> > You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
> > SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
> > you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
> > on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
> > you have your important data backed up.
>
> Thanks for that advice.
>
> I'm a bit mystified, though. From what I've just seen from Googling
> 'Spyware Doctor', both on the Web and in news groups, it seems to be a
> respectable program, from a respectable company. So why are they
> apparently holding me to ransom like this?
>
> One other question: is it safe to copy my data files (mainly Web pages
> I've saved, plus a few Wordpad docs) to a memory stick, before I
> reinstall XP, or is there a danger these files will have been
> infected?
>
> Thanks

Malicious software like that will try to trick you into buying their
software by reporting problems that you don't have, but now your
system is infected with it. Spyware Doctor is trying to get your
money through blackmail and coercion.

It will not ask you to reinstall XP but other will meaning folks that
do not knowhow to remove it will tell you that is what you need to do
or perform a Repair Install, implement a System Restore point, etc.

A symptom of perhaps a different infection is preventing your desktop
icons from appearing when you reboot. More trickery.

You can certainly copy off your files and reinstall XP if you want to,
but what you describe has been around for several years and now people
know how to fix it without drastic measures.

You need to remove the malicious software and be on your way.

If you can get on the Internet in any mode (Safe Mode or Normal)
implement the following:.

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

If the above programs do not run or you cannot get your desktop back
let us know and we will get that part working, then you can do the
scans and resolve any remaining issues.

I recommend MBAM for this issue, but MBAM does not recommend running
in Safe Mode. It may do some good, but will not be as effective as
running in Normal Mode.

Here is a note regarding that question (should I run MBAM in Safe
Mode?) from their president and CEO, Marcin Kleczynski:

MBAM loses some effectiveness for detection & removal when used in
safe mode because the program includes a special driver which does not
work in safe mode. Further, scanning in safe mode prevents some types
of malware from running so it may be missed during the detection
process. Additionally, there are various types of malware infections
which target the safeboot keyset so booting into safe mode is not
always possible. For optimal removal, normal mode is recommended so
it
does not limit the abilities of MBAM.

There are some VERY good reason for Taking the advice that Alias Gives, it's
not given lightly, wiping your system, is a big step, however the
malware/spyware and virus you have, severly complicate being able to repair
the damage and still have a working system, it's better to wipe it and start
over. next time get a really Good AV software and plan on backups that are
safe.

"Michael" wrote:

> "alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:f0d96c54-56fa-41e8-84a7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > On 11 Apr, 17:21, Alias <a...@maskedandanymous.com.invalido> wrote:
> >> alan wrote:
> >> > I wonder if anyone can make any guesses at what has happened to my
> >> > computer, a Pentium 4 running XP, with Avast antivirus software, and
> >> > connected to the Internet via prepay wireless broadband (T Mobile).
> >>
> >> > This morning, when I switched it on, all I got was a black screen.
> >>
> >> > After a lot of fiddling about (I know very little about computers) I
> >> > finally got it running in Safe Mode, went to Help, and chose System
> >> > Restore, setting it to a point a couple of days ago. After it started
> >> > up again, it only got as far as the desktop, with no icons.
> >>
> >> > I started it up again and left it for quite a long time with the empty
> >> > desktop showing. Finally, up came a message box:
> >>
> >> > "PC TOOLS SPYWARE DOCTOR
> >>
> >> > 2 threats + 13 infections
> >>
> >> > 1) Applications.TrackingCookies (11 infections)
> >>
> >> > 2) Adware.Advertising (2 infections)
> >>
> >> > Your free trial version scans and detects threats. To
> >> > remove threats and gain comprehensive protection,
> >> > subscribe online now."
> >>
> >> > When the desktop finally loaded, this Spyware Doctor program had
> >> > already been installed! Now, I've never been near a site called
> >> > Spyware Doctor, and from what I've just read on the Web, it seems the
> >> > product is a respectable one, so what's going on?
> >>
> >> > I tried to run a scan with Avast, but couldn't. I then uninstalled
> >> > Avast, downloaded it again from the Web, then did a full scan with it,
> >> > which found nothing.
> >>
> >> > My computer is still going wrong - opening up to just a black screen,
> >> > or to an empty desktop. I finally got the proper desktop, but I've a
> >> > feeling that when I switch on again, it'll be back to the same
> >> > problem.
> >>
> >> > Any thoughts on this matter would be very gratefully received.
> >>
> >> > Thanks in advance.
> >>
> >> You're infected. Reinstall XP. Whatever you do, DON'T pay PC TOOLS
> >> SPYWARE DOCTOR. I say reinstall instead of removing the malware because
> >> you can spend days chasing down all the malware that may or may not be
> >> on the computer while reinstalling XP only takes a few hours. I trust
> >> you have your important data backed up.
> >>
> >
> > Thanks for that advice.
> >
> > I'm a bit mystified, though. From what I've just seen from Googling
> > 'Spyware Doctor', both on the Web and in news groups, it seems to be a
> > respectable program, from a respectable company. So why are they
> > apparently holding me to ransom like this?
> >
> > One other question: is it safe to copy my data files (mainly Web pages
> > I've saved, plus a few Wordpad docs) to a memory stick, before I
> > reinstall XP, or is there a danger these files will have been
> > infected?
> >
> > Thanks
>
> Alan. Before you tale Alias' advice, download and run
> http://www.malwarebytes.org/
>
> Run it in safe mode and do a full scan. You may not have to reformat and
> re-install.
>
> .
>

Use your head for something other than a hat rack.

--


"Don't pick a fight with an old man.
If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."


"sgopus" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:2B9A40EE-5EF8-426B-A1FF-(E-Mail Removed)...
> There are some VERY good reason for Taking the advice that Alias Gives,
> it's
> not given lightly, wiping your system, is a big step, however the
> malware/spyware and virus you have, severly complicate being able to
> repair
> the damage and still have a working system, it's better to wipe it and
> start
> over. next time get a really Good AV software and plan on backups that are
> safe.
>

After you, please!

"Michael" wrote:

> Use your head for something other than a hat rack.
>
> --
>
>
> "Don't pick a fight with an old man.
> If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."
>
>
> "sgopus" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:2B9A40EE-5EF8-426B-A1FF-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > There are some VERY good reason for Taking the advice that Alias Gives,
> > it's
> > not given lightly, wiping your system, is a big step, however the
> > malware/spyware and virus you have, severly complicate being able to
> > repair
> > the damage and still have a working system, it's better to wipe it and
> > start
> > over. next time get a really Good AV software and plan on backups that are
> > safe.
> >
>
>
> .
>

This is why you'll never achieve silver or gold.

--


"Don't pick a fight with an old man.
If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."


"sgopus" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8DA04EF6-7248-49D0-B836-(E-Mail Removed)...
> After you, please!
>
> "Michael" wrote:
>
>> Use your head for something other than a hat rack.
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> "Don't pick a fight with an old man.
>> If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you."
>>
>>
>> "sgopus" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:2B9A40EE-5EF8-426B-A1FF-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > There are some VERY good reason for Taking the advice that Alias Gives,
>> > it's
>> > not given lightly, wiping your system, is a big step, however the
>> > malware/spyware and virus you have, severly complicate being able to
>> > repair
>> > the damage and still have a working system, it's better to wipe it and
>> > start
>> > over. next time get a really Good AV software and plan on backups that
>> > are
>> > safe.
>> >
>>
>>
>> .
>>