Spy/adware problem

[Guest]

I used norton antivirus and picked up 120 adware threats, but norton can only
delete 12 of them. So I searched for the program names listed in the Norton
Antivirus program and deleted them manually. I deleted a file named
"twain.dll" or something and then a file protection window came up and said
that some regular processes that keeps the computer running has been replaced
by some unknown ones and tells me to insert the windows XP home edition CD.
However, when I bought my computer, it did not come with one, nor did it come
with a recovery disc, since the recovery "disc" is intergrated into my
computer.

 

[Peter]

To deal with issues caused by any sort of "adware" and/or
"spyware,"such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Smiley Central, Xupiter,
Bonzai Buddy, or KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately
(but without understanding the consequences) installed, two free products
that are quite effective (at finding and removing this type of
scumware) are Ad-Aware SE from http://www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search &
Destroy from http://www.safer-networking.org/ . Both have free versions.
It's even possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your
system against most future intrusions. You could also use McAfee's free
Stinger removal tool available at http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ I use all
and generally
perform manual scans every day or so to clean out cookies, etc.
Browser HiJack blaster is another excellent free product which just sits
there guarding your PC available at
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/bhblaster.html
Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common
varieties of scumware are available here:

PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml

More information and assistance is available at these sites:

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

The Parasite Fight
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Invest in a good firewall and virus protection

 

[Jon Cosby]

I'm not sure what you mean by "integrated into your computer", but if I were
you, I would contact the manufacturer and demand the CD. I've never heard of
a PC being shipped without one.


Jon

 

[Guest]

That is not true. With some Manufacturers, you must create your own
recovery cds

 

[Rock]

I'm not sure what you mean by "integrated into your computer", but if I were
you, I would contact the manufacturer and demand the CD. I've never heard of
a PC being shipped without one.


Jon

The manufacturer has to provide some means of repairing / reinstalling
the OS. They have three options: provide a Windows CD, provide recovery
CDs, or lastly a hidden partition on the hard drive. And some have a
way to create recovery CDs from the hidden partition. So what the OP
has is recovery partition.

 

[Ron Martell]

To deal with issues caused by any sort of "adware" and/or
"spyware,"such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Smiley Central, Xupiter,
Bonzai Buddy, or KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately
(but without understanding the consequences) installed, two free products
that are quite effective (at finding and removing this type of
scumware) are Ad-Aware SE from http://www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search &
Destroy from http://www.safer-networking.org/ . Both have free versions.
It's even possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your
system against most future intrusions.

<snip>

The "immunize" function in Spybot S&D can be problematic and should be
avoided.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Guest]

I have ad-aware and spyware doctor already and I can delete spyware no
problem, however the problem is that foreign proccesses are basically running
my computer and my computer is telling me to use the windows XP CD to fix it.
But I don't have a windows XP CD, so is there any other way, for example
using the recovery partition in my computer to fix it?