Windows not loading

[Guest]

Hi
I seem to have a problem loading Windows XP the hard drive seems to be
being accessed in chunks the display is building up piece by piece and any
programs that it would load up like ASUS probe and zone alarm etc takes
forever and if you power off and re-start it seems to take even longer. Do I
have a virus or has any of the boot files possibly been affected? I did try
Ctl+Alt+Del to bring up task manager to see if anything looked odd in the
processes it was running and it opened 5 instances of it. I can't fully run
up the pc to use AVG to see if I do have a virus and my CD that came with the
PC seems that the only solution offered on it would wipe all my Apps of the
system. Any ideas.

 

[R. McCarty]

On most "Performance" related issues the first thing to do is
a Safe Mode boot. If the PC reacts normally, then for the
most part you can assume hardware is OK. From what you
describe it certainly sounds like VTSM (Viruses, Trojans,
Spyware and Malware.

AntiVirus protection is no longer adequate for being online.
Most Malware tools are detection/removal based. Along with
AdAware,Spybot, CW Shredder and HiJackThis - you need
a Real-Time protection agent. While a Beta, I would install &
use MS AntiSpyware (Defender).

If you aren't using the full complement of these tools you should
begin immediately. SP2 is the first line of defense as it tightens
up the basic level of Security with XP.

 

[Guest]

if it is VTSM how do i get round running it up or can you suggest a cd based
antivirus checker that can run without windows being installed?

 

[R. McCarty]

Whenever I have to make a "First Pass" type of cleanup on a PC
I'll boot to Safe Mode and run Trend Micro's SysClean utility.

The download is found here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp
Get the one identified as "If you are not a Trend Micro Customer".

After getting the tool, download the definitions file:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

The "Readme.Txt" has info/instructions on how to run.

You might want to boot to "Safe Mode with Networking" to
obtain and run the tool.

Also, If you can boot Safe Mode with Networking there are a
number of online scanners that might help you:

For Viruses, use Panda ActiveScan:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/produc...5D4-4DA2-B310-B1DBEC2971F2}&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

For Malware Removal, use Trend Micro's tool:
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

if it is VTSM how do i get round running it up or can you suggest a
cd based antivirus checker that can run without windows being
installed?

For viruses run a current, up to date anti-virus. There is a free version
of AVG at http://www,grisoft.com

You might be infested with malware.
What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/devioussoftware.mspx

Help with Hijackware
All MS - MVP Sites.
(http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm)
(http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm)
(http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm)
(http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm)
(http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm)

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info will be a couple of weeks before I can get home to try
this out but much appreciated if I get a result I will post it thanks again.