The problem began with Windows saying my OS wasn't valid. After re-validating, I was still unable to access many programs and Windows components- System Restore, Control Panel, etc. I have run a lot of different scans and programs- Malware Bytes, Spybot S&D, Emisoft Anti Malware, & many others. It has gotten progressively worse and I am now unable to connect to the internet, access any Windows components at all- except in Safe mode, or connect an external hard drive to the computer. I was going to back up a few programs, documents, pictures/music and then re-install the OS, but it is not recognizing my external hard drive, and I am hesitant to lost all of my data. Any and all help, advice, or techniqes is greatly appreciated.
Joe
edit: It is Windows Vista 64 bit. I didn't notice the tags to change the OS
I have actually dealt with this one before its nasty. Most of the time it points back to the Virut/Scrambler virus. I recommend downloading the Sophos Anti-Virus Command line interface program. It works great, you can get it http://www.sophos.com/support/disin... Its free. Just download the Sav32cli and latest IDE and scan the computer using the instructions with that link. Pretty neat little tool. --------------------
Read my blog for updates/reviews/troubleshooting http://techreally.blogspot.com
Will do as soon as I get home. I really appreciate it and I hope this does it, because I am not looking forward to having to re-install the OS.
So I should download the DOS sweep, correct?
Not the DOS sweep "download an emergency copy of SAV32CLI". Its the first step number 2 you come to. Make sure that you also grab the IDE files, that is list in the same step. Download the self-extractors, extract the sav32cli first then the ide files. To start a scan:
1. goto start>run and type cmd
2. Type 'cd c:\sav32cli\sav32cli.exe -f -di
This command will call the sav32cli program and run a full scan and disinfect. The computer will beep at every virus found. It works wonders, I have used it many times in my environment(school district of about 16K pcs and 20K users.)
On a side note it will not matter if your PC is 64bit or 32bit with this program.------------------------
Read my blog for tech updates/reviews/troubleshooting http://techreally.blogspot.com
I ran that scan, and it did not find anything. I found a tool called remove_IT and it found four things and removed them, but the computer is still in its problematic condition. I'm at a loss here, and I'm hoping you might have some more advice.
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