Thanks for creating this forum!

I have been searching for a reliable web site to answer questions regarding the current virus situation I'm dealing with. Your information is very thorough, I was able to read your information without feeling as if you're talking over my head, and I actually have the courage to handle this problem myself instead of spending money. Can't thank you enough!

 

Here you will find true geeks who do not treat newcomers as dumb, the only stupid question on this site is the one that is not asked,
So welcome to MGs.

 

Well not entirely, "Hey Tim, would you like cake?" is a pretty stupid question :-D

@justkim... This is the only forum I frequent anymore, the reason?.... exactly what you posted.

 

@Nedlamar, LOL (literally!) Needed that!

 

Here goes everything...I'm in the process of fixing this computer with all of my printed-out information. Question: should I do the general house cleaning before dealing with the malware removal? BTW, I already have the Malware Bytes' and Super AntiSpyware as well as Spybot S&D, so I'm off to a good start already. And I have already checked that my computer is running a 32 bit version of Win XP Pro.

 

If you suspect you have malware then you need to run the in house cleaning procedure http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 because this is a tried and tested way to remove malware plus it also helps our malware team by providing essential info without having to spend time asking basic questions when they have so much work on their plate.

 

Thanks for being patient with me. I have a few questions. Is the MSConfig's Normal Startup mode the correct setting? If I have to select it prior to malware cleanup and keep that setting while I'm doing the task, will I have to change it back after I'm done? Also, after I'm done with all the scanning tools, will I have to remove any of the tools I needed to download (ComboFix, RootRepeal, MGTools)? I already had Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware. I haven't started yet, I'm still reading more stuff!

 

Follow the instructions and post every log asked for in the malware forum. many things can be behind the scene and only seen by them. so stil post logs

 

Hello everybody. I have followed the malware removal instructions only to discover that I failed to disable this disk emulation software (OMG!) to realize that I may just have to do everything all over again. This may also explain why the RootRepeal did not run at all :-( The computer is running much faster than before I did this cleanup; only with a few small behavior quirks...like Malwarebytes just pops up, ready for me to start scanning, for instance. Another thing I notice is that when computer boots up, my monitor displays the screen that lets me choose which Windows OS I want to boot to. (Hope I'm not confusing anybody.) I goes automatically to the Win XP Pro OS and everything's normal from that point on.

I will send my logs after this post, along with other issues to the Malware Removal web page. I'm so disappointed with myself!

 

Hello LauraR! Thank you for the warm welcome! I've been working on this computer all day. Got a few small things to iron out, and I believe this is the right place. Now that I have made myself at home (still touring the site, which I love already), I have a ton of questions to ask, but I'll save them for the appropriate support forum.

 

Well, my aunt has a Mac, so if she should ever have any issues with her computer, I know where to send her.

 

Wait a minute . . Whats so stupid about cake ?? I LIKE CAKE !!
lol

 

CAKE!?!? * Grabs cake and takes off laughing like a mad man.*:-D:-D

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__PU5CVSegg

:wine

 

The Malware fighters in that forum are phenomenal. I have no doubt people get tired of hearing me refer to them as our resident super-heroes, but honestly, what they do for free in that forum is a service that you would have to pay any local computer shop hundreds of dollars for, and you still wouldn't get nearly as good results. As others have said already, simply pay attention in your thread in that forum, follow their instructions and answer their questions as best you can, and they'll get you set up.

Our Malware Fighters are very good at what they do. :major

The world is filled with stupid questions! Examples are, "should I drink gasoline from the pump, or pour it over ice first?", "should I run blind-folded into traffic?", or "should I eat rat poison?" If any one of those three questions is earnest, then it is stupid.

But to go to an expert on a subject you know very little about, and ask them questions that to an expert might seem basic, that is not stupid. That is something called "learning", or "research", and it's the very opposite of stupidity. It's also why MGs is here; so that the ones who want to learn, can learn from honest people who won't give them poor information or send them off on wild goose chases that lead them into bigger problems.

 

Well put Mimsy

 

Very well put Mimsy.

 

Well, I have learned more in the 2 weeks since I registered than I ever did in 3 years of school. Don't get me wrong, my former instructors are excellent educators. However, the knowledge I gained just from being here, wow! Even as I'm sitting here posting on the same computer that was totally jacked up before, it's never been this quiet! I told my sister there was something positive about this Web site, I only got good vibes, and the intranet at my job didn't block you. That was well enough, but when I read everything here, I could see that the answer was here. I'm so happy to find you! So far, I have told a lot of people about Major Geeks.com.

 

I agree 100%; the last time we had a virus invade this computer, we spent money to fix it. I saved us around $200 this time. (Hope I did the quote thing correctly.)

 

I forgot something worth mentioning...

I have been using this computer for about 2 weeks since the cleanup and it's been working like a charm! Thanks to everyone who helped me make this possible.