Tricky Spyware/Virus Problem

[ASUCHRIS]

I have a pretty good feeling I have a virus/spyware. My laptop randomly shuts down all the time. I thought it may be an overheating issue, but now I think it is a virus. Every time I try to run the cox anti-virus or any other anti-spyware program, it shuts down whether the laptop has been running or not. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[devilalum]

The Microsoft Spyware program works pretty well.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

 

[Brian in Mesa]

The Microsoft Spyware program works pretty well.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Not if his laptop shuts down when he tries to run it. )

 

[Brian in Mesa]

You might try running a chkdsk. Start > Run > cmd > chkdsk /r

Also - can you boot to safe mode and run any anti-spyware programs?

 

[outoftheashes]

I have a pretty good feeling I have a virus/spyware. My laptop randomly shuts down all the time. I thought it may be an overheating issue, but now I think it is a virus. Every time I try to run the cox anti-virus or any other anti-spyware program, it shuts down whether the laptop has been running or not. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you tried safe mode? Not sure what version of windows you are using. In xp hit start then run
type msconfig
click on the boot tab and set to safeboot
accept settings and reboot
run the antivirus and reboot
flip it back to normal boot and reboot again.

If you are running vista you can find msconfig using the search tool from the windows button and everything else is the same.

It may not work if your virus definitions are not updated but its worth a shot.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

You might try running a chkdsk. Start > Run > cmd > chkdsk /r

Also - can you boot to safe mode and run any anti-spyware programs?

Ah, but this seems like a particularly nefarious program, I have tried running it in safe mode and running anti-virus, I guess I could try and run anti spy-ware in safe mode?

 

[outoftheashes]

Not a bad place to start.
Check this out too. These guys have helped me a bunch of times with the excessively stubborn issues.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Not a bad place to start.
Check this out too. These guys have helped me a bunch of times with the excessively stubborn issues.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Looks like a great site, will check it out, let you know whether or not I can cause some real problems.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Yeah, MajorGeeks is great. It's where I found SuperAntiSpyware. Sounds lame but works wonders.

 

[Sandan]

You could always try the WMD solution.

Usually at least once a year I do a compete reformat and reinstall. Makes windows a much happier camper

 

[AZZenny]

I do that, too, Nidan -- more like every other year, hosing out the stables.

 

[Sandan]

I wish I could go Linux on the desktop but not quite.

Oh so close but so far and that's for a guy that lives with Linux all day

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ugh...much worse now. The laptop is basically inoperable. I've tried a couple of times to run anti-virus in safe mode, and same thing, it gets about halfway through running the anti-virus and then just shuts down. In normal mode it runs incredibly slow, barely reacting to what I do and shuts down about 10 min after I start up. I think it may just be junk at this point.

 

[Chaz]

I think the chkdsk is a good idea if you haven't done that already.

I could still be a hardware issue of some kind.


When you start in normal mode are there any strange process running if you check task manager? Have you run Hijackthis to check for strange programs?

Most viruses won't completely disable your computer. They need it to sell you stuff, send spam, or act as a bot of some kind.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I think the chkdsk is a good idea if you haven't done that already.

I could still be a hardware issue of some kind.


When you start in normal mode are there any strange process running if you check task manager? Have you run Hijackthis to check for strange programs?

Most viruses won't completely disable your computer. They need it to sell you stuff, send spam, or act as a bot of some kind.

I ran chkdsk...nothing significant happened. I think you may be right, it could be a hardware issue. It could be something as simple as cleaning it out because it is overheating. It'll be running, then the fan will kick in loud, then it'll kick in even louder and shut down. Assuming that it may be a cleaning issue, how would I get the laptop open to clean it? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Chaz]

Manufacturers usually have a pdf service manual on their website.

Usually you can use compressed air to blow out the vents without opening the case up. The problem with laptops many times is the fan still works but doesn't move as much air as it did when new.

On most computers the BIOS screen has a monitor that reports the temperature and fan speed. If you leave it running at the BIOS screen and it still shuts down it is probably a heating issue. You can also check right after it shuts off, boot to the BIOS and see what the temperature is.

 

[Chaz]

Also it could be a HDD issue. Slow response and or heating of the disk could be an indication it is close to failure.

 

[Sandan]

Would that produce smart disk errors

 

[Chaz]

Would that produce smart disk errors

Maybe. Sometimes SMART isn't even activated.

 

[Covert Rain]

One of the biggest culprits for shutdown is your memory. Try taking out your memory module then reseating it back in. Sometimes they can become unseated over time. It's also possible that your memory had gone bad. If you have another PC in the house that uses the same memory, try swapping it out.

 

[Chaz]

You can also check the memory with this.

http://www.memtest86.com/

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Update...I am thinking more and more it is a hardware issue. I tried to start over after saving my files and re-install windows, and when trying to re-install windows it still shuts down. I guess I could mess with it more, or perhaps if anyone has suggestions where I can get a good deal on a laptop, that would be great.