Any computer geniuses here?

[74Satellite]

Well aparently I got a pretty wicked virus on the laptop and it "appears" to have wiped out over half my harddrive...desktop icons are all gone...pics, documents, Microsoft Office, over half of my other installed programs. Its weird tho, because I have the pictures backed up to a memory stick and when I tried to drag them off the stick into the picture folder after deleteing the virus it asks if I want to replace the existing files...but I dont see anything. Maybe everything is just hidden?

I get the following error on bootup:

Failed to save settings: An error occurred loading a configuration file: unable to open file 'C:\Users\Bitsy\AppData\Local\Hewlett Packard\HPAdvisor.exe_Url_mciXdsg4ikd5i1gipqgeft0tj33souowl3.3.9512.3162\user.config' for writing because it is read-only or hidden. ('C:\Users\Bitsy\AppData\Local\Hewlett Packard\HPAdvisor.exe_Url_mciXdsg4ikd5i1gipqgeft0tj33souowl3.3.9512.3162\user.config)

I also have a "Recovery" partition drive to put the computer back to factory settings if it cant be recovered but I cant figure out how to access it or to get it started. I have a feeling everything is still on the laptop just in a file I cant see or something.

If anyone can talk me through getting this thing back to normal that would be awesome, PM me for my phone number as I dont like to leave it out in the open for the public.

 

[bhamilton]

It is actually just malware. I just removed the "virus" off of a couple student computers and the way I did it was to download Malwarebytes on another computer and copied it to a flash drive then on the infected computer, restart in safe mode or another administrator account and install Malwarebytes as well as the updates. Once installed, scan your computer and be sure to put a check by all items found the removed the selected files.

If you have more than one account on the computer then you can log into one of the other accounts and download it directly to the computer and not need a flash drive. Be sure to run it in an account that is not infected.

 

[jag_mopar]

Make hidden files visible, My computer, tools options, click on show hidden files. You can use the free version of Malwarebytes.org to rescan for viruses. this program works great. to recover factory settings( the only way to have a normal computer again). restart and hold the f8 key or f12 until screen appears. follow the prompts for repair or recover. you can also check the website of the computer manufacturer for exact instructions for recovery. Good luck hope this helps

 

[74Satellite]

It is actually just malware. I just removed the "virus" off of a couple student computers and the way I did it was to download Malwarebytes on another computer and copied it to a flash drive then on the infected computer, restart in safe mode or another administrator account and install Malwarebytes as well as the updates. Once installed, scan your computer and be sure to put a check by all items found the removed the selected files.

Thats exactly how I got rid of the virus...I used malwarebytes and it removed or quarantined 13 files. I just ran a full scan again this morning and it shows 0 infected files. I also ran it in safe mode and it showed 0 files infected.

I also tried to restore the computer to a previous time and it failed.

 

[bhamilton]

When you start the computer and log in, does it still give you warnings like there is an infection?
You might also try to download Avast antivirus (free 30 day trial) and run a boot time scan.

On a few computers I have had to create another account and drag all the files I needed over to the new account from the damaged account then delete the damaged account.
Not always the easiest but if someone doesn't have the original software, it at least gets them up and going again.

 

[74Satellite]

When you start the computer and log in, does it still give you warnings like there is an infection?
You might also try to download Avast antivirus (free 30 day trial) and run a boot time scan.

On a few computers I have had to create another account and drag all the files I needed over to the new account from the damaged account then delete the damaged account.
Not always the easiest but if someone doesn't have the original software, it at least gets them up and going again.

No no more warnings, just a black desktop with ZERO icons and all the folders show empty. I open a folder and it states this folder is empty...

 

[bhamilton]

What OS are you using? Windows XP, Vista or 7?

If you can log in as an administrator under safe mode, try looking in your folders to see if the data is still there.

 

[Propwash]

This is one problem with nonknowing folks that run Antispyware and Malware programs to try and clean up viruses. These viruses attach themselves to DLL./EXE. files. A lot of Generic cleanup programs out there will identify these viruses along with the program/file directive and delete both once specified by the comp operator to quarantene and delete the infected file, thus whole files/programs gone.

I have never heard of Malwarebytes, but it sounds like folks here have had pretty good luck with it, so best of luck. I would check your running processes (ctrl + Alt + Del) and see if there are any parasitic programs running in the background off a DLL/EXE file. It will not be a listed under system as user, but will list your computer name as the user. A lot of those running programs with be self explanatory by looking at the name. If you see a suspicious one, right click on it and select "end process"..see what happens..If you get a big red X, saying application is being used for another process. I would start investigating a file like that. Learn the application. If you're confident you know what the proccess is and is your problem, start in safe mode and delete the file/folder from your program files....My Computer-:C Drive-Program files-Folder you identified....

This is no method to tread lightly on...If you do not know the application, don't delete it.
You'll end up worse than you are now. This is just one method of navigating through your files trying to identify issues. A guy could write books of ideas/methods of dealing with problems like this. Your situation sounds pretty dire, might be savable... We'll keep our finger crossed you don't have to dump your hard drive..

Good Luck!

 

[72Satellite440]

For the future and a great Anti-virus program is AVG Allways had great experience with them,

 

[Propwash]

For the future and a great Anti-virus program is AVG Allways had great experience with them,

72satellite is right...good program and you can download a free version off Cnet.

 

[Ron 73]

Ive used NOD 32 Anti-Virus for 8 years without any virus since, i also use Ad aware Pro. Version.. Ive had some email attachments try, but caught and a site once that had a game download that it caught. Just a suggestion.. but the Ad aware version i use alone wouldn't put a stop to a virus attaching to dll files and such like Propwash said.. AVG is a good free version, i had that a long time, until i found this one, it is rated high on the list and no i don't sell Eset NOD 32 products.. Just know its worked very well..Good luck

 

[Cranky]

The AVG free is good but you need more than the free one gives. I've used both and then tried Stopzilla which in itself acts like virus and takes too much control of my machine. As soon as my sub is up, I'm going back to AVG. Years ago I had the same problem with Norton....

 

[Ron 73]

Ive use Norton myself, it really isint as good as they claim. Ive heard a lot of people say Norton gave them this problem or that. Funny how things are any more, we have to keep a on hand doctor around even for a computer. Avg is a good free version the only thing i didn't like and maybe that changed over the years is the pop up updates every day. I think the AVG better then Norton by far as far as "good Anti-Virus".. I was surprised at some telling me they wont allow there anti-virus access to every port on there computer, thats like having 20 warehouses and not allowing the security guard in two of them.. that makes sense i guess.

 

[MAGNUM GT XS22L9R]

See what happeneds when you watch too much ****? lol :icon_rolleyes:

 

[74Satellite]

I actually got it watching a you tube video on how to perform a compression check

 

[74Satellite]

Computer is back up and running I figured out how to recovery the computer to its original settings...it had me make a backup disk of all the pictures and documents...but when trying to load the data back to the computer after recovery, every file says I have to pick a program to open them with and they dont work. So I have my computer back with my programs but all pics and documents appear gone. Thanks for all the help!