Problem with computer Created 14 years ago2010-02-02 18:22:51 UTC by Alabastor_Twob

Recently my mums computer started acting weird. When it's turned on, it doesn't load up properly. The taskbar doesn't load up, and neither do any desktop icons. I can start the task manager, and that's it. It apparently started recently, and that's all I know about it. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

Virus maybe? See what processes are running.
If explorer.exe isn't running in the processes, then run it. If something really suspicious is running, try ending it and doing a virus scan.

Which Windows is that computer running?

Can you restore from an existing restore point?

What has been done on the computer? And like JeffMOD said, which virus scanner is it running?

I don't have access to the computer unless I'm at home on weekends, so I'm not 100% sure on the details, but it's WIndows XP, either Home Edition or Media Centre Edition. It uses McAfee, and that's all I know at the moment. I haven't tried running explorer.exe yet, I'll have to ring her and tell her to do that tommorrow.

Damn, the symptoms you are mention happening on your PC, is almost exactly like the ones I just had on my PC yesterday. At first it was random freezing ups, then it just completely froze up every time I rebooted, again and again. My guess is, it had to be some kind of funky malware - virus, trojan or whatever. Even when I had Avast do a scan, that to froze up in mid scan! I know it could not have been a critical hardware problem, because if it would have been, the booting sequence would not have reach all the way to displaying the desktop. So, the way I saw it, I only had one option left: Format the hard drive and do a clean install of Windows. It was the only way to really get rid of whatever bug was damaging Windows. Yes, I know - all my personal files were lost, but it was either that, or keep my PC as an expensive paper weight.

I only had one option left: Format the hard drive and do a clean install of Windows.

Jesus Tito, never heard of Knoppix? Bootable easy-to-use Linux distro on a CD, pop it in, back your files up to CD, format the hard drive, no files lost. I've used it twice for these situations.

Nope, did not know that :rly:

But thanks to you srry, I will look in to this Knoppix, I will follow your advice.

You might need 2 optical drives for that though, I'm not sure. I've always had 2.

tried booting in safe mode with f8? (i think it's f8 anyway)

Jesus Tito, never heard of Knoppix? Bootable easy-to-use Linux distro on a CD, pop it in, back your files up to CD, format the hard drive, no files lost. I've used it twice for these situations.

I used paragon HDD manager in the past, I think I still have one of them recovery disks around here... I installed it before re-partitioning my hdd, when I bought a new HDD, and from mistake I fucked up 2 partitions. They where virtually there, but accessible and if something was written on them, I was screwed. Immediately popped up the recovery disk, and my partitions where restored :D.

TJB, make a virus scan. Defragment all of your drives. Install a registry scan&repair software and windows optimizing tools to detect and resolve possible errors. Manage the startup programs.
If this fails, a windows reinstall is the best option.

McAfee

Avast

What is it with people using rubbish antivirus programs?

What is it with people using rubbish antivirus programs?

Honestly, we don't have money. At least me, to spend every year on an antivirus license. I use avast too. I'd go for BitDefender if I had enough money...

If you don't have money, you shouldn't get McAffee.
That and it sucks.

Do you use Microsoft Security Essentials?

I am quite happy with Avast! so far, I don't see any reason to change.

I have to say, AVG is the best FREE anti-virus out there. If there are any better than AVG, let me know. Isn't Avast! actually free too?

Yes, it is.

I switched from AVG to Avast! about a year ago and have used it ever since. I'm happy with Avast! When talking about software you shouldn't call something free when it's only free of charge.

I've heard that a larger number of viruses directly attack AVG because it's one of the most well known free antivirus software. And that makes sense to me.

Our computer has Avast! running. It seems... annoying, and I'm not sure how well it works, but I suppose we haven't had any viruses.

Which antivirus software do you use, PB?

I too switched from AVG to Avast! about a year ago when my AVG licence ran out and you had to download the new version of AVG, which sucked because it took me forever to download and wouldn't let me use it without giving them all my details. So I switched to Avast! and i'm really happy. It's caught quite a few viruses during out time together

lawl viruses that attack an antivirus program? This is new to me

I use avast! in combination with comodo firewall. Both free. They love each other, I didn't have problems with viruses for a long time now( well actually I never really had serious problems, but when I had AVG(yes, I had AVG for 2 years before switching to avast!), it was reporting viruses now and then, it's true that I had a sucky combination, AVG+Ashampoo Firewall).

AVG

Yet another terrible antivirus program. I like free software as much as the next person, but free AV programs are pretty much useless across the board.

What do you use?

@Striker: There are viruses that, as soon as they arrive into your system, they search and destroy any Norton installation you might have. It happened to me a long time ago. I wouldn't doubt they would target others as well.

I use ESET NOD32. Best AV/Firewall I've ever used.

Aren't there any GNU/open source firewalls?

When I came home on the weekend my parents said that the computer won't boot up at all now, but they seem to have already resigned themselves to the fact that they probably can't save it, and I think they've already gotten rid of it, or are about to. They told me the only reason they wanted to save it was because of some important files on it, but I think I might actually have some copies of those. Thanks for the help anyway.