Comatose Computer...

Pbartender · 28th October 2009, 02:20 PM

I ran a across a new one with my computer at home this morning... Maybe one of you guys can give me a hand.

I turn on on my computer, and it starts going through it's paces. Soon, I get the screen that gives all the "safe start" options for when a computer doesn't get turned off properly. No matter which option I choose, it starts loading Windows. After a few seconds, a blue screen ("NOOOOOOO!") with some writing on it flashes by so fast I can't see the writing (I caught "BIOS" once, but nothing else), and then the computer reboots itself and the whole thing repeat ad infinitum.

I checked by BIOS settings -- the only thing I could really get to in this state -- and nothing seems obviously wrong there.

Is there any hope?

Thanee · 28th October 2009, 03:08 PM

Well, you could try a repair install from the Windows CD.

If there are valuable and unbackupped files on the computer, you could boot a different OS from CD (i.e. Knoppix) and see what you can access and backup before trying anything major.

Bye
Thanee

Viashimo · 28th October 2009, 03:57 PM

I would check the memory first (quick, no muss checK) using memtest86. It can be downloaded on it's own, or comes package with certain linux live cds (such as ubuntu).

If it's not a memory problem, backup the computer and repair windowsas Thanee mentioned.

If it persists it can be either PSU/HDD/Mobo which all have other tests.

To test the PSU you need a voltmeter (and a metal paperclip) or a dedicated testing unit. Hard drive checking can typically done by any liveCD using fsck (though I'm not sure I would 'repair' an ntfs file system using fsck).

Hope this helps

Pbartender · 29th October 2009, 02:26 PM

I used a Windows XP repair install just long enough to back up some important files and find out what's actually going on...

I've got a pair of malware programs -- "Antivirus System PRO" and "Security Tool" -- that managed to insert themselves into my computer. They're both the sort of rogue anti-spyware that continually pops up windows telling you that have infected files (that aren't really infected) and do you want to activate this security program (that doesn't actually do anything) for a modest monthly fee?

Now I just need to find a way to get rid of them. Maybe it's time to get a fresh copy of Norton's or McAfee.

Thanee · 29th October 2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pbartender

...Norton's...

Ugh...

Please, for the love of all things holy, do not use this piece of crap software.

Good Antivirus Software: BitDefender, Kaspersky, NOD32, ...

Bye
Thanee

Rackhir · 29th October 2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pbartender

I used a Windows XP repair install just long enough to back up some important files and find out what's actually going on...

I've got a pair of malware programs -- "Antivirus System PRO" and "Security Tool" -- that managed to insert themselves into my computer. They're both the sort of rogue anti-spyware that continually pops up windows telling you that have infected files (that aren't really infected) and do you want to activate this security program (that doesn't actually do anything) for a modest monthly fee?

Now I just need to find a way to get rid of them. Maybe it's time to get a fresh copy of Norton's or McAfee.

Get as many different kinds of anti-virus/anti-malware programs as you can.

AVG is good and free AV program. I've used Malwarebytes and Spybot-Search&Destroy anti-malware packages successfully. Spybot has some "immunization" functions. Not really sure how effective that is, but I have managed to remain largely malware free, but it is definitely not a cure all.

Expect to run each of the packages about 10 times, rebooting often before you have these infections stamped out. Depending on how fast your machine is expect each run to take 20-40 min. Don't assume that because you have gotten through one run with a program or one reboot cycle with no detections that you are home free. Expect to have gotten at least a full set of runs free and a couple more after multiple reboots, before you can relax some.

These programs are very sneaky and make great efforts to hide from detection and re-install themselves, repeatedly.

While you are at it, go out and get your self a nice external drive you can use for back up. They're cheap enough and easy enough to use these days.

Aus_Snow · 30th October 2009, 07:35 AM

I recommend both Malwarebytes' offering, as mentioned above, and IOBit Security 360, which is totally free and offers decent realtime protection by default. Install both, just for good measure.

Also, AVG or Antivir or Avast! should be fine for antivirus (all free, which is nice). Install one of these, and one only. At a time, anyway. That is, make sure to full uninstall one if you plan to try another.

Oh, and a free application-level packet-filtering firewall might help a bit too. What I currently use (in addition to Avast, Malwarebytes and IOBit 360) is Outpost Firewall Free. It's pretty easy to use, and regularly ranks as one of the best of the (XP-compatible) freebies. Do be sure to deactivate Windows Firewall first (i.e., before installation of another firewall) however!

My recommended installation order is: IOBit 360, Malwarebytes, Antivirus, Firewall. YMMV.

I'm using Majorgeeks for links, because it's the place I tend to go to most, for this stuff. Main reason being, I'm with Internode (the ISP) and downloads from MG are not counted towards the quota. Yes, we still have quotas around here - even if they are (for example) 50GB. . .

edit --- And I most definitely second the suggestion of getting an external drive for regular (at least once per week) backup. You can use a backup/sync program to simply update changes and new files, which makes the process quicker, and relatively painless.

Thanee · 30th October 2009, 10:31 AM

Yeah, never ever install two different antivirus programs, they just stall each other and slow your computer down considerably.

Bye
Thanee

Merkuri · 30th October 2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pbartender

I used a Windows XP repair install just long enough to back up some important files and find out what's actually going on...

Be careful with those files... run some sort of virus scan on them before you open any of them, just in case. It's possible they could be used to re-infect your machine after you've cleaned it.

Pbartender · 30th October 2009, 03:12 PM

Well, I had a few of the suggested malware and anti-virus programs downloaded into a CD yesterday. Unfortunately, the computer was so cataleptic that I couldn't get any of them installed, much less running.

FORMAT C:\

Oh well. No big loss. Like I said, I saved all the important files I needed, and it was probably time to do a bit of housecleaning anyway.

Now I just need to hunt a few drivers, and my 'puter will be back on it's feet.

Once it's back online, I'm going to put the back-upped file throught the ringer to make certain their healthy.

Thanee · 30th October 2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pbartender

FORMAT C:\

That's what I would suggest after a virus infect, anyways.

Bye
Thanee

Pbartender · 30th October 2009, 09:50 PM

Life, do you hear me?

Give my creation... Life!

Cergorach · 1st November 2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viashimo

I would check the memory first (quick, no muss checK) using memtest86. It can be downloaded on it's own, or comes package with certain linux live cds (such as ubuntu).

While memtest does sometimes work, it often doesn't work. Pull out every memory unit but one, try if it works now, if not replace it with a different one.

Also removeall the hardware you don't need to operate the PC (including printers and USB devices).

You might also want to go through your BIOS settings to see if on an error the computer doesn't reboot itself (I remember having a similar problem with an old computer).

ssampier · 2nd November 2009, 05:26 AM

Ah, malware how I hate thee!

I never get any on my computer. But with my old job, my customers frequently brought in that junk. I spent considerable time cleaning that junk out. Of course they'd be reinfected shortly, however.

On a similar note, you'd be surprised how much stuff antivirus misses (that is if you only run retroactively). This excludes antivirus that is outdated or nonexistent, of course.