Posted on 10/31/2008 10:12:07 PM PDT by lowbridge
This is a bit lengthy, so please bear with me.
Damn, but I did something stupid and downloaded something I shouldnt have (no, not porn. get your mind out of the gutter :-)). When I downloaded this virus, the cmd screen came up and showed the following: crack.exe, serial.exe, number.exe, keygen.exe AND readme.bat
I panicked, deleted those things, but it hasnt fixed my problem. It seems to have hijacked my internet explorer browser. When I clicked on the IE icon, it brought up the IE browser for all of a second or two before closing. (So, I used Firefox to browse the web, which is working, thankfully) Oh, the IE browser did appear, that is when one of those pop up advertisements comes up. Which I had NO control over. It came up whenever it felt like it, then it stays open untill I close it. BUT I could not use it to browse the web as there are no buttons, tool bar, address box, etc.
And it seemed to prevent me from running/installing spyware. Oh, I was able to download the applications of some spyware programs, but then when I tried to open the application and run them, the damn virus wont let it! I have run a scan with some freeware spy scanning programs and much to my shock they revealed over 250 problems. worse of which are named "spyware.igmonster", zlob, (also spelled out by one scanning program as zlop (with a "p"), trojan.infostealer.bankers
Some spyware programs seemed to be able to download, but when I ran them, they seem to have failed in getting rid of the viruses. (I am using freeware as I do not have any money to buy a good anti virus program) Some seem to do more harm than good as one such program seems to have made me delete some important windows files (a couple of ".exe" files. The spyware program warned me about deleting such a file because it was in my WINDOWS folder, but I chose to delete them anyways as the spyware told me that they were infected) because when I tried to shut down my computer, it gave me a blue screen and an error message (coooo21a). So I had to manually turn it off, but even sometimes that didnt work, so I have to unplug it.
That isnt the end of it.
It was bad enough getting that error message when I tried to shut down my computer, but after another attempted fix of the viruses, it got worse. Now I get that blue screen with the error message when I turn on my computer and try to boot up! I would get a blue screen with the folllowing message;
STOP: c00021a (Fatal System Error) The Windows Logon Process System process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0x00000000 (0x00000000 0x00000000) The system has been shut down
And the computer wouldnt do anything. It would just sit there with that message staring at me. I would try to shut down the computer by pressing the power button on the tower, but even that wouldnt work! I would have to unplug the computer to get it to shut off!
NOW I'm getting it when I'm trying to start up my computer! I've tried to get around that by starting it in safe mode, but then I just get the above 'fatal error" all over again.
How can I fix this? Can I fix this myself (I'm not computer literate) or do I need the services of a professional (how much do they usuallly charge?)
Just throw it away...
What OS are you using?
windows XP (service pack 3)
Your motherboard is fried.
Sorry for your problems, been there, not fun.
1). reformat the thing.
2). Re-install all software
3). purchase drive imaging software
4). Create image for use the next time you screw your system.
Format the hard drive. Reload XP and start fresh.
How do you know this? And what would it cost for a new motherboard?
When you turn on your computer, hold down the F8 key to get into safe mode. One there, use the system restore to set your computer back to a date prior to your problems. Then reboot and load on some good anti-spyware scrubbing software.
The virus problem is secondary. Trying to deal with this “fatal Error System” has to come first because I cannot do anything with my computer. I boot up, and I get that error message and nothign else. It doesnt go to windows.
The program you downloaded may have come from a cracked version. Like all good hackers...they will place a trojan or several in the serial key generator that comes with cracked software.
How do I reformat the drive? (again I’m computer illiterate)
Your registry files have been altered, so your PC will not boot up likely, but it still should install the freeware to clean out the virus.
They ought to be shot.
I’m no techie but I’ve found that by simply Googling an error code I often get useful advice online. This is what another user was advised on a Yahoo forum:
Do a windows system repair.
Restart the computer with the windows operating disk in the cd rom. When it says “press any keey to boot from cdrom” do so. It will get to a screen that says “ To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER” highlight that option and press enter.
It will ask you to accept the license agreement by pressing F8. Do so and then it will list your o/s choices that already exist on the computer. Highlight your windows installation and then press the “R” key.
Then let windows do its thing. It will look like it is doing everything from scratch, but it is just repairing the system. Make sure you have your license key because during the setup it will ask for it. The system will reboot 1 or 2 times during the process. When all is done you should have everything you started with file wise and hopefullty your stop error will be corrected.
How to boot from cd rom:
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bios-boot-cd...
Try post # 10. And when you run your whatever flavor of antivirus, update your definitions at least once a day. I run AVG, and haven’t been bugged in 10+ years. Yeah I do visit goofball sites as well.
Spyware and anti-virus programs are junk. They will create more problems than they prevent. I run a 7 node wireless N home network behind simple encryption using Comcast for 8 years now. With 2 little kids who are computer literate. I've never had a problem.
No, seriously, you have Malware. You need to wipe or Fdisk your system and reinstall everything. Your BIOS are fine. So, Wipe it, install it and stop stealing software.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.