Okay so I'm on assignment for work in the UK and my PC took a dump... I had to rebuild my whole laptop but don't have any AV software. I got some Zlob spyware and used all your fixes but couldn't get rid of it all. I've now rebuilt again (it's not such a huge deal for me as I don't keep anything important on my laptop) and don't want to go through this agin if I don't have to because I'm not sure how long I'll be here. Suggestions on how to permanently protect my laptop? Obviously a free solution is prefered... thanks in advance.
To permanently protect your laptop... make sure spywareblaster is installed. That will protect it... I would suggest running the program called Hijackthis listed somewhere in this thread and post the log file here.
Thanks Green dude.. got the spyblaster running now. I rebuilt already so I think Hijackthis is a little late at this point. Thanks for you help though, sincerely.
Oh sorry man... i thought you were having the problem still. But I haven't had spyware in about 3 years having spywareblaster installed and kept up to date. Def a great program. And if you have no virus protection toss on AVG too, uses very little resources and gives your virus protection without even knowing a program is running like Norton or McAfee would do. Anythin else toss me a PM.
ok green...I have one for you. This is nuts. My boys computer has all of the things you have listed (I believe). Now...this blue screen pops up and says its "dumping physical memory" and the computer starts making a noise straight out of a science fic movie. You have to reboot the computer just to get it to work. Hes getting a new one for christmas but I still want to use this computer...it shows a decent amount of free space 75%? about. What the hell does this mean? Thanks
Ok before I can give you a straight answer can you answer a few of these question if you can? How old is the system, and can you give me the specs if possible? What type of noise? A beep... a "motor" like noise... scratching noise? On the Blue Screen of Death can you post the letters and numbers it gives you? or does it turn blue then shut right off? Have you installed any new hardware recently or lost power in the house? Is the machine full of dust? check the fans and see if everything is spinning as should... if not it could be an overheating issue. My guess is it being something with the hardware... but alot of times a BIOS update can solve a bunch of issues. Once i get the info needed we can go from there.
thanks green...I will give you the above info when I get home tonite...its more like a scratching noise...the blue screen does not shut off..it just stays there. No hardware...no power loss. No dust. I will get you more info tonite.
ok gg...I hope this helps...first and update...the power source went on the computer and a new power source was installed..but well before the problem. Then the screen looks like its burning for a second....and then everything works ok..until this happens. ****stop: 0 x 000077 (0 x 00000e, 0 x 0000000, 0 x 00d6500) then it says on the blue screen...beginning physical dump. and then the noise keeps going..click click....click click...click click. windows 2000 prof. 5.00.2195 service pack 4, 37.5 gb 5.35 used intel pentium at/at compatible (r) 4 cpu 1.60 ghz I hope that helps..anything thing else? besides the garbage? lol
The clicking noise isn't comming from the speakers is it? If not then thats the symptom of hard drive failure. Hope thats not the case but hard drives are easily replaceable. It can be three things from what I see so far... A.) Video card or the video memory is failing. B.) Bad replacement powersupply C.) Bad Hard Drive. The info you gave me isn't enough for me to go get you some driver and BIOS updates to see if that will fix the problem. Whats the PC brand and model? The motherboard model, video card(if you have one). Best case scenerio... its a outdated driver and needs updating... worst case... PC IS SHOT! Try and get me these two things... heres how to get to system info first: Here are the two things you should try to get to me:
You are amazing gg...ok..let me do some homework and get you what you need..and no..not coming from the speakers.
So, this thread got me into AVG. Following a fresh install, rather than installing all of the programs listed here, I downloaded and installed AVG's full internet protection software. It takes care of everything (virus, spy, ad, real time protection from everything). I of course also installed ccleaner. Well, my free month is up for the AVG suite, and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should drop the cash on it. Any thoughts?
I wouldn't trust any antivirus software to fully protect your machine from spyware, ever. They make their money protecting from viruses, so that's where they put their money.
My laptop's power cord melted, so I might not be on much as with the holidays and such. For now I'm posting from my Wii till I get a new laptop(the one I have now was a old, broken POS anyway). So I'll be back later.....
I was going with the list, but to be honest, not having real time protection for spy/adware, using extra resources to have multiple programs open, and having to do updates for 3 different programs has made the financial expenditure worth it. I was more curious to see if someone had used the full AVG package and had any problems.
you can use avg or avast, spybot, adaware, and spyware blaster. and all for free. also helps if you use firefox with no script.:up:
Agree, although the dickheads writing spyware and malware are very aware of Firefox and are writing for that browser as well these days. Not as much, but it's getting worse.
I can't change my wallpaper and I don't know why. It is blocked, I can change the color background but the actual wallpaper button is blocked or locked or something. The stretch, tile, etc is also blocked. What can I do and how did this happen? Thanks for whoever has an answer.
excellent point. but, wouldn't you rather trust their quick response as opposed to the redmond colassas being informed of vulnerabilitites and exploits with IE and sitting on them for weeks with no action?
IE is crap, I haven't had a copy of it on my system in years. There are alternatives to Firefox, though. Mozilla can fight the hackers but it is an uphill battle; I wouldn't be surprised to learn that MS had their own programmers selling malicious code that is designed specifically attack that browser. Sometimes the underground, lesser-known applications are the way to go. Most of the time, actually.