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I think my computer has a virus

M

Mezzlegasm

Smash Rookie
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
6
Location
Tennessee
I've always considered myself knowledgeable with computers. I don't know any programming languages, but I'm usually able to get myself out of a jam.
Well I was kinda sleepy and i was looking for a video. I clicked on a link to youtube, and I went to youtube, but it wasn't youtube. It asked me to install active x control and I figured, "what could be different than the other times it asked me to install active x control" so I said that it could.
Well after not paying attention to the fact that I wasn't at youtube or anything and telling it to installing something on my computer I realized after it was acting funny that I screwed up.
Now I can't see my taskbar, desktop icons, or start menu. I can only start programs briefly when my computer starts up. I have divorced parents and I live with my mom mostly. I'm at my dad's using a bad computer without virus protection. Can I do anything to solve this problem on my own without having to take it and pay out of my *** for repairs?
 
Dr. James Rustles

Dr. James Rustles

Daxinator
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
4,019
The problem is probably your explorer.exe file isn't working or even running. Hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and go under the 'file' tab and select run > new task and type in, simply: explorer.exe. If explorer.exe is alreaddy running, delete it and run again using above method.

This also probably is not the place to ask tech questions.

I recomend not downloading random things next time. Get a virus scanner.
 
M

Mezzlegasm

Smash Rookie
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
6
Location
Tennessee
well task manager was disabled, and active x sounded trustworthy to a person who was sleepy on autopilot.

i can't really download a virus scanner right now because i dont have access to my desktop icons.
 
~rh

~rh

Smash Lord
Joined
Dec 1, 2006
Messages
1,202
Location
DMV
On startup where i says the manufacturer's logo, there should be an option that says "F7 System Restore" or "F3 Setup". Find system restore options from there and you should be fine.
 
SkylerOcon

SkylerOcon

Tiny Dancer
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
5,216
Location
ATX
*snicker*

I know exactly what video you were trying to get to, pervert! Haha, that old thing has achieved fame on the internet.

Trying to restart your computer might be good. Or maybe just getting rid of the virus you downloaded might be better.
 
-Hoggle-

-Hoggle-

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
243
Location
Labyrinth
yea but isn't it expensive if you don't have any back up disks. Like having to purchase a windows disk and a reformat cd?
 
M

Mezzlegasm

Smash Rookie
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
6
Location
Tennessee
yeah, I don't have backup disks, anyone care to pm me the video i was trying to look at? i wanna see if you were right
 
SkylerOcon

SkylerOcon

Tiny Dancer
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
5,216
Location
ATX
You can't download it or send it. It's that err... Harry Potter one? Correct?

Either that or other people are using the trick that was made famous by that video.
 
M

Mugquomp

Smash Ace
Joined
Mar 14, 2002
Messages
616
Location
the 20th Hole
-Hoggle- said:
yea but isn't it expensive if you don't have any back up disks. Like having to purchase a windows disk and a reformat cd?
Click to expand...
Who says that after you reformat it you have to reinstall windows? You could always take the red pill instead and try out a Linux distribution. My computer got so bogged down with viruses about 9 months ago that I had to reformat it, so I decided to give Linux a shot. It's not for everyone, and it's definitely not a "replacement" for Windows. It's a completely different operating system. Plus, most distros are free. I highly suggest Ubuntu, it's what I use, and I love it. You can download a file here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and then burn it to a CD.

That CD will then act as a live CD, where you can run the operating system off of it, instead of the computer's hard drive, or install it and overwrite Windows. Try running it from the CD first to make sure it works with your hardware, because there are some compatibility issues with some hardware. It'll be slower that way, but you wouldn't want to reformat your hard drive before being sure it'll work afterwards.

Or you could take the blue pill and reformat with a Windows install disk. Your choice. It's your computer.
 
-Hoggle-

-Hoggle-

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
243
Location
Labyrinth
Mugquomp said:
Who says that after you reformat it you have to reinstall windows? You could always take the red pill instead and try out a Linux distribution. My computer got so bogged down with viruses about 9 months ago that I had to reformat it, so I decided to give Linux a shot. It's not for everyone, and it's definitely not a "replacement" for Windows. It's a completely different operating system. Plus, most distros are free. I highly suggest Ubuntu, it's what I use, and I love it. You can download a file here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and then burn it to a CD.

That CD will then act as a live CD, where you can run the operating system off of it, instead of the computer's hard drive, or install it and overwrite Windows. Try running it from the CD first to make sure it works with your hardware, because there are some compatibility issues with some hardware. It'll be slower that way, but you wouldn't want to reformat your hard drive before being sure it'll work afterwards.

Or you could take the blue pill and reformat with a Windows install disk. Your choice. It's your computer.
Click to expand...
So let me get this straight:
1) i download the file from the link
2) burn it to a cd
3) run the cd and have it be my new format for my computer

only question how would i go about reformatting my computer currently (I have windows xp) so that i can do steps 1-3?
 
plasmawisp6633

plasmawisp6633

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
398
Next time use AVG and Ad-Aware. Great, free virus/spyware protection.

And don't forget, a little common sense is always the best virus protection :)
 
M

Mugquomp

Smash Ace
Joined
Mar 14, 2002
Messages
616
Location
the 20th Hole
-Hoggle- said:
So let me get this straight:
1) i download the file from the link
2) burn it to a cd
3) run the cd and have it be my new format for my computer

only question how would i go about reformatting my computer currently (I have windows xp) so that i can do steps 1-3?
Click to expand...
Don't worry about reformatting it. That happens as part of the install. And you can run Ubuntu off the CD without reformatting and without harming your computer. But seriously, try it out first. Because it's a different world than windows. No more Word, AIM, or iTunes. You have OpenOffice, Pidgin Instant Messenger, and Rhythmbox instead.
 
-Hoggle-

-Hoggle-

Smash Journeyman
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
243
Location
Labyrinth
Mugquomp said:
Don't worry about reformatting it. That happens as part of the install. And you can run Ubuntu off the CD without reformatting and without harming your computer. But seriously, try it out first. Because it's a different world than windows. No more Word, AIM, or iTunes. You have OpenOffice, Pidgin Instant Messenger, and Rhythmbox instead.
Click to expand...
KK i get it now, I'll try it out with the cd and see how i like it.

Thank you a bunch ~Hoggle
 
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