How to Fix a REALLY BAD Computer Virus - Procrastinate ?!

[gunDriller]

July 14 my main computer, a medium-vintage Quad-core (bought in Fall 200-Eight) with Windows XP64 for the OS and a bunch of favorite programs (3D Studio Max, Maya, Solidworks, ZBrush, Adobe Master Suite, etc.) took a virus on the chin.

It shut down COMPLETELY - or maybe I should say, was taken over completely. The virus wouldn't let me run Task Manager, wouldn't let me do anything. In the past, when this has happened, the only thing that worked was to re-load the OS, preferably on a new hard drive, since I wanted the data on the corrupted hard drive.

So I waited and procrastinated and used my laptop, for about 5 weeks. A few days ago I managed to find the Windows XP64 Install disk. Finally, yesterday I installed a new hard drive.

I was all ready to go through the laborious process ... what makes it laborious is, to re-install the programs, I have to get new software licenses.

Long story short - re-installing the software was destined to take a few weeks and is a major Pain in the Arse. So the virus was like a Major Kick in the Balls ... but I wanted my computer back.


Well, I don't know what happened. I think the computer network that was controlling my computer was shut down, so by waiting 5 weeks and starting back up, I had a few hours of freedom. I did all the security updates (Windows updates, anti-virus updates, anti-spyware updates) ... and changed my password.

AND IT WORKS !

The anti-virus software found 2 Trojans (viruses, not condoms !) ... I don't know if they were the problem.

Lesson learned - like it or not, you have to keep your security programs updated. That means OS updates, anti-virus updates, AND spyware updates. Personally, I don't trust "auto-update" so - I have to do manual updates.


Anyway, I'm HAPPY !!! :-) My computer has been given a reprieve.


Anybody else ever had a nasty virus just "go away" ?

[mamboni]

July 14 my main computer, a medium-vintage Quad-core (bought in Fall 200-Eight) with Windows XP64 for the OS and a bunch of favorite programs (3D Studio Max, Maya, Solidworks, ZBrush, Adobe Master Suite, etc.) took a virus on the chin.

It shut down COMPLETELY - or maybe I should say, was taken over completely. The virus wouldn't let me run Task Manager, wouldn't let me do anything. In the past, when this has happened, the only thing that worked was to re-load the OS, preferably on a new hard drive, since I wanted the data on the corrupted hard drive.

So I waited and procrastinated and used my laptop, for about 5 weeks. A few days ago I managed to find the Windows XP64 Install disk. Finally, yesterday I installed a new hard drive.

I was all ready to go through the laborious process ... what makes it laborious is, to re-install the programs, I have to get new software licenses.

Long story short - re-installing the software was destined to take a few weeks and is a major Pain in the Arse. So the virus was like a Major Kick in the Balls ... but I wanted my computer back.


Well, I don't know what happened. I think the computer network that was controlling my computer was shut down, so by waiting 5 weeks and starting back up, I had a few hours of freedom. I did all the security updates (Windows updates, anti-virus updates, anti-spyware updates) ... and changed my password.

AND IT WORKS !

The anti-virus software found 2 Trojans (viruses, not condoms !) ... I don't know if they were the problem.

Lesson learned - like it or not, you have to keep your security programs updated. That means OS updates, anti-virus updates, AND spyware updates. Personally, I don't trust "auto-update" so - I have to do manual updates.


Anyway, I'm HAPPY !!! :-) My computer has been given a reprieve.


Anybody else ever had a nasty virus just "go away" ?

Thanks for posting this. I know exactly how you feel and I'm glad you were able to get your PC back and functioning. I had a recent system crash which was due to losing a system sector on the hard drive. But I've lost PCs to virus attacks in the past so I know how horrible it feels. I agree with all of your adminitions regarding security updates, anti-virus and anti-spyware scans. In addition, I have adopted a backup-in-depth approach:

1. I keep running daily backup of my data files using a sync program to external drive #1
2. I run WIN7 system global backup plus image backup to external drive #2
3. I clone my main system hard drive to an external drive #3 every week or two with EASEUS TODO.

The cloning (#3) takes a LONG time (20 hours) but in the event of a HD or system crash I can just swap out the crashed drive for the clone and I'm up and running in minutes as if nothing happened. This backup scheme takes a few minutes and provides such peace of mind, like owning physical PMs.

[Ponce]

Two computers and two laptops in 13 years with no problems...........my laptop is 78% empty, I just don't download anythig but what I know to be good.............or when the Dr send's me a joke, DOWN with the Doc.

[mamboni]

Two computers and two laptops in 13 years with no problems...........my laptop is 78% empty, I just don't download anythig but what I know to be good.............or when the Dr send's me a joke, DOWN with the Doc.

Ponce:

He has never seen the Blue Screen of Death.
His mouse battery never goes dead as it charged by his luminous aura.
He can opt out of ScanDisk, even after it has started.

[Ponce]

Hummmmmmmmm let me think about one........

[Ares]

I have a NAS (Network Attached Storage) utilizing RAID 1 and just perform a weekly backup using some imaging software. I highly recommend a NAS solution and just backup regularly.

[gunDriller]

thanks for all the info & replies !

i haven't learned how to clone or ghost a drive.

i had a server - sort of - a computer i could hook my main computer up to using a 10/100 connection.

but THAT computer ... boot drive crashed.


my brain says, "i can only assimilate so much technology at once !"

for some backup, i use drag&drop onto an external drive ... then if i'm really serious, move the drive to a different location.

but today ... firewood & the garden take precedence !


hope my computer doesn't crash AGAIN in the next few months !

[Ares]

thanks for all the info & replies !

i haven't learned how to clone or ghost a drive.

i had a server - sort of - a computer i could hook my main computer up to using a 10/100 connection.

but THAT computer ... boot drive crashed.


my brain says, "i can only assimilate so much technology at once !"

for some backup, i use drag&drop onto an external drive ... then if i'm really serious, move the drive to a different location.

but today ... firewood & the garden take precedence !


hope my computer doesn't crash AGAIN in the next few months !

I've recommended these little guys to quite a few happy users, and haven't heard a single complaint.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822155003&Tpk=DLink%20dns-323

[mamboni]

I've recommended these little guys to quite a few happy users, and haven't heard a single complaint.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822155003&Tpk=DLink%20dns-323

That's sweet!

My son is the PC geek at home - has several network servers and storage devices running 24/7. Being paranoid, I don't want to rely to much on the LAN; hence my in depth local backups.

[Ares]

That's sweet!

My son is the PC geek at home - has several network servers and storage devices running 24/7. Being paranoid, I don't want to rely to much on the LAN; hence my in depth local backups.

LAN's are pretty robust anymore. As long as you're not using a HUB. :) If it's a switch then you're all set. I've got a gigabit switch and back ups take roughly 3 hours with 50GB +/- of data being imaged. I've also adjusted my LAN to handle Jumbo frames to handle more data and get better throughput. But a standard 10/100/1000 switch will work just fine. If you get the device just remember you'll have to purchase the hard drives and if you need help PM me your number and I'll walk you through it. Very very simple and it literally is configure once and forget it.