wittykitty

I got problems well in the pass 2-3 days I can't get anything to open no programs or if I do it takes forever or a total fluke. I click onto a icon and it won't open then when I go ctrl/alt/delete it comes up not responding.
This happened about a month ago but then all was fine and it wasn't as bad then as now.
You are probably wondering how I'm on here now well the "my computer' program will open immediately for some strange reason (since nothing else well) I then get on the internet explorer that way but even when I do I can't click on any link or search or anything like that or I'm in the not responding situation again.
I just called my internet provider he said there is no techinical problems he can see But he said that I'm using up my broadband as if I'm downloading alot of music or movies well I'm not doing that I haven't downloaded any music in 2 weeks or more and never movies. So when I told him that he said you could have a virus which I don't know how I got that??? He said it's definitely a computer problem not internet problem.
So do any of the experts here think that is the problem and if so what do I do now? He said to run my anti virus but I can't get it to open so how can I run it?? Is there some other way to get it to open I've tried it through the start menu, the toolbar and the desktop icon. Oh I did manage to get it open but when I click on it run it it was guess what not responding.
I'm kinda figuring I'll need to take it to a computer repair shop cause I'm a real dummie when it comes to the 'guts' of a computer but if any of you can help and think there is something I could at least try let me know PLEASE.
thanx in advance

OldGrayGary

Hi again wittykitty


It's likely that your computer has been recruited as part of a botnet, and is serving out spam or porn or whatnot over the net --- all without your permission. The Norton protection you have has likely been compromised, and if the malware has been there long enough, it's probably downloaded and installed a rootkit behind which it hides from antivirus scans.

If you keep backups of your most important data, and have either a Recovery Disk or a Windows installation CD/DVD, it might be best to erase the drive & reinstall from scratch. [You'd still have to scan the backups thoroughly before restoring them, as they are likely infected as well]. This is sometimes the only way to be sure the malware is completely gone.

If you have data on the drive you need to keep - try to save it while you can... you may have to enlist the help of another computer to scan such backed-up data, you don't want to re-infect the computer via the backups.

Since you are already considering the purchase of a new PC, I'd recommend against taking your old Win98 PC to a shop - that money would be better spent on a new system. Malware removal isn't always cheap -- the Advanced Diagnostics & Repair at BestBuy's Geek Squad can run $200, even for the in-store service (in-home is more). Other shops might charge as little as $50, but if the operating system needs reinstalling (a strong possibility), the price quickly jumps over a hundred dollars, and can approach the Geek Squad price.
_______________

If you'd like to try an clean the PC yourself, you can try the 5-Step Security Checklist from the TSF Security Forums (pay special attention to any items that concentrate on the detection/removal of rootkits) --- IMPORTANT - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help ---

Note that if you have good backups that scan clean, erasing the hard disk & starting over is a higher-percentage bet. This can be a faster cure, too. You can have more assurance that the PC is pest-free going this route (this is often called "nuke and pave"). To erase the drive of all data, you can use a utility like Darik's Boot & Nuke --- http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot...-10151762.html --- and then either run your recovery disk set, or your Windows 98 installation CD to reinstall.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

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wittykitty

Are you serious how in the world did that happen? I mean how can that sort of thing happen?
I was talking to someone in the know and they said they think nothing is running or opening cause I don't have enough memory and recommended that I get more.
For awhile now it has come up that I have resources low or this: "90% or more of your system resources are in use. To free up system resources, quit any programs you are not using. If you do not your computer may stop responding" which is what is happening. Someone else suggested it get it cleaned out I'm assuming like dust in the computer??? As for what you suggested I would NEVER attempt any of that I just don't know enough about it and I would make it worse for sure. I do have my windows 98 cd there's 2 in fact and I have a floppy disk to boot it. I don't know anything about stuff like this so if adding new RAM don't help I'll talk to the guy who has a computer shop to see what he thinks.
Anyway thanx again for responding to my post.

grumpygit

Hi
What are your current system specs? (if you need help finding these out, just ask.)
Most people who work in computer shops will find a reason to sell you something. It's their job.
You will always get unbiased advice on here.

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Jlp1928

Hi Witty,

Unless you have turned off Virtual Memory your problem is not lack of memory. Virtual Memory will slow you slightly, but will not cause the problem you describe. More memory may not solve the problem, but could possibly speed a healty machine up some. Of course, virtual memory can not work properly if your hard drive is full. It should always have 20 to 25% free space for anything to work properly.

Luck, Jim

wittykitty

Well I can't find my system info right now cause I can't get it to open but a week ago or so I printed it off cause I was going to check with this computer shop in town about it.
Anyway it says that I have 192 MB RAM
38% system resources free (at that time) right now it's at 52%
windows-managed swap file on drive c (794 MB free)
available space on drive C: 751MB of 4110MB
available space on drive d: 17047MB of 19459MB.
genuine intel celeron processor
clean install using full OEM CD/T:C.WININSTO.400 and so on.


I don't understand alot of it which I'm sure you guys realize.
I'm sure I will have to take it to a shop cause it's pointless for me to attempt any of this.
I can't open ANYTHING the only way I'm getting on line is that I open 'my computer' or 'my documents' and then to to my favorites and click on a link to bring me here. When I'm online I can't click on a link like if there is one in any of the messages here for example it won't respond so none of that can be done. Stuff is blinking alot the graphics when online too I find which has been going on for a few weeks but not all the time.
anyway thanx again for all your messages/help onthis.

OldGrayGary

Hi again all -


kitty - the fact that you had so much traffic coming and going from your PC is one sign of possible infection, the other is that the system is incredibly slow, the third is that it is showing strange behavior in not opening programs. It's not 100% certain, but it 'certainly possible' that there's an infection present, and if so, a rootkit as well. These arrive from the Internet usually, if they get past your defenses. Usually they exploit unpatched systems, or they arrive via infected email.

If you don't have data on the drive that needs saving, I recommend trying what I mentioned earlier - starting over. If you've a "Recovery" set (which is what it sounds like you have) --- you can use those, use the "full" Recovery to completely erase the drive & restore the original files. It has an excellent chance of succeeding, so long as the various hardware parts that make up your computer are still in good working order.

It's possible that you could have some hardware issues --- that would be fairly normal for a Win9x/Me era computer --- most have been retired by now. Try to resist the temptation to throw money at the older PC, since ALL of the parts are aging, and what you don't replace today will need replacing tomorrow. And the compatibility of the PC with today's programs is less and less each day. I might give you different advice if you were a PC enthusiast, who loves to take apart and put back together the classic computers just for the joy of learning & the fascination of how PCs have evolved.

Remember that for as low as $250 or less, you can have a far more capable and longer lasting brand-new desktop PC. You could spend that same amount fixing the older PC.

The lowest I've seen a shop charge, even just to run diagnostics on a PC, is in the $30 to $50 range. That's before anything is repaired!

Hope it turns out OK
. . . Gary

P.S. ... if your system is a major-brand system, it might have built-in diagnostics available to you by pressing a certain key combination right after you start you computer. That would help identify if the hardware is sound. If the hardware is sound, you could try a recovery procedure to restore Windows and your programs.

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wittykitty

Gary thanx ALOT for all your help i really do appreciate it.
I called the computer shop and explain what was going on and when I said I was on windows 98 he said that that is probably my problem cause I can't get any updates and I'm leaving myself wide open to alot of bad things. So he said he'd take that off and put on windows 2000 well apparently my computer gave them ALOT of problems cause it's a fairly old now (I bought it oct '99) so they ran in too many problems. Anyway finally got it back late yesterday afternoon and it wouldn't hook up to the internet so he had to make a house call and to change some stuff with regards to my network card to get it going. He said he thinks I have mainboard problems and that if I have more problems he would give me a credit for what I paid to get it working then so much for a trade in. It cost $60 but I also had another 128 RAM added which was another $30. So basically $100 with taxes which of course I wish I didn't have to pay that much but if it's all fine then I guess that's what I have to do.
They didn't have much good to say about Norton so I have AVG on it right now. I had just renewed my Norton not 2 weeks ago fortunately I contacted Norton last night and they are going to re-emburse me for this.
Now since last night I had a threat detected and right now the AVG is running with a virus identified as obfustat.CYR . I have to tell you honestly I never had anything come up when I had norton, spy sweeper & zonealarm. They said the AVG is enough I don't need anything else. What do you all think of that here? I have spy sweeper paid up as well having renewed in Dec. should I still go with that or just stick with AVG??? This probably should be posted somewhere else not here but it's all related I guess.
I'm still expecting I'll need to get a new computer before long.
This is on warranty for 30 days and the RAM 90 days so well see.

OldGrayGary

Hi again


I generally find that AVG is a well-regarded program, especially for older computers (Norton tends to require a bit more firepower to run). They are fairly even as far as prevention, detection, and removal of malware.

I looked around a little about the file that AVG detected on your system. It might or might not be a "false positive" -- in some forums, that file is linked to CD protection ("rights management"), but in others, there seems to be a possibility that it can be linked to malware of some sort (some malware is less threatening than others). If AVG has any trouble removing it in Normal mode, try in Safe Mode.

Did the folks at the shop leave your PC with no firewall at all? That's a big mistake on their part. Windows 2000 has no built-in firewall (XP and Vista have built-in firewalls), so it's a very necessary tool to have running. ZoneAlarm is a fine choice, and it has a free for personal use version.

Don't panic too much if your Internet connection comes through a router of recent vintage -- most routers made in the last few years have built-in hardware firewalls that are generally enabled by default. If you don't use a router, though = get a firewall up and running as soon as you can, and run thorough scans for malware.

Did the shop put on all the Windows 2000 patches to the present? If not, visit Windows Update & grab them. Service Pack 4 is still the latest version Service Pack, I believe. Several individual patches and updates have been released since.

Best of luck!
. . . Gary

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robkat

Thanks Jim - I think (hope) you have saved me some time. I did a forum search on 'programs not responding' as my Vista laptop keeps doing this, same with videos I'm watching online (not a buffering problem). My hard drive is full - I've been burning DVDs and deleting programs - I've just bought a 500GB external drive and seeing your response above about having 20-25% free space has prompted me to install it instead of doing other stuff! Fingers crossed that it will work as it has been annoying me for months.

Kathy