[JazzMahn]

Helping friends with a Vista Basic computer that is having problems. I believe they have been running for a period of time without any virus software protection.

I tried to install both AVG 8.0 and Mallawarebytes but each time I try I am receiving a security alert stating "Your current security setitngs do not allow this file to be downloaded.

I have gone into Safe Mode and tried the same thing with the same result. The security alert comes up.

I have AVG and Mallawarebytes on an external drive but when I try to install from it I again get the security alert.

I checked and made sure that the computer user has administrative privaleges and also that the security setting in Internet Explorer was set at Medium.

I tried to run TrendMicro Home online virus scan. After updating Java (which it did allow me to install!!!) the computer froze and did not complete the online scan.

I have never seen a computer that you could not at least install software to correct the problem.

Would sure appreciate any and all suggestions on how I can proceed with this computer. The computer actually is running quite well. They are able to get email and go online. I KNOW THAT THIS COMPUTER IS INFECTED!!

Please help with some ideas on what I can try.

Maybe this should be under viruses. NOt sure. Thanks

 

[PropaneMilo]

Personally, if you know it's infected, I'd backup personal files, nuke it from orbit and start over.

 

[JazzMahn]

I had a thought last night on how I might be able towork with this problem. What if I reset the "Guest" account to have full administrative privaleges. Then switched user from the present user to the "new" Guest account. Account settings should not be the same as what were set for the "original" user account. Possibly I would be able to put "Mallawarebytes" and AVG 8.0 on and clean the computer.

Everybody else says to "Nuke" the drive and start over but thought I would try this first. Will let you know!!