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XP Pro problems
I'm also having big problems with my XP Pro. The computer is a PC with 3GHz processor, 2GB or RAM and an 80 GB Harddrive. I've run the diagnostic that was suggested for QWERTTY and attached same thereto.
Impossible to completely list the weird behaviours--clock jumped ahead 1 hours; email "from" info changed; crashes when I launch an antivirus search; refuses to open PDF's from websites, constantly re-loading Acrobat 10, desktop is about 3/4 black instead of my usual wallpaper; taskbar goes white instead of blue, won't show "safe to remove hardware" nutton or volume control, issues frequent warnings about serious errors.etc. The machine was apparently set up by a gamer for his special usage which somehow has involved conflicts.
Impossible to completely list the weird behaviours--clock jumped ahead 1 hours; email "from" info changed; crashes when I launch an antivirus search; refuses to open PDF's from websites, constantly re-loading Acrobat 10, desktop is about 3/4 black instead of my usual wallpaper; taskbar goes white instead of blue, won't show "safe to remove hardware" nutton or volume control, issues frequent warnings about serious errors.etc. The machine was apparently set up by a gamer for his special usage which somehow has involved conflicts.
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First off - if you have an 80GB hard drive - it's quite old, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was failing. Get a copy of Seatools for DOS and run it from the CD.
SeaTools | Seagate
If you haven't run Malwarebytes AntiMalware in Safe Mode, that would be my strong recommendation next.
I'll get one of these is right on the money.
SeaTools | Seagate
If you haven't run Malwarebytes AntiMalware in Safe Mode, that would be my strong recommendation next.
I'll get one of these is right on the money.
First, Malawarebytes cannot work completely in Safe Mode. It is intended by the company to be run in full mode.
Second, if there are viruses involved, please post in Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help - Tech Support Forum where the experts in this work.
Second, if there are viruses involved, please post in Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help - Tech Support Forum where the experts in this work.
Malwarebytes works quite well in Safe Mode and that method is used and recommended by many very knowledge techs - especially when the program is blocked in Normal mode. I have repaired no less than 100 very infected computers in my work with that method.
I have run Malwarebytes in full mode. It did find 6 problems on first sweep but nothing on following sweeps. Virus scan is negative; no problems.First off - if you have an 80GB hard drive - it's quite old, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was failing. Get a copy of Seatools for DOS and run it from the CD.
SeaTools | Seagate
If you haven't run Malwarebytes AntiMalware in Safe Mode, that would be my strong recommendation next.
I'll get one of these is right on the money.
I have attempted to download the Seagate diagnostic for harddrives but the file is apparently corrupted; at least WinZip says it is. Is there a different drive diagnostic? I did run a diagnostic from Western Digital but it found no issues with the 80 GB drive, which is about 7 years old. Easy enough to replace if that's the problem.
I powered down, unplugged, cleaned and replugged the PCI sound and the graphics card, all the other connections to the MoBo and had a CMOS error on reboot. This process restored my audio system, somehow, but then my internet and email systems both crashed (but recovered). Oddly, when I checked the system battery is in place and securely latched and the system rebooted without problems. This suggests a broken solder joint or trace on the MoBo, a frightening thought.
Download SeaTools for DOS
Then burn the ISO to a CD and run it on boot-up.
Did you scan your disk for error?
Try Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, and it will find more, I'll bet you an ice cream cone.
Some of this may be funky drivers -- Have you run Microsoft Update lately?
If Update says you need newer video drivers - you may want to download them from the manufacturer's website instead.
Then burn the ISO to a CD and run it on boot-up.
Did you scan your disk for error?
Try Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, and it will find more, I'll bet you an ice cream cone.
Some of this may be funky drivers -- Have you run Microsoft Update lately?
If Update says you need newer video drivers - you may want to download them from the manufacturer's website instead.
If the WD tools found that the drive is fine, SeaTools shouldn't be necessary.
02befree,
Malwarebytes may find some things in Safe Mode, but that's not what it was designed to do. It won't find everything it could if it was running in normal mode.
Again, if a virus is suspected, the OP needs to be posting in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help - Tech Support Forum
tomstearns,
How old is this computer? It's possible that the CMOS battery is dying. These batteries are cheap and readily available. I get them at my local Walgreens when in a rush. They're a bit more expensive there than at my usual source, but they are only about $7 there... Cheap enough to try.
02befree,
Malwarebytes may find some things in Safe Mode, but that's not what it was designed to do. It won't find everything it could if it was running in normal mode.
Again, if a virus is suspected, the OP needs to be posting in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help - Tech Support Forum
tomstearns,
How old is this computer? It's possible that the CMOS battery is dying. These batteries are cheap and readily available. I get them at my local Walgreens when in a rush. They're a bit more expensive there than at my usual source, but they are only about $7 there... Cheap enough to try.
Hi Tom,
I would definitely post your problems over at the Virus/Trojan/Spyware section. It sounds like you have something nasty there. Keep in mind too that anti-virus programs are not catch-alls. They MIGHT get 3-5% of your potential problems. Computers are like children; they need several types of inoculations to deal with many potential illnesses. The wonderful folks over in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware section will be more than happy to assist you.
As for your hard drive, just because it's only 80 GB doesn't mean it's old but it DOES mean it's very small to deal with the bloated operating systems currently on the market. I'd recommend a new and MUCH LARGER one to install your OS and use the 80 GB for a back-up drive. That being said, do that AFTER you get your machine cleaned of any potential malware.
Good day!
Mike
I would definitely post your problems over at the Virus/Trojan/Spyware section. It sounds like you have something nasty there. Keep in mind too that anti-virus programs are not catch-alls. They MIGHT get 3-5% of your potential problems. Computers are like children; they need several types of inoculations to deal with many potential illnesses. The wonderful folks over in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware section will be more than happy to assist you.
As for your hard drive, just because it's only 80 GB doesn't mean it's old but it DOES mean it's very small to deal with the bloated operating systems currently on the market. I'd recommend a new and MUCH LARGER one to install your OS and use the 80 GB for a back-up drive. That being said, do that AFTER you get your machine cleaned of any potential malware.
Good day!
Mike
Daifne,
You're correct that it isn't recommended, unless Normal Mode isn't successful. There are many infections that Malwarebytes will never find in Normal Mode, but will find and remove if it is run after booting into Safe Mode. I've seen it over and over again. I don't know what environment you work in, but working with home and small business PC's day in and day out, I have proved this over and over again. Whether it's designed to work that way or not, is besides the point -- Here's the point --There are malware that will actually shut down Malwarebytes and disable it while the computer is in a normal boot mode. I have rebooted into Safe Mode and removed it, numerous times. If a Quick Scan in Normal Mode will do it - happy days. Ruling out a Safe Mode repair with MBAM is ridiculous.
You're correct that it isn't recommended, unless Normal Mode isn't successful. There are many infections that Malwarebytes will never find in Normal Mode, but will find and remove if it is run after booting into Safe Mode. I've seen it over and over again. I don't know what environment you work in, but working with home and small business PC's day in and day out, I have proved this over and over again. Whether it's designed to work that way or not, is besides the point -- Here's the point --There are malware that will actually shut down Malwarebytes and disable it while the computer is in a normal boot mode. I have rebooted into Safe Mode and removed it, numerous times. If a Quick Scan in Normal Mode will do it - happy days. Ruling out a Safe Mode repair with MBAM is ridiculous.
02befree,
I agree. MBAM (as well as many other types of anti-malware software) can be disabled by viruses and such when booting into normal mode. I own a computer repair business and I would say that 90% of my business is virus removal. Most of it does require things that are stronger and more capable than MBAM but MBAM is one item I ALWAYS run (along with about four others that look for different things) and I run them in SAFE mode if they are blocked in NORMAL mode. However, if a virus is doing that, normally it requires running software that I won't mention here. That is for the guys over in the virus section to give direction on here in the forum.
In any event, back to Tom's problem, I still recommend heading over to the [URL="http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f50]Virus Gurus Section[/URL] and let them take a peek.
Good day to all,
Mike
I agree. MBAM (as well as many other types of anti-malware software) can be disabled by viruses and such when booting into normal mode. I own a computer repair business and I would say that 90% of my business is virus removal. Most of it does require things that are stronger and more capable than MBAM but MBAM is one item I ALWAYS run (along with about four others that look for different things) and I run them in SAFE mode if they are blocked in NORMAL mode. However, if a virus is doing that, normally it requires running software that I won't mention here. That is for the guys over in the virus section to give direction on here in the forum.
In any event, back to Tom's problem, I still recommend heading over to the [URL="http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f50]Virus Gurus Section[/URL] and let them take a peek.
Good day to all,
Mike
02befree,
I think we should be discussing this elsewhere, if you wish to continue. Maybe up in General Computer Security - Tech Support Forum or maybe in Offline - Tech Support Forum We shouldn't be hijacking Tom's thread with this. BTW, I agree with Jeepfreek and work similar to him in my business. I will include that I do manual removal first and rely on scanners mainly to cleanup.
I think we should be discussing this elsewhere, if you wish to continue. Maybe up in General Computer Security - Tech Support Forum or maybe in Offline - Tech Support Forum We shouldn't be hijacking Tom's thread with this. BTW, I agree with Jeepfreek and work similar to him in my business. I will include that I do manual removal first and rely on scanners mainly to cleanup.
Guys & Gals--Thanks for your help & support. I have migrated to the Virus forum and am being nicely assisted by Ried. It seems we are on the verge of correcting a peculiar problem which has plagued me for almost 4 months now--I cannot adequately express my gratitude for this selfless assistance.
Great news, Tom!! Ried is a great tech and will have you up and running in no time.
Good day!
Mike
Good day!
Mike
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