problems with computer
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problems with computer
7 September 2008, 5:34 PM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi...my son has been using my computer and hes downloaded some viruses which i couldnt get rid of...looked it up on the internet and it said they were extremely hard to remove..so i did a system recovery on it...reinstalled everything on it and done a scan and its found something called 'patchwnd.exe' which wen i googled it think its sayin its some sort of virus....managed to delete that but theres still something on the system called just patchwnd...anybody knows wot this is please and how i can get rid of it..the last one was 9kb i think this one is 42kb think thats right...any help would be appreciated please...thanks...
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problems with computer
7 September 2008, 8:26 PM
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gary
Joined 13 Mar 2002
2357 posts
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I had a problem last week where everything disappeared off the desktop, some sort of virus/malware but nothing I had could shift it.
I was then recommended to try 'malwarebytes' and that found it and 18 other problems my previous software missed. You will need to run it in safe mode, either start in safe mode with network support and download, install and run malwarebytes, or download and install then reboot in safe mode to run Just google malwarebytes,
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problems with computer
8 September 2008, 5:39 AM
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Spearmint
Joined 22 Jan 2008
251 posts
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Any half decent site with removal tools would have advised and had instructions on disabling System Restore, viruses, trojans etc copy themselves there just as any proggy would, so everytime you use it the virus will just keep reinfecting your pc! As someone said safe mode, get a decent virus scan/firewall in future i.e. mcafee, also adaware can search out malware/spyware related suff if you scan with it regular.Also password your windows account and open a limited one for guests, i.e. your careless downloading son, so anything he needs downloading/installing has to be on your terms, my mum was forever screwing up so I did it for her.
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problems with computer
25 September 2008, 10:40 AM
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jay_the_rock_god
Joined 25 Sep 2008
3 posts
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when looking for system tools and system recovery tools you must be carefull not to download the first one you come accross because most of them i have come accross add spyware and addware to your system to make problems so i can pick them up and claim its doing its job so you will pay for the full program use.
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problems with computer
25 September 2008, 11:30 AM
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Trevor
Joined 8 Jun 2008
8 posts
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contact me by e-mail and i may be able to help [Log in to view email]
regards
Trevor
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problems with computer
26 September 2008, 10:34 PM
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diggitydog
Joined 25 Sep 2008
14 posts
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The surefire way of getting rid of this is to reformat your hard drive and then do a Windows re-install, but before you do any of this save all your data files to an external medium, CD,DVD or an external hard drive.
I know it sounds a bit extreme as you`re basically starting with a blank sheet, but it`s not as hard as it sounds. You`ll have to reinstall all your other software as well once you`ve got Windows re-installed.
I`ve done this on my PC several times (I run Windows XP) and it works a treat. Your system will also run a lot quicker just like the day you bought your PC, as your Registry gets clogged up over time and gradually slows down your PC.
If you`ve infected your PC whilst online then your Internet Security software probably isn`t up to the job.
I use Kaspersky and it`s the best I`ve ever used, doesn`t slow down your performance like Mcafee & Norton do and is updated hourly.
If you`re thinking of trying this fix get back to me and I`ll do what I can to assist.
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problems with computer
30 September 2008, 7:05 PM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi...thank you for that diggitydog..would you be good enough to tell me how to do it then please...thanks a lot.....
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problems with computer
30 September 2008, 8:16 PM
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diggitydog
Joined 25 Sep 2008
14 posts
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Hi,
Only too glad to help. Bear in mind that when you reformat your disc you will lose everything on it - files, software, everything.
So please before you reformat, save all your files to a CD, or DVD or external hard drive so that you can reload them later.
Also as I said earlier I use Kaspersky Internet Security suite and I`ve never had any trouble with it. You can get a free 30 day trial after which time you can purchase a licence key to continue using it or simply install something else if you prefer.
Go to http://www.KASPERSKY.COM and download the 30 day trial software before you reformat. Save it on a CD along with the other files.
You will need your Windows XP disc plus drivers etc provided with the PC when you bought it.
Here is a website that will tell you everything you need to know about a reinstall. for Windows XP (and Vista), plus lots of other stuff to tweak your system once Windows has been reloaded http://www.OPTIMIZINGPC.COM Print off what you need to refer to before you start reinstalling. Here is a summary of what I do when I reinstall just to give you an idea of what is involved. SAVE YOU DATA FILES Insert Windows XP CD into `D` drive, restart the computer.
When message `press any key to boot from CD`, press any key quickly; e.g. the space key. Delete the existing partition Setup loads the files ready for installation. Then several options appear.
Choose option `D` to delete existing partition, hit enter then choose option `L`. Create a new partition Next choose option `C`, then type in the size of partition required.
It will show you the complete hard drive size. Choose this if you want to use the whole disc as one partition. This is what most people do and it`s probably how your PC was set up by the manufacturer.
If you want to only use a portion of the drive then type in e.g. 50000 for a 50MB partition.
Hit `enter` then `enter` again. Now format the partition; I choose `NTFS Quick` option (this bypasses the lengthy disc check for errors) hit `enter`. Setup now formats the disk and takes about 5 minutes.
At the end of the formatting process Setup copies files to the installation folders, then Configures.
After restart DO NOT boot from the CD. Your disc has now been formatted. Now you can install your Windows system. After restart the Setup process begins and can take up to 39 minutes (usually it only takes about 20 minutes).
Accept License Agreement. Enter a User Name and accept computer name. Set time @ GMT London.
Installation of Network and Start menu follows.
After restart agree to screen resolution adjustment. Select `Automatic Windows Updates`.
After restart remove Windows XP CD.
Your Windows XP Installation is now completed. Now you can reload all your drivers and other software that came with your PC.
You can now also load back all your data files that you saved before you formatted the disc. There`s a shedload of tweaks that you can carry out on the OPTIMIZINGPC site that I mentioned earlier. Make sure that you install your Internet Security software (Kaspersky or whatever else you choose) BEFORE going online again. If you need to know anything else just ask.
Otherwise good luck.
Let me know how you get on.
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problems with computer
1 October 2008, 9:29 AM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi...thanks for telling me wot to do..can i just ask you...i only have one cd wot came with this computer..it has windows xp on it and other stuff such as nero and power dvd etc etc...i dont have other cds with drivers and other bits on...will this still be ok..see i'm not computer savvy.so to speak...i know how to work my way round it for wot i need to do...i have done a system recovery on it before which is where i put the cd in and follow the instructions and that does wipe everything off the computer...then it installs everything again and yr back to when you 1st purchased the computer...is the way you told me the same or different?? but wen you say about partitions i dont think the way i done it mentions anything about partitions... thanks a lot...
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problems with computer
1 October 2008, 12:27 PM
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diggitydog
Joined 25 Sep 2008
14 posts
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Hi,
It sounds like your CD has your Windows XP software and all the other software that came with your PC all on one disc.
It should say something like `Product recovery CDROM Windows XP` on it. It probably also says something like `For distribution only with a new PC`, or `OEM (original equipment manufacturer)`. This means that it is supplied only to work on your PC and is standard practise to prevent multiple uses of the software on more than 1 PC.
Put this CD into the drive and double cliick on the Windows XP folder (if it doesn`t automatically appear).
If you get a window that looks something like this Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP
What do you want to do ?
-> Install Windows XP
-> learn more about the setup process
-> Install optional Windows Components.
-> Perform additional Tasks
-> Check system compatibility then it`s a full Windows XP software set. You could just check with the supplier that this CD contains your Windows XP software, but I`m fairly certain that`s what it is.
When you say that it wipes everything off your CD when you do a recovery, do you mean that you lose all your private data files or just that your Windows files get replaced? It sounds like you`re just booting from the CD or replacing Windows over the old version. Don`t worry about drivers. When you reload Windows it sets up all the drivers it needs from the CD. If the way that you did it does not mention partitions then you haven`t reformatted your disc, so all the bugs are still there. It`s easier to format the whole disc which is the default that appears when you start the format process. If you are anxious about reformatting then loading a fresh system you could just try keeping the present Windows system in place, then download the Kaspersky Internet Security suite 30 day free trial, then do a full scan on your system.
If there are nasties lurking in your PC this will find them and you can either quarantine or delete them. If you still feel like reformatting first be sure that your disc does contain the full Windows XP software before starting. If you need any further assistance feel free to ask.
Good luck.
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problems with computer
2 October 2008, 3:04 PM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi...yes only have one disc it says on it...System Recovery CD/DVD..to reinstall the operating system,programs and drivers...insert disc close all programs restart the computer then follow the on screen instructions...warning...the recovery process erases all data and files form the hard drive... this is the disc i have used before...forgot wot it says tho wen you 1st put it in!! sorry!! cant remember anything tho that it mentions about a partition..i'd remember that bit....wen i got into 'my computer' there are 2 local disc icons...one is 'c' the other one is 'd'..both telling you how much free space you have..if this means anything to you...i'm sorry to be a pain but as you can guess i know absolutely nothing about this...like i said before i just put the disc in and followed wot it told me to do!!! Thanks you so much for you patience and your help with this...much appreciated....
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problems with computer
2 October 2008, 3:56 PM
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diggitydog
Joined 25 Sep 2008
14 posts
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Hi,
Happy to follow up on this anytime.
The C drive is your hard disc and the D drive is your CD ROM drive.If you put the recovery CD in then restart and then you reinstall Windows on the restart, then you are overwriting the old Windows system in your PC with a fresh one. I did it this way a long time ago and as I remember all data files are erased.
If you are still getting problems with viruses then the disc has not been formatted.
To invoke the partitioning/format process you have the interrupt the boot process by responding to the `To boot from the CD press any key now` message as soon as it appears (check ny first reply for details of this).
However, in the first instance I would recommend not doing this at this stage, but to download the Kaspersky Internet Security suite 30 day free trial using the link in my first message.
This is a full product download and costs nothing to use for the first 30 day. After this you can buy a 1 year licence key to continue using, or try something else.
I strongly recommend doing this first. Once you have installed Kaspersky you can do a full system scan and any viruses will be dealt with.
Feel free to keep asking anything you are not sure about.
Good luck
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problems with computer
3 October 2008, 8:00 AM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi...thanks for your help..have downloaded kaspersky and its found a trojan virus.. a highjacker (something along that line anyway).. and a downloader?? So i deleted them...so once again thank you very much for all your help and advice..it was a big help for me...
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problems with computer
3 October 2008, 8:55 AM
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diggitydog
Joined 25 Sep 2008
14 posts
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Hi,
You`re welcome. Happy to help.
If you`re going to continue to use Kaspersky after the 30 day trial period you`ll need to buy a licence.
I bought mine from Ebay last year for £4 and it worked fine.
At the moment they are selling for £9.99 upwards, which is a lot less that the retail price.
If you decide to purchase via Ebay, my advice is to get it from a UK seller with a good feedback rating.
Kaspersky will dispay regular nag screens for you to get a licence before the 30 day period is up, but you don`t need to do it till the 30th day.
All the best.
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problems with computer
30 October 2008, 10:31 PM
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Car Clinic
Joined 11 Oct 2003
59 posts
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Sorry to barge in - have you recovered your pc yet or not (Not I hope) - you must first establish what the problem is- doesn't sound like a full system recovery to me is required. Not from the info you supplied - it sounds like an xp glitch - what antivirus software do you have? If it's Norton - That's rubbish - there are better free alternatives available on the net - let me know if it's not too late?V
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problems with computer
4 November 2008, 8:37 AM
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pc
Joined 6 Nov 2007
259 posts
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Hi..no i havent recovered the pc...touch wood things are ok at the minute..i had kaspersky but i only got it free for a while..so now i have gone back to avg free edition...computer still freezes periodically tho?? but when i scan its not finding anything apart from trackin cookies....wot do you mean a 'glitch' ??
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problems with computer
22 November 2008, 1:12 AM
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ben
Joined 14 Nov 2008
25 posts
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Hi contact me vie E-mail and i am sure i can help.Also advice you on any sescrity issues you may [Log in to view email]
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problems with computer
2 January 2009, 11:37 PM
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riskdrive
Joined 20 Dec 2008
1 posts
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hi, im always messing up my computer the only protection i have is avg free i cant afford anything. how do i check that downloads are safe and also when i go on my internet it always come up with an error message saying it has to close. it has never done this before but this is a new hard drive as my other one died on me. can anyone help.
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problems with computer
3 January 2009, 10:52 AM
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Charlie
Joined 23 Feb 2007
174 posts
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Hello. When posting it helps if you give the operating system and full text of error messages. Read this for information about protecting your computer: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-a......-virus-software Good luck. Charlie
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problems with computer
3 January 2009, 11:02 AM
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Trevor
Joined 8 Jun 2008
8 posts
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Totaly agree Charly. Its like pissing in the wind without all the information to work with.
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