Gooderham :: More Problems

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

Question for anyone who might be able to help. Something went wrong with my Firefox and I was unable to open files that were downloaded to "My Downloads" folder, where they would usually go. I can't remember the exact issue but it involved windows.exe not working properly. So I switched to Google Chrome and created a new directory which I named "Downloads II" where I downloaded my files too. The problem becomes now that when I click on a file my pointer shakes and I can not make it stop without shutting everything down and starting my computer again. Obviously this gets annoying and incredibly frustrating. Anyone have any suggestions short of wiping my system?

[Dawson 1st MRB]

windows.exe? Yeah, that really sounds like a virus.

You're likely safe storing all your files onto an external HDD, or an extra HDD you have within your computer. The only way to be absolutely sure that your computer is safe is to delete the partition and start over. Put in that windows CD and let it fly, just be sure you backed up all your files.

If you're desperate not to do that, you can start downloading and installing various malware defenders and/or virus protection programs and so forth, but you never really know if they've gotten it all.

I can recommend AVG free-edition.

oh, and after you've downloaded it, unplug your internet. These viruses tend to get online and download all their friends, which is why wiping your system is really the only true way to get around them. It is likely that they will install new viruses faster than you can get rid of them.

[I have no arms BAR]

Yeah definitely a virus. I would second Dawson's take on it, although I would add that a good way to really get stuff off your PC is to download AVG free and malwarebytes anti-malware. Start your computer and right off the batt press f8 repeatedly until you get a screen that has a bunch of safemode options. Start windows in safemode and run AVG and then Malwarebytes and that should clean it up pretty well. This doesn't always work on everything, so be prepared to reformat.

Edited December 15, 2010 by I have no arms ßÄR

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Malwarebytes

Get it. Run it first. Much better than anything out there.

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

I ran a Malwarebytes Scan, not in safe mode, but it came back with nothing.

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

I just opened up Firefox to see if I could get the same error message and nothing. Everything seems to be running fine. Still the same problem with Chrome though, it seems as though what happens is the pointer begins to shake and the spinning Vista wheel indicates that it's "working." It is also severely lagging up my computer, I think it is trying to run explorer.exe but can't because there hundreds of those processes running and it keeps adding a new one.

[Dillon 1st MRB]

If it came back clean, I'd actually look towards hardware. Its only in Chrome, though? Have you tried to unistall/reinstall it?

Also, when it starts to have stability issues, does it throw you a code or BSOD? If so, I need the code. And I do understand it may mean having to write down a 45 character string. Its a PITA, but necessary.

If you can replicate it, grab the error. Also, I'll see if I can find a walk through on how to find your error logs. They tend to be more clear and consice then I do.

Which version of Windows is it?

[G. Wilson]

well you should be careful about just downloading virus checkers as they tend to see eachother as roadblocks and log jam your computer. Secondly, AVG isn't a very effective virus defender as any coder worth his pc will set the virus up to delete itself from AVG's virus recognition directory (if it will even let you run it at all).

But short of wiping your HD, I think your best bet is what you've heard so far. Although what I would still be worried about is a Trojan.

Anywho, safe mode that bitch and scan the shit out of it. If that doesn't work, try a system restore, if it's still throwing a fit, You might need to delete the partition

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

So after reinstalling firefox it seems to be working fine.

A new problem though: when I start up my computer it turns on briefly, maybe 3 seconds, before turning itself off. I thought I had noticed an odd sound coming from the fan on startup but am not entirely sure. Any suggestions? I do not think it is a psu problem because it has only recently started, unless my new headset and mouse are sucking a huge amount of power on startup.