System Restore Problem among others!!!!

TonyB

Hi,
I've just spent a while reading through the excellent stickie ref removal of spy ware etc. This was after experiencing a Friday full of pc problems! I did a search for system protection & came up with 'Bug Doctor' which I allowed to do a free scan finding I think it said 456 problems to correct & suggested I pay some £22 for a months use of their programmes and support services. At this point I thought I'd check up on this site & I think it was probably a wise move.
My problems were (are):-
1/ 2 particular XL files refused to open & suddenly the desktop changed to a white background & showed various options for Desktop restoration which was achived (somehow) I deleted the file "Rent" after copying the 2 offending worksheets to desktop. this problem does not now appear to persist.

However 2/ I tried System Restore to several dates & once again just now but an error type message appears after reboot saying "Unable to restore to that point, No changes made to your PC"

3/ When in Internet Explorer provided by Wanadoo (Orange) I found that when in section for sending an Email when I clicked on the "To" section the address book appeared but in French!!!

4/ I noticed that on a couple of occasions yesterday for some reason my internet broadband connection had been disconnected , & further I think that my Norton seemed to have been possibly shut off as the icon disappeared from the toolbar.

So, is there a possibility of some system corruption here?

Windows XP Home SP2 on auto update. Any suggestions as my experience is rather limited.

spacker_2

TonyB wrote:

Hi,
I've just spent a while reading through the excellent stickie ref removal of spy ware etc.

After reading was their any doing? and what if anything was found?

Browntoa

I'm taking it that you followed all the instructions in posts 1 to 4 of the malware/spyware removal sticky ??

if you did then at the end of post 4 there is a bit about how to produce a Hijackthis log file, do that and post that back here

TonyB

No, not yetas notenough time & I thought some of the probs might be other than malware etc.
Incedentally, Browntoa, why not download as in your signature?

superscaper

TonyB wrote:

Incedentally, Browntoa, why not download as in your signature?

If that is a serious question, it's because a lot of spyware and malware actually pass themselves off as antispyware tools. So never click on those pop ups, only ever go directly to reputable sites with known anti malware products. There's no way for a pop up to know about problems on your pc without doing a long scan with your permission first.

Browntoa

as they are 99.9 % scams

they claim to "identify" numerous problems of your Pc, then offer to"fix them" for a fee but the porblems do not exist and the software keeps finding more problems and asking for more money

some examples

http://www.spywareremove.com/removeSpywareAxe.html

SpyAxe is a trojan, that shows one or two icons in the system tray and displays a message saying that the system is infected with spyware and asking the user to download and install an anti-spyware program, which is actually a malicious software program. Once the user clicks on such message, the trojan opens the anti-spyware's official web site. It may also try to download the application automatically. SpyAxe may also change the desktop background.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/08/16/BUG5C86GE61.DTL&type=business



It's bad enough that spyware and adware are infecting millions of home computers. Now come fake programs that claim to remove these pests for a fee, but don't.
"It has been a big problem this year," says Ari Schwartz of the Center for Democracy and Technology, which has been lobbying Congress and the Federal Trade Commission for action. Heavily touted on most search engines, these rogue programs lure users with "free" scans. Want to remove the "spyware"? Buy the full version for $29. 95. A handful of these programs even install their own favored brands of adware and spyware.

TonyB

Yes sadly a serious question! However will I have done any harm by downloading their ' free' scan prog?
I got the details from a Google search, and as such I expected it to be O.K.
It was not a popup, although Norton tried very hard to stop me downloading the ActiveX part. You live & learn!!!!!!

Browntoa

Follow the steps in posts 1 to 4 of this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

download all the software listed and scan your pc exactly the way it tells you in "safe mode", this will take some time so set aside an hour or two to do it all

if the problem still exists then come back and post a hijackthis log as it tells you at the end of post 4 and myself, Alfonso or Pchelpman will take a look at it for you and suggest any further steps to take, only follow our instructions about the hijackthis log if you post one

TonyB

I have just run Adware, Spybot & Norton antivirus. The first two found a few relatively low key adwares(some 10 between them) Nortonshowed nothing & Windows Defender showed that on auto scan earlier today the PC is clear & running perfectly.
Under these circs is it still necessary to do the 1-4 bit? I guess the answer will be 2Yes thicky get on with it" !!!

Browntoa

to be safe, running is safe mode is the only way to be sure of removing things

do the hijackthis log and post it here now

TonyB

Hi,
can't do it now as am off out in a min.
Will seriously attend tomorrow am. Incedentally, is it ok to run various scans at the same time without compromising matters?
Thanks for your patience & help
TonyB