Help: This sounds fishy to me...

Sensemaya

My son has a CompaqCQ58-331S

His 'friend' does lots of work on it. I have had no idea what's been going on but, given recent events, I don't trust this friend.

This friend has Teamviewer and I've just been privy to this conversation. Friend wants his computer on Saturday and my son will be without it until Boxing Day.

It sounds to me as a major catastrophe is about to happen to his laptop if this update or whatever is not done.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Friend: read this,, ive done reasearch on it vvia HP, and if not solved in a few days,
your laptop may not boot up, or could start going slow

Son:Whats the device

Friend: Ethernet, via BIOS which is the main mortherboard process, which will need solving,
ive tryed to reinstall the driver but it errored like last time when i was on here.

Son: Try again

Friend: it wont work, watch

see it did not work, the BIOS needs resetting.... which i can do here on the server.
i will move other pc's out the way and put yours in express, so you will have it back in 1-2days

Son: What is this thing for your trying to sort?

Friend: just let me fix it.. i will reinstall OS Win8 RT OEM PRO

Son: What changes have you made as I need to do my homeowrk on my lappy?

Friend: ive tried to reinstall the drivers, but it would have it... in needs to be fixed asap, so i let you do ya homeworkiess
then move them onto ya desktop via email..

when i reinstall, i will be test ya hard drives and formatting it and install WIN8,, that will take me
5hrs, once that stage is done, drivers will be installed an AVG, then win updates, then all programs and tune up,
i will tune it up and txt you when its finished
then we will decide how to get you lappy back..

Son: Ok

Can i do my homework now?????????

Friend: yep, but remember to shift your files to desktop friday evening, and then pass lappy onto your G
i will explain to him as like i did to you what im doing and i will contact you when done

End

If you can understand any of that conversation I would be grateful for any comments.

My son's computer is running OK.

Many thanks.

somersethillbilly

Smells fishy to me too.....Not knowing any of the parties involved, I'd uninstall Teamviewer and would not give the laptop to anyone that you do not know or trust.

closed

I don't understand a word

Doesn't this machine have W8 on, not RT?

Try

Son: There's nothing wrong with the computer, !!!!!! are you talking about, please mind your own business and play with your own machine, I've got homework to do.

uninstall teamviewer - it can be set so that that remote access is promptless, including webcam viewing, and avast is better than avg, and backup with macrium reflect, and scan with malwarebytes

142001

Hi

I am Sensemaya's son.

I am going to post a screenshhot of this problem on my laptop I feel there is something going on as this person wants my computer for a long period of time and I don't want him to have it for so long of have it at all.

I will get this screenshoot for you.

Thanks, 142001

neilwoods

Is there anything actually wrong with the laptop or PC.

Teamviewer is program that allows another person to remotely access another computer anywhere. It is the same program, that these scammers use to impersonate microsoft, they call up saying you have a virus and you need to install the program and let them access your pc, they then add a virus or lock your pc and they then charge you to get rid of it.

Not saying that is what is happening now, but would never give anyone remote access to any pc.

Sensemaya

There appears to be nothing wrong with the laptop. This is what I cannot understand.

My son is having trouble posting the screenshot as there are too many characters.

Please bear with me as I'm hopeless with Techie stuff.

Tigsteroonie

Your son may have trouble posting a screenshot because (I think) new posters cannot attach photos until they have a few posts under their belt.

You might be able to post it on his behalf if he'll give you the URL.

Alternatively, tell him to post the URL as text and someone will copy & convert it to a link/picture.

closed

if there is nothing wrong, what is a screenshot going to show

142001

This is the message that comes up:

Your computer's system firmware does not include enough information to properly configure and use this device. To use this device, contact your computer manufacturer to obtain a firmware or BIOS update. (Code 35)

The Network adapter thats playing up is called a Realtek PCle FE Family Controller

And my friend just made it like this and I have also noticed the list of Network adapters has somehow got smaller when he took over my computer.

mttylad

I'd Remove Teamviewer NOW.

This sounds too much like a scam, your son will soon be without a laptop for xmas while someone else does.

Reinstalling the whole OS (not usually required) should only take an hour ish, but if its working at the moment then what is actually supposed to be wrong with it?

Remove teamviewer now, install malwarebytes and do a full scan.
Google turning off remote access, turn on the firewall.

Change ALL passwords now, including the one on your router.

Then, and only then if this person gets in contact ask them whats wrong with the laptop - and you want a proper technical description - then post it up here.

Dont get taken for a mug and let this continue.

mttylad

AH! (you posted while I was typing).
Now that may require a BIOS update.