Yes, please install fresh versions of both and try again if you can now run them in normal mode.
Yes, please install fresh versions of both and try again if you can now run them in normal mode.
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2008-2011
Member of ASAP and UNITE since 2006
Hi Shaba,
There have been several issues-I am also no longer receiving email notifications when you reply, so apologies for the delayed response.
1. I cannot download Spybot S&D in normal mode-I keep getting an error:
"C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe
The existing file is marked as Read Only.
Click Retry to remove the read-only attribute and try again, Ignore to skip this file, or Abort to cancel installation."
If I click retry, nothing happens...the screen stays the same. If I click Ignore, it looks like it installs, but it does not. Abort just cancels the whole process. If I try to run spybot from the shortcut on my desktop, I just get an error "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." If I try to run it from the small icon at the bottom right of the taskbar at the bottom of my screen, nothing happens.
2. Whenever I Google something and then click the link I wish to go to, I get re-directed and the bottom of my screen says "waiting for 100Ksearches.com", and I get taken to find-fast-answers.com.
3. I was logging in to look for a response from you two days ago-opened Firefox, started typing in a web address, and the whole computer shut down to a blue screen saying Windows shut down to prevent serious damage to my computer. Then the whole thing shut down.
I don't know what is happening, but seems pretty ugly from this side.
How should I proceed?
1 and 2 indicate infection but 3 can be just a coincidence.
Has it happened again?
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2008-2011
Member of ASAP and UNITE since 2006
Hi Shaba,
The computer has not shut down again, but still having issues 1 and 2....
Should I try loading ComboFix and Spybot S&D in Safe Mode?
Yes, please
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2008-2011
Member of ASAP and UNITE since 2006
Shaba,
My family keeps using the computer no matter how much I tell them not to, and now I logged in, and EVERYTHING is just gone!! No desktop icons, no programs, no pictures, nothing.
What do I do?
Thanks,
Cristy
Sorry for delay again.
It sounds to me that reformatting is required due to severe symptoms.
Do you have windows media available?
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2008-2011
Member of ASAP and UNITE since 2006
Shaba,
I'm not sure which programs you refer to when you say Windows media...I see Windows programs listed when I click on the start menu and then click on all programs, such as Windows Defender, Windows Media Center, etc...?
Thanks,
Cristy
I mean by windows media physical media, that is windows installation DVD.
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2008-2011
Member of ASAP and UNITE since 2006
Hi Shaba,
My last message never posted-sorry for the delay.
We have Windows Vista Home Premium, but I cannot find the startup disk. Is there somewhere I can go online to validate our license or something? Not sure how to do recovery without the disk.
Thanks,
Cristy