Windows XP Recovery Virus

[biglou]

Came home from work today and started computer. I have a black screen with a window telling me all these errors and to click on "fix errors". How do I get rid of this.

[G1500]

You need to describe the errors.

Sounds like malware.

[biglou]

It's malware. I'm on my sons laptop. It's blocking everything on my computer, even in safe mode. I'm not computer savy at all.

[odysseus]

It is a common malware bug. Some versions refer you to a website to try to get your credit card number to "buy" a virus cleaner. Don't do that!

There are scripts on the web on how to clean your system, but an exact description you will need as there are several variants placing their malware in different ways. You may need assistance if you don't know how to edit your registry, boot to a CD to then remove system files, and/or etc.

[NSR500]

1. Mount with Linux Live CD
2. Save important files to external HDD
3. Format & Reimage w/Linux preferably
4. ????
5. Profit

[biglou]

That's exactly what it's doing. It looks kinda like an official Windows XP logo, but it's not. I need someone to help me with this. It's beyond me.

[SmokinMr2]

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

[SmokinMr2]

I used Combo Fix to remove one of those types of malware. Link and instructions above.

[G1500]

That's exactly what it's doing. It looks kinda like an official Windows XP logo, but it's not. I need someone to help me with this. It's beyond me.

Your local PC repair shop will gladly overcharge you to fix your machine.

Or you can do what NSR500 described, but it seems as though you may not be up to the task.

Or just format and reinstall the OS, as long as you don't care about the files.

[mossy]

whatever you do dont take it to geek squad in a best buys, they will screw you over, they will not fix the problem then they will ask for more money so they can fix the problem they were supposed to fix in the first place.

[gschoelles]

My favorite fixes and both are free:

You need to Google Malwarebytes and Avast, search the free versions, install and run.

The only difference between the Full and free versions of Malwarebytes is full runs in background and free you need to bring up as needed.

You will be amazed how well these things work. I was so impressed I did buy both in the end!

Came home from work today and started computer. I have a black screen with a window telling me all these errors and to click on "fix errors". How do I get rid of this.

[BitterOldMan]

Try http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...ws-xp-recovery

I just cleaned "XP Internet Security 2011" virus and "PC Performance & Stability Analysis Report" virus off my brother's computer.

If you do not have access to the Internet to download rkill and malwarebytes, then you need access to another computer to do so. You may be able to bypass the virus using the F8 key on rebooting and using Safe Mode and Networking. You will also need to update the malwarebytes anti-virus software with the latest fingerprints.

The "PC Performance & Stability Analysis Report" virus blocks Internet access, attacks the registry, hijacks the desktop, blocks the task manager, and changes the view attributes of your program files to hidden. The desktop needed to be recreated from scratch. Took me fourteen hours to take the virus off the computer.

You can also find solutions on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...ery+virus&aq=f Some of the solutions have you editing the registry, but most folks are not comfortable doing so.

Good Luck!

[JDay]

I used Combo Fix to remove one of those types of malware. Link and instructions above.

MBAM works really good too, often better than Combofix.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam-download.php

Download that on a clean computer, put it on a flash drive. Boot into safe mode on your kids computer, install mbam, run it.

[JDay]

whatever you do dont take it to geek squad in a best buys, they will screw you over, they will not fix the problem then they will ask for more money so they can fix the problem they were supposed to fix in the first place.

If you actually read the paperwork before you sign it you will see that they have an upfront service charge just to look at it. Nobody's fault but your own if you do not read what you're signing. But yeah, they are a ripoff.

[GMG]

whatever you do dont take it to geek squad in a best buys, they will screw you over, they will not fix the problem then they will ask for more money so they can fix the problem they were supposed to fix in the first place.

Being I know squat about computers. Had a nasty virus took it to you know who, The Geek Squad. They hooked up my tower and told me I had a lot of sh*t going on in there. Quoted me $xxx.xx to fix.

I left it with them, picked it up in 3 days. Fixed!