Interesting Problem

[dsm]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to fix a home computer for someone. I've now tried installing wireless drivers and config software for two different USB wireless cards.

The computer appears to have some kind of security software installed as each time I try to launch the software it flashes up briefly on the screen then goes again. The computer has McAfee Family Protection and Norton installed. Are either of these likely to be doing this?

It also has some kind of BT Yahoo software on there, a modem locker or something?

Any ideas what software is doing this, or more likely a virus? Any idea what virus?

There are other issues as well. You cannot boot into Safe Mode. It tries and starts logging in but then restarts.

I'm a bit stumped on this one at the moment.

Regards

[localzuk]

Wait, it has 2 antivirus programs installed? That's bad. Very bad.

[dsm]

I know, this machine is messed up at the moment. Just trying to do my best to help them out.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've encountered a machine with both Norton and McAffee, it was running like a one legged milliped that was was sufferingt from a fatal case of death.

Disabling McAffee using MSCONFIG got it going again and I was able to salvage it. I think I was however lucky.

In that situation I'd probably just go for the rebuild. That way you know you'll be solving all the issues. Oh and try to find out which member of the family is a bit too eager to click next next next next finish and give them a locked down account.

[smadison]

How about un-installing one of the anti-virus programs, rebooting the system and running the install as administrator?

[EduTech]

Maybe it would be worth un-installing both Anti Virus programmes as they both can be a nightmare at the best of times. Re-Boot the computer download and installed Microsoft Security Essentials and run a FULL System Scan. Remove any virus's that may appear (if any) give it a final reboot and then try re-installing the wireless drivers again.

James.

[smadison]

If it is XP and all else fails try a system restore to a point before the second anti-virus was installed and see what happens.

[martinlawrence]

You may try after removing anti virus software from your computer. Or you can also disable it temporarily..

[ninjabeaver]

Maybe it would be worth un-installing both Anti Virus programmes as they both can be a nightmare at the best of times. Re-Boot the computer download and installed Microsoft Security Essentials and run a FULL System Scan. Remove any virus's that may appear (if any) give it a final reboot and then try re-installing the wireless drivers again.

James.

I'll second this. Any PC's that come to me with Norton, McAffee and even AVG now get that dumped and MS Security Essentials on instead. Another tool for your arsenal would be CCleaner and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware proggy. I've now got in the habit of putting Search & Destroy on as well (without the TeaTimer part). Defraggler for defragging the system at the end.

Clean out any toolbars etc, and stick a copy of Chrome on there as that does not seem to be yet affected by virii (Chrome is for my use if I need to go back to it and IE and FF are not working). Firefox ain't bad to pop in there as well.


1000th POST

[mac_shinobi]

I'll second this. Any PC's that come to me with Norton, McAffee and even AVG now get that dumped and MS Security Essentials on instead. Another tool for your arsenal would be CCleaner and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware proggy. I've now got in the habit of putting Search & Destroy on as well (without the TeaTimer part). Defraggler for defragging the system at the end.

Clean out any toolbars etc, and stick a copy of Chrome on there as that does not seem to be yet affected by virii (Chrome is for my use if I need to go back to it and IE and FF are not working). Firefox ain't bad to pop in there as well.


1000th POST

I would backup any data and do a fresh install and do the above after the fresh install along with obviously relevant drivers etc assuming they have an installation disc.

[computer_expert]

I'll second this. Any PC's that come to me with Norton, McAffee and even AVG now get that dumped and MS Security Essentials on instead. Another tool for your arsenal would be CCleaner and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware proggy. I've now got in the habit of putting Search & Destroy on as well (without the TeaTimer part). Defraggler for defragging the system at the end.

Clean out any toolbars etc, and stick a copy of Chrome on there as that does not seem to be yet affected by virii (Chrome is for my use if I need to go back to it and IE and FF are not working). Firefox ain't bad to pop in there as well.


1000th POST

HijackThis is another good program to identify stuff installed and possible malware infections.

I helped someone on another forum and they said they had run malwarebytes several times. I got them to run HJT which showed that they hadn't run MBAM as their machine still had mywebsearch on it (which MBAM should remove first time). They finally ran MBAM and it found several trojans and other infections.

[dsm]

Hi everone,

Thank you for your help with this.

I've given up though. There were numerous problems with the system so it's time for a re-install of Windows.

Regards