Problem with downloading SP2, etc!!! AHHH

[pandaman121]

Hi I'm new to this forum. Ok I'm going to try to explain to you as best as I can what has happened. Here's my computer information.

Windows XP SP1 (I think)
Cable connection
A few games on my computer (Sims 2, Halo trial)
Avast antivirus
Foxie Suite
Norton antivirus
Primary browser - Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
Need any more info?

Ok here's what happened...

I came home from work and, as usual, forgot to turn off the computer. I noticed that there were a lot of pop ups and a strange wallpaper (This has Never happened to me before). The wallpaper said something like I have spyware on my computer, go here to solve the problem... I didnt trust it. I managed to get my wallpaper back to the way it was before, but it was hard. Then I turned my pc off and called it a night.

The next day I turned my pc back on. I've been having pop ups (mostly "unable to complete a certain process..." kind of pop up) on my computer, and I've gotten used to those. But all of sudden a different pop up pops up, and it pops up again EVERY 2 minutes or so... It looks kinda like this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for....
Goes on to ask if I want to send error report or not...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, these pop ups have been popping up ever since that virus, spyware, whatever it was wrecked my computer. These are some of the other effects of the virus:
1. Some of my programs dont work as well anymore, or at all (Wordperfect, Sims 2)!!!
2. Internet isnt as fast as it was before
3. Some programs freeze
4. Windows task manager only work SOMETIMES now

Now here are the steps I took to TRY to solve the problem. So far no luck.
1. Talked to a friend and he told me to d/l Foxie Suite(since I use Mozilla).
2. Tried to terminate most of the processes in Windows task manager to try to stop the pop ups.
3. Tried to d/l SP2 from MS -- This is a whole different story.

Referring to step 3... I tried to d/l SP2, but it wouldn't let me on Mozilla. It said that I had to use Internet Explorer. I used IE and tried d/ling it. As you all know, in order to d/l service packs from MS, you need to go through Windows Update. I was on the Windows Update web page and just as it was checking to see if my computer had the latest updating software, a POP UP COMES UP! Looks like this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
iexplore.exe - Application Error
The instruction at "0x77f585c0" referenced memory at "0x0000002af". The memory could not be "written".
Click on OK to terminate the program. OK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So as you guys can see I CANT EVEN d/l SP2 on my computer. SP2 was probably my last hope. But if you guys can help me with my problem. Please, please give me a helping hand.

PS - I probably went through at least 5 of the same aggravating pop ups while typing this

[pandaman121]

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? If not, can anyone please give me a web site/forum where I can get the help? Thanks!

[bigH2O]

Most likely adware and not a virus. Just as annoying, but easier to clean. Do a google search on "adware" and download the flavor of the day. Some folks here may recommend a particular product, but I change mine as often as my girlfriend changes her hair color, so I don't have any particular suggestions.

[pandaman121]

Most likely adware and not a virus. Just as annoying, but easier to clean. Do a google search on "adware" and download the flavor of the day. Some folks here may recommend a particular product, but I change mine as often as my girlfriend changes her hair color, so I don't have any particular suggestions.

So adware also causes some of my programs to be unusable as well as making pop ups from hell? I don't know. Me not being able to download SP2 is making me crazy! What other suggestions do you guys have? Thanks

[Zero Tolerance]

I personally use Spybot S&D. Others say use Adaware.....even others say something else.

Like bigWater said....it really isnt important what you use to scan for spyware....just scan for it with something and see if that helps. If it doesnt...then update your post here with the next results after the spyware scan.

[pandaman121]

I personally use Spybot S&D. Others say use Adaware.....even others say something else.

Like bigWater said....it really isnt important what you use to scan for spyware....just scan for it with something and see if that helps. If it doesnt...then update your post here with the next results after the spyware scan.

I downloaded Spybot S&D and removed "all" of the pests. Nothing happened so far. My IE still shows the same excruciating pop up on that particular web page. I also downloaded Adaware v1.06, but I can't even check for updates (I click start and it freezes right when it connects to Lavasoft server). Yeah, so far my everything's the same. Wait, the 2 minute pop ups have ceased so far... But that's about it. I still can't download SP2! I've also got comments saying that my ram might be crapped. I don't know. AHHH!!!

[bigH2O]

The best thing I can suggest at this point, if this problem is "excrutiating" for you is to download a popup blocker, add the offending website to the list of sites to be blocked, and carry on.

As I've said before, I generally don't recommend one program over another, but there are several popup blockers that you will find on a simple google search. Keep in mind when evaluating them that some will block everything that you don't allow, and others will block nothing that you don't specify. It's all a matter of your personal taste.

Keep on hanging on, you can fix this problem and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Zero Tolerance]

And remember.....there is always the option to format and reinstall your OS and Apps!

If you dont have alot of things you care to lose....or if you have everything you need backed up, this may be the simplest solution for you.

[bigH2O]

Yes Zero, good advice. Often I forget the simple solution. I've got hundreds of files on my system that I consider irreplaceable. God help me if somebody breaks in and steals one of my boxes. If you can stand the pain, then a complete reload is probably the easiest solution

[pandaman121]

Yes Zero, good advice. Often I forget the simple solution. I've got hundreds of files on my system that I consider irreplaceable. God help me if somebody breaks in and steals one of my boxes. If you can stand the pain, then a complete reload is probably the easiest solution
That would probably be the best option for me now. Can you tell me how to do this and will this completely remove all these internet-related/system related pop ups? This might erase all my files but is it worth it? If all my files were to be erased, can I save the files/programs I like on a disk and install it when it's done rebooting? Thanks!

[Zero Tolerance]

You will need to have your discs to reload the OS. We cant tell you how until you tell us if you have a custom built computer or one from a major manufacturer.

If you have one from a mfgr...such as DELL or HP or Compaq or any other mass produced machine...then most likely you will have a restore disc that came with the computer.

If you have a custom built machine...then you most likely will just have a copy of the Windows operating system and any driver discs that came seperate with the extra hardware you may have installed at the time of the build.

Either way you will have to make sure your PCs BIOS is set to boot from CDROM. Then you will put either the Windows OS disc or the Factory System Restore/Recovery disc in the drive....reboot the machine....and follow the hand holding steps that the GUI will give you.

If you want to save your files...you will have to do that BEFORE you restore. Once you restore your OS all of your files will be lost.

One thing about keeping files. IF a file you keep is one in the same as the file that caused this problem......you will reinfect your new install not soon after you are finished.

If you keep files on a disc...be sure to get the latest version of an Antivirus program and scan the disc you created BEFORE you reload any of the files back onto your fresh system.

One more thing....when you get to a point in the reinstall process that finds your hard drive partitions.....be sure to REMOVE the old partition first....then reformat and install the OS.

If you reinstall over top of the current partition....its likely that alot of system files will remain...even ones that may be corrupted causing you the problem to start with.

Let us know how it goes!

[pandaman121]

If you have one from a mfgr...such as DELL or HP or Compaq or any other mass produced machine...then most likely you will have a restore disc that came with the computer.
All I have to do now is find those discs! Where did I put them!?

Either way you will have to make sure your PCs BIOS is set to boot from CDROM. Then you will put either the Windows OS disc or the Factory System Restore/Recovery disc in the drive....reboot the machine....and follow the hand holding steps that the GUI will give you.
One thing about keeping files. IF a file you keep is one in the same as the file that caused this problem......you will reinfect your new install not soon after you are finished.
If you keep files on a disc...be sure to get the latest version of an Antivirus program and scan the disc you created BEFORE you reload any of the files back onto your fresh system.
One more thing....when you get to a point in the reinstall process that finds your hard drive partitions.....be sure to REMOVE the old partition first....then reformat and install the OS.
If you reinstall over top of the current partition....its likely that alot of system files will remain...even ones that may be corrupted causing you the problem to start with.
All are great advice!

Once I find those discs, I'll be on my way. It might be a while though!

[pandaman121]

Darn it, I might have lost my discs!!! I'm going to keep searching for them, but if I did lose them, is there any way to get another copy?

[Zero Tolerance]

Darn it, I might have lost my discs!!! I'm going to keep searching for them, but if I did lose them, is there any way to get another copy?

If its a mass produced machine...contact the mfgr. It may cost ya.

If its just an XP disc....AND you registered it....you can call MS and see if they will send you another copy. I wouldnt tell them you lost it...but damaged it and it no longer works. That may be the difference between paying full price or discounted price.

Either way....you cant go any further without your disks!

[pandaman121]

Hey guys, long time no update. I still havent called the manufacturer but I plan on doing so sometime this weekend (I've been very busy lately). I hate to say this but I've come up with a new problem on my pc. My internet is much slower than before. I scan for spyware and adware all the time on my pc and destroyed a lot of them. It's probably due to the infamous spyware attack that came upon me. I called my local high speed internet service and a repairman came over. Here are the results.

1. There's nothing wrong with the connection, in fact he gave me a new modem for free just in case (5 megs instead of 4)
2. He said that it could be either my pc or my router
- I told him that my router was working perfectly until that spyware attack. He then told me that the attack probably slowed down my computer indefenitely. He suggested that I also find my recovery disc and reboot my system.

With that said, I may have to reboot my system. But until that day, this wont be happening. Is there anything else I need to know beforehand? Thanks.

[bigH2O]

It should remove anything other than a boot sector virus, which should be detectable by most any virus scanner with the latest updates. (Run the virus scanner in safe mode before the re-install). DON'T reinstall ANY data files from any file creation programs like Word or Excel or Paint... or any file that you may have downloaded like a video or image file before you scan it and ensure it is safe. If it's not from a known, clean, manufacturer supplied install disk, don't trust it until you check it out.

This is a common problem, and neccesitates the obvious advice to always keep an up to date virus scanner, adware scanner, and pop-up blocker on your system. While they can be annoying as all get out, the results of not using them can be a much bigger pain.