Before I explain, here is what im running: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 V2 Premier Tower McAfee Antivirus and Spyware Protection
I have yet another problem with my computer. About a week ago, I was backing up my website using SmartFTP and saving the files into a folder on my desktop. I turned it off that night, and just yesterday, I turned it on again, and my computer ran fine, faster than usual, but I couldn't get firefox open. When I tried to open internet explore, firefox opened, and internet explore opened, too. I closed IE and tried to access this site, but after 10 minutes, I still had a loading screen. Then I tried google. After 7-8 minutes, It popped up with no images, and a few minutes after that, the images loaded. I then tried IE, but the same thing happened. I had been running a wireless connection up to then, so I tried to wire it directly, but still no luck. I know it isn't a problem with the internet itself, because I can still access the internet perfectly via my Mac running a wireless connection, and my Xbox Live, also wireless.
I checked my internet settings, and both the wired and wireless are perfect. I then checked McAfee, and there, I discovered the firewall was disabled and protection was set to low. I reset it to high with firewall on, and changed my internet settings so not all cookies were accepted, and I tried again. No luck, and when going back into McAfee again, I noticed that my settings had been reset again, even after Applying the changes and hitting Ok. I was sure then that I had a virus.
After determining I might have a virus, I reset my computer to a save point about 2 weeks back, but I still have the problem. My next step is to just restore the computer to factory default, and loose all my information, or get it rebuilt, and still loose everything. Is there anything I might be able to do before having to reset my computer?
By the way, I had run a scan with McAfee, but I couldn't find a virus. It may not be a virus, however, that is my guess.
I am not sure of the typical speed, but we are with Comcast high-speed cable, who allows 4 Mbps, 6 Mbps, and 8 Mbps download speeds. I believe we have the 6 Mbps plan.
I have not updated the drivers in awhile, however, the internet was just working days ago, and we haven't updated anything on the computer since we turned it off.
We have not tried safe mode, but I am cautious to try. I am not sure how to work in safe mode.
you may or may not have a virus, but restoring to a restore point would not remove the virus since that doesn't do anything to any data you may have on your hard drive. I suggest downloading Hijack This running it in scan only and then uploading the log file to putfile and linking it here
The only thing with Safe Mode is that it doesn't load anything not needed for Windows XP to run. Just hit F8 while booting and select "Safe Mode with Networking" and see if it works.
I have a perfect internet connection, but my browsers aren't working. I thought that maybe opening a program that accessed the internet but wasn't a browser could identify part of the problem. So, I opened my SmartFTP, and it worked perfectly. I could access all of my website files, but I still have no success with my browsers.
Ok, that worked, and when I open a new window, it opens under internet explore. However, when I open internet explore from any other location (such as my desktop), it doesn't work.
By the way, im on ths computer right now, and im about to do a speed test.
It sounds like you've got yourself a nice virus there.
If you can, definitely make sure McAfee is updated, and run a virus scan using that. Also, post the hijackthis log, put make sure you use putfile to put it online.
No, no one can do things to you with the info. You have to put it in putfile because hijackthis logs are usually large and when a user posts the results in the forum, it makes for one really long and large post and it's generally frowned upon.
