A Cry for Help from Cranky Windows Guy

5:19AM March 30, 2009 | Adam Frucci

Yes, it’s true. I got a horrible virus on my beloved Dell laptop running Windows XP. My coworkers are having a field day. But seriously, I need some help. I’m willing to swallow my pride.

I don’t know how I got this thing, but it’s bad. I think it’s a variant of Vundo and something else, but it’s nasty and has made my computer near-unusable.

So who wants to help me out? Anyone in NYC consider themselves an expert on virus removal? If you can clear my computer of the nasties without needing to wipe the HDD and reinstall Windows (did I mention the DVD drive is fried?), you’ll become a minor internet celebrity when I do a post extolling my love of you right here on Giz. Anyone? Please? Email me.

Update: A lot of people have suggested MalwareBytes. I’ve tried to run it, but I think the virus is blocking it. Same with VundoFix and MultiFix.

Update 2: Making progress! Thanks to all the advice, everyone. I got ComboFix to run by renaming it, and after that I was able to get Malwarebytes to install. Now it’s scanning and I’ll throw some more scans at it from various suggested programs after that. I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, knock on wood.

Comments

hugh

March 30, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Buy a mac and all problems will go away

Pie141

March 30, 2009 at 12:48 PM

I’m with you Hugh. But we do need to keep the ‘others’ buying PC, that way Macs can remain exclusive. ;)

jetz

March 30, 2009 at 1:47 PM

One better , Use Linux and the problems will go away. Also its free.

MHTSOS

March 30, 2009 at 4:45 PM

Bash it on the head of the guys above for living in the closet. I’d rather have my cake AND eat it too. If you can tell me you can live without a PC then I’m happy for you. I Preffer the best of both worlds. Fanboys or not, if you can’t accept the fact that you just simply cannot do certain things on one or the other the same way, you are beyond help.

Caspez

March 30, 2009 at 6:32 PM

Run a live Linux CD and copy all your files onto a portable hard drive.
Then wipe and reinstall.

Black

April 1, 2009 at 2:20 AM

OMG, Mac/Linux. I’m seriously retching here. I think I may have just threw up in my mouth a little :>

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