Computer help needed please - virus?

[aj_law]

Computer was working fine last night.  This morning, I go to disconnect my iPod and I notice the thing is running slow.  Plus, it wouldn't allow me to stop the process using the External Device Manager.

I figure it's no biggie, but then the wife calls this afternoon and says that we lost our Internet connection and the desktop appearance looks "funny."  Basically, the start bar looks different with a different font; open windows look different; things are italicized; etc.

The PC is running slow, but when you check the Task Manager, there aren't any processes running.  When I tried to repair the Internet connection, I don't see our IP address and I get an error message.  Now, when I go into Network Connections, I don't even see our Internet connection.

*sigh*

The fuck? 

Anybody come across this situation?

Gotta bad feeling I'm gonna have to reformat...

[jonzr]

Sounds kinda virusy.  But it could be a damaged registry too.  Try restoring to an earlier (last good) restore point and/or download a registry scanner  ... DOH!  If you already have a reg scanner try that.  Also scan it for viruses.

Good luck!

[P4P]

A guy I work with has the same problem.  I'm gonna tell you like I told him.  BE CAREFUL WITH THE FREE PORN MAN!

[Big Virgil]

I'm no techie, but just try typing in your SSN, CC # and birth date and I'm sure that will fix all of the problems.

You are welcome.

[aj_law]

Well, don't think it's a virus.  When I logged in via Safe Mode with Networking, I was still having Internets connectivity issues.  Did a system restore to a coupla days ago with basically no change; tried to go back a week or so, same deal.  Might try a further restore point tonight.

Spent a chunk of the evening on the phone with tech support (before we got disconnected) and from what they made me do, I'm even more convinced that it's not a virus issue.  The problem is that it also doesn't seem like a hardware issue either because all devices "appear" to be operating correctly.

Interwebs capabilities are spotty.  When I get on, I'm going to try to download malwarebytes to see what it can find.  A few tech guys recommended it as a pretty good free program for finding shit.

As to the weird appearance, it looks like some of my desktop themes were deleted () somehow.  I'm runnin' XP and my default theme is gone.  That's why it still has a Windows look but doesn't quite look right.  It kinda defaulted to an old theme, either Windows 95 or 98.

Maybe a registry problem?  Faulty motherboard?

In an unrelated issue (I think), a few weeks ago I got the blue screen of death a couple of times and after dealing with tech support, it was determined based on the error messages that the RAM memory was bad.  They sent out new dimms last week and I didn't have a problem with it after installing them.  Now, I'm wondering if it wasn't a part of a bigger problem.

Just what I wanna be dealing with going into a long holiday weekend...

Plus, I was all set to play with my new (toy) phone (Droid) that was delivered yesterday and I didn't even have the chance to look at it.

If anybody has any ideas based on what I've spelled out, I'd appreciate the input.  I gotta get this thing fixed, man.  It's cutting into my spankin' time!

Also, if anybody has any suggestions or reviews regarding the Droid for apps and such, feel free to post those here too.

[Finnegans Wake]

That sucks, aj.  I gotta say, reading this makes me glad I got another Mac.

[aj_law]

That sucks, aj.  I gotta say, reading this makes me glad I got another Mac.

LOL! 

Swear to God I almost ended my last post with :waitsforFinnytotellme IshouldaboughtaMac:

Cereally though, are Macs as immune to these types of problems as their marketing leads the public to believe?  I'd consider getting one as my next comp, but it seems like there are some compatibility issues with certain software, programs, apps., etc.  I'm sure it's case specific.

[jonzr]

Trying different virus scanners is a good idea as one sometimes finds something another won't.  And check out any registry scanners.  PC World usually has good free downloads

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/tc/security/security.html
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/search?qt=registry+scanner

I've read many good reviews on some of the Droid phones so have fun with that.  Use it to surf, holding the phone in one hand and ponder the sound of one hand spanking.

[aj_law]

Damnit, as I suspected, it be a virus.  Alureon.H virus, to be exact.  Nasty MFer.

Working with a security website to get rid of it.  Major PIA.

[Finnegans Wake]

That sucks, aj.  I gotta say, reading this makes me glad I got another Mac.

LOL! 

Swear to God I almost ended my last post with :waitsforFinnytotellme IshouldaboughtaMac:

Cereally though, are Macs as immune to these types of problems as their marketing leads the public to believe?  I'd consider getting one as my next comp, but it seems like there are some compatibility issues with certain software, programs, apps., etc.  I'm sure it's case specific.

Yeah, not to be a fanboy or anything, but I have never had any virus issues with either of the Macs I've owned.  Have read that it's theoretically possible for Macs to get hit, but I have yet to see it.  Those exe codes just don't do anything with the Mac OS. 

The issue really is what you wanna do with your computer (besides visit porn sites).  Mac has far less gaming availability, which don't mean jack to me anyway.  A lot of compatibility issues between Macs and PCs are gone now -- I can open and work on Excel and Word and such with no additional software (in the old days I would have needed Office for Mac).  Like the gaming software issue, some software is PC only, but I like the Mac preloaded stuff anyway.  But to each his own. 

Stats-wise, my home Mac and work PC should run at the same speed.  Realistically, the Mac is much faster.  The work PC freezes and gets buggy and I just accept it.  Home PC the only issue I've had is with the batteries dying on the wireless mouse and I didn't know what was up with it.

Just my 2 cents.