Re: [OT] Need Computer Geek Advice

"Brian Running" <brunning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:79ibi.18179$C96.157@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once again, I have to turn to the most-reliable computer-information
source on the internet, good ol' agb. Here's the dealio:

Last night, I booted up one of my older computers, Win XP SP2, has Trend
Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 on it. First thing that happens is
PC-cillin downloads updates. After that's done, I start Mozilla
Thunderbird, and shortly after that, before Thunderbird even has a chance
to finish loading, PC-cillin virus warning signs start popping up,
rapid-fire, there must have been over a hundred of them before I finally
pulled the plug. It was about a half-dozen different viruses IDed,
repeating over and over. PC-cilling warned me that they were there, but
said it couldn't repair or quarantine the infected files. Hey, thanks a
lot, Trend Micro! Anyway, I pulled the plug, tried to re-boot, no dice.
Tried safe mode, no dice. Partially starts up Windows, then croaks.
She's a goner.

So, here's my question. PC-cillin is obviously of no use here, so is my
only resort to take the machine in to a computer shop and have them do
whatever they do, or are there means available to schlubs like me to try
fixing this myself?

Some of the viruses IDed contained the dread word "rootkit." What are the
odds that I can retrieve photos and downloaded music off the hard drive?
I don't really care about anything else on the computer.

Is this still in DIY territory, or is the thing tech-bound? Or should I
just douse it with gas and set 'er on fire?

This is the machine that you guys coached me through a hard-drive
replacement about a year ago, so I know I'm in good hands here.

Thanks.

Please address the questions/suggestions below separately and clearly in the
order you see them, with enough white space so others can tell what you're
responding to.

1) Are you running a firewall OTHER THAN THE JUNK that came with SP2?
Example: ZoneAlarm

2) Can you provide the names of 2 or 3 or 4 of the threats which pc-cillin
thinks it's seeing? There's a reason I'm asking, so crank up the machine
long enough to provide the info.

3) Other than all the error messages, can you still run your web browser? If
yes, go here:
www.securitytango.com

I don't care how goofy or unbusinesslike you think it looks. It's run by a
local computer monster who has managed networks like the one at the U. of
Rochester. He knows what he's doing. On the left, click "Let's Dance", and
follow the instructions from start to finish, exactly as written.

If you'd rather try a simpler solution first, here's a free online virus
scanner. But, it's from Trend Micro, and if they've somehow missed a brand
new virus, this may not help. That's why I asked question #2.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/


.

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