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I think I might have a virus

S Freud

S Freud

Diamond Member
I was browsing AT earlier when a pop up from AVG warned me I had been infected with a possible trojan. I immediately ran AVG scanner as well as spybot and downloaded malware bytes and ran that.

AVG came back with one healed infection and one warning, spybot had the usual adware but nothing bad. The malware scanner was still in the process of scanning when my computer froze up and the screen was filled with lines and other junk...now when I try to boot up it gets to the dell screen and just stays there. It has those lines again and they seem to pulse and some move in and out.

I could take a pic for clarification. Any idea what it could be? How do i get rid of it? I tried to boot into safe mode but it won't let me, it could be because of my wireless keyboard. Since the computer doesn't get a chance to boot it doesn't seem to be registering the keyboard.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks. 🙂

EDIT: Update

So I tried unplugging the HD to see if it was a video corruption like mechBgon suggested. It did the same thing so I'm guessing that it must be a hardware failure or some sort and its time to call dell.

On a similar note. What are the chances of losing the info on my HD if it isn't related to that? I haven't done a backup in a while so I'm a little concerned.
 
I'd try booting to a CD, and check things out from there. Use a wired keyboard if you have to. You should keep one on hand anyway. You can get a nice used one from the thrift shop for under $5, or a crappy new one for about the same.
 
As a fact-finding step, turn off the computer, open up the case, unplug the data cable from the hard drive, and now try starting the computer again. If it still shows video corruption, then you apparently have a hardware failure, and it's time to call Dell.

On a separate note, I'm interested in knowing more about the Trojan that AVG detected while you were browsing AT. Do you remember its name?
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
As a fact-finding step, turn off the computer, open up the case, unplug the data cable from the hard drive, and now try starting the computer again. If it still shows video corruption, then you apparently have a hardware failure, and it's time to call Dell.

On a separate note, I'm interested in knowing more about the Trojan that AVG detected while you were browsing AT. Do you remember its name?
Click to expand...

No I don't remember sorry, if I am able to get up and running again I might be able to check for you. I will try opening the case and unplugging the cable and see if that works.

I picked up a USB keyboard and it won't even allow me to boot into safe mode it just stays on that dell screen once again with some lines running through it.
 
you have to use a ps/2 keyboard to be able to do anything before windows fully loads. this is why for quite a while I had 2 keyboards hooked up to my computer (i was tweaking the bios)
 
Originally posted by: Intexity
you have to use a ps/2 keyboard to be able to do anything before windows fully loads. this is why for quite a while I had 2 keyboards hooked up to my computer (i was tweaking the bios)
Click to expand...

I don't seem to have a ps/2 hookup for that. If you want to look at the specs I am using the Dell Inspiron 530s.
 
So I tried unplugging the HD to see if it was a video corruption like mechBgon suggested. It did the same thing so I'm guessing that it must be a hardware failure or some sort and its time to call dell.

On a similar note. What are the chances of losing the info on my HD if it isn't related to that? I haven't done a backup in a while so I'm a little concerned.
 
This may sound nuts but try shutting down pc then unplug ac power at your monitor wait 30 seconds plug monitor back in fire pc back up, is your monitor lcd or crt. If your monitor works after this I had a similar problem Windows addressing issue or somthing.

Anyhow when I get a monster trying to eat my machine I 've found most infections are associated with the user account that has been infected. I go into safe mode create a new user account with admin privledges. Log on to that account in safe mode and scan the heck out of my machine 9 time out of ten it works like a charm. If I have to I delete the old account and run with my new one 🙂 It works pretty well for me. Oh if you boot try to open RUN and type MRT and do a full scan. Malicious software removal tool. That program cant find it with both handsbut its worth a try. Good luck
 
Originally posted by: dmh1167
This may sound nuts but try shutting down pc then unplug ac power at your monitor wait 30 seconds plug monitor back in fire pc back up, is your monitor lcd or crt. If your monitor works after this I had a similar problem Windows addressing issue or somthing.

Anyhow when I get a monster trying to eat my machine I 've found most infections are associated with the user account that has been infected. I go into safe mode create a new user account with admin privledges. Log on to that account in safe mode and scan the heck out of my machine 9 time out of ten it works like a charm. If I have to I delete the old account and run with my new one 🙂 It works pretty well for me. Oh if you boot try to open RUN and type MRT and do a full scan. Malicious software removal tool. That program cant find it with both handsbut its worth a try. Good luck
Click to expand...

I'll try unplugging it when I get home. Anything to keep from calling and sending the machine to tell.

I posted in the OP the reason I can't boot into safe mode but appreciate the suggestion. 🙂
 
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