Ask all your general ( none related forum ) computer questions here

Wondering if anyone else has come across this problem - it happenned to 2 of the PC's at home within 1 day of each other, both running XP .

can't remember the exact filename but it was a .dll required for explorer ( not internet explorer but the desktop )
pc's would boot up give an error window that the file was missing and a reinstall might fix this. Clear the message and I was left with the wallpaper and nothing else, no icons, no taskbars etc.
Tried to boot in safe mode and copy the file via a usb from a clean pc, could see the file on the usb, but access denied to copy.
Had to do a repair (not recovery) and fixed the problem - bonus it kept all the settings, programs etc.

Had the same prob' back in Oct', lost everything as you did, then ran a repair and all was back, don't know the cause but was relieved to get all back. Was running vista by the way. Got rid of vista now running win7 ultimate and no issues.(yet)....hahaha

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wild98

Had the same prob' back in Oct', lost everything as you did, then ran a repair and all was back, don't know the cause but was relieved to get all back. Was running vista by the way. Got rid of vista now running win7 ultimate and no issues.(yet)....hahaha

---

Refused to use vista, (I prefer ubuntu - windows only if necessary) though wife's PC has Win 7 Ultimate - had 1 issue with a virus. Everything started dissappearing, - icons,documents,programs.
Nothing in trash folder, but disk at same usage. Virus had started changing file attributes to hidden.
Couldn't figure out how to do a global attribute change so had to go into each folder and sub folder and change them back. Took bloody hours.
Traced virus back to a "FED X" hoax email that wife mistakenly opened.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NissPat

Hey Boys and Girls, I have managed to catch this virus which is a bit strange. If I Google something and click on the link it takes me to a very different web site....its pretty funny. So I can't get on the site I click on but can get there if I have a favourites/ bookmark link to it. Pretty weird . I couldn't be stuffed re imaging the laptop but might have too...any one know where it;s hiding?

I have deleted a few suss files but can't find where this bugger is


EDIT: Oh yeah by the way this is a friendly virus.....Most of the websites are advertising sites which seem to be user friendly

---

Boss they call this a "hijack" virus. you havnt got a random tool bar in your browser showing by any chance? If your using antivirus and it has picked it up then if your running IE got to tool --> advanced and reset to default settings. close and reopen IE. If that doesnt work try running a tool called hijack this. It will tell you if anything is out of the ordinary. thirdly there are some settings under runonce in the registry but I wont bother explaining that if the above works. There's also a nifty program called adaware which is free and scans and picks up most virus objects out there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wild98

Hey Toddsta, LMAO found a way to tap in to the youngins net......hahahahahaha. Use mine for surfin till plan expires, and his for downloading for ever......hahahahahaha
Thanks for your attempts buddy, they did help me get in...

---

I deny all knowledge of any attempts in helping you hack your sons net connection. It was not me, I wouldn't even dream of doing anything like :)

Glad you some how ( without my help ) got your net problems sorted :).

P.s: Can you teach me how 2 do it please???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turtle_au

Refused to use vista, (I prefer ubuntu - windows only if necessary) though wife's PC has Win 7 Ultimate - had 1 issue with a virus. Everything started dissappearing, - icons,documents,programs.
Nothing in trash folder, but disk at same usage. Virus had started changing file attributes to hidden.
Couldn't figure out how to do a global attribute change so had to go into each folder and sub folder and change them back. Took bloody hours.
Traced virus back to a "FED X" hoax email that wife mistakenly opened.

---

I use windows 7 and for protection I use "Microsoft security essentials"
And have had no viruses (yet). I would recommend this security. It's free from the Microsoft site (if you have a licenced version of windows7) and has free regular updates

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by taslucas

I use windows 7 and for protection I use "Microsoft security essentials"
And have had no viruses (yet). I would recommend this security. It's free from the Microsoft site (if you have a licenced version of windows7) and has free regular updates

---

I use AVG Anti-Virus Free, Zonealarm Free, Adaware and Spybot. Aways updated. All pro0grams are free.
Most viruses are targetted at windows. Ubuntu usually immune. Also ubuntu is free.
hmm... common theme - I like free

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turtle_au

I use AVG Anti-Virus Free, Zonealarm Free, Adaware and Spybot. Aways updated. All pro0grams are free.
Most viruses are targetted at windows. Ubuntu usually immune. Also ubuntu is free.
hmm... common theme - I like free

---

Yeah Ubuntu is free and it's a great alternative to the regular windows and mac os alternatives. However it does come with sacrifices such as a wayy smaller product base and most of the products that are available are just less capable or more dumbed down. If your just wanting to sort the web, Ubuntu, red hat, and all those other Linux based OS's are a perfectly good option, but for anything more like multimedia editing, or any Complex tasks stick to windows (or mac).

Oh and the best antivirus available on the market is... Self control. Viruses don't just magically jump onto your computer, it's from clicking silly links. So in the future be less trigger happy and think of it like 4bing, sometimes you wanna go flat out, but unfortunately when your not sure what your heading into, you just need to take it slow and safely, and youll always come out ok!

Cheers

Nic

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by taslucas

I use windows 7 and for protection I use "Microsoft security essentials"
And have had no viruses (yet). I would recommend this security. It's free from the Microsoft site (if you have a licenced version of windows7) and has free regular updates

---

hahahahahha, If Microsoft built a better OS there would be now need for virus protection software, you actually trust something from Microsoft 2 protect your computer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NissanGQ4.2

hahahahahha, If Microsoft built a better OS there would be now need for virus protection software, you actually trust something from Microsoft 2 protect your computer

---

Hey, i didnt get a virus from a certain screen saver that was giving other people trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha
What OS do you use?
I agree with rusty above:
Windows has the biggest product base, also heaps of things plug in seamlessly (phone, camera, etc)
And the best antivirus is self control.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turtle_au

I use AVG Anti-Virus Free, Zonealarm Free, Adaware and Spybot. Aways updated. All pro0grams are free.
Most viruses are targetted at windows. Ubuntu usually immune. Also ubuntu is free.
hmm... common theme - I like free

---

Did have AVG on my girlfriends laptop all up to date.......Got about 20 viruses: trojans,worms etc etc all in one hit. Had to do a complete re-install (ended up putting win7 on).