Critical system error

metalhed · 09-23-2006, 07:40 PM

Greetings I was surfing the net today and downloaded "WMCODEC.639" to play a video on some vw site. Appeared to be a valid program...Video never worked. Logged off and turned of the computer and left.

Wife comes home and finds the computer on and the screen is populated with a bunch of screens. The main screen is what appears to be an ad for virus software--www.virusburst.com DO NOT GO THERE NOT SURE IF IT IS LIGIT.
The system tray has a flashing question mark alternating with a red slashed circle. And if you click on it it takes you to the above mentioned website.

Messed around trying to close everything and run virus scans and spyware. I noticed I had 3 new icons.
WMCODEC
Security Troubleshooting
Online Security Guide

Went to Microsoft, downloaded the latest virus scanner and security stuff.

Machine is still freaking out. The flashing question mark will pop up with a dialog box saying " Critical System Error" and that I should click this "BALOON" (spelling error, big hint this error stuff could be crap) to get rid of Malware infecting my machine. Just got a Internet Explorer Alert!-- Box states "Your computer is infected with adware or spyware that displayed advertisments with while your browse the internet. Would you like to download additional software to remove malware threats and protect your system" ok or cancel

just clicked ok and it took me to Malwarewipe.com. trying to sell me protection

How do I get rid of these errors and the flashing question mark/red circle in the system tray???

Thanks in advance

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***Corey*** · 09-23-2006, 08:07 PM

You will get many replies to your answer on how to fix this (if possible), but you fell for the scammers biggest trick of all.
They got you to download a fake program to play the vids, and instead you just installed their spyware.

They do this all the time on websites, not a good idea to install codecs unless right from Microsoft.

You could try Googling the free ap Spybot Search & Destroy and run it.
More than likely when you try a web search your browser will have been hijacked, and not take you to where you wanna go.

Sorry to hear this happened to you, it happens to many though.

Do not buy the app from malwares site.
It is more spyware to trick you.

PasBon · 09-23-2006, 08:08 PM

have you tried to come up in safe mode and run your a virusscan or adware? While in safe mode uninstall all of the new aplications you don't need. I have had pretty good luck with spyware removal using lavasoft adaware and keeping it updated.

metalhed · 09-23-2006, 08:19 PM

I just got done installing and running spybot x2 and killed off a bunch of stuff. The flashing circle/question mark is still popping up and telling me to down load the "protection"

I am going to power off and reboot to see what happens

***Corey*** · 09-23-2006, 08:25 PM

You might try running Spybot in Safemode too.
Make sure you update Spybot S&D, as they come out with new DAT files all the time.

metalhed · 09-23-2006, 08:37 PM

I am a little behind the times with the safe mode. how do I get there
running XP home

last time I did any tech work was when Windows 3.1 was big. Please write slow cuz I cant follow along if you race on ahead lol
thanks

PS rebooting only added another icon to the sys tray in the bottom right hand corner. this time it is a Windows Security Alert, telling me to double check all my security settings. Which I did, all is well

How do I get rid of these new icons in the tray???

ldivinag · 09-24-2006, 06:49 PM

hit F8 after your system BIOS and right before the windows splash screen comes up...

you will get a dos like boot menu...

Jimmeh · 09-24-2006, 07:15 PM

Spybot takes a lot away, however, it works better to use another program called Adaware with Spybot. Once I used both, I was spyware free

.

For some reason, running one of those programs won't take it all away, but running both (seperatley, mind you) it took it away. Also, run your virus software. I would suggest AVG for that.

metalhed · 09-24-2006, 07:17 PM

well I went out and got Mcafee Internet Security Suite.installed it and still have the problems. Machine runs slow, performance scale is around 40 to 90% usage, popups, and STILL the flashing question mark.

is there a way to access the sys tray and delete the items from there?

***Corey*** · 09-25-2006, 02:41 AM

Mcafee is the problem, look through some of the old posts in here, you will see that most detest Mcafee.

It is bloatware.
I use to run it for years, and it kept betting more bloatasious every year.
It slowed down my PC something fierce.

I have been running AVG for the past few years now, and it does not bog down the system.
I feel it is superior to Mcafee.

I also run a paid program called SpySweeper which I feel is better than Spybot.
It runs in the background scanning all the time for spyware.

Gary335 · 09-26-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmeh

Spybot takes a lot away, however, it works better to use another program called Adaware with Spybot. Once I used both, I was spyware free

.

For some reason, running one of those programs won't take it all away, but running both (seperatley, mind you) it took it away. Also, run your virus software. I would suggest AVG for that.

I agree. Spybot and Adaware work best when used together.

What you need to do is schedule both to run when Wndows restarts.

09-23-2006, 08:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,076	You will get many replies to your answer on how to fix this (if possible), but you fell for the scammers biggest trick of all. They got you to download a fake program to play the vids, and instead you just installed their spyware. They do this all the time on websites, not a good idea to install codecs unless right from Microsoft. You could try Googling the free ap Spybot Search & Destroy and run it. More than likely when you try a web search your browser will have been hijacked, and not take you to where you wanna go. Sorry to hear this happened to you, it happens to many though. Do not buy the app from malwares site. It is more spyware to trick you. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

09-23-2006, 08:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
PasBon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 9	have you tried to come up in safe mode and run your a virusscan or adware? While in safe mode uninstall all of the new aplications you don't need. I have had pretty good luck with spyware removal using lavasoft adaware and keeping it updated. __________________ 85 4runner 22RE \| W56 tranny \| 4" front springs \| 63" chevys out back \| 3" body lift \| 5.71 gears \| Front LSD \| 27 spline ringed longfields \| 35" MTR's on 15 x 10" chrome steel wheels

09-23-2006, 08:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
metalhed Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Golden Colorado Posts: 380	I just got done installing and running spybot x2 and killed off a bunch of stuff. The flashing circle/question mark is still popping up and telling me to down load the "protection" I am going to power off and reboot to see what happens __________________ Metalhed Rock on Dude! 2001 Red Tacoma, Supercharged, Auto 2" OME lift in front and AAL in the rear

09-23-2006, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,076	You might try running Spybot in Safemode too. Make sure you update Spybot S&D, as they come out with new DAT files all the time. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

09-23-2006, 08:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
metalhed Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Golden Colorado Posts: 380	I am a little behind the times with the safe mode. how do I get there running XP home last time I did any tech work was when Windows 3.1 was big. Please write slow cuz I cant follow along if you race on ahead lol thanks PS rebooting only added another icon to the sys tray in the bottom right hand corner. this time it is a Windows Security Alert, telling me to double check all my security settings. Which I did, all is well How do I get rid of these new icons in the tray??? __________________ Metalhed Rock on Dude! 2001 Red Tacoma, Supercharged, Auto 2" OME lift in front and AAL in the rear

09-24-2006, 06:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
ldivinag Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: N37 39* W122 3* Posts: 1,428	hit F8 after your system BIOS and right before the windows splash screen comes up... you will get a dos like boot menu... __________________ leo d. stock 90 4runner

09-24-2006, 07:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
metalhed Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Golden Colorado Posts: 380	well I went out and got Mcafee Internet Security Suite.installed it and still have the problems. Machine runs slow, performance scale is around 40 to 90% usage, popups, and STILL the flashing question mark. is there a way to access the sys tray and delete the items from there? __________________ Metalhed Rock on Dude! 2001 Red Tacoma, Supercharged, Auto 2" OME lift in front and AAL in the rear

09-25-2006, 02:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,076	Mcafee is the problem, look through some of the old posts in here, you will see that most detest Mcafee. It is bloatware. I use to run it for years, and it kept betting more bloatasious every year. It slowed down my PC something fierce. I have been running AVG for the past few years now, and it does not bog down the system. I feel it is superior to Mcafee. I also run a paid program called SpySweeper which I feel is better than Spybot. It runs in the background scanning all the time for spyware. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

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