Laptop Problem

[Mandryka]

OK, going to be grasping this particular nettle later on, but just thought I'd ask......somewhat shamefacedly.....how you open your laptop in 'safe mode'?

At the moment, as soon as I switch the thing on, I get the 'Your computer is at risk' notices and I can't do anything else. Do I need to press some special button to get into safe mode, so I can install the malware?


Thanks for your continued support...

[Anna]

Mandryka, I believe if you look at #2 from JoeG he tells you to use F8. This may be of help to you (assuming you are on XP)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d....mspx?mfr=true

Also, I had a similar but not so serious 'fake' Windows incident and on installing Malwarebytes it discovered various nasties that I had no idea were lurking on the computer. I run it once a week now (thankfully it shows nothing untoward after that initial cleansing)

[Paul N]

That's right, use F8. On mine, as the computer is starting, I get a screen inviting me to press ESC, F10 or F12 to enter some of the advanced options before Windows loads. At this point I have to keep pressing F8 - it's a matter of catching it at the right point - and then I get the Windows advanced start-up menu (white text on black background). (If you get the Microsoft Windows XP screen with the Windows logo, then you've missed the boat and Windows is already loading). So, once you have got the advanced start-up menu, use the up/down arrow keys as necessary to select the "Safe Mode" option and then proceed from there.

[Anna]

Mandryka, Just wondering. Did you get your laptop sorted and sort out the virus?

[Mandryka]

Mandryka, Just wondering. Did you get your laptop sorted and sort out the virus?

Thank you, Anna. Was about to post about this....

I installed the malware bytes and ran my AVG.....the five viruses/Trojans were detected and quarantined. However, I am still missing all my desktops icons, all my accessories (calculator, etc) and the computer is now insisting that I sign into google every time I log on and isn't remembering my settings for email addresses, etc. I did a search and managed to locate all my pictures, so the things that aren't readily apparent are still there somewhere. I have a functioning laptop, but it just aint like it was before....any advice?

[Anna]

Mandryka, don't understand the signing into google, what browser do you use, do you have a google toolbar and do you use gmail.com?

[Paul N]

Mandryka - re the missing icons and program shortcuts - this might be because they have become hidden. Try opening Windows Explorer (or My Computer), select a folder, then click Tools/Folder Options and click the View tab. Make sure 'Show hidden files and folders' is selected, click 'Apply' and then click 'Apply to all folders'.

Don't know about the Google sign-in or email settings - perhaps some of the settings for these programs got changed?

[Anna]

Not sure if this would help, I leave it to the techies, but if Mandryka did a Restore System to the day before all this happened - would he get a result?

[johnb]

Anna, I was thinking the same. However, before doing s system restore I would do a backup image to an external hard drive using, say, Acronis True Image.

(If new to True Image - it is very important to create a recovery CD with the software as it will probably be required to restore any backup image.)

[johnb]

PS Did I mention backup images?