Did a virus get me?

Rafter Lazy C · 28th September 2004

My wife's computer (eMachines, WinXP home, 1.30Gh Celeron, 40Gb Hard drive) has been running slower and slower. It has been getting really bothersome and to the point where it is hard to do anything anymore.

I took Sunday and used the restore disks (2 cd's) and put it back the way that it was when we got it. Then put all the programs we use on it. Updated the 3 virus programs I always use (AVG, Spybot, and Ad-Aware). Thought I was pretty well protected. Spent the entire day downloading all the updates from Windows. (we have a dial up service) 9:00 at night I finished the last one for the day and let it reboot again. Probably rebooted 2-3 dozen times through the day. Anyway, I rebooted and let it start completely. Shut down like normal. Got up the next morning and it won't even start up. sends nothing to the screen. Don't know if the keyboard or mouse are doing anything, because the screen is blank. When I turn it on, I hear a beep followed by 3 more, then 4 more, then 3 more again.

My question is 2 part. First, what else could I have done to prevent this? I thought I was well protected with these 3 programs. Second, what can I do with it now, other than using it for an anchor for a small rowboat?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rick at Rafter Lazy C

**charlesvar** · 28th September 2004

Hello Rick,

Have you tried booting up in safe mode? If you can, there is an option to go back to the last working configuration.

When I turn it on, I hear a beep followed by 3 more, then 4 more, then 3 more again.

Site on beep codes http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm#04

Regards - Charles

Rafter Lazy C · 28th September 2004

Well, I tried the web site with the beep codes, and found that with the Phoenix bios that computer has the beeps mean the following:
1-3-4-3 Test 512K base memory.

However, I don't have any idea what good this will do me. Does this mean I need to test the ram to see if it is in tight? or what?

Sorry, but I tried booting to safe mode, and cannot get there.

Thanks again,
Rick at Rafter Lazy C

**charlesvar** · 28th September 2004

Hey Rick,

Does this mean I need to test the ram to see if it is in tight? or what?

Certainly a good idea. If its more than one slot, you could play with the ram sticks, taking one out, switching, and so on.

Sorry, but I tried booting to safe mode, and cannot get there.

If you have an XP disc, try booting with it, that would get you into the OS and then seeing what shape it's in. In order to do this, the BIOS has to look for the primary boot source on the cd drive. Can you get into the BIOS? I have a Dell where its the delete key that gets me there.

Regards - Charles

Rafter Lazy C · 28th September 2004

I will have to try that when I get home tonite. I cannot reach from here.

In the meantime, how about the other part of my question, what do you folks run to keep your system safe?

Thanks,
Rick at Rafter Lazy C

**charlesvar** · 28th September 2004

Hi Rick,

In the meantime, how about the other part of my question, what do you folks run to keep your system safe?

What you didn't mention was a firewall. If you "restored" the system to factory settings, unless this is a Dell, ICF (pre SP2 XP firewall) wasn't turned on by default. Spent the entire day downloading all the updates from Windows. W/O a firewall, almost certain that you got infected with something(s).

Spybot & Ad-Aware, unless you have the resident components turned on - Teatimer/Immunize for SSD, and AAW's plus version, are after the fact scanners. Neither one is a substitute for a firewall.

And this could still be a hardware problem, don't know yet.

Regards - Charles

miniB · 28th September 2004

As far as keeping my computer safe I have a hardware firewall in my router (although not an option to yourself on a dialup connection

) I also have a third party software firewall (not XP's own) as I can control my outbound connections with this. XP's firewall is not as configurable as one of the third party ones.

I believe the best approach to security is a 'layered' approach so I have BOClean which is a resident Trojan watch in my system tray. I have AVG Pro and TDS-3 (which I am using as a scanner for Trojans) I also have Ad-watch which is part of Ad-aware Plus (this will alert me to any changes in the registry plus a few other features) RegProt from DiamondCS is free and it will alert you to any registry changes which is an added layer.
I run SpywareGuard plus SpywareBlaster (Javacool software) I also use Spybot to scan and immunise although I do not use the TeaTimer component.

Safe surfing and keeping any security you have on your computer updated is at least more security than a lot of others have. I have had to help 3 different people this week due to their lack of security awareness so it is refreshing to read that you are trying to make sure your computer is safe when you are able to use it once again.

I know there is a limit to the amoung of 'watching' software but hopefully I have covered the areas necessary without introducing conflicts. I know I will have to consider another browser and this is the research I am currently doing to see which one is suited to me. I am only using a shell over IE but I do make sure and keep my XP updates plus tighten down IE to the best I can until I come to terms with a completely different browser

I have added IESpyad as another layer of protection to my browser. HTH

Rafter Lazy C · 29th September 2004

Hey - It works.
When I got home, I took my wife's small vacuum cleaner and took the side off the computer. What I found was a terrible mess. The fan over the cpu was totally packed under the blade with dust and dog hair. I had trouble getting it to clean off. While I was there, I took the ram out and cleaned and re-seated it. (cleaned with the vacuum cleaner) When I hit the start up button, it started but said the checksum was wrong. I had the battery out the other day trying to see if that would help, so I expected this. After starting in safe mode, and shutting down it rebooted properly. And has done so over and over since.

HOWEVER, I would still be interested in hearing what else you other folks use to keep safe.

Thanks so much for the help.

Rick at Rafter Lazy C

**charlesvar** · 29th September 2004

Hi Rick,

Glad your problem was solved with a vacuum cleaner. The fan over the cpu was totally packed under the blade with dust and dog hair. With me its cat hair :-)

I would still be interested in hearing what else you other folks use to keep safe.

Think you would get more - a lot actually, great interest in security lately - responses if you posted your question on preventative apps in the Security/Virus section.

Regards - Charles