Problems installing Anti Virus software on XP

David Stewart

I normally use a Mac but my father has a Dell running Windows XP Home Edition SP1. Two things have happened that I am unable to fix.

One, whenever he starts up Internet Explorer instead of seeing his home page he is taken to a 'Trusted Start Page' (a-search.biz) which is basically the front page to some sort of search engine. No matter what we do, we are unable to remove it.

The second problem is preventing me from installing anti-virus software. For reasons too complicated to into here, my fathers PC was left without AV software for several months. Tonight, however, I tried to install Sophos AV. However, upon inserting the CD Autorun does not work. When I click on the CD icon I get a message telling me I'm trying to 'access invalid address'. I tried restarting in Safe Mode but even then it wouldn't work. However, I got a different message: Autoxec.nt not suitable for running 32-bit programmes, or something along those lines.

If this was a Mac, I would simply boot up the machine from the CD and run the AV software. However, it seems you can't boot up Windows machines from a CD. Any advice would be appreciated.

David Stewart

Johnny_the_fox

David Stewart wrote:

One, whenever he starts up Internet Explorer instead of seeing his home page he is taken to a 'Trusted Start Page' (a-search.biz) which is basically the front page to some sort of search engine. No matter what we do, we are unable to remove it.

Download this baby: CWShredder (standalone version)

aidan_walsh

Look into downloading a free antivirus like AntiVir or AVG. Then download Spybot, AdAware and ZoneAlarm (firewall). make sure all of them are up to date by using their update routines to install the latest definition files, and then scan your system.

This should clear everything right up, I hope.

MrVestek

Ok, first of all, yes you can boot up a PC with a cd, but that setting has to be set in the bios (and if the cd allows it). Secondly, the autoexec.nt not being allowed to run is a common feature of most viruses to stop you installing or running anti virus software on the system, and thus, not being able to get rid of it. As for how to remove it, i'll get back to you on that (promise...).

okee

The Autoexec.nt error can be sorted by looking here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

T'would be worth making a batch file of the commands as this error happens a lot on XP.
Download Ad-Aware SE from http://www.Lavasoft.de and update it to get rid of any spyware

Then do an online virus scan here http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

and then Install your AV software.

okee

MrVestek

Ok somebody got there before me. Anywasy okee: fyi i've seen this happen on Windows 2000 too, and it's not a common bug with the OSes but rather a sympton of a virus trying to KO a virus scanner scan and or installation.

Johnny_the_fox

David Stewart wrote:

The second problem is preventing me from installing anti-virus software. For reasons too complicated to into here, my fathers PC was left without AV software for several months. Tonight, however, I tried to install Sophos AV. However, upon inserting the CD Autorun does not work. When I click on the CD icon I get a message telling me I'm trying to 'access invalid address'. I tried restarting in Safe Mode but even then it wouldn't work. However, I got a different message: Autoxec.nt not suitable for running 32-bit programmes, or something along those lines.

found this on the microsoft site.

As doodle_sketch said - download a free antivirus (avg), spyware software (adaware + spybot) and cwshredder.. install them first... before tackling the other problem (Sophos). if it sorts the problem install sophos.

if still having problems ref to the microsoft site (linked above).

okee

Ok somebody got there before me. Anywasy okee: fyi i've seen this happen on Windows 2000 too, and it's not a common bug with the OSes but rather a sympton of a virus trying to KO a virus scanner scan and or installation.

Ok, Don't come across many win2k installations. Had seen it happen on a machine after the viruses had been removed. Do you know which viruses cause the problem and how ? out of Curiosity.

okee

greglo23

download and install this (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html )which will protect your dads pc in the future and a good anti virus which is self updating is this (http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html ) another one to clean up is this (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html ). you may have to download these or the other suggestions above on another computer and stick them on your dads computer later . if you boot up in safe mode you can run antivirus software before the virii can get loaded .

David Stewart

Many thanks to you all for replying so quickly. You've given me a lot to work with.

David

dogs

Moved, please read stickies before posting.

MrVestek

Im not sure what viruses off hand okee but as far as i know, it renames the autoexec.bat to autoexec.nt (to what it was in the days of windows 3x and 9x). Dunno why this is so significant but some virus programs tend to run older versions of windows programs to install their anti virus packages (avg being one) so it obviously has something to do with that. A good example is that a friends copy of turbo pascal (yes yes i know don't start lol...) wouldn't work either as it was a 3.1 program.

David Stewart

I've finally had a chance to try the advice you all gave me. Unfortunately, nothing worked. I still can't access the CD with the Anti-Virus software and my father's home page is still behing hijacked. The Trend Housecall wouldn't run, i suspect for the same reasons I can't access the Sophos CD. Looks like I'll have to bring in a specialist. But thanks for trying. - David

neokenzo

I had this problem on my mates pc like only 2 days ago. I couldnt install any antivirus on my pc. This is what I did.
1. Went to Panda antivirus website and did an online virus scan. Found around 300 virus :eek: All cleaned by Panda antivirus online scan.
2. Went to Sysmantec website and did another online virus scan. Found around 180 worms :eek: Apparently these worms will stop any antivirus from isntalling on the pc. Went to download the worm remover from sysmantec and cleared all the worms out.
3. Ran Ad-aware.

After that, no problem installing the antivirus on my mate's pc. Why dont you try that?

MrVestek

Ohh and by the way for the browser troubles, try a program called hijack this. It stops malicious software hijacking the browser and adding search bars and search engines and stuff.

HiJack This:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Now, i would strongly sugest that you use another web browser other than Internet Explorer, that thing is holier than your local parish preist. Try a browser like Mozilla Firefox or Opera, both great choises and they aren't infected with 95% of whatever other malicious spyware and software that can filter through with internet explorer.

Mozilla Firefox:
http://www.mozilla.org/firefox

Opera Browser:
http://www.opera.com

David Stewart

Neokenzo and Achilles,

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it one more go with the Panda site and I'll try using an alternative browser.