Chrome/Firefox Virus?

the flananator

Hi guys,

I bought my Acer laptop back in January, and have been having a series of problems with it.

Around February I started getting blue screen when starting it up, and was advised to wipe the system and start again. I did this and it seemed to fix the problem.

A couple of months later I got blue screen once again, but only the once and the laptop started up normally after that. However since then I have had problems primarily with my internet browsers; When I'm on Google Chrome or Firefox, it will be working fine for a while but then its like the browser overheats, and if I click a link it opens a new tab, or if I type something into the keyboard I just get a shortcut that I don't want; ie if I want to go onto Facebook and type "F" into the address bar, the "Find" or search command opens up. At that point I just have to close all my windows and wait for a while before opening a new browser.

Been googling the problem but can't find anything. Also; the CD drive isn't working. I still have warranty for 6 months, but am afraid they will say its a software problem and will charge me to fix it.

I rebooted the system again the other day but the problem persists. Would love some insight if anyone can offer any. Apologies if this is in the wrong section.

solomafioso

Might have been important to know what the BSOD was.

If you're getting BSOD's you can get Blue Screen View. Basically tells you exactly what file it's failing on and lets you troubleshoot further to see if it's hardware or software.

First thing's first. Did you install any software recently? Sometimes you get 'additional bloatware' that piggybacks on applications. For example, search bars changing the behaviour of browsers...installing unwanted extensions. That sort of thing.

Secondly. What anti-virus / anti-malware programs do you use?

Check the highly scored Anti-virus's on AV Test. (Depending on your operating system).

I also install Malwarebytes as a just in case.

Any changes / scans you do to the system ensure you boot in to safe mode first (when powering the machine on, tap F8 and choose safe mode with networking).

the flananator

solomafioso wrote: »

Might have been important to know what the BSOD was.

If you're getting BSOD's you can get Blue Screen View. Basically tells you exactly what file it's failing on and lets you troubleshoot further to see if it's hardware or software.

First thing's first. Did you install any software recently? Sometimes you get 'additional bloatware' that piggybacks on applications. For example, search bars changing the behaviour of browsers...installing unwanted extensions. That sort of thing.

Secondly. What anti-virus / anti-malware programs do you use?

Check the highly scored Anti-virus's on AV Test. (Depending on your operating system).

I also install Malwarebytes as a just in case.

Any changes / scans you do to the system ensure you boot in to safe mode first (when powering the machine on, tap F8 and choose safe mode with networking).

Thanks for your response. No, no new software since the reboot anyway. I downloaded Hola months ago and thought it might have been related to that, but have since gotten rid of it. I've got the free trial of the McAfee internet suite at the moment. The trial keeps restarting everytime I reboot the system but will need to get a new package soon I imagine. Downloading Malwarebytes now!

solomafioso

the flananator wrote: »

The trial keeps restarting everytime I reboot the system but will need to get a new package soon I imagine.

You can check a list of alternate AV's if you want to go down the free route. Ensure you don't have more than one AV installed!

List here.

Also, if you need to do a hardware test on your machine check here for a list.

I'd recommend using the Ultimate Boot CD or Hiren's Boot CD.

Also, there are AV "Live CD's" which are bootable and will fully scan your HDD. Unfortunately you may need another pc to burn the iso (or you can create a bootable usb using Xboot.

http://www.avg.com/ie-en/avg-rescue-cd

the flananator

solomafioso wrote: »

You can check a list of alternate AV's if you want to go down the free route. Ensure you don't have more than one AV installed!

List here.

Also, if you need to do a hardware test on your machine check here for a list.

I'd recommend using the Ultimate Boot CD or Hiren's Boot CD.

Will those diagnose my problem do you think?

solomafioso

the flananator wrote: »

Will those diagnose my problem do you think?

Sorry that I can't be sure without knowing details of the bsod. But, my 'gut feeling' is telling me that something's wrong if your machine had to separate blue screen's AND the cd drive isn't working.

But there are separate tests for motherboard, hdd, ram and cd drive that you can do and they should show up if it finds anything wrong.

the flananator

Someone has suggested I do a 'clean install', any idea what that would entail?

solomafioso

the flananator wrote: »

Someone has suggested I do a 'clean install', any idea what that would entail?

Just means a full format of the c drive, then installing the operating system again (instead of from a rescue disk / backup).

Means that any / all changes you have made are reverted back to 'factory settings'. Like any programs...email accounts (if you use outlook) files, etc.

If you do not have a windows cd, I'd highly recommend installing Linux Mint.

I should note that this will be a last ditch attempt only as you're in the 'troubleshooting' phase of knowing whether it's hardware or software. There's no point in a clean install or installing an alternate OS if it's a hardware issue as that will follow from os to os.

irishgeo

mcafee is terrible, get rid of ASAP.

solomafioso

irishgeo wrote: »

mcafee is terrible, get rid of ASAP.

It's actually getting better.

Here's the score on AV Test.

http://www.av-test.org/en/home/?avtest%5Breport%5D=5907