Laptop has a virus

joannaman · 11-05-2010 10:48AM #1

Hi there,

I got a pop-up message saying my comp would restart in 20 secs (something about a gateway error...can't remember the exact wording) and when windows did start again it won't let me access the internet, my anti-virus (mcafee) and the audio doesn't work either. I've been told it's a virus and a reinstallation of the operating system will cost me €100 (by right click on camden st). Is there anything I can do myself to fix it and avoid paying the €100 as I'm a bit skint at the moment?

Thanks

joannaman · 11-05-2010 05:51PM

Ok, i've been reading up on this and I think the best thing for me to do is reformat the drive and reinstall the operating system. I have all the original discs, now my only problem is that my internal dvd drive doesn't work so I have an external one that I plug in with a usb cable and use. The question is will my system recognize this external drive when I am booting up, as I will have to boot the system from the cd in this drive?

Dixy · 11-05-2010 07:30PM

Check it and see but make sure to back up all important files first.
Running through the first few steps of a reinstall wont remove anything
Put the CD in, make sure the bios is set to boot from the external drive and make sure to press any key to boot from CD.
If you get that far then its working and you can either exit the install at that stage and make sure you are ready to go or continue and just follow instructions on-screen.
1 reason repair company's (like myself) charge so much (i would be €80 not €100) is because even after a full reinstall all the drivers for your system have to be downloaded and reinstalled and the back-up's of your data have to be put back so it can take a chunk of time.

www.pcscomms.com

joannaman · 11-05-2010 08:02PM

Hey Dixy,

thanks for the reply. I have the original system disc and also another one of device drivers & diagnostics and utilities as well, so hopefully I should be alright. The only other thing I can see being a problem now is if I need a license key for windows - i downloaded a little program on another comp, and will try to run it from a portable key drive on my lappy but i'm not sure I'll be able to run it coz my laptop is so screwy at the mo. I'd love to fix this problem myself now as something similar has happened before and it cost me a couple of hundred bucks (in Canada) so i'm tired of shelling out. That said if it's a disaster I'll be looking for some to repair the damage I've done!

joannaman · 15-05-2010 11:06AM

New problem! I can't boot windows from an external dvd drive (my internal one doesn't work), the system doesn't seem to recognise it. Is there anything else I could do?

Ironbar · 15-05-2010 11:16AM

You can try and download Malwarebyte Antimalware. Install it and let it scan. Also recommended is Spybot Search&Destroy. If you can't access the internet anymore you can press windows+R -> type msconfig -> Enter.Look under startup if anything strange is there like y****.exe with nothing in front of it. untick box -> apply and restart.

If its gone you were lucky if not you can come to my house if you live in Waterford and I will take a look.

Laptop has a virus

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