Urgent - HDD error

[dbgtz]

http://i52.tinypic.com/sg25ip.png
What do I do?!

[Stephen!]

Click "fix errors"?

[dbgtz]

Click "fix errors"?

Says I need to purchase something to fix them. I had a feeling like 10 minutes ago it could be a virus and it does say something about there being a "Windows 7 Recovery" virus so ill try get rid of that if it exists.

[Chippiewill]

http://i52.tinypic.com/sg25ip.png
What do I do?!
Not use what is obviously spyware? I'd recommend reinstalling windows since you can't trust it anymore. If half the errors it is saying existed your computer wouldn't actually work.

[Splintus]

If I were you, I'd download a free anti-virus software for now and keep doing scans on your computer/laptop quite regularly to see how it's going. Personally, I have AVG and it seems to be doing the job on mine, might do the same for yours? If I were you, I'd try it out though as it's worth a shot.

[dbgtz]

The problem is, even if it is a virus, its hidden/deleted short cuts to files (probably not the files themselves)
yeah all the shortcuts are gone. I open up the folders on the start menu and it says (empty)

[Chippiewill]

The problem is, even if it is a virus, its hidden/deleted short cuts to files (probably not the files themselves)
yeah all the shortcuts are gone. I open up the folders on the start menu and it says (empty)
Backup, format, reinstall. Your only choice in this situation.

[Recursion]

I suggest you reinstall Windows. As Chippie said, you can't trust this install anymore.

Next time, be more careful ;)

[dbgtz]

I suggest you reinstall Windows. As Chippie said, you can't trust this install anymore.

Next time, be more careful ;)

It's my anti virus softwares fault, everything I download gets checked. Gah. Better dig out my windows disc.

[Impeachment]

Scareware is normally what this is called. It's used to scare a victim into believing their computer is messed up, and they end up buying/putting in credit card details. It's a huge scam. However you are infected.

Can try before re-installing to get rid of the virus :
Download MBAM (Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware)
Install it, and then run it.
Update the virus database.
Run a complete scan, get rid of any viruses (Reboot if necessary).
-----
Go to : http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner
Go through the process till it starts scanning.
Remove any viruses it finds.
Reboot if necessary
----
Check : APPDATA Folder. (Make sure files are un-hidden).
Look for any : USER_sqlite files or Usernamesqlite files. (Tell-tale signs of a RAT (Remote Administration Tool)).


Hope this helps. If worse comes to worse, and nothing (I MEAN NOTHING) is detected, your best bet is to reformat your computer.

[dbgtz]

Went down the formatting route, now having trouble enabling the thumbnail previews on the task bar and setting the resolution to 1600x900. Anyone know how? :L

[Chippiewill]

It's my anti virus softwares fault, everything I download gets checked. Gah. Better dig out my windows disc.
No, it's your fault for downloading something where the source could not be verified. Anti-Virus is a just in case, not something to rely on.

@Impeachment

Once an installation has been infected you cannot trust it again, you cannot tell what it may have done, it could have left hundreds of security holes leaving more viruses to come back or it could reinfect itself. Whilst it probably is a good idea to get rid of the virus before hand (In case it's made your backups bad) you should ALWAYS reformat if you suspect your installation has had (Or ever had) a virus


Went down the formatting route, now having trouble enabling the thumbnail previews on the task bar and setting the resolution to 1600x900. Anyone know how?
I'm assuming Aero (Stuff like Aero Peek, Glass, Preview) was disabled since you don't have your graphics drivers installed and that may also be causing the resolution problem, but you change the resolution by right clicking the desktop and going down to "Screen Resolution" if it doesn't give the right resolution options then you need to install your graphics drivers still.

[Impeachment]

No, it's your fault for downloading something where the source could not be verified. Anti-Virus is a just in case, not something to rely on.

@Impeachment

Once an installation has been infected you cannot trust it again, you cannot tell what it may have done, it could have left hundreds of security holes leaving more viruses to come back or it could reinfect itself. Whilst it probably is a good idea to get rid of the virus before hand (In case it's made your backups bad) you should ALWAYS reformat if you suspect your installation has had (Or ever had) a virus


I'm assuming Aero (Stuff like Aero Peek, Glass, Preview) was disabled since you don't have your graphics drivers installed and that may also be causing the resolution problem, but you change the resolution by right clicking the desktop and going down to "Screen Resolution" if it doesn't give the right resolution options then you need to install your graphics drivers still.

True.. Or it could simply be a RAT with a RAT user who is a Group of Hackers out to make a quick buck using Scareware.

I tend to reformat anyways. I actually reformat every month just to cleanse my computer incase of any infections. I was just posting a method to get rid of any Keyloggers/RAT's that arn't too serious, considering half the idiots who use them are Skids and don't have half a brain and have probably infected themselves with their own virus.

[dbgtz]

I'm assuming Aero (Stuff like Aero Peek, Glass, Preview) was disabled since you don't have your graphics drivers installed and that may also be causing the resolution problem, but you change the resolution by right clicking the desktop and going down to "Screen Resolution" if it doesn't give the right resolution options then you need to install your graphics drivers still.

I installed the drivers and the resolution is fine now, and I can see where the "Aero" option is on the personalise settings, but it's greyed out (i.e. I can't tick it or untick it), so the thumbnail previews still don't work. Any ideas?

[Recursion]

I installed the drivers and the resolution is fine now, and I can see where the "Aero" option is on the personalise settings, but it's greyed out (i.e. I can't tick it or untick it), so the thumbnail previews still don't work. Any ideas?

Activate Windows :P

[dbgtz]

Activate Windows :P

You're kidding right? Urg I better go do that then :P

Didn't work, but I'm guessing a restart or log off and on is required so I'll just see tomorrow :P

[triston220]

There's probably no issue with your harddrive, what you're seeing is scareware. Reinstall windows.

[Firehorse]

You can instantly tell that is a fake program designed to scare the user into purchasing a useless program. E.g. the formatting on the fix errors button is not standard to Windows.

Seeing as the software is already as far as telling you this then it's likely you've already got malware on your PC, as mentioned above the best solution is to format and re-install windows. (The sooner the better). And scan any files you're taking with you with a different antivirus software such as Avira Antivir.

(oops bit late glad to see you did the right thing though).

[Recursion]

I think it's a virus definitely you need to use a good antivirus program like Norton or ESET.

I want some of whatever you're on.


I think you guys a bit late to the party, he's solved the problem :P