defragmenting will work, but it basically shuffles all the files around the hard drive, so they are still there, but it creates new space for more useless files (cookies, temporary internet, etc), and it won't help with the virus. skytanker actually has a great idea with the ctrl, alt, del. write down the names of everything that pops up in the little box after you hit those three keys, then find a way to get onto google, enter the names, and read through the results to determine if the program is benign or a virus. this is how we were able to figure out that there was one hell of a virus on my computer. but, this is also how my computer got hosed, because if you delete it, you delete a program, which will typically take lots of other vital files with it.

also, doing an external virus scan is a good idea, if the virus lets your computer download the program. that was also something the virus on my comp would do: it disabled the norton system i had purchased for my comp, and wouldn't allow me to access any external scans. something you can do, is check out norton or mcaffe websites and find their lists of known viruses. a lot of times they will provide information (im not sure if it's free tho) on how to remove the virus if you can find the one you have on the list.

does your girlfriend even have the OS disc? if she does, you should be able to just reformat it. yes, you will lose everything, but **** happens. just tell her if she has anything important to try to burn it to a disc and then before putting the files on another computer, run a virus scan on the disc to make sure it's clean too.

 

Remy, do you know anyone with the CD? If so, PM me and I'll let you in on something.

That's the only way to totally clean off viruses......wipe EVERYTHING! XP's clean up wizard will not clean off viruses.

As far as making your hard drive run faster (which I never said - I believe I said "make your computer run faster").......what reformatting does is actually cleans off all the junk (remnants of programs and downloads) after you have deleted them. You see, every time you add or download a program, your "ini" or "reg" files get changed, and when you delete these programs, your "ini" and "reg" files aren't always restored to normal. So throughout time, all these changes to your "ini" and "reg" files, and any other junk that accumulates will slow down the processing speed of your computer.......not the speed of the HDD (if your HDD speed ever slows down, you'll need a new HDD, cause it should be at a constant 5400 or 7200 RPM).

 

I'm finished with this topic.....if you don't wanna fully clean your HDD, then do as you wish. I stated the facts for you.

 

Okay, I just kind of went through the same thing here! In your running process’s look for something call ISTbar or ISTsvc (Trojans). I'll make a bet this is what your problem is! Anyway I went HERE. Just register, search, and I will guarantee 100 % that these guys can get your problems solved. If you don't find something searching around, post it, and be patient cause there's TONS of people on there asking questions. Guys that do answer the questions are awesome and very helpful. I had my problem fixed within two days (total of maybe 3hrs. work) and have had no more problems! I HIGHLY suggest you check the site out!! Hope this helps you out………

 

man, a complete reformat should always be the last thing on your list of things to do. Anyone who whipes their HDD everytime they have a moderately serious problem is an idiot. Explore all the options rem. Defrag, Disk Cleanup, Adaware SE(good program i just remembered), Dig for the roots, and if all this fails, THEN reformat

 

Didn't read all the rest of the posts, but all you need is a GOOD AV program like NOD32 or F-secure. Install the trial version, run a deep scan (NOD32 will clean your RAM, pagefile, virtual memory, and everything else) and it'll fix that s**t.

 

I found the fugger! Its a trojan desktop hijacker in Win32, its has a TAC rating of 6... go figure.

 

I got the litte fugger for good. Thanks guys for all the help... especially Forty04 for the reminder that explorer will also run in safe mode (duh.. how did I forget that? Well I turned it off and ran the arsenal of spy programs and that did the trick!)

 

NIIICE! I love bein' a computer dork Glad you got it worked out bud. Did you get that file to convert or do you still need a hand with that?

 

i need a hand... i dont know what a parcel is []... ill email it to you.