Computer issues**UPDATE**

[runningman]

So it seems like I have a virus or something in my home computer.  It started last week with internet issues.  I can go on some sites but then will get error messages when opening others.  Also it won't stay connected long enough to download items.  I am running McAfee software but it's now saying that it's out of date and won't stay connected long enough to update.  I was able to download pctools software after a few days of trying and after a scan it found about 9 files that were corrupt.  Three of them are internet explorer files and I am not sure what the rest are.  They are quarantined right now, should I delete these?  I am assuming I will have to reload IE afterwards?  Would this be found on the software that came with my computer?  It's a Dell XPS that is about 3mo old.

Another issue, my wife tipped her external hard drive over (seagate 1.5TB) and now it now longer has a power light and makes a low volume beeping noise.  Any recommendations??

Thanks!

Matt

[4cruzin]

Well the first thing I would do is scan with Panda Online scanner.  This is a free scan and if you have a virus, it will delete it automatically.  Spyware it will leave and try to sell you something.   Once that is done, scan with Spybot and deal with the rest. 

Now the seagate issue, if there is a reset button, try that first.  Check all cords . . . and if all is secure, check with seagate for a firmware patch.  Hope this helps.

[ChgrSteve67]

Backup your data and use what ever recovery method you get from Dell to restore the system back to its factory load.  If you system is as bad as it sounds this will be much faster to fix than trying to repair the damage the virus has done.  If the system is only 3 months old Dell support should help you with this procedure for free.

A for the external drive, fix your PC first then copy your data off the external drive and call segate. They should RMA the drive if there is a problem with it.  they may have you run a diagnostic utility to test the drive which will probably wipe out the data on it.

If you don't want to pay for anti-virus software then download and install avast! Home Edition - free antivirus
http://www.avast.com/

And Microsoft Security Esentials, its also free.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

[runningman]

I will check those anti-virus programs.  I will resort to calling Dell if need be, I hate talking to the tech's from outside the U.S..  I can't understand what they are saying half the time and I am not real good with computers so it makes for a bad combo.

As for the drive, there is no reset and checked the cords last night and everything appeared to be good.  Tried all of the different USB ports also and nothing.  I can't back up that info because it's not being recognized by my computer.  I will have to call Seagate and see what they say.

[4cruzin]

Did the seagate unit come with a driver disk?  You may try to install it again and see if the PC will find it then.

[ChgrSteve67]

Since its a USB drive there are no driver disks.  USB drivers are native to the OS these days.

Since your Dell is only 3 months old it has to have a cd\dvd burner in it. brun any data you want to save using it if you can't copy it to the external drive.

Fix your computer first then deal with the external drive.

[runningman]

I don't think that it did but I will check again.  I am not getting a power light on the unit although I can hear it trying to do something.  Maybe it is just a internal supply issue.

[runningman]

I'll have the wife backup all of her crap tonight and call Dell tomorrow I guess.  I can't stay connected long enough to download these programs

[ChgrSteve67]

Put them on after you have restored the PC back to its origional factory image.

And stay off the porn sites unless your running (up to date) protection.  LOL

[Silver R/T]

1. Switch to mozilla firefox
2. Download/install spybot S&D and run it in safe mode
3. Download/install Ad Aware and run it in safe mode

[68r/t]

What do you guy's think about the AVG Free?

[runningman]

Okay, I got a few different antivirus programs and ran them. They found some stuff and took care of them.  Still having the same issues, called Dell and they said I had to restore our computer as it came from the factory.  Bought a new external drive and backed up all of our crap and did the restore.  So now I still have the same internet problems.  I got our laptop to work fine so it can't be a Comcast problem.  I am gonna call Dell tonight but anyone have any ideas??  I can never understand what those people are saying...

Matt

[ChgrSteve67]

If you still have a problem after that then I would say you have a bad network cable or network card.

Replace the cable first and see - also try a different jack in your internet router and/or switch if you have one in between the two.

If you still have a problem call dell and let them do thier trouble shooting. If the network card is bad they will send someone to replace your mother board.

[Arthu®]

Isn't there the possibility that there is a driver conflict or a corrupt driver of the network card? I would try to update those.

Arthur

[451-74Charger]

boot in safe mode, look for a hidden folder on c:\ called avenger
seriously pay $50 for a local whizkid to fix it (dont bother with BestBuy or Dell).

[ChgrSteve67]

Since he restored the factory image I would say the chances of a corupt driver is very low.

[runningman]

Tried a new cable yesterday and no change.  Interestingly I was able to start in safe mode with networking and surf the web with no issues and it was really fast.  So I can assume the hardware stuff should be okay correct?  I did download the driver in safe mode and no change on regular reboot.

[runningman]

Wow the internet is fast a hell in safe mode, how come??

[runningman]

Did a search for "avenger" and found nothing

[runningman]

Ran spybot in safe mode and now am trying to install adaware but I keep getting malicious software messages from spybot regarding adaware.  Is this normal or am I downloading a virus ridden file??

[Charger RT]

you might have malware here is a link to a good program if you can download it in safe mode great but you might need to down load it on a friends computer and copy the download to a flash drive and install it from the flash drive onto your computer. then run it
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
Tim

[ChgrSteve67]

If you did a restore and have the same problem call DELL.

You should not be getting spyware warnings after doing a system restore.

FYI SpyBot is crap

Restore your system again and then call DELL if you are still having a problem.
DO NOT INSTALL ANYTHING AFTER YOU DO THE RESTORE!

[runningman]

Will do, this will be the fourth time doing a restore.  Hopefully it will work.

[Arthu®]

Uhm are you doing it through System Restore and set it to an earlier date or do you do a clean install from the original Dell CD? Just to be sure, because like ChgrSteve said you shouldn't be getting malware hits on a clean system install.

Arthur

[ChgrSteve67]

Yes you should be doing a Restore from the DELL System restore CDs and use the disks not the recovery partition on the hard drive if there is one.

A windows system restore is not going to help you at this point.