Help Please!

[ffbombero]

My roommate recently downloaded some movie off of limewire and ever since I keep getting an error report when going online or doing anything. I tried to run a virus scan but it keeps shutting down. An antivirus alert just popped up and reported a 'W32/Ovide.A' infection in file 'C\Windows\system 32\taskdir.dll'. My antivirus software was unable to access the file and the automatic repair attempt failed. Please help what should I do

[Google]

[[KoG]^weaZel]

what anti-virus are you using?
have you run adaware or spy-bot S&D?
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[ffbombero]

I'm using my internet provider's free antivirus software and I've just downloaded AdwareAlert and it's running a check on my computer right now. It's been running for about 5 min now and it's found 45 parasites: 16 registry keys and 29 infected files. Is this something that's going to make me erase my harddrive to get rid of? thanks for the quick reply

[2old2care]

Go into safe mode and run a virus scan again.
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[ffbombero]

how do i go into safe mode in windowsXP?

[2old2care]

Hold down F8 during reboot. (before Windows loads)
You will also need to turn off system restore until you clear this up, or windows may automatically repair the lost files you are deleting.
You may need to do some reading at Symantic, Trend, AVG, Mcaffee or similar web sites on removal of viruses, the process is pretty similar in each case.
Sometimes however, reloading is the simplest answer.

If you do end up reloading, try AVG free as an AV software. Lavasoft's Adaware, and MS's defender do well for spyware/adware software.
Certainly make sure you have all MS's updates to windows, and stay away from filesharing, since you do not know what you may get.

FYI AdwareAlert is not a program we would normally recommend, they are IMO a bit "too aggressive" in their sales department.
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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[mojo1340]

^^^^
That's all damn good advice! I usually run Spybot S&D AND Adaware at least once a week (after checking for updates, of course). These are both free programs. I've also used Windows Defender (Microsoft, Beta, also free) and it seems to do well also. Run at least two scanners.

I also use and recommend AVG.

I know that AVG and Adaware can be run in safe mode, not sure about the others.

If these don't solve your problem, there are other ways. We'll cross that bridge when we need to. Keep us posted.

Good Luck!

[ffbombero]

I downloaded AVG and ran a virus scan. I had about 10 infected files, all but to were able to be moved to the vault. I'm restarting my computer in safe mode and going to run AVG's vcleaner. Should I just use spy-bot afterward? Thanks so much for the help so far!

[ToggleHead]

yeah cant hurt.....spybot and AVG find two different types of problems....one spyware, and wone viruses.....they are both needed for a clean machine

maybe consider telling your roomie to read up about "safe internet usage" =P
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[mojo1340]

[fussnfeathers]

Limewire is death, basically. You have absolutely no idea what you're getting. Even if it weren't illegal, I wouldn't touch that (or Bearshare, KaZaa, or any of the others) with a 10 foot pole.
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[mojo1340]

^^^^^
More good advice!

[tabasco]

I know you want to try and save your current system, but If I had that much crap infecting my system, I'd do a reformat and fresh install of windows.

just my 2 cents
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[calista07]