A few weeks ago I was invaded by a virus called Netsky.q.
AVG cleaned it out, but my computer is just about dead.
I run Win 98 and am having trouble getting online, screen freezing up and I can't get online at all with Outlook Express.
Sometimes the whole screen just goes black & I have to turn the computer off and start again..

Right now, I'm in safe mode, but it is slow & freezing up.
I went to Microsoft & downloaded updates & I even tried to reinstall Win 98, but I'm still getting trouble.
Is there a cure or should I get another computer?
TIA, J

Here is a link to TrendMicro's site on how to remove the virus. There is also a link at the bottom of the page to their on-line virus checker.
TrendMicro

If cswchan's link helps you get rid of the virus, have your 98 CD ready, click the start button, then "Run", and type in sfc , run a scan to see if you have any corrupted files. If so, have the computer restore the files from your 98 disc. Good luck!

chris

Reinstalling the Win 98 mayn't solve the problem because the installation process will read many partial applications, and parts of the software as being completely there thus by-pass updating or replacing old virus damaged parts of itself.

Then you have a lot of supporting software which will change aspects of Win 98 and or share files and codes and crap. .DLL files are commonly shared, so sometimes you will un-install a program and be asked if you want to un-install that file too. I believe the warning message also tells you that the file could be used by other programs. These may be read as having another application using it thus are not fixed in the process of reinstall.

So it is probable that you have some corrupted data, but your scan disk and reinstall programs are not seeing it as corrupted but as being "shared" with another program which with Win98 wouldn't be an issue But you don't have an application you only have a rewritten file claiming to be used or something along those lines.

Computers are not smart, they are just libraries and you do the thinking.

If you are still covered with Technical Support, I would strongly urge you to use that at this time. They will walk you through the process on the phone. They will also have software file saving ideas depending on who you got the machine from. For Example Gateway uses PC Doctor, compaq uses Norton - two similar but completely different programs. Some systems lets you un-install and reinstall parts of Windows, others only allow you to un-install and reinstall the whole thing, or reset to factory settings.

If you do not still have coverage, you usually can purchase tech support on the phone. that runs $20 to $50.00 depending on who made your machine/software package.

Depending on the amount of damage and the diagnoses (it is possible that there are still virus packets in your computer) you may have to REFORMAT the disk, then reinstall.

Reformatting will COMPLETELY and utterly wipe the disk clean, partition it and in cases where there is damage to the disk, block out those sections which are bad. Thus you have wiped the slate clean, and will need to re-install all programs and files.

If you need to reformat, you need to talk to Tech Support. Not all machines are the same when it comes to reformatting a particular machine.

If you had a virus and have copied anything to a cd/floppy, it could be infected as well. In short this could mean that any files you have on your computer now may beyond saving.

Depending on the age of your machine, your needs and wants at this time it may be easier and wiser to go and get a new computer. That is costly, a decent system (including monitor, keyboard and mouse) can start off at $600.00 and up, depending on where you go to get one. A pc (just the tower) may be less expensive. I do not know your machine, what hardware you have and your financial situation. Tech support can direct you to find out how much physical damage is done to your hardware and with that you can determine if it is best to go with a new machine or not.

There are also used machines out there too. If you want to stick with Win 98 instead of getting Win XP you will have to get a used machine. I do not think there is a manufacturer who still puts out Win98 on its new machines.

cheers

I'd like to thank you all for the helpful advice. I've been really frustrated by my stupidity in getting caught with the virus in the first place.
I think I'll try what you advise and if that fails, I'll splurge and get something else.
I'm not concerned about getting 98 again. It was just that the machine came with it.

One thing that I do know, from reading other comments, is that I'll have a barrage of
anti-virus programs etc loaded.
I think the frustrating thing for me is not knowing what to do.
I'm going to take some time and learn more.
Thanks, J

Hi jtofb:
Synanyec (Norton) has a removal tool that should rid you of this pest.
Netsky Removal Tool
I once was bitten be the Klez virus & their removal tool cleared
everything up fine for me.

Best of luck
Mike b. (AKA Byter)

I am not as well versed in computers as others, but no need to get a new computer. I was infected with a trojan virus which corrupted a lot of my programs. After trying a number of cures, I finally took the pc to a repair shop, and had the computer wiped clean (like new out of the box), and it only cost $40. Everything on the computer of course will be gone.

quote:

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Originally posted by jtofb:

One thing that I do know, from reading other comments, is that I'll have a barrage of
anti-virus programs etc loaded.

---

Well the First thing you need to do is cut back on the antivirus programs. Stick with one on your machine, keep it updated and on at all times and it is all you need to catch in coming invaders. Having more than one can be a conflict of interests and could lower your shielding in key areas due to these conflicts.

There are viruses that can compromise your personal anti-virus software, disabling key information thus allowing secondary viruses to come in and your anti-virus software program does not spot it. Further, no anti-virus software you get is complete. You will need to get new "licenses" or Dats or other funny named files which are the latest software for the newest viruses coming out. Most on PC anti-virus software programs call it "up dates", or updating. If you bought say McAfee, you get 2 years of updates with the package, then you have to purchase an additional year to keep the program up to date.

I recently failed to update, sure enough a small minor nuisance virus got int the system.

Then there are several "on-line" virus scans that can be done. I find that http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp is a good one. This should be used with your on machine software, kind of a second opinion. Used on a regular basis it should be more than enough to catch anything missed by your Primary Care Giver (On machine anti-virus software)

Though I do use McAfee Professional, updated automatically with the latest files and virus protections, with download protector (scans all in coming files) email scanner and internet scanning (Some web pages contain vicious code), and I have set my system Deep complete scan for every night (2:01 am), just to make certain that nothing is lurking. I use an on-line second virus scan on a regular basis (lets say once every two weeks).

A few Suggestions for getting a full complete scan at HouseCall.

1. exit any applications in your system tray. System tray is usually on the lower right hand corner of the computer (windows) its the place where the clock is. For each program you have running often a tiny icon reveals that activity.

Leave your Internet program running, you need that. But if you have java running, or Pop-up stopper, or those other on machine virus protection programs running, shut them down. The less applications/programs running the more efficient your virus scan will be. Its far easier to examine a patient who is sitting still than one who is running around.

It will ask what country you are in. It will tell you why.

It may ask to install its program. Click yes. You will be taken to another page. First time users will need the software.

If it asks you to REWRITE with a newer source Click NO - never rewrite anything it is far easier to assume that your version is far better simply because it works. This will be asked when you install their program on your machine.

If you have any floppies, CD-Roms installed, remove them, unless you want to scan those drives and those particular disks.

Click to check off "My Computer" This will check mark all the boxes, then click scan.

The "Auto Clean" may be helpful, however if a virus is found, please take the time to read the description, write down the name and what information is given. You will need that to ask your main anti-virus software provider why it is that their software missed it. Then you will be instructed if it is cleanable or you need to delete it. If you need to delete a thing and are uncertain to its need or if it is just a corrupted file, write down the name and file extension (EXAMPLE C:/Program Files/Maxis/SimCity/Plugin). This way if it was important you will know what you removed and be able to tell your Support Technician who specializes in your particular machine what was removed lately.

After you finish your scan, cleaned anything out if needed. Reboot your system (Shut off and turn on your computer) and then return to House Call and repeat. Just to be on the safe side. After the Second scan if there are any viruses they should have been found and removed. Re-boot again to turn everything on and see if your computer works correctly

If House Call finds no viruses, then the issue is something else. Call TEchnical Support. For that I suggest packing a lunch first, providing yourself with either a nice book to read or some other form of entertainment. If your Tech Support is anything like mine, you will be on the phone for over 20 minutes waiting for the next available Tech Support Person.

Cheers

David

May I make one more suggestion?

You said you have a lot of stuff on your computer, I will assume this includes spy ware programs which seek out and remove those, plus seek out ad software and virus and spam blocker, etc.

http://www.stop-sign.com/se/se020n.php?pg=stopsign_redir%26se_spin&ver=online&n=d_mss

provides a one program service which, in opinion, may be far easier for you than having various software programs.

Installing this is free, and you get a trial period of 30 days, after that you have to purchase membership ($74.00 for 2 years) however I discovered that it found ad generating software and spy-ware that alternate specific free programs I have did not find. If I hadn't already purchased a lot of stuff that does thes jobs, I would go with this program.

This will require you to un-install all of the stuff you already have.

Which brings me to my next point.

If your system tray is full of icons, your problem may be one of sharing limited resources with too many programs. Your system tray is that space next to your computer clock where program icons are found, like popup stoppers, virus scan, internet service provider, etc. This is not the icons on the other side (next to the start button on Windows) which would include an icon for Explorer, one for desktop, one for media player, etc. Those are short cuts. What is in system tray is usually running.

Simplicity is efficiency, and if you are running an older computer many of the newer programs that you may be using may be using up a lot of processor space (The part of your machine that takes to run programs, different than RAM or hard drive space which is where you store information)

Cheers

jtofb:

I read your post & the two postings by Stewart's.

As must as I detest reformatting a computer I would suggest this as a remedy to your problem.

Do you have a CW-ROM Diskette with Window 98 on it. If you do, then insert it into the CW-ROM Drive & turn off then turn on your computer & follow instructions to reintall your Windows 98.

I also would suggest that you copy any program that you previously installed on your computer. before you reformat the Hard Drive.If you have CD-ROM's for these programs, then this is not necessary.

Don