Virus Problem

[teamsj]

My computer has a virus on it and the virus software(AVast) that I am running notices it but it can't repair it, move it, delete it, or anything with it. I can't use windows explorer at all to open folders or files. My cd drive has an x displayed over it in the right hand corner now. What should I do to remove this virus and get my windows explorer running again?

[EzyStvy]

This is one of several free on line scanners:

Free On-Line Virus Scanner
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

[Panama Red]

This is one of several free on line scanners:

Free On-Line Virus Scanner
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Good recommendation. I might add that if you're using XP, boot your system to Safe Mode with Networking before you run the scan at Trendmicro. You might even try running you Avast in safe mode first and see if that helps.

If you are totally unable to boot the system and do any scans, then you can remove the hard drive, install it as a slave drive in another machine and scan it that way.

[teamsj]

Thanks for your help. I tried the online scan but it ran into a problem and I didn't write down the error message. Something about it couldn't read my drive. Anyway, I put in the win ME cd and ran recovery and now I can open files and folders with explorer again. My scandisk will not complete still it gets 69% done and stops.

[GaryRouth]

Hmm - next up:
1) Let Avast! update & run it in Safe Mode
2) Try HouseCall again, let it scan for both sorts of malware.
3) Find a hard disk diagnostic for your hard drive and run it.

[If you don't know the manufacturer of your hard drive (not often the same as the system-builder) - you can run a program like Astra32 http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=Astra32&tg=dl-20&search.x=23&search.y=11 to find out. Then go to the manufacturer's website to get the diagnostics. For Western Digitals = DataLifeGuard, for Maxtors = PowerMax, for Seagates = SeaTools, for IBM = IBM Enhanced Diagnostics, etc]

Might be some bad sectors on the hard drive, not a good sign. But hard drives are inexpensive nowadays = so no worries.
. . . Gary

[ & Hi there, Panama & EzyStvy ]