So I was downloading a DVD last night and out of nowhere, everything crashed and Ad-Aware moved something into the virus vault. I think the file was called WKI.exe or something similar. After that, I couldn't open any .exe files, no Firefox, MSN, Itunes, etc. So I went to sleep hoping it'd be better tomorrow.

I can now open all my programs but everytime I open something it asks me with what program I want ro open it. So for exemple I Have to tell Itunes to open using Itunes...

WTF is going on ? I'm scared to use my PC, I don't want to log-in somewhere and give my password away if I got hacked or something. So what should I do ?

des

United States507 Posts

March 31 2011 14:10 GMT

reinstall your os practice safe downloading

TuElite

Canada2123 Posts

March 31 2011 14:16 GMT

On March 31 2011 23:10 des wrote:
reinstall your os

How ? How long will it take ? And will I lose everything that's on the computer ?

Legatus Lanius

2135 Posts

March 31 2011 14:17 GMT

yeah i agree with des, reinstall your OS so you dont have to worry anymore :D

some software that helps to protect me alot:

-microsoft security essentials
-firefox + noscript plugin

Legatus Lanius

2135 Posts

March 31 2011 14:18 GMT

On March 31 2011 23:16 TuElite wrote:

Show nested quote +

How ? How long will it take ? And will I lose everything that's on the computer ?

i dunno, took me about 20-30min to install windows 7 on my new computer maybe? yes, youll lose all the files and stuff on your computer. you can put it all on a usb drive before you re-install your os if it is important

tofucake

Hyrule19228 Posts

March 31 2011 14:26 GMT

I'd actually recommend not saving anything if you don't absolutely have to (ie: tax stuff or whatever). The more you back up, the higher the risk of reinfecting your new install.

And also I just reformat and reinstall any time something like this happens. It saves sooooo much and is guaranteed to remove the virus.

Eeryck

United States184 Posts

March 31 2011 14:28 GMT

You could try booting to safe mode and using a system restore point that was created say any time before yesterday if that is when the problem started.

Then install MSE and AVG and let them run their updates and scans.

Should be good after that.

Otherwise, on another computer search for the symptoms/errors you are showing or the manual removal of whatever is in the adaware vault and start the long and tedious process of manual removal.

TuElite

Canada2123 Posts

March 31 2011 14:31 GMT

On March 31 2011 23:28 Eeryck wrote:
You could try booting to safe mode and using a system restore point that was created say any time before yesterday if that is when the problem started.

Then install MSE and AVG and let them run their updates and scans.

This sounds like the best idea to me, I really don't wanna lose all the stuff I have on there... Is that fairly easy to do, I'm not the smarthest when it comes to this stuff...

Eeryck

United States184 Posts

March 31 2011 14:41 GMT

Restart your computer and hold F8 while it boots to start up in safe mode.
You will get a screen that lets you choose several options:
Safe Mode w/o Network support will be fine.

Once in safemode, you will see safemode on all four corners of the display
In the search box type rstrui
This will open the system restore dialog box
Choose "Choose a different restore point"
From the list pick one that is dated before yesterday.
You will loose any installed programs and updates installed after that install date, but so many are created that you should have one that is not more than a week old.

Reboot your computer
Search on google for MSE
Download and install from microsoft.
Run updates and scans after installing

Search on google for free AVG
Download and install from grisoft
Run updates and scans after installing

des

United States507 Posts

March 31 2011 14:43 GMT

#10

What's so important on your comp? If it's not something that you absolutely need I would still feel safest blowing it all out and starting fresh. When I say need I mean like your actual livelihood will be impacted, not something that it would just suck to lose.

TuElite

Canada2123 Posts

March 31 2011 14:54 GMT

#11

I don't have anything that import but I'll try what Eeryck said and if that does not fix it then I'll reinstall my OS (or buy a new computer).

Thanks for the help.

Legatus Lanius

2135 Posts

March 31 2011 15:26 GMT

#12

dont buy a new computer haha

reinstalling your os is the most drastic thing youll need to do to fix it matie. its probably the easiest and most reassuring too

nVusPip

United Kingdom260 Posts

March 31 2011 16:00 GMT

#13

Doing a clean install will ensure all problems are solved.

Also, always back your data, we all learn the hard way... T T

TuElite

Canada2123 Posts

April 01 2011 15:38 GMT

#14

Im trying to use a restore point but after searcbing for "rstrui" I get an error message saying c:/Windows/system32/rstrui.exe Application not found.

What do I do now ?

Edit: Nevermind found solution, it is restoring now...

Eeryck

United States184 Posts

April 01 2011 15:45 GMT

#15

You can boot from windows CD and try to do a system restore from the CD.

The process is a bit different for Win7, Vista and XP. So if you do a google search from a different computer on "Boot from CD system restore [windows version]" you should get the detailed instructions.

It sounds like you were definitely some place you should not have been. If you do get a restore point. I would definitely back-up your data you need and do a clean install. If you can't get to system restore from booting in safe mode, your little virus is pretty nasty.

It is possible to go so far as to do a manual restore but since you said you are not very tech oriented, it can be moderately tricky the first time.

TuElite

Canada2123 Posts

April 02 2011 00:14 GMT

#16

I did restore to a previous restore point and that fixed most of the problems, my programs can now open... However everytime I open my internet browser and everytime I change page, a new tab opens and leads me to some bullsh*t website telling me I won something. I scanned using multiple anti-viruses, spywares and malwares softwares but I still get these random websites...