Since then i have gone through the tedious task of reformatting my computer 5 different times. And i am now fairly convinced there is some sort of virus exploit or security weakness through starcraft that is causing my problems.
So lets start from the begining, a month and a half ago i made that post as i was suspicious that someone may have hacked me (made my mouse and keyboard go bonkers) while we were playing. I am no longer under the assumption that it is the person that i am playing against that is injecting a virus or what have you, but rather just there is some sort of virus that is manifesting itself through a weakness in starcraft. It sounds farfetched but hear me out, and if you dont think its from starcraft maybe you have some suggestions of what it may be from.
After the first incident i formatted my computer and everything was fine, then about a week and a half later the same thing happened, and the virus has only ever started while im playing SC2 but it will continue on (indefinitely) after i have closed starcraft 2 or restart my computer. It seems it is some how activated through SC2, after the second time i just assumed somehow i had gotten the same virus through a website or a download or what have yoou, but now after the fifth time im fairly certain it may be an exploit through starcraft.
This 5th time, all i did was reformatt, then update windows to the most recent update, and install microsoft security essentials. Then i installed starcraft 2 (from a disk) let it update and then played it during that night, and then next morning, in the morning it happened again, i hadnt really done any browsing and i dont really see any other explanation for how i got a virus and why it only ever starts while im in a game of starcraft.
If someone has an explanation or could offer some advice that would be really helpful, or if you have experienced something similair share your story.
Thank you.
Edit: another thing to mention is that i have opened notepad before just to see what it is typing, and alot of times it is mimicing what i was doing in game like 4sv 4sv 4szzz 4sdd then sometimes it will go off and do its own thing but usually right after i close starcraft its doing something like that.
It sounds more like there is a problem with your hardware, graphics related. It would also be possible for one of those rare bios viruses, but that is unlikely. Once you reformat and reimage, the virus is gone unless you DL it again. I am an IT tech and when this sort of things happens, you have to assume hardware next before viruses, especially if this "virus" has been out for awhile but still does not turn up in scans. It could also be a bug in your install of SC. Have you tried DLing a new version of the client?
EDIT: With your last update...what type of keyboard do you use? Could it be a fucked up driver or program associated with it that is erroring with SC2?
I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
On September 23 2011 18:13 TheAmazombie wrote: It sounds more like there is a problem with your hardware, graphics related. It would also be possible for one of those rare bios viruses, but that is unlikely. Once you reformat and reimage, the virus is gone unless you DL it again. I am an IT tech and when this sort of things happens, you have to assume hardware next before viruses, especially if this "virus" has been out for awhile but still does not turn up in scans. It could also be a bug in your install of SC. Have you tried DLing a new version of the client?
EDIT: With your last update...what type of keyboard do you use? Could it be a fucked up driver or program associated with it that is erroring with SC2?
I use a razer Marauder, i dunno if it would be a driver issue though unless it was both mouse and keyboard as it fucks with my mouse as well (just clickling)
Yea this just happened like a few minutes ago so i havent done a scan again yet, but i did a scan last time and it found 3 or so high threat virus's, and it usually does find them but there is an error in deleting them through virus software for 1 reason or another. I dont know how it would be a graphics issue if it is just something that is affecting my mouse and keyboard? Care to elaborate?
And basically i reformat and all is well, no virus's detected and i make sure to update windows to the latest update (just to make sure its not some type of security hole through windows) and then i reinstall sc2 through the original disk and update it, then it can take a day or so up to a week but eventually when i am playing always in the middle of a game i will start losing control of my keyboard and mouse and it will persist after i exit starcraft and it will also persist ( sometimes not right away) if i restart my computer.
Another thing ive done in between the formats is do a system restore and that will fix it until i start playing starcraft again and then it will happen again during the middle of a game and i will have to eventually reformat.
Also something interesting to note, even after unplugging my keyboard and mouse it will still be inputting the same series of clicks and letters, i dont know if thats relevant or not.
On September 23 2011 18:15 grs wrote: I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
Edit: Should go into tech support I guess.
Even if it still persists after unpluggin both my mouse and my keyboard?
Oddly enough, this shit happens to me too. I don't think it's a virus though, just shitty Razer product.
Next time that happens to you, try unplugging your keyboard and/or mouse USB connectors, count to ten, then connect them back again. This usually solves the problem for me, no need to reformat your comp. (Which sounds like an absolute bitch, btw!) GL
Also its important to note that after the problem starts when i run a security scan everytime ( i beleive) it has found a virus so far, i wish i could remember the name of the virus, i did a system restore so that my computer would function again but if im playing starcraft and it happens again ill be sure to scan and remember the name of the virus.
I remember it catching 2 high threat virus's last time i did the scan 2 days ago before i formatted and the virus software was unable to delete them.
On September 23 2011 18:28 `dunedain wrote: Oddly enough, this shit happens to me too. I don't think it's a virus though, just shitty Razer product.
Next time that happens to you, try unplugging your keyboard and/or mouse USB connectors, count to ten, then connect them back again. This usually solves the problem for me, no need to reformat your comp. (Which sounds like an absolute bitch, btw!) GL
The wierd thing is that the clicking and keyboard activity (typing out random letters) still persists after i unplug my house and keyboard. I agree though maybe it is a razer problem (although i have had this keyboard for 8 months and this problem only started maybe about 2 months ago)
You would think that if it were a keyboard or mouse driver problem that it would happen while playing other games, as starcraft is not the only game i play. Or that it would maybe randomly happen while i was typing on say teamliquid. Its just strange that the only time it happens is when i am actually in a game of starcraft.
I had the same "virus" once, turns out that one of the buttons you can configure yourself on the keyboard had repeat as setting, It would repeat the keyinput until it was pressed again.
I imagine there would be significantly more people infected by the virus if it manifested through SC2. If you reformat again, restrict your websurfing to known sites like TL/youtube/facebook.
A virus exceedingly rarely comes from an official program, and it would never target the same person again and again while ignoring so many others. PEBCAK applies in most cases with a virus.
On September 23 2011 18:15 grs wrote: I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
Edit: Should go into tech support I guess.
Even if it still persists after unpluggin both my mouse and my keyboard?
Yes, because the drivers are installed whether or not the keyboard is still plugged in.
Are you reformatting as well when you reimage or are you pulling from a backup and/or system restore? After reading, as a problem solver I would still have to think hardware like mouse and keyboard first. To be sure, what I would do it reformat and reimage so you are completely clean. Then use a completely different keyboard and mouse, something generic that came with the PC or something like that, simple, then reDL and install the client from battle.net without installing anything else. If the issue still occurs, it has to be a PC issue because everything is clean. If it were a virus we would have heard more from it now. If you are getting viruses or malware, then I cannot believe it from SC2. If you fresh format and fresh install and still get problems, there is no real way it is a virus unless, like I said before, one of the viruses that get to BIOS, but those are so rare. Also, hell, flash your BIOS before you reformat. That will clean that up if that is the problem. Sorry I can't help more without actually seeing the machine and fiddling with it.
On September 23 2011 18:34 TheRabidDeer wrote: I imagine there would be significantly more people infected by the virus if it manifested through SC2. If you reformat again, restrict your websurfing to known sites like TL/youtube/facebook.
A virus exceedingly rarely comes from an official program, and it would never target the same person again and again while ignoring so many others. PEBCAK applies in most cases with a virus.
Exactly, that and also how would one guy keep getting it over and over but no one else. It does not make much sense.
On September 23 2011 18:33 Jiddra wrote: I had the same "virus once", turns out that one of the buttons you can configure yourself on the keyboard had repeat as setting, It would repeat the keyinput until it was pressed again.
Perhaps it is something like that?
I wish it was sometihng that simple, but it still continues even after unpluggin my keyboard and mouse, also my razer marauder does have something like that but i dont think it would persist after restarting or after unplugging.
On September 23 2011 18:15 grs wrote: I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
Edit: Should go into tech support I guess.
Even if it still persists after unpluggin both my mouse and my keyboard?
Yes, even then. It could be a driver issue too or even a defect of the port. If you can, remove all input devices and their drivers and try to just use a basic mouse and keyboard with standard windows drivers - ideally in different ports.
On September 23 2011 18:15 grs wrote: I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
Edit: Should go into tech support I guess.
Even if it still persists after unpluggin both my mouse and my keyboard?
Yes, because the drivers are installed whether or not the keyboard is still plugged in.
Are you reformatting as well when you reimage or are you pulling from a backup and/or system restore? After reading, as a problem solver I would still have to think hardware like mouse and keyboard first. To be sure, what I would do it reformat and reimage so you are completely clean. Then use a completely different keyboard and mouse, something generic that came with the PC or something like that, simple, then reDL and install the client from battle.net without installing anything else. If the issue still occurs, it has to be a PC issue because everything is clean. If it were a virus we would have heard more from it now. If you are getting viruses or malware, then I cannot believe it from SC2. If you fresh format and fresh install and still get problems, there is no real way it is a virus unless, like I said before, one of the viruses that get to BIOS, but those are so rare. Also, hell, flash your BIOS before you reformat. That will clean that up if that is the problem. Sorry I can't help more without actually seeing the machine and fiddling with it.
I am doing a full reformat, where i lose everything and have to reinstall each program etc.
Thanks though, i tend to agree, that it probably is some sort hardware problem , the virus part was more of a question to see if anyone else was experiencing the same thing and since it doesnt seem like anyone has seen or heard of this before i tend to agree that its probably some sort of driver hardware issue.
I like my razer marauder keyboard and my sidewinder x8 T_T
On September 23 2011 18:15 grs wrote: I have read your first thread. There is some conflict in your hardware or drivers (maybe mouse and/or keyboard). Try switching some equipment. This is no virus.
Edit: Should go into tech support I guess.
Even if it still persists after unpluggin both my mouse and my keyboard?
Yes, because the drivers are installed whether or not the keyboard is still plugged in.
Are you reformatting as well when you reimage or are you pulling from a backup and/or system restore? After reading, as a problem solver I would still have to think hardware like mouse and keyboard first. To be sure, what I would do it reformat and reimage so you are completely clean. Then use a completely different keyboard and mouse, something generic that came with the PC or something like that, simple, then reDL and install the client from battle.net without installing anything else. If the issue still occurs, it has to be a PC issue because everything is clean. If it were a virus we would have heard more from it now. If you are getting viruses or malware, then I cannot believe it from SC2. If you fresh format and fresh install and still get problems, there is no real way it is a virus unless, like I said before, one of the viruses that get to BIOS, but those are so rare. Also, hell, flash your BIOS before you reformat. That will clean that up if that is the problem. Sorry I can't help more without actually seeing the machine and fiddling with it.
I am doing a full reformat, where i lose everything and have to reinstall each program etc.
Which websites do you frequent? Do you install or download any other software?
The thing that I am interested in is that it takes some time before it happens again. Why would it take a week and a half if it came through SC2? If it came through SC2 it should crop up the first time you use it. I am willing to bet you are getting it from some other place.
EDIT: What antivirus do you use? Does it have active protection? Even if it does end up being a hardware issue, the fact that you get SEVERAL viruses in the span of a couple of weeks is extremely alarming.
On September 23 2011 18:34 TheRabidDeer wrote: I imagine there would be significantly more people infected by the virus if it manifested through SC2. If you reformat again, restrict your websurfing to known sites like TL/youtube/facebook.
A virus exceedingly rarely comes from an official program, and it would never target the same person again and again while ignoring so many others. PEBCAK applies in most cases with a virus.
I wasnt suggesting that the virus was a part of starcraft 2 or in my disk or anything, i was suggesting that possibly their was an exploit through starcraft 2 that allowed somebody or something to inject a virus into my system.
Seems unlikely though ,but its not official programs havent had holes before that allowed exploitation (java/ flash)
Thanks for all the help guys, after it happened today i just did a system restore and its fine now (im sick of doing full formats and i just did one yesterday and usually its fine for at least a few days after a system restore)
Im probably just going to avoid playing starcraft 2 for a while (unfortunately) id prefer to not play and not deal with these issues though.
EPT
