Need computer help............

[VFR750]

I have a new (old) Dell desktop I am upgrading to replace the pile I am using now......it did not have an ethernet card in it so I popped in a D-Link board, hooked up my new 2-Wire modem (I bought both from my DSL provider, ATT/SW Bell) and.........Windows crashes with a shell error whenever I plug in the cable from the modem to the card.?.?.?.? I do not want to fool around figuring this out. Does anybody in this MX community do freelance computer fixes (and knows what you are doing ). You can fix it at my house or take it to your place, crap I might even bring it to you. Yes, I'll pay....... my home phone is 972-247-4929......thank you

[sammm]

Do you have the latest driver(s) installed for the ethernet card? Just a SWAG.

[Nexus Flux]

Along with the drivers, I would check Windows updates. If I may ask how old of a PC is this? Which version of Windows?

[channelmaniac]

Problem is, he can't check Windows updates. I'm thinking the machine is either infected due to lack of updates or that the network card is bad...

D-Link support says "it's a software problem" and Microsoft says "We don't support OEM software, talk to Dell"...

I talked to him on the phone today and should be able to fix it for him if he brings it by this weekend. I have all my tools, software, and parts here.

RJ

[VFR750]

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions.......sounds like channelmaniac is the man for the job.

[Adam Payrot]

I think it might be the D-link card. IIRC, my mom ran into issues with the D-link card that SBC sent her, in several different computers (they have 5 setup at her house). I told her to buy Netgear or Linksys, she RMA'd the D-link and the new card solved everything.

[Nexus Flux]

I have a few cards if you need one.

[black roadster]

I have a few cars if you need one.

Sure! We could use another car.

[channelmaniac]

Hmmm...

Windows firewall was turned off.

McAfee Stinger (stand alone scanner) found the following worms:

W32/Sasser.worm.b (in 514 files on the computer...)
W32/Blaster.worm.a (in 2 files)
W32/Nachi.worm.a (in 2 files)

And Ad-Aware SE Personal edition found the following:

5 Modules
26 Registry Keys
42 Registry Values
789 Files
3 Folders
Spyware Programs:
Cydoor
Timesink
TopSearch
Adware.GAIN.Dashbar
Hi-Wire
OrbitExplorer
Alexa
GAIN
Xupiter
BonziBuddy
WhenU
Win32.Sasser
Win32.Blaster
Win32.Welchia

Other Spyware manually removed:

Viewpoint Media Player

I'm running the scans again before trying to get the system on the network. With 3 worms on it there was no way it was going to work on a network.

RJ

[Nexus Flux]

Ouch, looks like it has seen better days

Yea, sasser and blaster are pretty common, along with some if the other junk.

[HudsonHawk]

sounds like it needs a wipe reload not intensive care.

[channelmaniac]

sounds like it needs a wipe reload not intensive care.

Nah... really not *that* bad... don't see any rootkits on it or anything really nasty... just worms, viruses, and the need for some patches and current a/v... I've seen much worse.

It's on the web now successfully.

Removed the Norton 2002 AntiVirus and installed AVG.

AVG found the Agobot worm in memory, on the hard drive twice in C:\Windows, and once in the System Restore directories.

25 Windows Updates later... it wanted Service Pack 2 installed... After SP2 was installed it installed 81 more patches via Windows Update.

The memory DIMM had a dirty contact and needed cleaning before it would work properly in the computer.... and I took the "liberty" of telling Windows Update to NOT install IE7.0 to save you the headache of it not working with a lot of different software or sites yet. I also took the "liberty" of turning off all the animation for menus, etc, which sped up the computer even more.

I'm running two last scans of Ad-Aware SE - one with the latest definitions now that the computer is fixed... and one for Alternate Data Streams (ways to hide data on the computer) since the C: drive is NTFS.

Once those are done I'll kick off a defrag on the C: drive and call it finished. You can pick it up tomorrow.

Raymond

[Titus]

Nice work Raymond!

I took the "liberty" of telling Windows Update to NOT install IE7.0 to save you the headache of it not working with a lot of different software or sites yet.

Help me understand this fear people have of IE7. I have had it on my work and home PCs for months now with zero problems. Even MazdaMotorsports.com says their site won't work with IE7, but it works fine for me.

[channelmaniac]

Nice work Raymond!


Help me understand this fear people have of IE7. I have had it on my work and home PCs for months now with zero problems. Even MazdaMotorsports.com says their site won't work with IE7, but it works fine for me.

Thanks!

The biggest fear is that a lot of manufacturers haven't "tested & qualified" their software to work with it...

At work we have a bunch of custom internal apps that haven't been tested yet... and some that we know don't work with it. IT says to not install it until they fix web code.

RJ

[black roadster]

It's stuff like this that makes me want a Mac even more. One of these days I'm going to get one.

This is a Mac ---> <--- This is a PC

PC's just can't hold their liqour.

[HudsonHawk]

It's stuff like this that makes me want a Mac even more. One of these days I'm going to get one.

This is a Mac ---> <--- This is a PC

PC's just can't hold their liqour.

Only reason there are not more viruses for MAC is because of their low market share. They are not any more secure then Windows.

[channelmaniac]

Only reason there are not more viruses for MAC is because of their low market share. They are not any more secure then Windows.

The MOAB project proved that. Apple got what they deserved for their arrogance and there is a LOT more malware being developed now because of it.

(MOAB - Month Of Apple Bugs. Hackers released a bug a day for the Mac.)

RJ

[black roadster]

Only reason there are not more viruses for MAC is because of their low market share. They are not any more secure then Windows.

I don't care about the reason, just the result. Macs are not as prone (notice I didn't say vulnerable) to viruses, malware, spyware, etc...

I need to run AV software to protect my PC from all these attacks which slows them down and I need to take time to run the spyware scans.

Regardless, I don't want to make this a Mac vs. PC thing. For me personally, the whole PC thing is tiring. I'd just like a computer that works and is intuitive to use, much like my iPod. From what I've seen, the Macs provide that. I also like how innovative Apple is as a company.

[Titus]

I don't care about the reason, just the result. Macs are not as prone (notice I didn't say vulnerable) to viruses, malware, spyware, etc...

I need to run AV software to protect my PC from all these attacks which slows them down and I need to take time to run the spyware scans.

Regardless, I don't want to make this a Mac vs. PC thing. For me personally, the whole PC thing is tiring. I'd just like a computer that works and is intuitive to use, much like my iPod. From what I've seen, the Macs provide that. I also like how innovative Apple is as a company.

Stop visiting porn sites and loading freeware and your problems will be greatly reduced.

[channelmaniac]

Stop visiting porn sites and loading freeware and your problems will be greatly reduced.

+1

And set your Windows Updates to "automatic"

RJ