CANDY_MAN 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 My computer is totally ######ed up! One day i was playing GR and i closed it out and went to get back on later but it wouldnt do anything...so i keep trying, nothing....i restart and try again....nothing...so i reinstall the game, works fine but when i go to play it later....same thing, nothing.....i figured i did something wrong with my mod and its messing up the game so i take the folder out and reinstall and try again....works fine then i close it out and try again....nothing....im so ready to just my computer....instead i calm myself down and say you know what ######it ill just play Ultima Online so i go to play it and i get a message "An instance of Ultima Online is already running" for some reason my computer thinks those 2 games are already running...i have tried to restart 10 times hoping it will correct itself somehow but no....as soon as my computer starts up i try to play either game and it does the same thing. Did my computer get hacked?? Does it have a virus?? my scan didnt say so...###### I dont know if i should reformat my HD and start al over :'( or if there is a way to fix it. Please somebody this is rediculous Quote Link to post Share on other sites
STU_Snake 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 Narrow this down, is your computer thats messed or your GR? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CANDY_MAN 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Author Share Posted December 24, 2003 its my computer cus gr isnt the only game thats affected....i just found out i have a Win32 virus most likely due to a mod i downloaded (not totaly positive) but the only ones i have downloaded are Sniper Armory, Standard Upgrade, SPV4, and DTD Isreali Defence mod....like i said im not positive thats a mod caused it but it did happen shortly after i downloaded them....and i didnt download anything else in between....but you never know...a Win32 virus can develop without downloading anything so im not blaming the mods because they all work fine....im just saying to check them before you download them. and a Win32 virus is simple to fix...just reformat...AND i CAN back up some of my files i need so its all good Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 First things first bro. Calm down. Second, I need some info, like what OS, system specs, etc, what version of the games are you running. Get us some info so we can help you. Dont get format happy until we check some things out bro. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urban_Tiger 0 Posted December 25, 2003 Share Posted December 25, 2003 (edited) ......Also in continuation to Phantom's important "Must Have Information" post m8..... .....When you say "you have detected a 'Win32 Virus' ".......Also post up exactly which "Win32 Virus" it is if you can, failing that what you think it is, or otherwise what it has been reported as if possible too. There are literally dozens and dozens of Win32 Virus variants and some require specific processes for removal etc. Knowing which one you are possibly dealing with will enable anyone helping and advising you such as like Phantom etc to hopefully get the right Removal Tool or Process of manual Removal right for you on a first attempt too to save repeated further attempts to get at the little sucker!!! Obviously you could have any 1 out of those Dozens of em, and some are more tricky to deal with than others and some have the different affects designed in blah blah blah lol!!! It is possible that this Virus was packed in with a Mod, but unlikely. It does also bring home the fact that if you have Anti-Virus Software to use it though doesn't it lol, scan your Downloaded files from any source essentially with your Software before you do ANYTHING with it to be sure. If you also do not use a Firewall too however, then it is far more likely that you were either "Back Doored" and it was slipped in that way because of a possible lack of security there. Or, the other burning question would be, are you also as careful as possible with handling your E-mails too?? Many such virii get onto Users Systems very easily via E-mail too!!! Help them to help you m8 essentially though, stay calm and hopefully it will all work out fine for you, and ultimately, good luck with getting rid of it !!!! And, if you don't have a fair Arsenal of Security Measures installed on your System then obviously this may highlight the need to consider getting some too !! Edited December 25, 2003 by Urban_Tiger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CANDY_MAN 0 Posted December 25, 2003 Author Share Posted December 25, 2003 OK im running windows 98se....cant bring myself to get xp i hate it...i have no firewall or anti-virus program...just the basic crap...my hd is only 6 gigs...im not at home right now so i dont know what version of GR im running but i did have the latest patch...then i reinstalled it and the patch wasnt installed so i dont think its the version...im on a 56k modem so i dont have a set ip...but it is online for long periods of time like when i go to sleep...i leave it connected but it usually disconnects itself if not active for awhile. The reason i say its a win32 virus is because a friend of mine had the exact same thing happen to him a while back...he tried to play some games and it was as if they were already running...he knows more about that kind of stuff than me (software and hardware stuff) im just a ok at figuring out lanuages in game files. and what he did was just back up some of his files (once he figured out which files were affected) and reformatted his HD. I got a few gift cards and some cash for christmas, i might buy an antivirus with some (depending on how much they cost) but i kinda had other plans for it. Anyway if theres an easier way than reformatting, im all for it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urban_Tiger 0 Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Well, unless you have some form of Anti-Virus Software Installed then it's extremely hard to say that you have a Win32 infection ultimately m8, but yes it could be likely that you are infected as your freind has advised, you can't be certain though obviously!!! There are some very good Freeware Anti-Virus Applications that will save that cash you have there for those other things lol, they may well be a little more attractive to you right now I'm guessing hehehe!!! But, there may be one small hitch here, some of the Win32's are very clever and are coded to stop Anti-Virus Apps from working if installed or even to stop them from being installed to deal with an infection full stop !! So, ya might have to cross your fingers there!! AVG Anti-Virus is a very popular Freeware AV App and is very effective as one example for you amongst others. Which you install as with a lot of Software is goingto be preference, but as you may not have ever used an AV App before you won't have any previous preferences to compare too lol. I don't use AVG personally, but I have a few freinds that do and they compliment it and say they would recommend it to others why not give it a go yourself. Essentially go get it, install it and see how you go with it, with luck it will install without any problems and if you are infected go on to remove your problem for you!!! Otherwise you may need to get a "Stand Alone Cleaner" and have an "Online Scan" performed on your System. You can get an Online Scan performed Here if you really need it, and then if it does flag a Win32 or any other infection for you come back and tell us which one may be reported and someone can point you in the right direction to the get a Stand Alone Cleaner too if required!!! Obviously once you are free of an infection if you do have one, then maintain the AVG Anti-Virus Software and Update it regularly and you'll at least have some Countermeasures for any future problems in that department too !! Lastly and again, "IF" you are infected as said previously it is far more likely that you would have picked a Virus up by E-mail, (which in the future, AVG AV will scan Incoming Mails and either report on, or automatically remove any infected mails for you if you you leave it installed, and also scan your outgoing stuff too with no great effect on a 56k connection according to a couple of freinds I have who use it on 56k)!! Otherwise, If it wasn't by E-mail, then it could possibly have been either by a Backdoor or even a Direct Attack. Although being on a Dynamic IP may give some small comfort, essentially that comfort zone is reducing by the day. Attackers Port Scan huge "Ranges of IP's" with speed and efficiency these days, and can latch on to you far more quickly than you may appreciate. Even though you are on that 56k and have your Dynamic IP, as little or even less than 10 minutes is often all it takes if you are completely unprotected and discovered, which at present with no Firewall isn't hard at all and then with no AV Software you are completely exposed and vulnerable. You can solve the Firewall problem too for absolutely nothing you may be glad to hear lol !!! Obviously as above which is chosen is also a matter of preference but the same may apply as to the AV for you and there seems to often be mixed appraisals or slaggings for the various Freeware Firewalls availble too lol. So, all that can be done is to give tyou another example to start off with and you can always change and/or move on later. But it could easily be said that to be without a Firewall in the present climate is asking for trouble ultimately !!! Zone Alarm is one Firewall widely known in a Freeware form that gives good protection. Again I don't use it personaly but those that do often rate it, but at the end of the day it gives protection and that's what you need too !! Check that out too and see how you go with that also. None of the Apps mentioned are huge and take up masses of space if that's a worry, but if they don't interest you then just use any Search Engine to search for Freeware AV Apps and Firewalls too so that IF you are infected, you will greatly reduce the chances of it happening again. Hope that's of further use to you and you can make some headway with your problem and get ya games etc working again tho m8 !! Good luck with it and keep us posted and let us know how you get on and obviously if you need more help or advise then shout!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
STU_Snake 0 Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 have no firewall or anti-virus program ###### M8?!??! thats mostly your virus problem solved, without a firewall, people could just log onto your computer......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CANDY_MAN 0 Posted December 27, 2003 Author Share Posted December 27, 2003 LOL Snake...i know i should have had both Antivirus software AND a firewall but im a lazy ###### and THIS computer isnt all that great so i didnt much care ...i want a new one so bad (which im saving up for) but since pc gaming is basically my only past-time, ill look into getting that freeware AV and firewall software that Tiger mentioned...should have done that a long time ago and Tiger if you know of any links to some good freeware, post them. but ill give it a "look-see" here in a bit...By the way my dad got me a Ruger 10/22 Carbine for Christmas and i ordered a Muzzle Brake/Flash Suppressor and WideView Scope Mounts (so you can use your iron sights if you are close)...cant wait to go snipe some squirrels Plus im in the process of making a ghillie suit for this spring...I have my burlap shredded now i need to go buy the dye to color it with...im thinking of using a base color of Dark Green and Light Green and then using some (less than other colors) Dark Brown...Im in Indiana, anyone think those be good colors? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 Depending on the amount of RAM you have, and given your HDD size, you may want to re-think having both of the programs UT mentions. The firewall will use considerable resources, and software firewalls are kind of a pain. They require constant upkeep and configuration. I'd go with an anti-virus program, not have it run all the time, but only when there is a suspected virus, and to do a once a week scan. 95% of viruses come through email anyway. If you want to save some money, and yourself some aggravation at the PC, just get a good AV program, Norton's is 29.00 US(cheap), and very effective. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cruusher_AS 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 I ran windows 98 for the longest time. Once I upgraded to XP, all those little problems diminished. I believe XP to be a smoother OP-System and I have no probs recommending it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 I also recommend XP hands down. The performance is a whole lot better, it is more secure, and just as easy to run. As far as MS products for the home user go, you can't go wrong with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CANDY_MAN 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Author Share Posted December 28, 2003 ok heres what happened...it was a Win32 virus....Parite actually....i downloaded AVG and ran the tests...i had over 700 infected files....must have been there a while...and for some reason it could only heal one file...and it quarentined the rest into the AVG Vault and couldnt use the files which were mainly in the WINDOWS folder and ultimately i couldnt run hardly anything so i ended up having to reformat. I VERY HIGHLY DOUBT THAT IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE MODS I DOWNLOADED. so dont worry...i just dont know how i got it because i have never gotten any email attachments...ever. dunno but its gone Quote Link to post Share on other sites
[WOLF]FinalStand 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 You can actually get viruses just by going to a website.........Not exactly sure how it happens. I went to one site......as soon as the page loaded my McAfrees went nuttz saying I had downloaded a file that was a known Trojan and that I should delete it. Right after that my Kerio firewall popped up saying that THIS program had been replaced by another verion and now was trying to access the internet...............moral of the story............GET A AV AND USE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But you have one now so alls good Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter 0 Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 It could have been using a website or a domain as a mask and gotten in through an open port vulnerability. That happens alot also. Its just that the MAJORITY of viruses come in through email. In which case, if that is what happened, a firewall wouldnt do you any good at all, because it comes in through port 80, which is open by the firewall anyway for internet access. Just use the AV and run regular scans, and all should be well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urban_Tiger 0 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 LOL..... Sorry Phantom but had to chuckle @.... you may want to re-think having both of the programs UT mentions. The firewall will use considerable resources, and software firewalls are kind of a pain. They require constant upkeep and configuration. I did say fairly clearly that both were "Examples Amongst the Many", and ultimately, when you have ###### ALL protection at all, hey, wots a lil on ya Sys Resources over a 700 file Infection and the lack of ANY Port Protection wotsoever from a Firewall, allowing even a Hacker, Cracker or Script Kiddie with the most "Basic of Knowledge" access to your PC at will too rofl!!!! Agreed, Software Firewalls also can be tricky for the uninitiated, but can become very powerful for those more accustomed to them and who know "how" to use them too. When the guy started off saying he didn't want to spend the slightest bit of cash on any Software, I couldn't quite picture him rushing out to buy a Hardware Firewall either so wasn't gonna even go there on to that subject as there would have been NO POINT LMAO. He wouldn't have been interested and has since even stated as much (which may be his undoing but obviouslythat's up to him if this lesson didn;t sink in lol). He asked for kit for free ultimately and was forwarded examples to allow him to expand on and search for himself !!!! When you don't wanna spend any money you can't really be chosy about applications maybe having downsides of things like using a little more Sys Resource then stuff you may have paid $20 for lol!!! Thanx for the laff tho heheheeheheehehehe, even though I get out plenty that one had me folding hehe !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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