Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 14, 2013 19:06:04 GMT -5
OK folks, I really screwed up today,
My wife got one of those automatic updates that loaded onto her computer and was complaining that now, her browser would no longer load. Me being a total computer dumbass, I tried to help her by going to a microsoft windows 7 help site I thought was microsoft but turned out to be one of those Pakistani/Indian scammers. Basically, they conned me into letting them into her computer to run a diagnostic, claimed it was infected and tried to sell me an expensive fix it contract. When I declined, they crashed her machine and now all we get is "cannot connect to server" " can't use that program cause your license is gone" etc. Basically her machine will not work at all and I am neck deep in doody with the wife.
So I have a few questions for the computer savy, regarding a fix.
1. Can I take her machine to the store, have her hard drive reformatted or some such or cleaned up and then reload her programs which we have on a backup stick back into the machine without having the foreign assholes get back in and destroy it again? Can a computer tech even fix this sort of problem? or:
2. Shall I just buy her a new computer and start all over?
3. My computer has a wireless router that sends the signal to hers. Does this mean that, though mine is working now, these jerks will crash mine too, or am I relatively safe?
I realize I have been a dummy and seriously screwed up and I would be grateful for any advice from knowledgeable folks. Thanks...Mel
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
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Post by herchenx on Nov 14, 2013 19:37:29 GMT -5
Definitely try #1, then make sure her machine is powered off. If you see anything funny on your machine take it in too.
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grayfingers
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 14, 2013 19:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by mohs on Nov 14, 2013 19:48:44 GMT -5
well mel I think the easier answer is to restore your machine to an earlier time when it ran well
The restore points are controlled by Windows and it should be fairly intuitive to do
You may lose some info but will save you lots of grief taking it in...mostly best ed
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 14, 2013 21:27:17 GMT -5
Ed, I tried what you said and the dang scumbags have disabled that function. Tried in in regular and safe mode and no luck. Looks like an expensive trip to the computer store for stupid old Mel with the chewed up arse. Gray, thanks for the advice. I went through and changed all my passwords even though my machine does not talk to hers. Well have to change all hers after we get thee machine fixed. Hopefully, they'll not get much off her machine as she does not do much with it except work stuff....Mel
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 14, 2013 21:43:13 GMT -5
Yuppers,the "Pro's" can get it going again........The "Geeks" at Best Buy do a great job......Good luck Mel
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Thunder69
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Post by Thunder69 on Nov 14, 2013 21:45:56 GMT -5
Hey Mel ..When you start up the computer hit the f 2 or f 11 key before the puter loads... Kinda like for safe mode...There should be an option on it to restore it to original configuration...What type of puter is it ...John
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Post by mohs on Nov 14, 2013 21:47:47 GMT -5
Wow sorry to hear that Mel I'm real surprised that they had the ability to disable restore points bastchards!
hhhhhmmmmm... with out a Windows disk look like trip to the shop
Or if you want a real experience go purchase Windows 8 $150.00 but that may be more risk and frustration then you want to tackle good luck Ed
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Post by mohs on Nov 14, 2013 22:02:09 GMT -5
as to question 2 if it fairly new computer I wouldn't buy a new one do the Windows 8 alternative
all new computers would come with Win 8 anyways so it would save money most likely
as to question 3 I would think your computer should be just fine but I hear so many strange things nothing written in rock
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 14, 2013 22:53:11 GMT -5
Thunder: Unfortunately, system restore appears to be totally disabled so no matter how I get into it, I can't run it. Looks like a job for the computer guys. Fortunately we have the original CDs and a stick with all our backups. Again, thanks to everyone who replied and tried to get me out of the doghouse. But looks like I'm in it deep for now.
You know, something I've always wondered about re: changing passwords. If someone has hacked into your computer and since you need to use your old password to get into a site to make a new one, wouldn't the hackers just get the new one as you changed it. I know it appears in the box as just dots but can't these guys read key strokes? I'm older now and more easily fooled so I'm starting to get so paranoid, I'm about ready to take a shotgun to my computer and go offline permanently.....Mel
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The Dad_Ohs
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 14, 2013 23:28:20 GMT -5
You know, something I've always wondered about re: changing passwords. If someone has hacked into your computer and since you need to use your old password to get into a site to make a new one, wouldn't the hackers just get the new one as you changed it. I know it appears in the box as just dots but can't these guys read key strokes? I'm older now and more easily fooled so I'm starting to get so paranoid, I'm about ready to take a shotgun to my computer and go offline permanently.....Mel the reason they have your password is 1 of 2 things, they cracked it, or they requested it from the site and if they were able to provide the right info the site would allow it, especially if you never set up the security in the first place. every so often I get an email from a site saying that I requested a password change and if I didn't do nothing and it would not change or click here and notify us.... at that point I go right to the website and send them a request to verify that someone requested a password change... sometimes the requests are fake too. I got one the other day from a website that I don't even use, I went to the site and sent them an email requesting verification and they said that someone had opened a account on my name from india and someone in china was trying to request a change.. I told them I am in the U.S. and never opened the account and they said they would handle it/ never heard another word from them. hope any of this heps in the future... good luck!! Mario
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2013 23:45:32 GMT -5
As herchenx wisely advised, #1 is a terrific option. Problem will be solved. Maybe John will have more to say about my option below. My option is free and may/should be attempted first, but not yet offered here by others. Some machines come with a "system restore" DVD. One that has all the original factory software ready to be installed as was new. Your fix may be as close as that disk. Did your machine come with one? It may also be stored in a partition on the hard drive (less desirable). EDITED TO ADD: shotgun is a bad approach. Avoid at all cost. Please. Once problem solved I recommend a walk in the wilds, enjoy the wildife. It's amazing what insect life is active this time of year.
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Nov 15, 2013 0:11:50 GMT -5
Mel how do you use your computer? If all you do is surf and email I can send you what is called a "live cd" which, when you start your computer can boot up before Windows and run a different operating system in memory. It uses free software.
It would take some getting used to but not much and if all you did was internet would probably much faster as well.
If you do a lot of work with documents and photos it may not be a great option but let me know. Do you have a lot of photos and documents? If so a local computer shop is probably your best bet.
(I am not an IT guru per se; but I do IT support for folks as I have availability)
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Nov 15, 2013 0:12:47 GMT -5
Oh and I definitely DO recommend a shotgun. That solves computer headaches permantly
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Post by mohs on Nov 15, 2013 0:37:25 GMT -5
Thunder: Unfortunately, system restore appears to be totally disabled so no matter how I get into it, I can't run it. Looks like a job for the computer guys. Fortunately we have the original CDs and a stick with all our backups. Again, thanks to everyone who replied and tried to get me out of the doghouse. But looks like I'm in it deep for now. Well heck Mel If you have the original Win disk (and as mentioned by others above) you can boot from that disk and have all types of options to proceed from there plus get connected to the internet almost guaranteed a new fresh approach to the problem and you'll save some lead mostly
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 15, 2013 3:35:01 GMT -5
Mel there is free program (one time use) called malware bytes. It will clean up the bugs for you. Woody
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 15, 2013 11:49:53 GMT -5
malwarebytes is not a 1 time use program.. I have it on my computer and it is free to homeowners, just not a fully functional as the paid for version... I recommend it to all my PC customers. www.malwarebytes.org but I have also found that it is not the end all/be all of programs, they do updates on a daily basis but to get the most you have to buy it. for the really hairy problems I go to www.bleepingcomputer.com, they design their own software for detection and removal and use some from others.. they can be a little slow to get your problem but once they do they will stick with you till it is solved... I have used them too and highly recommend them. If you have the restore disks or a restore partition on your Pc use it and be done with all the issues... bring your Pc back to factory and start again, this time you will be a little more learned about things and hopefully will not have a repeat of them!!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 15, 2013 14:07:41 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your troubles Mel.
I would actually take a slightly more extreme approach after system restore. Recover your wife's files to a clean back up drive or CD/DVD (so that nothing you transfer can get infected), then format the hard drive and reinstall windows. You want to make sure you've completely removed any traces of viruses or keyloggers. (A keylogger records your keystrokes and sends them to somebody else; it's a terrific way to steal passwords.) Install a good commercial antivirus program. And, yes, change all of your passwords after you've done that.
Chuck
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Nov 15, 2013 14:56:02 GMT -5
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 16, 2013 16:10:54 GMT -5
Well folks, took both machines into the computer shop. According to the shop the bad guys did not get into mine and it's free of any malware. The wife's machine though was pretty much trashed. All the licenses were wiped out and everything disabled or rendered useless and unrecoverable except her document files etc. Repair bill would have been something over $500 and she's wanted a new computer anyway, so we just went that route and got her a new Windows 8 machine that's a faster unit and has way more memory. She's still pissed but we were able to recover her files and now she can start over with a clean machine and I am older and a bit wiser I hope *L*. Again, thanks for the advice guys...Mel
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