Re: identifying a virus (please help!!!)

Subie wrote:

> can anyone help me even determine if i have a virus..i keep getting
> e-mails from 'people' rather than companies, always different but the
> content is similar- basically totally random words sometimes
> accompanied with a picture, and sometimes quite pornographic. i delete
> them without opening, but when i go to delete them permanently the
> message 'opens'. nothing happens immediately, but days, even weeks
> afterreceiving the message(s) my machine crashes completely leaving
> just a black screen sometimes with 'operating system not recognised'
> and i have to use the system restore discs thereby losing everything.
> very annoying. is this just a windows fault or could it be a virus? if
> it is does anyone know what it's called and how i get rid of it, and
> if it is possible to even stop the messages coming through in the
> first place? thank you lots in anticipation.

To determine if you have a virus, scan with a full-featured antivirus
(version no earlier than 2004) with updated definitions in Safe Mode.
If you do not have an av meeting these requirements installed, scan
with either Sysclean or David Lipman's Multi-AV:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#TrendMicros_Sysclean
http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm - how to use Dave Lipman's Multi-AV
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe - Multi-AV download

Then get a full-featured av, install it, update it, and do the thorough
scan in Safe Mode. Then continue with scanning for non-viral malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If this seems too difficult - and there is no shame in admitting that -
take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local
version of BigStoreUSA).

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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