SERIOUS COMPUTER PROBLEM

[Hayashi]

I still have my google problem, ie the google url leads me to this HTML page that says "There is no website configured at this address"

The page belongs to this outfit called cPanel, there is a link on the top left. Clicking that link brings me to http://www.cpanel.net/

Any ideas? This happens only on my office PC, home PC I can access google just fine.
*Insert creepy Twilight ZOne type music*

[Hayashi]

OK I just happened to browse around the cPanel website, there was a FAQ that suggested that users who ahd been redirected to their website whilst trying to use a search engine may be infected with a Trojan called Qhosts.

More info here: http://securityresponse.symantec.com...an.qhosts.html

[ 10-16-2003, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: Hayashi ]

[SpiritWarrior]

Yes I had a similiar problem like this before. It can either be a trojan or a form of spyware. Like the guys suggested do run Ad-Aware,

[Hayashi]

Well, I just removed the pesky Trojan manually from my system. Strange thing is that neither Norton AV nor Ad-Aware picked it up, and using Norton's Trojan removal tool for Qhosts didn't catch it either. I keep the definitions updated.

I found the information on this site useful. It gives a description of the Trojan, symptoms (that's how I could tell I was infected) and manual removal procedures.

CAUTION: Manual removal involves editing your registry!! Always backup your registry first before attempting to edit it.

But the process is quite simple, registry editing involved changing the values of one value back to its original, and deleting another entry. In addition, you'll need to look for 2 files and a folder to delete. The Windows search function came in useful.

Google now works again! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[SpiritWarrior]

Btw, If you keep your MS updates enabled (or check them daily) you will most likely avoid this problem in the future.

[Firestormalpha]

Any idea if a virus, trojan or other form of program could stop my disk clean up function from operating? Or could I have a link to a site that would scan for such a thing for free?

[Bungleau]

What do you mean by disk clean up? Are you talking about defrag? If so, make sure your power options are disabled while it's running, or that can cause it to restart in some cases.

There is someone who offers on-line virus scans.... I forget who, but a search through the GD archives from the past several weeks would probably find it. OR the person who posted it last time will bring it up again.

[Firestormalpha]

Ok heres the specifics. I have windows XP Pro fully updated.
I try to run "Disk Cleanup" The thing that looks like a broom over a drive icon. The one that gets rid of all the excess files in temp folders and the compress old files type stuff. Last time I tried to run it I disabled all the power saver settings in my computer including the monitor shut off. When I run the program it loads and starts, I'm gonna guess inventorying, all the temp and compressed files that can be safely removed and are not needed. It starts on the Compress old files section and then does nothing. I check the task manager and it says the CPU is running 100% capacity. The last time I had a situation like this some files necesary for the windows restart managed to disappear. I didn't find out until I tried to restart my computer. I ended up reinstalling windows from scratch. (that's right I'm the dummy who doesn't make system restore disks because he's too lazy) Anyways I let the program run overnight last time and it did nothing. When I woke up I saw the same thing that was there when I went to bed.

[Harkoliar]

just an addnote: you could reinstall your other drivers, modem, lan card etc.. in case it got corrupted or anything..

[Firestormalpha]

Harkoliar, I'm just curious but how might that be effecting the issue with my computer? I mean I'd try it if there were also issues related to those, but my only problem is the Disk Cleanup function not working. The Disk Cleanup, not the Defrag. I could tell the difference between the two by the time I was in 7th grade.