Damnit, what's wrong with my laptop?

[KiranA]

K. So in a brief moment of sheer stupidity, I clicked on a link a friend sent through MSN only because she had msg'd asking me if the person mentioned in the link was me and the link itself had my name. I was curious. I clicked. Shit happens.

Anyways, since then, my computer's been doing some messed up shit. I'm about to resort to taking it to IT services on campus, but it ain't a light laptop and hauling it across campus is going to be a bit of a bitch, so if anyone can show me how to do some self-repair, that'd be coo.

Here's what it's doing. First off, it'll block my access to the internet, even though connectivity, etc is fine. Then, when it does allow access, it prevents my anti-virus system from functioning. On top of that, it randomnly resets my home page as this link:

http://www.gamingunderground.us/index.php

which I really don't mind cuz I'm all about video games , but it's still a lil annoying and it definetly tells me something's up with my comp. I've dl'd another virus scan program, run it a couple of times and nothing is showing up. I've gone to Add or Remove to see if I've managed to dl something I don't want, but I can't find anything.

Any ideas?

[canuck]

Have you tried deleting all your cookies + running a anti spyware program? Microsoft has a frew one compiments of uncle billy boob gates.

That's about all I can think of, contrary to populer belief I'm not some sort of puter geek.

[PN]

Is Your computer Windows XP with service pack two? Are you current with all the Microsoft critical updates? Do you have an alternative browser such as Firefox or Mozilla on this laptop?

If you can not connect to the Internet than you can try to do a system restore by rolling your computer back to an earlier date when everything was working. If it is successful, then I would suggest doing an online VirusScan using Internet explorer (Trend Micro (http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)). Finally, go into your startup menu to see what programs are running. You will want to go to "Start," "Run," type "msconfig," and click the startup tab. I would recommend going to System Info (http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php) to find out what each program is in your startup menu.

Before doing any of the above, this would be a good time to back up your data.

Good luck!

[KiranA]

Ahhh, Paul, I bow down to your computer geniousnessessess. Woah, maybe one too many.

Thanks, anyways, I'll have a go at it.

[PN]

Kiran, I know, it looks like a daunting task.

- I MEAN, SECURITY IS JUST HARD. IT'S REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT. BECAUSE THE MINDSET A PROGRAMMER HAS WHEN HE -- WHEN HE'S WRITING THIS CODE IS I WANT THIS TO GET TO WORK. IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT MINDSET THAN THE HACKER HAS, WHO IS THINKING I WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS BREAK. Steve Gibson (http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp/cc/0256A.shtml)

[Wreckd]

I would recommend downloading Hijack This (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html). Then visit the geeks to go (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2852) website for help (scroll down the page for some useful information).

[Jadis]

Be very careful wtih Hijack this tho- u can really mess upyourself.

Have you run Spybot at all?

[brocko]

Ummmm, do you want to learn about windows security issues or do just want it fixed? Sounds pretty much like a fixable 'virus' but unless you really want to start dicking around with 3rd party software and previously unvisited areas of your laptop I'd suggest hauling your laptop cross campus will be the quicker and easier of the two options. If the option of tech help is there take it. Also, without sounding too sexist, I'm pretty sure any tech guy is going to be glad to help a damsel in distress, especially one with such a beautiful smile. If you can watch what he (sure maybe it will be a she but...) does it's probably the fastest way to learn about this stuff anyway.

[wheelman21]

This is where I go for any computer issues that I have http://forums.techguy.org/ . Just post your problem in the security section.