Damn virus is back - just got it cleaned off about 1-1/2 weeks ago, cost a fortune for Dell to clean it off. Now called them, they are down for 1/2 hour or so, bummer!!!! Really sucks, it swoops in and downloads porn and other adult sites and tries to get you to buy their "antivirus software." So much for the great program Dell sold me - JERKS!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the rant, I am trying to work, obviously won't get much done tonight. Damnnnnnn!!!

That sucks, take 5.

That type of virus needs to be removed by a skilled technician, not some $1/hour Dell employee from India who don't know jack.

Take it to a reputable computer shop in your area and have it done right. 'tis what I do for a living so I know what I'm talking about.

Best thing to do(just my opinion), junk/sell the Dell, and get a Mac! I've had mine for 7 years, and have never had a virus problem, that is...I don't even have to install any anti virus software. I've spent several years in the shop working on PC's(Dells included), and the virus situation is the main thing that keeps shops in business. They don't want you to get a MAC...they would go out of business. Anyway, this has been JMO... Good luck.

im going to have to investigate a mac, i might want one

I'll be honest with you...I've been working/building computers for 30 years. Out of that time, spent in shops, I realized how bad the virus issue is/was. I had to repair mine on many occassions, and bite the bullet as well(lose all my pic, music, etc)!

and it's true...if there were no virus, the shops would go out of business(most anyway)! For the last 7 years, I run both...the PC, and the Mac! I dare not put the PC on the internet...but I can take the Mac(or have so far) anywhere on the Net...even places that your not supposed to be going. In my opinion...the Mac is like the 4-wheel drive of computers. Where PC's go and get a virus, the Mac just rolls right on through without a hitch. Even today, I don't have any anti-virus software on my Mac...don't need it. It is such a relief to have that kind of confidence on the Net...when I used to stay drawled up with the PC, hoping I didn't get a virus.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

3:40am...good night everybody!!

I would also suggest taking it to a computer repair shop...

If there is nothing of value on the PC (i.e. irreplaceable pictures, videos, or documents) then your best bet would to completely reformat.

This would put the computer at it's default settings and you would lose everything on it - including the virus.

It's always a great idea to buy a flash drive, which is a miniature memory chip that slides into a USB port, the hole on the front of the computer which can save important information you don't want to lose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148153
They're cheap and can save you quite a bit of hassle. You can also use it to move information from one computer to another.

As far as the virus goes, do you use any sort of anti-virus software? Some can be clunky and slow down a computer quite a bit. Anti-virus software can also range from free to over $85 for full installation.

I would offer to help more but I don't want to freak you out @_@;

I just spent 2 hours on the phone with Dell - he got it cleaned off AGAIN -- same virus as 2 weeks ago. Also informed me that the "anti virus program" one of his buddies sold me in April was junk, should have bought a different program, figures!!!!!

He downloaded AVG on it for now, hope it holds. I swear!!
I bought the external hard drive and have pictures and such stored on it.

I do my second job typing at home, that is why I need this sucker to keep working. Can't afford to lose all my typing.

I have never touched a Mac, but will never ever buy another Dell !!!!

So it still needs to go to the shop?? He told me I should buy the Norton 360 program now, the other one the other jerk that works there sold me is obviously crap.

I appreciate all the advice. I am so tired of this crap. Just want it to work and not give me grief.

Thanks for the info, I do appreciate all the info you have.

No, don't take it to the shop.

It kills me you're paying so much for a Dell representative to come and fix it.

AVG is a free software, it scans your computer on a daily basis and keeps itself updated from nasty viruses.

Norton 360 does roughly the same, the scans it does on the computer are more in depth and are better at removing and preventing viruses and spyware from snuggling its way into your computer.

The biggest difference? Norton 360 is going to cost you about 135$ for a 2 year subscription.

I personally run AVG. The only way your at risk to get viruses is download programs that aren't reliable, opening e-mails you don't recognize, and visiting websites that are unfamiliar to you. If you stick to safe zones you should never run the issue of viruses.

If you think you got the virus from your email, I suggest getting a Gmail account. It's free and was created by the company that created the search engine Google. I promise by using it you will never get spam mail. www.gmail.com

If you think you got it from a bad website, I suggest downloading Mozilla Firefox to view the internet. It's the exact same thing as Internet Explorer (probably what you're use to using) but it has a smart way of blocking pop-ups and avoiding dangerous websites. www.getfirefox.com/ It is free as well.

Sorry, this is a lot of text, just trying to prevent you from getting screwed again. :(

Thanks for the information. Yeah, I already got "stiffed" for their "warranty" to get the repairs done, am still angry about that.

He said Norton 360 was $80 for one year, downloaded the AVG for free "just until my payday and I could buy the Norton." I had heard of AVG and people have said it was pretty good, so if it will cover, think I will use it for awhile. He was surprised his "coworker" sold me the Webroot program, said it was worthless, just what I need is more worthless programs to spend money on, damn.

I use hotmail for my e-mail, but don't open mail I don't recognize, ignore or delete junk mail, etc. I go to a couple of other sites, but have used them for many months and they are safe.

I do appreciate the info, wish I had this back in April when they hit me with the bill for the parts, etc. Thanks again, I need to get to bed, my alarm goes off in 3-1/2 hours so I can "go to work." Gonna be a fun day, NOT!!!

Take care, have a good night, ummmm, day. Thanks.

I have an Acer pc. I've got free edition's of Norton, AVG and Firefox. I get spam but no virus's.

I have AVG and no viruses here!

When my hard-drive crashed a few years ago, the Tech installed AVG. (No it wasn't due to a virus, just a bad hard-drive)

free antivirus online , and it works great,

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Also go here to get spyware remover/blocker.
it is called Spyware Terminator. Also free.

http://www.snapfiles.com/downloadfind.php?action=s&st=spyware+terminator

avira a/v works great too

I use NOD32 at home - love it! it's fast.

Bottom line...as long as anyone runs, and operates Microsoft software as their operating system...Will, and I repeat...Will be at risk for virus and other things you don't want. I have nothing to gain, by giving you this helpful info, but Mac IS the way to go. JMO

Everyone have a great day surfing the Net...I'm out'a here!

If everybody goes and gets macs, macs will soon have problems too. The reason they don't get nearly as many bugs is because people don't write viruses for the small minority of macs compared to PCs.

I don't hate macs but they're more expensive for what you get. Harder and more expensive and fewer choices when upgrading things.

Hey girl keep the AVG it helped me get rid of 14 Trojans that my son help me get due to porn, I have that and the Defraggler & Revo-uninstaller all free programs that works great have not had anymore problems since I downloaded those programs. My self the Norton one would not have it again.

dude forget dell... you may have to take it to a pro.

i just went through this same crap a few months ago and dude i had to do some major cleaning. it worked but for a while i was crying thinking my pc was dead.

download something called trojan remover. you can also get a free antivirus system which i switched from AVG to called Avira.

just google free avira. :) its totally worth it.

but definitely get that trojan remover. its free for like 30 days and does a deep scan under the radar finding stuff that usually avoids all typical virus scanners.

its www.simplysup.com :)

ps... moofooga found that for me when i was in deep trouble with my pc. :)

The fact that after they "cleaned it off" and it came back tells me that they didn't really get it off the first time. I have my doubts that they really got rid of it this second time too. Some virus/spyware nowadays are extremely difficult to remove unless someone knows what they're doing.

Next time do not bother with paying Dell & take it to a reputable shop.
That or I can remotely work on your computer & get the job done right.