There are no dumb questions here, and I can't help with your wallpaper question. But first, you want to be sure you are malware-free, then I'm sure someone can restore your wallpaper.
As a first step, if you have Win 2000/XP/Vista, I would suggest you download and install the free utility MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware from here: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Once installed, check for updates. Then run a Quick scan, and remove/quarantine anything it finds. Report back here on anything found, as further instructions/cleaning may be necessary.
Thanks for your help -- I downloaded that and had more than 20 errors. So I had it clean the 20 -- is it worth the $25 to download to clean up the rest or do you have another solution -- I already have Symantec/Norton on my computer (provided by my employer) and when I first got the computer 2.5 years ago, I had problems because I was trying to run two virus programs.
"Is it worth the $25 to download to clean up the rest"
the scanner/remover component in MBAM is completely free... it should remove anything that's in its database that it's capable of removing... in other words, there should be no "rest" that you have to pay MBAM to clean.
the PAID version of MBAM, rather than cleaning any more/better, instead offers continual, real-time protection/prevention [against catching more infections].
so if you're saying that MBAM got some, but not all, of your problem, we'll need to consider another scanner [or diagnostic tool].
MBAM produced a log of what it found/deleted. can you post a copy of that log?
-----------------------------------
as for the missing DELL wallpaper, is the problem that you've tried to change your wallpaper, and something is preventing the change from taking effect? or is the problem that you're not sure where to look to find the wallpaper choices? --- they should be located in your Control Panel, DISPLAY, under the DESKTOP tab. click on (or scroll through) each of the backgrounds listed, to see if you can find the DELL one; and if so, APPLY it, and click OK.
is it worth the $25 to download to clean up the rest or do you have another solution -
tpcmjc, that is not the way MBAM runs their business. Did you misunderstand somewhere along the way? The free version cleans tons of stuff. Activating the full version just adds realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating.
Message Edited by Bugbatter on 09-18-2008 03:56 PM
I did click on the original link provided and downloaded from that page. It must not have been right. I did get it deleted off the computer (I think) but then had to go to work so I won't get a chance to actually try downloading from the latest link provided until tonight around 11 p.m. CST
I truly appreciate everyone's help/input. I will upate this post when I have tried the next step.
I forgot to respond about the wallpaper comment -- nope, I didn't try to change it -- was happy with what we had. Just through all this removal of the antivirus (the XP 2008 something) it disappeared. It "defaulted" to a bright blue screen but once you click to do anything it whole wallpaper goes white. I can't get it to keep any wallpaper.
Click
Start, click
Control Panel and then double-click
Display.
Click on the
Desktop tab, then click the
Customize Desktop button. Click on the
Web tab. Under
Web Pages you should see a checked entry called
Security info or something similar. If it is there, select that entry and click the
Delete button. Click
Ok then
Apply and
Ok.
SUCCESS! I successfully downloaded and ran the Malware software. I removed all but a couple items. I was wondering if these two specific items has anything to do with wallpaper settings.
they were listed in the desktop settings as original wallpaper and converted wallpaper. If I remove them will I lose my settings.
Thanks for the directions on finding the dell wallpaper. I got it and it appears to be staying!!!
" I removed all but a couple items. I was wondering if these two specific items has anything to do with wallpaper settings." I don't know for sure, without seeing the MBAM log, but if the computer seems to be working normally, leave them for now.
Don't forget to flush System Restore so you can start fresh.
If everything is running well.... To flush the XP System Restore Points: (Using XP, you must be logged in as Administrator to do this.) Go to Start>Run and type msconfig Press enter. When msconfig opens, click the Launch System Restore Button. On the next page, click the System Restore Settings Link on the left. Check the box labeled Turn Off System Restore.
Reboot. Go back in and turn System Restore ON. A new Restore Point will be created.
If I were you, I would scan with and update MBAM at least once a week, or whenever you think you may have been on a site you do not trust. If you get tired of manually updating and on-demand scanning, upgrading to the paid version will do that automatically.
Message Edited by Bugbatter on 09-19-2008 03:24 PM
Okay, so unfortunately I don't know/remember how to log on as the administrator.
I tried copying the log (of the two things I questioned) and it wouldn't let me. I saved the log to my system and it still wouldn't let me. It called them hijack something -- and since it was mentioned that I go to hijack on this forum if the wallpaper didn't work, I thought maybe those were things I need to keep the Dell custom wallpaper...make sense?
This forum has been way more helpful than any phone service operator could be. Love this feature. You speak in terms that I can follow. I know my way around a computer for the most part but unfortunately some of it is just TOO technical for me!!:smileywink:
joe53
2 Intern
•
5.8K Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 05:00
Welcome to DCF, tpcmjc;
There are no dumb questions here, and I can't help with your wallpaper question. But first, you want to be sure you are malware-free, then I'm sure someone can restore your wallpaper.
As a first step, if you have Win 2000/XP/Vista, I would suggest you download and install the free utility MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware from here:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Once installed, check for updates.
Then run a Quick scan, and remove/quarantine anything it finds.
Report back here on anything found, as further instructions/cleaning may be necessary.
Good luck!
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 15:00
Thanks for your help -- I downloaded that and had more than 20 errors. So I had it clean the 20 -- is it worth the $25 to download to clean up the rest or do you have another solution -- I already have Symantec/Norton on my computer (provided by my employer) and when I first got the computer 2.5 years ago, I had problems because I was trying to run two virus programs.
again, thanks for your help!!
ky331
3 Apprentice
•
15.6K Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 16:00
that doesn't "feel" like MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti-Malware)... are you SURE that's the program you downloaded?
if it's anything else, let's get rid of it!
here's a direct download link to get MBAM:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 16:00
It told me the "trial" version that is free will only remove 20 items.
Here is the list.
Active X and COM -- 220 items
App Paths -1 item
File Types 29
help files 5
history lists 12
shortcuts 9
software 1
start menu 1
deep scan 24
current user 9
ky331
3 Apprentice
•
15.6K Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 16:00
"Is it worth the $25 to download to clean up the rest"
the scanner/remover component in MBAM is completely free... it should remove anything that's in its database that it's capable of removing... in other words, there should be no "rest" that you have to pay MBAM to clean.
the PAID version of MBAM, rather than cleaning any more/better, instead offers continual, real-time protection/prevention [against catching more infections].
so if you're saying that MBAM got some, but not all, of your problem, we'll need to consider another scanner [or diagnostic tool].
MBAM produced a log of what it found/deleted. can you post a copy of that log?
Bugbatter
3 Apprentice
•
20.5K Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 18:00
tpcmjc, that is not the way MBAM runs their business. Did you misunderstand somewhere along the way? The free version cleans tons of stuff. Activating the full version just adds realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating.
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 21:00
I did click on the original link provided and downloaded from that page. It must not have been right. I did get it deleted off the computer (I think) but then had to go to work so I won't get a chance to actually try downloading from the latest link provided until tonight around 11 p.m. CST
I truly appreciate everyone's help/input. I will upate this post when I have tried the next step.
Bugbatter
3 Apprentice
•
20.5K Posts
0
September 18th, 2008 21:00
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 01:00
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 01:00
Bugbatter
3 Apprentice
•
20.5K Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 02:00
Click on the Desktop tab, then click the Customize Desktop button. Click on the Web tab. Under Web Pages you should see a checked entry called Security info or something similar. If it is there, select that entry and click the Delete button. Click Ok then Apply and Ok.
If that does not work, it might be good to post a HijackThis log on the HijackThis Board. "HOW TO POST..." instructions are at the top of that board.
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board?board.id=si_hijack
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 14:00
SUCCESS! I successfully downloaded and ran the Malware software. I removed all but a couple items. I was wondering if these two specific items has anything to do with wallpaper settings.
they were listed in the desktop settings as original wallpaper and converted wallpaper. If I remove them will I lose my settings.
Thanks for the directions on finding the dell wallpaper. I got it and it appears to be staying!!!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! :smileyvery-happy:
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 14:00
Bugbatter
3 Apprentice
•
20.5K Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 18:00
Glad we were able to help.
" I removed all but a couple items. I was wondering if these two specific items has anything to do with wallpaper settings."
I don't know for sure, without seeing the MBAM log, but if the computer seems to be working normally, leave them for now.
Don't forget to flush System Restore so you can start fresh.
If everything is running well....
To flush the XP System Restore Points:
(Using XP, you must be logged in as Administrator to do this.)
Go to Start>Run and type msconfig Press enter.
When msconfig opens, click the Launch System Restore Button.
On the next page, click the System Restore Settings Link on the left.
Check the box labeled Turn Off System Restore.
Reboot. Go back in and turn System Restore ON. A new Restore Point will be created.
If I were you, I would scan with and update MBAM at least once a week, or whenever you think you may have been on a site you do not trust. If you get tired of manually updating and on-demand scanning, upgrading to the paid version will do that automatically.
tpcmjc
11 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 20:00
Okay, so unfortunately I don't know/remember how to log on as the administrator.
I tried copying the log (of the two things I questioned) and it wouldn't let me. I saved the log to my system and it still wouldn't let me. It called them hijack something -- and since it was mentioned that I go to hijack on this forum if the wallpaper didn't work, I thought maybe those were things I need to keep the Dell custom wallpaper...make sense?
This forum has been way more helpful than any phone service operator could be. Love this feature. You speak in terms that I can follow. I know my way around a computer for the most part but unfortunately some of it is just TOO technical for me!!:smileywink: