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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Internet/Network Security > Computer Security & Viruses > virus may be blocking access to anti-virus software
Expert: James Filmer - 11/11/2009
Question
QUESTION: what is - windows cannot access the specified device, path or file - ? is this a trojan or virus that overrides any security diagnostic attempt? I used super-anti spyware to get rid of a problem that said it removed but I heard somewhere that these software programs only get around 70 percent of the problems. is someone accessing my computer hard-drive with all the info on it and it wont make any difference if I put valuable data on a USB flash drive? when I try to re-install an old software or install new anti-virus software ( free ) the download process is incomplete or aborted.
dell inspiron 1525 laptop / super-anti spyware software / windows basic firewall ( on ) / attempted to download malwarebytes
( didnt work ) / novice.
ANSWER: simon,
Do you currently have an anti-virus program running on your system? If so, what is it and is it up to date and working correctly? If not, how long have you been using your computer online without one?
Please check to make sure you have all Windows critical security updates installed successfully.
Go to Enrgy21.com and click on Superantispyware. Are you taken directly to Superantispyware.com or some other site?
Also, when does the error message "windows cannot access the specified device, path or file" appear and what system are you on?
And, the 70% number is not accurate. No one can say for sure how effective a reputable antispyware application is, but none will find 100% of all spyware (trojans, worms...). It's good to have more than one reputable program like Spybot S&D (free), Superantispyware (as long as it's not a fake knock-off), and Malwarebytes or Lavasoft Ad-ware, or a-squared, or Windows Defender and a few others as good as these.
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QUESTION: no anti-virus for 6 months, ( someone online said it doesnt do much good and uses up too much disc space ). windows critical security updates done. ( cant even open windows security center - had it turned off for some application I was doing a while back ). Enrgy21.com taken directly to super-anti spyware site. error message - windows cannot access the specified device, path or file when I try to open super-anti spyware or highjack this already on my computer to run a scan.
vista basic.
ANSWER: No anti-virus program running while you're on the Internet is a big mistake coming from very bad advice. Please list the programs you don't recognize in Add?Remove Programs.
Are you logged in as Administrator?
Consider not surfing a much as you normally do until you have an anti-virus program. On a lighter note, at least you have the critical security updates.
You could try this too: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
We need to be able to access your security programs and download/install an anti-virus application. How we go about that depends on the level of virus and spyware infection (can't tell yet), and if the error message is related to that (it may not be).
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QUESTION: I dont really surf that much anyway, just a few news sites,ebay and youtube and one or two others I have used with no trouble in the past. its sites I dont know that bother me ( whats going to happen etc. ). I am logged on as administrator. I dont really know where to begin on the microsoft support site but I will favorite the site to be able to go back to it. as I say, I cant even open windows security center and when I went to symantec ( norton ) to do a check for virus scan it would not work. and when I try to un-install then re-install super-anti spyware or highjackthis they wont install properly now. the desktop icons look funny also, no color just blank empty spaces or white and black design patterns. I have a feeling that any attempt at getting or downloading an anti-virus program will meet with great difficulty.
one more thing, I did un-install something on my add/remove programs list to try to get rid of this problem yesterday which had an icon like the strange one appearing on my task bar when this problem hit me. its possible I could have un-installed something that I actually needed.
is there a way to see the add/remove programs more thouroughly like a full list and actually interpret what they mean? so many coded titles! or should I just copy and paste the list and send that on my next reply?
Answer
What system are you using? XP Home, Professional, 2000...? If XP, is it the most current version SP3? Are you using Windows Firewall? Can you go directly to the Firewall via Start > Control Panel > Windows Classic view, "Windows Firewall"?
What you type of connection are you on? Do you remember doing anything on your system around the same time you started receiving the error message?
You may need to follow some instructions on the Microsoft support page (link in previous reply) so, please check it out; if we need to do this, will help you.
To access your security programs, you need to take ownership of files and folders and the only way will be either for you to do it yourself, take it to someone who can do it for you (wish I could but I'm not there), or the problem is related to viruses and spyware.
If it's viruses or other malware, we're working on that by looking at what software is installed
I may be able to help you remove some spyware/virus, but if accessing applications involves Permission to access the files (not viruses...), removing some will not fix the other problem.
About Add/Remove Programs, there are tools that can be downloaded to help with that, but you have the error/download/install problem. So, copy and paste, or type out what's there that you're not sure of, or send an image (screen shot).
About screenshots and sending, are you able to do what it says here?: http://hosting.intermedia.net/support/kb/default.asp?id=816
Also, please check out the replies here:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/254346-wind... and see if you can try any of them.
Still not knowing enough about your system and what's on it, anything more you can provide about it will be helpful. At this point, I'd ask for a Hijackthis log, but since that's not possible, would you consider restoring your system to an earlier date, or would you rather continue with in the current direction?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may1...
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