Expert: Lorry - 4/11/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I recieved a virus about a week ago and can't get rid of it. It seems to be in a folder named pics on my desk top. Any time I place my curser close to the folder I get a error. I can't delete this folder even in safe mode. I've tryed many virus removal software. Some just freeze and others just shut down when they get close to the folder. I tryed rebooting into safe mode with a command. When I get to the folder and try to delete it with the del command the screen goes blank. Nothing I've tryed in regular windows or safe mode will allow me to get close to the virus. If I could even find out what virus it is I could search the internet for removal instructions. My drive is partisioned about 6 gig where the virus is and about 150 gig on the other side. Any help would be great!
ANSWER: Hi Arnie,

Without knowing the name of the virus, not much help - sorry. Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Click the GO button, then under Virus Detection, click Start. You might be told that you need to download and install ActiveX Controls for the scan to work, answer Yes.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

Hope this helps!
Lorry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello, I went and tried the scan on symantec. When the scan came to the folder on my desktop a error box comes up saying there was a problem with explorer and explorer shuts down. Any other ideas beside formatting?

Thanks
Arnie

Answer
Hi Arnie,

Before running the scan, with Internet Explorer opened, go to Tools, Internet Options, under the General tab click Delete under Browsing history, click Apply, then OK. Also, do not have any other programs running when running the scan.

If that doesn't work, let me know the exact error that you are getting. Make sure that you allow active x to run, otherwise Symantec cannot run the scan.

Hope this helps!
Lorry