HEEEEEELP! I just got hit by the XP Antivirus 2008 virus. I've been fooling around trying to get rid of it for two days now. I'm no further ahead now than the minute it hit me. I've found some instructions for getting rid of it but they are not detailed enough for me. They assume that I know more about computers, etc. than I really know. Can someone point me to some site or whatever that can really help? I just hate to pay someone to do something that I could (conceivably) do myself. Meanwhile I'm begging computer time from my buds. helpmehelpmehelpme!
# Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix. # Next, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode by doing the following: * Restart your computer * After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8. * Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear * Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode. * Login as a user with administrator privileges. # When your computer has started in safe mode, and you see the desktop, continue with the rest of the instructions. # Click on the Start button and then select the Run option. # In the Open: field type C:\Program Files\ and then press the OK button. # When the folder appears, if it says These files are hidden, click on the Show the contents of this folder option. # When the C:\Program Files\ folder opens, look through the list of folders and when you find the folder named XPAntivirus or VAP left-click on it once so it becomes highlighted. # Then hit the Delete button on your keyboard and when it asks if you are you want to delete the folder, click on the Yes button with your mouse. # When the folder is deleted, reboot your computer back to normal mode. Sources: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080617021220AA6MRro&show=7 http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2873308&SiteID=2
Hi hwyrogue - Thanks for your suggestion. It worked fine until I got into the Program Files. At that point there just wasn't any file named VAP or XPantivirus (or anything remotely like that. I even looked through all the subfolders. Could there be another way?
How to Remove XP Antivirus Protection Read How to Remove XP Antivirus Protection for instructions on its removal from your computer system.
Hi sentinel. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. me again - I clicked on the wrong video link. There was no clue (to me) that it was bad.
In the end I wound up wiping my hard drive and reloading everything. I managed to save all my word documents but I lost all my bookmarks. It took me years to accumulate those bookmarks and I'll probably never get them all back again. As it is I think I got off easy. My computer is back in action and even seems faster now. Thaks.
It would seem faster - everytime you install a program it gets bogged down by preloading files - these files stay there even after you un-install the program. Ideally one should wipe a hd every year and start from scratch I know your pc was salvageable but with my schedule I can't be around as much as I'd like to be.
Well then I guess my quick fix would have been wasted. I was going to suggest: 1.) Place computer in bag and drive to nearest pawn shop. 2.) Sell the PC 3.) Take the money and buy a Mac.
I signed up for Carbonite online backup a few months ago, and as the advertising states, I sleep better at night. It was something like $75 for two years; http://www.carbonite.com/
Step 1: Download Firefox Step 2: Download NoScript (http://noscript.net/) Step 3: Stop watching pr0n ;-)
Here's a cool free utility that cleans all the crap out of your cache, temp folders, etc., and you'll notice an improvement in performance; http://www.ccleaner.com (stands for "crap cleaner")
Your bookmarks could have been preserved as they are stored in a file usually named bookmarks.htm or bookmarks.html. The file could have been copied just like your MSWord documents. If it makes you feel any better, most of us have probably experienced the need to reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system, applications, and whatever documents we managed to salvage. The online backup solution Bruce suggested is a good idea. Alternatively, buy an external USB hard drive to store all your documents while the operating system and applications are installed on the hard drive inside the computer case (system unit).
