Is it a virus?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 30 Aug 2009, 01:06

Well, what I once thought impossible has happened. My computer is very sluggish and takes forever (about 30 seconds-1 minute, maybe more) to load Windows before the Welcome screen opens. The wireless connection is very random (it works and then it doesn't work, even if I'm close to a wireless router), and I have had some nasty computer crashes.

The thing is Avast and Ad-Aware don't detect any viruses or worms or anything. So is this a new virus or might this be the computer having trouble sorting out information (must mention that my HD is has 34% left of free space). RAM is 2GB, processor is 1.6Ghz (don't think the processor is the problem. Never had problems with it before).

I did try to do a disk clean-up several times and it just aborts for no apparent reason, without explanation or cause.

cpt nick · Post by **cpt nick** » 02 Sep 2009, 14:54

It could be time to wipe the HDD and reinstall windows, it might save alot of headaches. Make sure you have all your important data backed up so if the worst happens, then theres no worries.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » 02 Sep 2009, 15:17

When was your last defrag and not the MS type defrag?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 02 Sep 2009, 19:06

@Randy: don't recall. I have only done the defragmenting Windows offers. That didn't do much.

@Nick: Now with Windows 7 coming, I might abandon Windows XP altogether instead of re-installing it.

I have found what the problem is. Apparently, a file inside the system32 file malfunctioned and once one of those files is corrupted, everything goes downhill.

Solutions:
1. Re-install Windows (at the moment it's the best I have but I like the next one better)
2. Upgrade to another version (I'm thinking Win7, or at the very least, Vista)
3. Get a Mac (if I only had the money)

4. Continue as I am and hope Windows finally takes down my laptop (duh, not gonna happen).

Of course, I still need to back up my files first, and that's a big project considering I'd need to buy another external HD and move ALL files there (unless I find one that does an automatic back up).

Randy · Post by **Randy** » 02 Sep 2009, 19:11

Yep Dennis. Looks like you have a plan!

cpt nick · Post by **cpt nick** » 03 Sep 2009, 00:07

Dennis wrote: I have found what the problem is. Apparently, a file inside the system32 file malfunctioned and once one of those files is corrupted, everything goes downhill.

I wasnt too far away at least

can't you repair the file in anyway or replace it?

Tom Alder · Post by **Tom Alder** » 03 Sep 2009, 00:08

You should try running some Anti-Malware, it sounds to me like that might be the issue. MalwareBytes is very good(and free), I would highly recommend trying this before wiping your hard-drive!

RatherBFlyin · Post by **RatherBFlyin** » 03 Sep 2009, 00:49

I saw an ad for a 1 TB drive for $199 at Tiger Direct the other day. Drive space is becoming extremely cheap.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 03 Sep 2009, 00:58

cpt nick wrote:can't you repair the file in anyway or replace it?

I don't remember which file went corrupt and I'm not willing to risk losing any data. Besides, with Windows 7 around the corner, I might just make the switch (or like I said, go to Vista).

sanins192 · Post by **sanins192** » 03 Sep 2009, 21:44

When a new OS comes out it's sometimes good to do a complete format and strat fresh. That's probably what I'm going to do when Windows 7 comes out. I've got so much crap on my computer that needs sorting out, and this is just the excuse to do it.

cpt nick · Post by **cpt nick** » 04 Sep 2009, 10:05

RatherBFlyin wrote:I saw an ad for a 1 TB drive for $199 at Tiger Direct the other day. Drive space is becoming extremely cheap.

On Ebuyer.com a 1TB HDD is only £54, which is like $88...??

Northwestdc9 · Post by **Northwestdc9** » 08 Sep 2009, 05:31

Definitely grab a cheap external storage drive to backup your stuff before you do ANYTHING.

RatherBFlyin wrote:I saw an ad for a 1 TB drive for $199 at Tiger Direct the other day. Drive space is becoming extremely cheap.

It's been awesome, I've stocked up over the last year or so. Now sitting at 7.5TBs on the local server, 820GB locally and another 7TBs offsite at my old house in Jersey.

Stock up, it's dirt cheap.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 08 Sep 2009, 12:57

I bought a 320GB back up HD which is more than enough for my laptop (only has about 60GB total). I've heard that Western Digital drives are good. I was tempted to buy 1TB, but it was too much at the moment.

Now gotta wait until I can find a Vista/Windows7 upgrade for XP.

Northwestdc9 · Post by **Northwestdc9** » 10 Sep 2009, 06:35

Dennis wrote:I bought a 320GB back up HD which is more than enough for my laptop (only has about 60GB total). I've heard that Western Digital drives are good. I was tempted to buy 1TB, but it was too much at the moment.

Now gotta wait until I can find a Vista/Windows7 upgrade for XP.

Ooo, hate to tell you after you bought it but Western Digital is probably the worst hard drive manufacturer out there, notorious for hard drive failures. I'm sure you wanted to hear that.

Not to say that I have replaced my Mac's main drive (Western Digital 500GB) with a Seagate yet, I just don't have any laying around at the moment and it's backed up hourly so I'm not too worried.

Samuel Arnold · Post by **Samuel Arnold** » 10 Sep 2009, 09:39

I've got the WD800, which is Western Digital's 80GB drive.
Since I got it 6 months ago, it's given absolutely no trouble.
I used to have a Sony 40GB, and that wasn't as good.

What trouble might you expect from WD drives if they are as bad as you say, Nick?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 10 Sep 2009, 13:13

Many here buy WD and it's preferred over Seagate.

DMM200 · Post by **DMM200** » 10 Sep 2009, 23:07

I've got a RAID on two 1TB WD drives. So far, the performance has been flawless. And just in case, I do have a 500GB Seagate external hard drive with all my data backed up on it.

Northwestdc9 · Post by **Northwestdc9** » 12 Sep 2009, 07:09

Samuel Arnold wrote:What trouble might you expect from WD drives if they are as bad as you say, Nick?

Historically they're known for catastrophic or partial drive failures and overheating.

I've had 1 of the 3 WD drives I've owned fail and my office has had more than they'd wish to think about and have since replaced all of them. (At a significant cost)

Seagate is the best hard drive brand and if I had it my way (The Mac Pro came with WD) it would be my only brand, and I have over 30+ hard drives (Just about 25TBs in storage) in current operation.

sanins192 · Post by **sanins192** » 12 Sep 2009, 19:52

The last hard drive failure I had was a WD, although I don't know if it was a poor design or if it was just overused. My Samsung F1 has been running brilliantly for the last year, so that's what I would recommend to anyone.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 12 Sep 2009, 20:20

I've been learning about Ubuntu. Would you recommend switching over to a Linux based OS? I know FS won't work (but that's what my desktop is for

), but I think my laptop can handle Ubuntu.

EDIT: following up on this, would you recommend doing a dual boot (ie. having both Windows and Linux installed)?

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