contents of C\windows switched with contents of c\program files

Shawn N said:

Well i ran the file integrity checker and that didn't work.

I somehow misplaced my windows 7 install disk. Is there any way I can do a repair install without it?

System Repair Disc - Create

The above link outlines two methods of creating a system repair disc. One from within windows, the other via a download.


James

mborner said:

Question 1: How, and why, did you change your host file?
Question 2: Have you tried changing it back to see if it fixes things?

If you were trying to fix a Google redirect issue by deleting malicious hosts from C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc, it's very effective. I've done it in the past and it works great as long as you leave "local host 127.0.0.1 alone. Clearing out malicious redirect hosts never affected my PC in any way. Or, did you modify it some other way?

Not yet, but I am planning on it.

I downloaded a torrent and it told me to change the hosts file.

Thanks for the help everybody. I seemed to fix the problem by fixing my memory using the system repair disk.

Shawn N said:

- I then tried to access a file in c\program files but could not find it, but it mysteriously felt like I was in the c\windows directory. So I looked in c\windows and found the file I was previously looking for in c\program files.

The other problem is that any file or program that is rooted in those folders gives me an error message reading "location is unavailable" whenever I try to access it.

Shawn

hi, Shawn.

Although it sounds as though you computer is back to normal, what you described sounds like the new rogue HDD Defragmenter. Microsoft MVP, miekiemoes, posted images at Rogue HDDDefragmenter.

Even if that wasn't your problem, should someone come across this thread via a search engine, they may want to check the uninstall instructions at Bleeping Computer: Remove HDD Defragmenter (Uninstall Guide).

Corrine said:

Shawn N said:

- I then tried to access a file in c\program files but could not find it, but it mysteriously felt like I was in the c\windows directory. So I looked in c\windows and found the file I was previously looking for in c\program files.

The other problem is that any file or program that is rooted in those folders gives me an error message reading "location is unavailable" whenever I try to access it.

Shawn

hi, Shawn.

Although it sounds as though you computer is back to normal, what you described sounds like the new rogue HDD Defragmenter. Microsoft MVP, miekiemoes, posted images at Rogue HDDDefragmenter.

Even if that wasn't your problem, should someone come across this thread via a search engine, they may want to check the uninstall instructions at Bleeping Computer: Remove HDD Defragmenter (Uninstall Guide).

Wow, ya that is exactly what it was. I was suspicious that is was a malware program in the beginning, but my webroot antivirus and spyware couldn't detect it so I figured it was legit.

Cool. thanks!

You're welcome, Shawn.

It is a very new rogue so likely wasn't in detection by your A/V. Bleeping Computer just posted the tutorial today. You may want to take the extra step of scanning your computer with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.