Solved administrative errors... are they a problem?

[dalibella]

Hello,
it all started with my calling Dell because my cursor is driving me crazy (jumping around) and I was transferred to My tech Guru who took hold of the computer and went into this administrative page where he found thousands of errors. He told me that my computer was in danger of being hacked, in short he wanted to charge me to fix it. I told him no thanks. Now I am worried. I never saw a warning of any kind... I would appreciate help. Thanks I have a Dell Inspiron 5110 with windows 7 home premium.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

You were correct not to pay for this to be fixed - assumming it requires fixing - we can help you sort this out.

Can you show us a screen capture of these 'adminstrative errors' he was referring too?

Can you also run through this tutorial so we can see your system specification:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

What anti-virus software do you have installed at the moment?

Regards,
Golden

 

[dalibella]

Hi thanks for answering. I took only a couple of screen shots. If you tell me how to get back there I can take them all. I am using avg free and I installed a malaware detector Malawarebytes. It did find some when it scanned and quarantined them. I downloaded the Avg Rescue cd and it is now running (though I am not sure what I told it to scan...many choices I did not understand... Just scanning everything I see.) as soon as it finishes I will follow your instructions on how to get back to the admin event screen. Thank you very much

 

[karlsnooks]

Please update your system specs.

Follow this procedure please. My favorite program for this purpose is SPECCY.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

 

[dalibella]

Hi I updated most of what I could find from the program you suggested. also I saved the administrative events that I was told could cause major catastrophes. Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

All I see are performance related issues - nothing that could lead to hacking of any sort.

Has your PC generally been performing sluggishly? Can you recall the exact names of the malware you found?

Regards,
Golden

 

[karlsnooks]

dalibella,
If you suspect malware, then please carry out this procedure:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

 

[dalibella]

Well, possibly.... I don't have another one to compare with. I have Tune up Utilities which is supposed to optimize and do whatever else it needs to do. I am glad there are no hacking problems... gee that guy was a lier!!!! and I let him into my computer too... do you have any suggestions regarding how to best optimize? Thanks for the help.

 

[dalibella]

To Karlsnooks. I used Malawarebytes and after it found problems it quarantined them. I ran it again and found nothing. I can do what you suggest tomorrow. hopefully no more problems. By the way, I think that the jumping cursor which stated the whole investigation was due to a corrupt driver. I replaced it and the cursor seems ok now. Thanks for your help

 

[Golden]

I have Tune up Utilities which is supposed to optimize and do whatever else it needs to do.

Hi,

Forget all these optimizers, they do more harm that good - Windows is exceptionally good at maintaining itself. Its a far cry from Windows XP. Uninstall any 3rd party optimizers

Follow Karl's suggestion above just to be sure. Consider replacing AVG with MSE.

Lastly, can you try this, and report back the results:

1. Click Start rb:
2. In the search box, type cmd
3. Right-click on cmd.exe and choose 'Run as administrator'
4. In the cmd window that opens, type sfc /scannow and hit enter

Post back the results when its done.

Also, read this and consider if its soemthing you want to try for a nice, clean, fast and trouble-free Windows 7 experience:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

Regards,
Golden

 

[karlsnooks]

Uninstall TuneUp Utilities. Serves no useful or needed purpose.

I'll await your report from running WDO.

 

[dalibella]

Hi,
I ran the test and it said there were no integrity violations. I will try to follow all your suggestions, but I think my problem was fixed. Thank you for your time and effort. Best wishes to all.