Having some system trouble

[Wii Master 64]

Hey guys, I'm having a problem with my system. Last night, this message had popped up saying Windows is not genuine (and it is). So I clicked on the button that said activate. Then I shut down, and got back on today. So, I open up Firefox, and the webpages weren't showing up, even though the wireless was working fine. Then I open up Action Center and its saying that I don't have Anti-virus. I look at my desktop and my Malwarebytes icon is missing and so is the .exe. Then I try to open Norton, and it doesn't do anything. I rebooted into safe mode and re-downloaded Malwarebytes, and ran a quick scan. It says it didn't find anything. Then, I try to open Norton again, and it says that some components may be missing in safe mode, and would I like to run a full system scan. I clicked yes. Then another window pops up asking about the license agreement, and not seeing a no button anywhere, I click yes again. I waited, and nothing happened. So, I tried again and still nothing happened. It sounds like I have a virus, and I'm beginning to think that that Genuine Windows pop-up was malware, though I'm not sure if that's the case. Anyways, I'm going to log onto my account normally and see if the Internet begins working properly and I might as well run a full system scan. Any help would be appreciated.

Update: I logged into my account normally, and Firefox still won't work, but Chrome and IE will. Also, Norton randomly stopped working, although this isn't the first time that's happened, but I'm wondering why it does this every now and then.

 

[richc46]

Call the appropriate number, Input your key. It will show as not valid, because it is already in use. A rep will come on the phone, explain and see if you are genuine. If so. We will move to the next step.

Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers

We will check you out for any kind of malware. If clean we will work with your system until we see a

It sounds like malware to me or a virus. Either can make your machine do anything.

 

[Wii Master 64]

Just for the record the message appeared only once. Also, when someone was trying to use it, I found out, there was an error message at boot-up and it just started doing stuff. They said that they couldn't remember what it said. Also, I know that my copy is genuine, I activated it when I installed it and also in my computer it says it's activated. I know very well that it's genuine.

 

[richc46]

OK, you are genuine. So we move on. Try this clean boot and see if problem persists. If not follow the clean boot instructions to localize the problem.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

If that comes up ok, and I think that it will. I would concentrate on malware, even though the test was already taken.
Try these online scans

http://home.mcafee.com/Downloads/FreeScan.aspx
http://www.superantispyware.com/onlinescan.html

Sounds like the virus may be affecting your scans.

 

[Wii Master 64]

Ok, before I do any of that, I do have progress. Ok, I uninstalled Norton, so now Firefox is working properly, Norton just took it down with it I guess. Also, I've had Norton do this back when I had Vista. Do you think I should still do a clean boot? Oh, and I think this is worth mentioning, I do a selective start-up as it is. I only load my Synaptics driver, and I don't think that would be the problem.

 

[richc46]

Using my best judgement. I think that the clean boot would be the least likely remedy. When this is done use Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes to avoid future problems.

In my opinion if it is not malware or virus, the quick fix would be a system restore from about a week before the problem. Then get rid of Norton and use MSE as suggested and Malwarebytes..

 

[Wii Master 64]

Well, I installed Norton again before I read this message, and I already have Malwarebytes. I don't guess this is a virus though, since its happened before on Vista for random reasons. I appreciate your help though, and you will get probably more than +1 rep from me, if that's possible. Also, I can't uninstall Norton because I'm in highschool and my parents like its parental controls.

 

[richc46]

I really am glad that I am able to help. Your gratitude and rep is very, very much appreciated.

I understand, about Norton.

 

[polarbear]

Likely not the best idea to mix Norton and Malwarebytes together... GL

 

[richc46]

It is ok if Malwarbytes does not offer real time protection. The free version does not.

 

[gregrocker]

Norton is an infection in itself. It takes control of your computer and throttles it.

Best to remove it - download and use Norton removal tool after uninstalling using Revo uninstaller.

Tell your folks Win7 has stable, built-in Parental Controls in Control panel.

 

[Wii Master 64]

I've tried to tell them that there's better software elsewhere, but they won't listen. I really don't like Norton and I really wish I could get rid of it. But my parents (well, my dad specifically) thinks that Norton has the best parental controls out there. Also, I don't want to sacrifice my Admin account for parental controls. Thanks anyways everyone, you're all a big help.