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1. luckymom30
   Member Profile

   Need recommendations for local computer repair, price and how soon it can be repaired. The sooner the better.

   Posted 9 months ago #         

2. chrisma
   Member Profile

   

   what's wrong with the computer?

   Posted 9 months ago #         

3. sw
   Member Profile

   Ken.

   Search "Ken" in the forums and you'll certainly find a computer repair post with his contact info. Look no further.

   Posted 9 months ago #         

4. Jiggers
   Member Profile

   

   My Netbook wireless feature totally crapped out.It works fine with cable, but I'm just wondering if its worth the money to fix the issue or just buy a nano adapter for $50.00

   Posted 9 months ago #         

5. luckymom30
   Member Profile

   Laptop has a Trojan virus and also malicous software called XP 2012 Security Protection has taken over the laptop making it unoperable. Tried to do a system restore, it would not work. Downloaded on cds ms malicious software removal tool and also highjackthis from my desktop to the laptop would not read the files. Laptop has no internet connection now due to this malicious software takeover. Tried the F10 and alt key to bring the system to factory settings, nothing worked. Also tried to check on the user accounts on the laptop but that feature has been blocked and the system restore feature had been turned off on both drives by this malicious software.

   Called Bestbuy they charge $200.00 to repair, called Staples they charge $150.00. We need the laptop within 1 1/2 weeks as there is information on the harddrive we need to print and send.

   Posted 9 months ago #         

6. chrisma
   Member Profile

   

   @luckymom:

   You might try a system restore this way:

   Re-start your computer and hit F-8 during re-boot
   Select safe mode as start up
   Go to programs/accessories/system tools/system restore
   Select a date prior to virus
   You will lose what you did since the virus.

   That may at least get you to a place where you can run some things and get on the internet. I would use Malwarebytes if you can get it to download.

   This thread talks a bit more about how to clean up this particular malware:

   http://www.myantispyware.com/2011/06/11/how-to-remove-xp-antivirus-2012-virus/

   Personally, I'd be more inclined to pull the hard drive, backup the data you need from the laptop, and restore the computer to factory settings. Then you'd be sure it's taken care of.

   If feels like it's beyond your comfort zone, I could help you out with it today or tomorrow morning. I have the necessary tools to pull the hard drive and get the data off of it.

   If you like, you can email me by clicking my user name.

   Good luck!

   Posted 9 months ago #         

7. clark5080
   Member Profile

   

   You need to wipe the drive and start over. do you have the OS disks?

   Jiggers I have a usb wifi antenna you can have it is brand new and in the box.

   Posted 9 months ago #         

8. clark5080
   Member Profile

   

   sorry for the double post

   Posted 9 months ago #         

9. hypnofitness
   Member Profile

   If your laptop will boot from a CD, use a Linux live CD and save your data to a USB stick, and install Linux.

   You won't have virus issues anymore, ever.

   Posted 9 months ago #         

10. luckymom30
    Member Profile

    Hi Chrism - I tried what you suggested rebooting the computer and choosing F8, but nothing happens. I tried to get it into safe mode and nothing happens. The pop up for XP 2012 Security Protection blocks everything. It turned off the firewall too.

    Posted 9 months ago #         

11. celeste17
    Member Profile

    

    I would call Ken 206-801-0349. He has solved many problems I have had over the years. Great guy works out of his house in the Highpoint area.

    Posted 9 months ago #         

12. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    @luckymom: I'm here in the Morgan Junction/Gatewood area, and if you want I could come to you and see if we can get you going.

    EDIT: I removed my phone number so it's not out on the internets forever. Feel free to email me and I can give it to you, if you didn't already write it down. Just click my username.

    Posted 9 months ago #         

13. chrisma
    Member Profile

    

    also, typically you want to start tapping the F8 key just as soon as you start up the computer and the screen first lights up, and keep tapping until the Windows Advanced Boot options appear.

    F8 is pretty universal, but I seem to remember that on some computers this may be disabled or assigned to another key.

    Is this the Sony VAIO that you mentioned a few month's ago in another computer repair thread? If so, F8 should work (according to my Googling).

    Posted 9 months ago #         

14. Ken
    Member Profile

    

    I can fix it. But the xp 2012 security protection is so ugly and pernicious that you will definitely have to reload. If you have any data on it That you want to keep I can get it off onto a flash drive or a cd/dvd. The linux boot disk is what I use to recover data from infested computers.

    There are a lot of different ways to clean up after viri and malware but the fake security programs (usually called scareware or extortion ware) have evolved to the point that a nuke and reload is the only way to know you have a clean system.

    I work for free for anyone on public assistance or SS/SSD, unemployed or under-employed. Parts are extra and donations go to maintain the free work and reused parts for everyone else.

    I have had requests from Nickelsville for older laptops but I don't have any at the moment. If you have one stuck in a box or shelf somewhere (p4 at least) I can refurb it and pass it on.

    Posted 9 months ago #         

15. computer_shop
    Member Profile

    I respectfully disagree with the idea that the pc needs to be wiped. I've cleaned dozens. I do have to charge $100 for the time but it is certainly doable.

    LawDesk Computers, 206.935.9654

    Posted 9 months ago #         

16. luckymom30
    Member Profile

    Thanks to everyone who responded to my plea of help, I could fix the laptop too if the xp 2012 security protection software had not wormed its way into the system files and made the system unresponsive. The software turned off the system restore to both c and d drives, made the F8 and F10 keys unresponsive. Husband took laptop to Staples before I could tell him about maybe contacting Ken. They are wiping the harddrive clean and removing the malicious software.

    Posted 9 months ago #         

17. treefairies
    Member Profile

    I am trying to reach Ken for a hard drive recovery on my Dell. I have tried emailing with no luck. He has been highly recommended. Anybody have any better ideas on how to reach him? Thanks so much!

    Posted 7 months ago #         

18. Ken
    Member Profile

    

    I am here . I got your email at 1:12 am it looks like and had not checked it this morning until I saw your post.

    Did the Dell become unbootable? or did the hd become undetected by the bios... Did the Dell techs walk you through the on board hard drive test and if so do you remember the error code?

    If the drive can still be detected, then there is a good chance some of all of the files can be recovered.

    I will email my cell number and address.

    Posted 7 months ago #         

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