Desktop/possible infection

[Luna Baby]

Hubby has an older desktop that he thinks has been hit with a virus. He can get it started up in safe mode but not safe mode with internet access. He had been hit previously but thought it had been cleaned. Apparently not. AVG will attempt a scan upon his request, but once it starts up, it'll shut the scan down in about 3-5 seconds.

I use the AVG (free version) as my regular anti-virus but also use TrendMicro's Housecall when I've encountered issues that AVG couldn't resolve. I tried to download the Housecall to a thumb drive, but it wasn't what he needed. Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable, free, download/save to a thumb drive program so that we can even try to scan his computer. I'm not technically savvy and sometimes I'll search for 2 hours for something one of you more knowledgeble folks can go right to.

Thanks!

[emax4]

He can also try the free version of MalwareBytes Anti Malware. That seems to find a handful of possibilities that the other ones can't find.

Some anti-virus software works better than others. Every so often I'll see that NewEgg advertises Kaspersky's Antivirus software for free after $50 rebate. This pops up once or twice a month or so. I got the 3-user version for $50 about a month ago and just got the rebate check today.

(MODS: I know I'm not supposed to post spam, but the antivirus software here is free after rebate, and free is what the OP is looking for. Please remove this post if you feel it violates the rules.)

[Hawaiian Eskimo]

Try loading rkill to a flashdrive and running it. It kills all the malware processes so you can run some "real" removal tools. You can get it here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/down...ti-virus/rkill

As far as an actual removal program goes, Malwarebytes has always done the trick for me. Without internet access, you'll have to update it manually, but it's not too difficult. Install and update it on a machine that does work fine, and then you can copy the definitions file (C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\rules.ref in 7/Vista, or C:\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\rules.ref in XP) from the updated computer to the infected one after you install it on both. You can get it here: http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[Luna Baby]

Thanks, guys! I'll forward the information you've given me on to hubby. He has a laptop that he works off of as well, so he still has internet access in some form that he can use to download the programs you've listed.

I always look here when there seems to be a computer issue in our house. I've discovered the answer lots of times, just by lurking in here.