Is Windows on its last legs?

[PhaperPlane]

Hey everyone, I've been having a reoccurring problem on my PC. I believe now that it's on its last legs and something needs to be done before the problem gets worse.

 

My machine is running Windows Vista and since November last year (I think) it's been struggling to cope with official updates from Microsoft. Whenever I download an update and I turn off my machine, it will say it's installing (which is fine, this isn't a problem) the updates and will safely shut down. The problem appears when I turn my machine back on, it can't log onto Windows itself and I have to perform a system rollback. This is now standard procedure for every windows update I get and believe me it's really annoying.

 

My next problem is Vista can no longer use the search function on the start menu - saying that "Windows Search Index has stopped and needs to close" or "Windows explorer has stopped working" and then it will restart. Also, Vista in general is now very slow. I've performed Virus checks (after updating the anti-virus database) and I've defragged my hard drive. There are no viruses present and defragging has achieved nothing.

 

Here are the specs of my machine which I'm using:

Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2. (64 Bit version)

Processor Intel® Core2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz

Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB

Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series

Primary hard disk 450GB

 

 

What should I do TIF?

[Intermagma]

Sounds like you have malware. I don't think Windows would act like this on it's own. I recommend there steps to friends all the time time and it almost always works for removing malware. Also, try and upgrade to Windows 7, since it is a much better OS. The OEM 64-bit version is only $99.99.

 

1. Get ride of your current Anti-Virus (I really hope you don't have Norton).

2. Download and install Avast Antivirus (The free version is fine) Just google for this.

3. Download and install Malwarebytes http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

4. Download and install Super Anti Spyware (Sounds really cheesy but it is a fantastic program) http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html

 

(I gave you CNET links because everyone knows CNET is a 100% legit website. I would give official website links but then you might not trust me)

 

5. Run scan's with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware (Not simultaneously, one at a time)

6. When those remove the malware, open Avast and set-up an Avast Boot Scan. This will scan your PC for viruses before it even boots into Windows. Takes about 1-2 hours to finish since it is very thorough.

 

Those usually get rid of any malware you have.

[Sy_Accursed]

Yeah sounds like a smart piece of malware.

Good malware acts to stop windows updates from being applied, thus keeping the security loophole it is using open and it usually cause4s crashed in the index function so that you can't find it by searching.

Advice above is good.

[Sbrideau]

Sounds like you have malware. I don't think Windows would act like this on it's own. I recommend there steps to friends all the time time and it almost always works for removing malware. Also, try and upgrade to Windows 7, since it is a much better OS. The OEM 64-bit version is only $99.99.

 

1. Get ride of your current Anti-Virus (I really hope you don't have Norton).

2. Download and install Avast Antivirus (The free version is fine) Just google for this.

3. Download and install Malwarebytes http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

4. Download and install Super Anti Spyware (Sounds really cheesy but it is a fantastic program) http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html

 

(I gave you CNET links because everyone knows CNET is a 100% legit website. I would give official website links but then you might not trust me)

 

5. Run scan's with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware (Not simultaneously, one at a time)

6. When those remove the malware, open Avast and set-up an Avast Boot Scan. This will scan your PC for viruses before it even boots into Windows. Takes about 1-2 hours to finish since it is very thorough.

 

Those usually get rid of any malware you have.

Only 99.99? You must be a rich ass person if you think that's a low amount of money.

 

Leave Super Anti Spyware alone, I tried it before trying Malwarebytes, and it's no good. Malwayrebytes is very good though.

[Guy]

First post has it all. If it picks nothing up, try scanning in safe mode. Then again, you could go the whole hog and scan from a Linux distro on a CD, though it probably wouldn't come to that.

I don't know if this would make a difference - but if/when I have a virus like this, I would disconnect from internet when scanning. Someone will probably correct me and say this does nothing, but I do it regardless.

[Sy_Accursed]

First post has it all. If it picks nothing up, try scanning in safe mode. Then again, you could go the whole hog and scan from a Linux distro on a CD, though it probably wouldn't come to that.

I don't know if this would make a difference - but if/when I have a virus like this, I would disconnect from internet when scanning. Someone will probably correct me and say this does nothing, but I do it regardless.

 

It can be a good idea as some very very clever viruses can figure out u are scanning and send a message out before they get scanned causing thme to be redownloaded to an already scanned location; but these are rare and modern anti stuff compensates for such trickery usually

[PhaperPlane]

Hey everyone, I've got an update for you. Thanks for all the advice, I used Malwarebytes, Avast and Super Anti Spyware (along with my normal anti-virus Kaspersky 2010) and found nothing. However, after giving it another round of defragging the hard drive, it appears to have fixed itself. :thumbup:

 

UNTIL today where Windows is now telling me I should backup my files and repair my hard drive. I saved the instructions to a memory stick so I know I need to backup and replace my drive but I ask you this:

Is Windows on it's last legs now? What should I do after I replace the hard drive? Start over with a new OS? Please help TIF! :pray:

[Sy_Accursed]

No it is not windows, clearly you HDD is dying.

It happens from time to time, as with anything with moving parts, they wear themselves out and die.

Just replace it with a new one, try to get a SSD if you can afford it as they are superior in read speed and far less likely to break/corrupt as they have no moving parts.

[Askthedude]

While you're at it, upgrade to w7.

[Sbrideau]

Upgrading the OS would just be adding the price. If he doesn't want to spend, there is no need to upgrade OS.

 

Also, SSD might be out of his price range. I would suggest going with Western Digital Caviar Black (for best performance, but there are other Caviars as well), any size.