Virus = can't run/open any programs...can I fix it?

[Veleno]

I thought I'd ask this question since there are some computer gurus on here.

To make a long story short, I got a virus that somehow deleted my files. However, I noticed that I can still see the folders and everything else I just can't open/read them. I can't open outlook express or any other program, except internet explorer, and that's only from the desktop. I can't open/run IE from the taskbar.

It always says I'm missing a file, some .exe file....

I tried to system restore but no luck, missing the .exe for that as well.

I'll have my friend look at it tomorrow, but in the meantime, is there anything I can do to get it back to normal again without having to reformat it?

Luckily I was able to copy my files to another hard drive, but all my email seems to be lost because I can't open outlook.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

**oh, I can open my computer and all of the folders in there with no problem, I just can't run any of them.

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Richard
NSXTASY

[This message has been edited by Veleno (edited 22 July 2001).]

 

[akira3d]

Have you figured out which virus affects your system? Visiting a site like www.sarc.com may help you remove it and give tips on what you can do to get your system back in order, but you need to know which virus you have.

Unfortunately, you can't always recover from the affects of certain viruses. I once had one that even reformatting wouldn't eliminate due to it having infected my BIOS. I just hope you don't have a worse-case scenario...otherwise I hope you have backups.

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--akira3D ('00 NSX-T red/black #113)
"Reality is better than the dream..."

akira3d.com/nsx

 

[ilya]

Chances are you can remove the infected files with whatever latest software you have. Problem is that many system files are unrecoverable after removing the virus which means it must delete the file.
The only real protection is before the fact. Once you get nailed, most infected system files require deletion and you have to start over.
It's been a while, but I know Outlook stores all mail in a few files. I forget the extension, mbx or whatnot, but make sure to find those files and save them elsewhere. They may be large. I'm sure someone else on this board can chime in and remember the exact filename so you can do a search. Once you reinstall your OS, you can point Outlook back to the original files. As long as the mail file is not infected you can recover all your email. If it is infected, hopefully it can be cleaned and not require deletion.

 

[lemansnsx]

Update your virus definitions, scan for and remove any viruses, re-install your OS over the existing one. Now see if Outlook works. More help with Outlook issues? Go here: http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/index.htm

 

[maomaonsx]

You just got the same virus I did. Check Mcafee for the fix. I did the samething which is deleting the infected file which render all my programs unuseable. I jsut reinstalled everything on my computer, recoverd only about 50% of my personal data. becareful!

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George Wang
Keep it Real!
http://www.geocities.com/maomaonsx/price.html