Solved DNS Changer Aftermath

[Withacy]

Yes, OK, I'm an idiot. Now that THAT is out of the way...

First of all, I have only a very basic understanding of computers, so it's been a long week. I've read all the official stuff, and sources I trust, and ran both McAfee's Stinger and Microsoft's scanner.

I'm pretty sure I removed the malware. Except for the fact that those read me files indicated I'd easily reconnect to the Internet, and that hasn't happened.

The desktop (which runs Windows Vista Ultimate, SP 2, 64bit) isn't recognizing the router ("unidentified network") and telling me it has "limited connectivity". The router is working - this laptop (the computer I primarily use, myself) is connected wirelessly to it, and I have connected it with a cable to test it as well. The router light indicator shows that it's receiving...something.

When I run ipconfig /all and compare it to the computer with internet connection, I can see it's missing a Default Gateway (blank), DHCP Server (even though it's showing DHCP Enabled, it's not even listed) and the DNS Servers is something truly strange ("fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1" and then same thing ending with "2%1" and then another ending with "3%1")

I haven't wanted to try to run any sort of registry repair, once I discovered that apparently my extisting system repair software had deleted Windows Installer and kept Windows AND my security software from auto-updating for months.

My ISP won't talk to me unless I purchase a service plan with them. And I've discovered that the reinstall DVD that came with my computer is for SP 1, so that's no use.

Anything? Anything at all?

 

[Withacy]

I keep search for answers.

At this point, I'm not even certain this computer ever had DNS Changer - not just because removal should've allowed me to reconnect to the Internet. I can find no remnants of it. I ran the removal tools immediately - and never checked to make sure it was present (I'd never received any previous indication, even though I'd been doing Google searches - for instance - just the day before).

What are the odds that I'd lose connectivity for a completely different reason on the same day? When there hadn't even been intermittent problems before (as far as I know)?

I had attempted to download/install an updated version of McAfee last Sunday - and I later found out it hadn't gone through. Since the loss of connectivity happened the next time the computer was started, reading about outdated McAfee firewalls not allowing access had promise. I can't disable or uninstall what's left on my system (after the incomplete download) or even open it.

But as I read more, the lack of access doesn't seem as absolute.

This afternoon I found a post on the Windows Seven forum from April that had almost an exact match of the weirdness I get from ipconfig /all. And even had the same type of network adapter. After about 8 pages of suggestions (many of which I've already tried myself), the original poster got a network adapter and it solved his problem - he assumed the problem had been his ethernet port.

The computer says that the Network adapter is working properly; I updated the driver. I replaced the cable with one that was working on another computer. As far as I know, nothing physically happened to the port (and nothing looks wrong with it - for whatever that's worth). But if it's something physically wrong - the timing is just ridiculous.

 

[Withacy]

Re: DNS Changer (Or Not)

Well, I figure that no responses means that either no one knows how to help, or no one cares (possibly because of contempt for the apparent situation). Perhaps there was a more appropriate forum - it would've been nice to hear about it.

The situation is resolved.

I only mention it here in case someone else comes looking for answers someday.

My computer did not have DNSChanger. Or anything else, as far as I can tell. The drivers and hardware were all working fine.

What my computer DID have was Iola System Mechanic, which removed Windows Installer and several other programs (or parts of programs) that helped with installation. And on that Sunday, when I was attempting to download a new version of McAfee security software, it didn't completely download or install. I couldn't open what was there, couldn't uninstall the files, and couldn't even "turn off" whatever they were doing.

Yesterday I downloaded the program from McAfee's site that removes all McAfee files from a system, loaded it on my desktop, ran it, and the second it finished - even before I rebooted - my Internet connection was back. And has been working fine ever since.

I thought it was DNSChanger (despite receiving no warnings or notifications) because of the timing. Concern for it is what made me attempt to upgrade my security, and that Monday just happened to be the first time we booted up after the failed download.