My Vista Is dieing!!!!

[platinumg]

I am running vista home premium 32bit. It has been fine for 2 years but all of a sudden all my programs are coming up with a 'program stopped working error message' whilst running and then closing down.

I really want to avoid to a re-install as it will be a lot of work re-installing all of my programs after. Can anyone shed any light as to why this is happening all of a sudden?

Thanks in advance.

Alistair

 

[richc46]

Welcome

The obvious reason may be a virus or other malware. Run a virus scan and then download and run malwarebytes. Then report back.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

When it happens type event viewer in search and look for errors.

 

[richc46]

You may, also want to try the memory test.

Type memory diagnostics in search and take the test.

If everything comes up negative, we will try a repair install. You will not have to reinstall your programs. I understand your reluctance with that course of action.

 

[platinumg]

Thanks for your advice,

I am currently downloading malwarebytes.

Can you suggest the best software to use for a virus scan?

 

[richc46]

Thats and easy one and its free. Microsoft Security Essentials. I wll get you the link

 

[richc46]

Here is the link. If you have not been using a Virus Protection all along, start now and never be without it.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

 

[platinumg]

Ok, thanks Rich. Im doing a scan now and hopefully that will solve it!

If not, how do I go about doing a repair install? Im just worried you are going to go and watch the football and leave me alone panicking in my lonely office!

Just kidding on a serious note, I really appreciate the help.

Alistair

 

[richc46]

You have come to the right place for help. If I am not here others, just as capable or maybe even more so will come by and give advice. If you do not find me here the next time you post. I will answer as soon as I can.

I cannot promise that your computer will be fixed, but I can assure you that there is a very good chance that it will and when I am out of ideas, I will tell you. I will not leave you hanging.

Lets do the virus and malware tests first. When we get the results we will take the next course of action. If you do have a virus or malware that you cannot get rid of, you will repost in the security forum and change the title of your post to something more appropriate. The security forum has some very knowledgable people giving advice.

EDIT: No worry about my leaving for a football game, the season is over. I am a baseball fan. My best job in High School was working in Yankee Stadium.

 

[platinumg]

I have finished the 2 scans. The virus scan came up with this:

Category: Trojan Downloader
Description: This program is dangerous and downloads other programs.
Recommendation: Remove this software immediately.
Microsoft Security Essentials detected programs that may compromise your privacy or damage your computer. You can still access the files that these programs use without removing them (not recommended). To access these files, select the 'Allow' action and click 'Apply actions'. If this option is not available, log on as administrator or ask the local administrator for help.
Items:
containerfile:C:\Users\Alistair\AppData\Roaming\1483.exe
file:C:\Users\Alistair\AppData\Roaming\1483.exe->(UPX)
processid:4704
regkey:HKCU@S-1-5-21-1648499385-1114200767-3530827079-1001\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN\\Win32load
runkey:HKCU@S-1-5-21-1648499385-1114200767-3530827079-1001\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN\\Win32load

Says its got rid of it but my computer is now running slower than ever!?

 

[richc46]

Getting rid of the virus does not solve the problem, it merely gets rid of the cause, but the problem is still there.

When did the problem begin.

Where does it say it got rid of the virus?

 

[platinumg]

The problem began yesterday. It says on the Microsoft Security that I downloaded that the trojan was removed?

In regards to doing a repair install, I only have the Vista OEM disc that came with the PC, am I still able to do it with this?

Thanks

Alistair

 

[platinumg]

I already did a system restore earlier today and the earliest option it had to go back to was this morning

 

[richc46]

System restore would have been a suggestion, do you have a system image, from before the problem?