Hi

Although I had Free AVG installed, a virus closed it down, and won't let me either restart it, uninstall and reinstall it, or install another AV like ClamWin.

Can Clamwin read NTFS partitions and be loaded from a DOS boot floppy, so that it can remove viruses without booting into Windows? If not, what would you recommend I do?

Thank you.

Some viruses "target" popular antivirus programs, but I'm surprised ClamWin is included in those targeted by one. ClamWin isn't very visible yet. You might try the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. It's free, and you don't have to download it. Just select Download and then Run. The site is https://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx.

Here is the ClamWin page for installing a version of ClamWin on CD or removable drive: https://www.clamwin.com/content/view/118/89/

Other ideas:

You might run the free Ad-Aware SE Personal program from Lavasoft, and it might remove a virus if it is adware/spyware. Web site is: https://www.lavasoft.de/download_and_buy/product_comparison_chart.php.

Try one of those free online virus checks. McAfee has one, and all the major antivirus companies will also--Trend, Norton, F-Secure, etc. You can also try Kaspersky's, but I think all it does is spot the virus, and you then have to install the Kaspersky antivirus trial software. If a virus prevents Clam from being installed, it would certainly prevent Kaspersky.

Good luck.

Thanks. Whatever virus is running wouldn't even let me run the stand-alone Clam from a locked USB drive, so I ended up connecting the HD to a W2003 server that I installed on a spare drive.

One thing though: After a few minutes of scanning the HD, the scanner window just disappears, although it's still listed in task lists. How do I get this window back?

Thanks and a happy new year for people in Asia

I'm afraid I can't help much more. If ClamWin is still running, when it's finished did it quarantine anything? Alos, did you try the free Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool? It's only updated once a month, but it might have the virus in its signature database, and the virus might not target it. F-PROT also has a free version of its DOS on-demand scanner that might help. I've heard it can be used to remove a tought virus. It's at: https://www.claymania.com/f-prot.html.

Regards,

Hi,

I have the same problem. My system has been infected with Bagle and some other variants of it. They are detected by some on-line scans, but when trying to install the antivirus programs every one fails at some point of the installation.
This includes too ClamWin.
I did try the suggestions posted here but not joy.
Those viruses have other effects, they uninstall some antivirus or parts of them, delete registry keys to avoid the computer starting in Safe Mode, so I'm not able to correct the registry as they run as rootkit.

As a side note I was using AVG Pro and paying for it -> wasted money!!!

Any idea?

TIA,

Jose

If you have identified the virus, check with AVG/Grisoft to see what they say. No antivirus is perfect. If they can't identify it yet, they will need a signature, so provide them one. lf you can, then they should be able to give you a signature in a day or two--after all, it makes them look bad, and you will be helping them.

If AVG can't help, do some research on the Web about the virus. Find out what changes it makes, and then see if you can undo it's changes manually.

Most of the antivirus companies have free trials. Try several--the virus might not be able to disable all of them. Try VirusBlockADA, a Belorus product. AV Comparatives will link to their Web site.

If nothing helps, the I hope you have your program CDs and good back of data files because you'll have to reformat 0your drive(s) and a prepare a new installation of Windows. That will fix it!

Good luck.

Regards,