Antivirus question

[civ_king]

I just had aqwweohwq.com? pop up on my computer, nut with a name that is completely gibberish I have a very bad feeling
I read this http://www.redcafe.net/f8/pdf-file-has-fd-up-my-pcs-236220/ and now am wondering what should I do?

 

[Turner]

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

 

[RedRalph]

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

I got a virus yesterday, saw a few threrads here about Malware and downloaded it, but now the virus wont let me open it. Tried downloading some other anti-virus software, cant open them either... can use the stuff I had pre-virus, but it wont remove it, any ideas?

 

[Turner]

If you have it d/l'ed on your computer, you could try safe mode. Or, if you have a way to hook it up to a second computer, make sure the second computer is well protected, and mount the hard drive there.

I've never actually tried installing in safe mode, so I'm not sure if it's possible.

 

[RedRalph]

What exactly does safe mode do (I'm not up to speed on most computer jargon)?

 

[Turner]

Safe mode is Windows Lite. It loads the bare minimums in so that Windows will run, but you often lose a lot of functionality, like video drivers and network drivers. So make sure you have the files you're trying to install on the hard drive before going into it.

To get to safe mode, I tap F8 repeatedly as the computer boots, before the WindowsXP screen comes up. This will give you a menu of options.