City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

Want to die...

Demented

By Demented,
Posted on: 2009-07-16 12:55 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs

 

Posted

My main computer is F-ed.

It has some kind of virus and it refuses to leave. IT apparently can travel through usb so now both my flashdrive and my external hd are hit.

I am so upset because this means thousands of hours of work are gone.

All thats left is what is on my site.
www.justiceknights.net

Dont even think I'll be able to finish it(the series or current story line) cuz its all gone... litteraly thousands of hours of work.


I just really want to freakin die now...


thout id share

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

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Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

Frustrating? Definately... Death worthy? Ummm, isn't that a bit much?


 

Posted

Not when I've spend almost all my free time, at every chance, for the last year... more than a year... on this stuff... getting even a dev at oine point to log in and help....

Cant replace any of that work... all that time and effort...

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

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Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

Still, a bit much to warrant wanting to die...I mean, frustrating, upsetting...but it is what it is...life goes on and everything happens for a reason...maybe you will have a new creative idea for the site...

Global: @Midnight Blues
"How can you master, when you have not failed?"

 

Posted

uh, not the site.
My comics. Everything from the Justice-Knights to Sin Stalker to the City's Finest to Biosphere to Cresent Moon and more.

Everything I've been working on and putting the majority of my non-working life into. Every single thing slotted out for the next couple of years and beyond.

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

I am sorry you lost your work, but it was no ones fault but your own. I am amazed that you would not back up work that is so important to you. There is a reason people make backups, and this is a prime example.

Also, this is post does not belong here as you have not asked for any technical assistance, nor do you have any issues relating to CoX.

 

Posted

What is the virus? Name? Give us something. We can help.

I remember the first time I got the Vundo virus, before the removal program was out. It was horrendous, but I still managed to recover my files and fix it.

 

Posted

Not to be a [censored] here..... but i always keep my external drive unattached to my PC and just use it for backup reasons. I would suggest in the future picking one up for just that. I had a similar thing happen to me due to a hardware failure a few years back
Got a new machine, had to transfer lots of my music over (not bought or downloaded music, but stuff that I have recorded and played over the years) and my wonderful new Dell crashed 2 months in.

Thankfully I gave those master CD's to my old guitarist and he still had them.

The next day I went out and spent a small fortune on a 100gig external drive (and now you can get a 500 gig for almost half the price!)

Not much of a tech recommendation, but maybe food for thought in the future?

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.

 

Posted

F_M_J he said his external HD and even Flashdrive are affected. I don't know about you, but that's where my backups are.

Sin, if you tell us more we might be able to help you recover those files.

"I used to make diddly squat, but I've been with the company for 16 years and have had plenty of great raises. Now I just make squat" -- Me

Pediatric brain tumors are the #1 cause of cancer related deaths in children.

 

Posted

Unless the virus over wrote your files, you may be able to recover them by using a rig equipped with a good AV that first removes the virus from your drive(s) and then uses a program built for recovering files to salvage all the deleted files on the HDD or flash drive.

I had HDD wiped and failues happen to me quite often and unless it is a RAID5 with only striped data, you can sometimes recover surprising amounts of data.

 

Posted

to Eislor, true, but I didn't finish my thought, like the idiot I am, Whenever I backup I ALWAYS run an updated scan to be safe..

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.

 

Posted

You could go through the pain staking ordeal of re-copying it... Type it all again, word for word.. have both computers on and what not. Sure it'll be a hassle.. but wouldn't you rather save your work?

 

Posted

A Virus that refuses to leave and total destruction of all the stuff you worked so hard on including the backups.

That is a pronouncement of doom usually made by somebody who doesn't know much about virus removal and who has one of the really crappy anti virus programs like Symantec or PcCillin.

If the computer runs at all then start it in safe mode and run Hijackthis then post the results here. Odds are that there is a specific removal tool for the virus you have. And even if it can't be removed I can pretty much guarantee it can be disabled so that you can copy all your files safely before reformatting the drive.

Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!

 

Posted

If I were you, here's what I'd do if I had access to a second machine:

1: Get said second machine
2: Back up anything on the machine that might be important to you. Put the backup someplace else.
3: Put a nice strong AV on there and update the signatures.
4: Plug the externals in one at a time and scan the living *BLEEP!* outta them.

It's POSSIBLE you merely have a corrupted signatures file and your AV on the main machine is freaking. But even if you ARE virused, it doesn't mean you have to automatically lose ALL the data.

Also, in the future, you may want to invest in something that can make backups to something other than your hard drive. Some backup software will make backups to an FTP account.

Here's what I recommend to smaller clients who don't want to put out the cash for BackupExec.

With something like this program, you can schedule backups to go off nightly (or on some other regular basis). And since you're talking about a relatively small amount of data (to me, anything under a few hundred gigs is "small"), the time needed to make the backup should be fairly minimal.


Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
It has some kind of virus and it refuses to leave. IT apparently can travel through usb so now both my flashdrive and my external hd are hit.

[/ QUOTE ]
Computer viruses are not some animated slime that acts under its own power. They attach/embed in files which have to be executed for something to happen. Your flash drive and external HD may have infected files *ON* them, but they are not 'contaminated'.

Many types of files are not subject to infection. It is quite likely that some, most or all of your files are not actually infected - you are simply having trouble getting at them.


[ QUOTE ]
I am so upset because this means thousands of hours of work are gone.

[/ QUOTE ]
Any time you lose more than a few hours of work, it means you have GRIEVOUSLY screwed up. Many people don't even ask themselves what would happen *IF* a hard drive fails. It's not a question of "if". If you use computers very much at all, it's pretty much guaranteed you WILL have a hard drive fail eventually.

An external hard drive is NOT good enough. What if your main drive crashed and you go to get your back-up drive, trip and drop it? Anything worth saving needs to get recorded onto a less fragile medium (CD, DVD) and stored in a safe location (i.e. not in the same building as the computer it came from).

Obviously this isn't what you want to hear right now but, unless you decide to never create any new content ever again, this *WILL* come up again in the future.

Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
F_M_J he said his external HD and even Flashdrive are affected. I don't know about you, but that's where my backups are.

Sin, if you tell us more we might be able to help you recover those files.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm 1000% confident that those files are recoverable.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eltonio View Post
This is over the top mental slavery.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Go to the forums of Malwarebytes and follow these directions and post your HijackThis log in the HijackThis forum and those more knowledgeable than me will help you from there.

Malwarebytes was able to get rid of what Spybot, Adaware, and AVG couldn't on my machine.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFE

And if you can't get it to load or run due to the infections being so bad, load it on another computer and connect the hard drive from this computer as a slave and scan it, then once it gets rid of the base problems you'll be able to put it back in your computer and get MalawareBytes to install and run correctly.

I've recovered several drives and cleaned them when local computer repair shops (including a major chain that doesn't always do it's Best unless they are trying to get you to Buy something) had claimed they were unrepairable and "HAVE" to have Windows totally reloaded.

If the game spit out 20 dollar bills people would complain that they weren't sequentially numbered. If they were sequentially numbered people would complain that they weren't random enough.

Black Pebble is my new hero.

 

Posted

I do have an external hd.

I also have flashdrives.

This virus was apparently on my ssystem in wait for awhile because the last time I backed up my files, it got in apparently (might have even been before the last backup... several backups ago. Its been in there for at least 2 months)


It can apparently cross USB. It spawns hundreds of other virus' and they do the damage to the computer. I've gotten several names over all of this and continue to remove them all. Its corrupted dozens of files and locks me out of programs and areas of my computer.

It apparently had a keylogger on my computer so I had to change all my passwords from email to bank and beyond.


I've had professionals that have looked at my computer and continually go "wow" or "oh [censored]" and other phrases as what they attempt to do is blocked.


I did get lucky and have weakened the virus. It now is not fully working while in safe mode. I can run normal anti-virus software for a bit without it becoming corrupted or having to close.


Last night I had a geek squad guy change settings on my computer and weaken the virus even more. I am in safe mode right now attempting to reformat my hd and then move my files over again. At this point they say it will at least be easier for them to combat one virus rather than hundreds.


As for why I posted it here. I was looking for help. I have had one person send me a tell givign some advice and offering help. If this guy that is working on my computer currently can not help, I will be asking them for help and more advice from there on and aswell as anyone here who is willing to offer it.


Thank you for those that are offering help. To those that are being OCD about correct area and those bashing me for not backing up my important stuff - bite me.

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
You could go through the pain staking ordeal of re-copying it... Type it all again, word for word.. have both computers on and what not. Sure it'll be a hassle.. but wouldn't you rather save your work?

[/ QUOTE ]

Its not written word. Its images, CBC files, CL files, coh demo edits and there images and stuff like that. The computer I am on now can not run coh so trying to even recreate some of the million+ images I was working with wouuld be impossible...

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
A Virus that refuses to leave and total destruction of all the stuff you worked so hard on including the backups.

That is a pronouncement of doom usually made by somebody who doesn't know much about virus removal and who has one of the really crappy anti virus programs like Symantec or PcCillin.

If the computer runs at all then start it in safe mode and run Hijackthis then post the results here. Odds are that there is a specific removal tool for the virus you have. And even if it can't be removed I can pretty much guarantee it can be disabled so that you can copy all your files safely before reformatting the drive.

[/ QUOTE ]

I used malwarebytes. I also have as a backup sometimes, avast (for boottime scanning) and someone while this was oging on had me dl SUPERAntiSpyware.

And Safe Mode wouldnt let me load up my virus protection. It was fully active and fucntional in safe mode.

And even professional virus removers are surprised and having alot of problems with this thing.

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It has some kind of virus and it refuses to leave. IT apparently can travel through usb so now both my flashdrive and my external hd are hit.

[/ QUOTE ]
Computer viruses are not some animated slime that acts under its own power. They attach/embed in files which have to be executed for something to happen. Your flash drive and external HD may have infected files *ON* them, but they are not 'contaminated'.

Many types of files are not subject to infection. It is quite likely that some, most or all of your files are not actually infected - you are simply having trouble getting at them.


[ QUOTE ]
I am so upset because this means thousands of hours of work are gone.

[/ QUOTE ]
Any time you lose more than a few hours of work, it means you have GRIEVOUSLY screwed up. Many people don't even ask themselves what would happen *IF* a hard drive fails. It's not a question of "if". If you use computers very much at all, it's pretty much guaranteed you WILL have a hard drive fail eventually.

An external hard drive is NOT good enough. What if your main drive crashed and you go to get your back-up drive, trip and drop it? Anything worth saving needs to get recorded onto a less fragile medium (CD, DVD) and stored in a safe location (i.e. not in the same building as the computer it came from).

Obviously this isn't what you want to hear right now but, unless you decide to never create any new content ever again, this *WILL* come up again in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]


I'll be burning my stuff after this, oh yeah. Also my website provider just updated there system and they now offer that Mosy or whatever that backup service is, for free.

I'm also going to get another external hd too. That way it cant get both.


Also, when scanning my comp, not a single anti virus program has been able to locate and find this virus. Only the spawned virus'.

They believe the real virus is somewhere within my windows files.

Another strange thing is that there are normal windows files on ALL of my flash drives and hd.

So for some reason... this damn thing replicated itself onto all these things and spawned several virus' throughout them. At least thats what I understand from this professional guy looking at it.

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Also, when scanning my comp, not a single anti virus program has been able to locate and find this virus. Only the spawned virus'.


[/ QUOTE ]

To me, that sounds like a rootkit. The people that are working on your computer, have they used a rootkit scanner?

"I used to make diddly squat, but I've been with the company for 16 years and have had plenty of great raises. Now I just make squat" -- Me

Pediatric brain tumors are the #1 cause of cancer related deaths in children.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
To me, that sounds like a rootkit. The people that are working on your computer, have they used a rootkit scanner?

[/ QUOTE ]

It does sound like a possible rootkit although there are other viruses which will recreate themselves and hide the originating code without needing to be a rootkit.

Sin, have you enabled all scanning options in Malwarebytes? In standard mode it really doesn't scan fully. Check under settings and if it isn't doing everything then enable the extras and run it again.

Second, run Hijackthis and post the results here. Do not do as the software itself suggests and run it from it's own directory but instead run it from the desktop. Some viruses actually disable hijackthis if it is running in it's own directory.

Third. Download and run Avira Antivir it's actually pretty good at detecting rootkits. Once again when setting it up choose all scanning options so that the rootkit scanning is enabled.

And seriously, run Hijackthis and post the results here. Professionals who can be hired to remove viruses are no more knowledgeable and experienced than many amature enthusiasts. And in many cases less knowledgeable. There may be something that one of us can spot due to having seen the same thing ourselves.

Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]

Sin, have you enabled all scanning options in Malwarebytes? In standard mode it really doesn't scan fully. Check under settings and if it isn't doing everything then enable the extras and run it again.


[/ QUOTE ]

Everything but Terminate Internet Explorer during removal. is checked.


As for the other two programs, i'll grab those once I try moving everything over tot he external hd again since right now I am in safe mode and trying what they told me. I had my comp on all night while stuf moved over.

My comp did freeze throughout the night and I had to reboot. I with half my stuff on the external hd, I scanned with Malwarebytes. It came up with two things this time, but it was dif.

it has Trojan.Agent and it says it found it in C:\WINDOWS\system32\uacinit.dll and Rootkit.Trace Registry Key in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\UAC

but why does that first one show C drive? and whats HKEY?

Does this mean that they copied over a C drive and hkey directory over to my hd or does this mean that my external hd, so far, is okay and it just found those two in the main computers directory?


Very confused right now. I am at least happy that I am getting the same thing now. Up until now, each scan would give me several different results of different kinds.


As for those 2 things that it is continuously finding now, I keep deleting them and they return.

But I want to make sure they are just on the comp and not on my external hd. IF this is the case, i can just move it all to the external and then wipe the comp or something.

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,