Software and Techniques for Support

Remote Support

• TeamViewer - highly rated, looks good, haven't tried it yet
• CrossLoop - works well, some limitations

Slow PC

1. Run low-level virus scan using boot CD scanner, such as Avira Rescue System boot CD. Download the iso and burn a CD.
2. Install CCleaner, run cleaner, registry tool, then look at Startup list and disable and/or delete any unnecessary start-ups.
3. Install Spybot, run it.
4. Install Defraggler, run it.
5. Download and run ComboFix, but only as last resort

Other Useful Links & Tools

• Malicious Software Removal Tool - Microsoft
• Free virus removal tools, tips, tricks - About.com
• Avira - excellent, free virus protection software
• ComboFix - spyware, malware, etc. remover, really good (how to use it)
• Remove a boot sector virus - WikiHow
• Spybot - free spyware protection & removal
• Free virus removal tools - Kaspersky, tools for long list of viruses
• SuperAntiSpyware - strong removal tool
• Create bootable CD - Kaspersky, BitDefender, F-Secure
• VundoFix - advertising pop-ups Vundo trojan remover
• PC Pitstop - free online scans (account is my email and regular short password)
• Speed up menu display: use regedit to change HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\MenuShowDelay to something lower like 0, 200, 300 or 400 ms, then reboot. (laptop already had this setting)
• Recover/reset Window password with boot CD

Successful sequence for rootkit infected PC (1/20/10)

• Burned and used an Avira Rescue Boot CD, which found and removed 6 items. Be sure to click the option that tries to remove or rename items.
• Ran MalwareBytes Anti-Malware tool, which found 6 more items of malware, fixed them.
• Ran Spybot which found one more registry entry for malware and the Windows security setting turned off. Both problems fixed.
• Ran CCleaner, which cleared Temp directories and cleaned up the registry.
• Ran MalwareBytes again, nothing found.
• McAfee keeps popping up warning about the computer not being protected. Online info not much help.
• Ran ComboFix. Rebooted, quarantined a few items.
• Ran Spybot again, nothing found.
• Ran windows update (genuine advantage was in progress in normal user account... maybe that was the security problem).
• Windows updates with numerous fixes, including SP3.

Windows Print Spooler Restarter

• Download and run this batch file when your printer is printing page after page of garbage.
• Or copy and paste the following text into a file of text file of your own, and name it printfix.bat:

  @rem === Restarts print spooler service @rem === Use this when the printer is printing @rem === lots of garbage or blank pages endlessly @rem === Tom Way, 10/14/10, thomas.way@villanova.edu @echo off @echo Stopping print spooler service sc stop spooler @echo Print spooler service stopped sc query spooler @echo Starting print spooler service net start spooler sc query spooler pause echo on