I am still limping along on this Toshiba Satellite A505-s6980. Has 4GB RAM, 500GB HD, dual core Intel, 16" screen, long-life battery. First, it gave me a warning on imminent hard drive failure couple of weeks ago. Backed it up. I did this and that and about that time, I got a virus. Took me several days to get rid of that. I say get rid of it... not sure I got rid of it totally. It is functioning but upon bootup, it behaves normally and over the course of a day of heavy surfing, which I do continually, it slows to a crawl. Plus, it does weird stuff. Like starting programs that I did not start.

So, what to do. I can buy a 500GB HD for $85. I figure I would get a tech guy to help me. Install the new drive, copy the old stuff from the backup to it. Then, clean it up, removing a ton of stuff that came on here that I don't need and also trying to totally rid it of viruses and spyware. I guess that could cost $200. So, I'd be in for $285.

Or, buy a "new" refurbished one, same model, for $510. Still would have to transfer the contents of the backup to it and then clean it up.

Looks like similar, new computers would cost me $650 or more. What to do! I bought this one about 2.5 years ago.

Any thoughts?

Have you looked into an iMac?

I have used a Mac in the past two years for several months and I am who is in the camp that Macs are WAY overpriced. It just irks me. I can't see how with the PC World being what it is in 2011, how a Mac has such an advantage relative to its price. And, in my day job world, there are services which I use that are PC only.

I may get one someday but not yet. Maybe I will change my mind someday.

Sounds like it could be a virus, trojan or some other type of invasion. However if you received notice of a hard drive warning, then I would just go with the new drive. These warnings are real.

If you have XP, and can afford a new computer, I would opt for a new computer with Win7 64. XP is good, Win7 is better.

If you already have Win7, then I would try restoring from your system image repair disk...that is if you actually made an image system repair disk in the past. (It's quick and simple in Win7). If you did not make such a disk , then other options would be; try a restore, or one (or more) of the many free programs available to 'clean' your hard drive. Among others, a few of my favorite such free programs are Advance System Care, CCleaner and ATF Cleaner

You can try these, won't hurt, but IMHO, it's the hard drive, and if your satisfied with your computer, and system, a new hard drive is the way to go. If you are ADDING a hard drive, and keeping the old in the same laptop, then I highly recommend Western Digital, and the free Acronis WD Edition for a fast, easy way to clone, backup, add a new hard drive, and more.

Good Luck

I am thinking I will keep this laptop, it works fine otherwise. As I said, I did a backup onto an external HD upon getting that first HD warning. Will my laptop boot upon dropping the new drive in? (I do not think this laptop has a place to add an ADDITIONAL HD -- http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/A500/A505-S6980) I have to transfer the backup to the new HD. I started a thread on here awhile back about the HD warning... I'll read that again, maybe someone told me how to install the backup to the new drive.

More justification for the price of a "Virus free" mac. Add up all the years of McAfee subscriptions and down time ... the mac is priced just right. I have NEVER had a virus or crash in my macs.

SemiLiveMusic,

When computer slows down over the time it might be sign of:

- virus/trojan/rootkit activity, or

- hardware problem (usually with hard disc and then computer slows down because it is used constantly for swap files etc.)

- dust blocking air-flow (specific for some notebook models due to a poor design) when CPU slow down because of detected overheating

- lots of programs installed in SysTray (started during boot-up) or lots of active programs that 'eat' all of the RAM memory so disk get used to often

Let's assume that it's virus (or something similar) in Your case. You might try installing ComboFix (can be found on www.bleepingcomputer.com) and let him do the job. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the hard disk occupancy, and number of rootkits (nasty 'bugs' that often pass by anti-virus programs and 'infect' PC deeply) detected.

As for the disk replacement, it's fairly easy, although I'm IT specialist for a long time so it might seem too easy for me, and to hard for You. :-)

Hard disk replacing is as easy as:

- unscrewing the screw on the HDD bay door (usually) on the back of the laptop
- pulling flexible plastic (there is even arrow in the direction of disconnecting) connected to the light aluminum frame around hard disk (this actually unplug the hard disc connector from notebook motherboard)
- unscrewing two or four small screws to remove the hard disc from the frame
- put the new hard disc into the frame and repeating procedure backwards

:-)

After physical exchange of the disc, You have to:

- reinstall operating system
- reinstall all the drivers (usually located on Recovery or Install disc of Your notebook)
- reinstall all the application You use
- copying back all user files previously backed up to the external disc: user files (usually at locations of My Documents, Desktop, or some other), e-mails (if You use Outlook or other e-mail program), Favourites, etc.

This might be long, tedious and intimidating process, but I prefer this to using some specialized program for data migration
(usually used to migrate all Your data from one PC to another one).

Also, if you use program that copies your Registry file (in order to 'transfer' all user applications without reinstalling them) You will most likely transfer the part or whole rootkit to
Your new disc.

Another benefit of the upper procedure is the fact that Your laptop will work much faster because You will not reinstall bunch of small (or bigger) programs You installed at some time in the past but You are not using it at all).

But there is also possibility that You forget to install some program, or worst, you loose installation disk.

Anyway, first try ComboFix procedure, and after decide what to do.

P.S. Sorry for the size of the post, but I tried to explain everything and format it for easy reading.

Good luck.

Well, higher price of Apple computers is not related to 'virus free' or 'crash free' privilege, after all, I now many cases of people with 'virus free' and 'crash free' non-Apple PC-s. ;-)

Hi



It is a myth... Sorry to kill a darling...

http://www.antihacksecurity.com/index.php/the-news/121-are-macs-virus-free-answer-is-no-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12537279/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Regards
Jørgen

BTW: NEVER had a virus at my pc...

Hi Guys,
bit of a dumb question, but, if it is a virus or a trojan of some sort that's causing the problem, if you actually transfer the programs etc from your old drive, to a new drive, could you also be transferring the virus or the trojan, and actually wreck your new drive as well??

I recently had something go wrong with my old netbook. Too dumb to work out what the problem was, but it had the option of formatting & returning it back to factory standard.
Does formatting & returning back to factory standard, kill a virus or a trojan, just in case that was the cause of my problem also.

Virus and trojans do not physically harm a hard drive, but can mess with your files, programs and apps installed on that drive.
So before cloning one drive to another, it's vital to get rid of the nasties before copying, because they too will be copied.

Formatting gets rid of everything...good and bad, and is used as a last resort.


IMO Windows 7 and Microsoft Security Essentials make a great team...on par with a Mac at a much lower cost.

Dave, I haven't paid for an anti-virus program in years, since I discovered AVG Free. It works great and did I mention it's FREE?
DonM

As for a virus or spyware, I definitely had one... it changed the wallpaper to a red WARNING and any process you wanted to do, it would show the warning. This is the one -- http://www.fasterpccleanclean.com/remove-warning-your-re-in-danger-wallpaper. I seem to have gotten rid of it, although I am not sure all registries and dll's have been deleted. I bought Spyware Doctor and am unsure what all it did.

As for the HD failure warning, in a previous thread, I wondered if it could have anything to do with the power supply overheating, as mine sometimes was getting super hot. My dog destroyed my Toshiba power supply by chewing it and I bought a third party one. Which functions but who knows, maybe it is not same quality as the original. I still wonder about that power supply.

SemiLiveMusic,

Try the ComboFix, it might save You from reinstalling everything on Your laptop.

As for the power supply, they all get hot to a some degree, but if they are too hot (You get uncomfortable while holding firmly in Your hand) that means laptop is drawing as much power from the adapter as it can (i.e. power supply is overloaded). Try to find the original power requirements for Your laptop (usually written on the back of the laptop and adapter, or in specifications sheet) and compare it with the values on Your current power supply. The important numbers are those designating voltage (V) and Amperage (A) they should be the same, or as close as possible.

Using incorrect power supply put additional stress to all the components, and can cause problems with hard disc (or any other component with high power consumption), but it's not necessarily the cause of the problem in Your case.

Also, it is not necessary to buy original power supply adapter (usually they are ridiculously expensive) even some 'no name' replacement will be as good as original if it gives the same power output.

Hi



Agree 100%

Regards
Jørgen

As for the Combofix recommendation, I tried to download it but got three "corrupt file" warnings. I posted in their forum about the bad download and I have been warned with...

Be aware that no one should be using ComboFix unless specifically instructed to do so by a Malware Removal Expert who can interpret the logs. It is a powerful tool intended by its creator to be "used under the guidance and supervision of an expert. Using this tool incorrectly could lead to disastrous problems with your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. When issues arise due to complex malware infections, possible false detections, problems running ComboFix or with other security tools causing conflicts, experts are usually aware of them and can advise what should or should not be done while providing individual assistance. Those attempting to use ComboFix on their own do not have such information and are at risk when running the tool in an unsupervised environment. Please read the pinned topic ComboFix usage, Questions, Help? - Look here.

Using ComboFix is only one part of the disinfection process. Preliminary scans from other tools like DDS, RSIT and GMER should be used first because they provide comprehensive logs with specific details about files, folders and registry keys which may have been modified by malware infection. Analysis of those logs allows planning an strategy for effective disinfection and a determination if using ComboFix is necessary. ComboFix was never meant to be used as a general purpose malware scanner like SuperAntispyware or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware which scan individual drives or different folders on a computer for viruses.

I ask that you heed our warning about using this tool on your own without proper supervision.

===

Which gives me cause for pause.

There are always computer companies trying to worry Mac users into buying software they don't need. You can cite all the articles (or infomercials, as they usually turn out to be) you want, but actually TALK to Mac users (rather than dismissing their real world experience) and the picture changes radically.

I have been on broadband for at least 15 years, with no virus, Trojan, spyware or any other kind of security software of any kind. I have opened every single email attachment I ever got, surfed some VERY dodgy sites, used P2P software without restraints, and basically done everything that is GUARANTEED to bring a PC to its knees, even ones supposedly running expensive security stuff.

I have never received ONE piece of malware in the entire time. NOT ONE.

For me, the piece of mind I have actually experienced (not the paranoia that security software vendors would LIKE to engender) has been worth the slight additional cost of the computer. Tell me, how MUCH have you spent on security products, hosed drives, lost productivity and lost data in the last 15 years? Enough to finance the difference between a PC and a Mac, I am sure!

Before you surf the internet looking for support for your position (after all, EVERYTHING they say on the internet is true, isn't it? ) why don't you take the ACTUAL experience of those of us that have nothing to gain by lying, first?

I am no computer guru. And I doubt too many of us here are, either. If you simply want to use your computer as a TOOL, rather than have to learn all about how it works simply to be able to keep it running well (or pay someone else to do that for you), a Mac pays for itself pretty quickly...

Hi Diki

How do you know that you have not got no malware, when you dont use security software?

Try googling these three words (without quotes): virus attack mac
Then you will know, what some Mac users have experienced.

"A healthy person is someone who has not been adequately studied."

EOD from me

Regards
Jørgen

Hmmm, quite intimidating replay, but I have used ComboFix many times (under Windows XP Pro), and never had a single problem, not only that, but some PC-s where infected so badly they couldn't boot at all, and where fixed in 30 minutes.

If You have problem downloading ComboFix (do this only from the bleepingcomputer site), then try downloading with another computer (some viruses prevent You from accessing anti-virus sites or Windows Update service), transfer it to Your laptop (preferably with some spare USB memory that will be formatted right after to avoid infection, or via CD-ROM which is safe from virus) and run it there.

Before running, close all apps, and temporarily disable anti-virus. Also try to do this in Safe Mode (press F8 during powering up laptop to enter it).

If You are too scared to do the procedure, find some professional, but do this as soon as possible, or You might end up with (temporarily) unusable laptop.

P.S. Don't forget to scan all Your data backed-up to the external hard-disc but do this from uninfected computer.

Because my Mac never shows any symptoms of it (it is a piece of cake to watch all the active processes in OSX and see if there is anything new). Runs the same, all the time. Any malware I might have passed on came from a compromised PC in the first place (and didn't affect me). Not my problem...

All I can say is MY experience. 15 years and nary a hiccup. No security software. YMMV (especially if you have the Intel Mac boot into Windows!). Any PC users not IT specialists able to say that?

I doubt it.

Rescue CD

Download this AVG program and run the virus scan direct from the disc. (As windows will not be running, there will be nothing to get in the way of scanning and repair)
Once done, you can image your HDD, (Acronis is one of the easiest ways to do this) fit your new drive, and then re-load the image on it.
NOTE: You may need to re-activate Windows; however this is just a simple case of a free phone call to Microsoft. (Instructions will be on-screen)
Hope this helps

Bill

Diki

You can monitor the running processes and start up programs as much as you want, as good virus and Malware will not show up in them. (It would be pointless to write them if they did)
Don’t bury your head in the sand; otherwise sooner or later something’s going to bite you in the rear.

Bill

What IS 'malware'? If it doesn't affect your computer in any way, if it doesn't slow you down, cause any symptom whatsoever, how is it malware?

Burying your head in the sand, at least to me, implies ignoring a potential solution to your problems. If you haven't GOT any problems, never have HAD any problems, and keep your ear to the ground for any substantiated change in the whole affair (not rumor mill topics ground out primarily by the security industry), I say bring it on! I have a good backup regimen (might not have security problems, but hard drives fail, sooner or later!), and am prepared to wait for real life problems to occur.

Like I said, (to paraphrase)... 15+ years with my head stuck in the sand, not a grain up my nose. Put your PC out on the web for a DAY without security software, then come back and tell me who has the problem...!

Hi



It is pointless to discuss this with Diki. He is so sure he understands everything. And he DONT listen to you. And he dont even know what malware is... sigh

"A healthy person is someone who has not been adequately studied."

Regards
Jørgen

It's pointless to discuss which OS is better in terms of safety against viruses/malware/trojans because it depends on various factors:

- robustness of OS itself (OS with fewer 'holes' in the system will be safer)

- patching period (if security patches are issued regularly, and installed promptly, the OS will be safer)

- number of users (attacker prefers wider spread OS platform to affect more computers)

- user attitude (careless users will likely get their computers infected even with anti-virus installed)

Statistically, Mac users are safer then Windows users, but that doesn't mean every Mac user will be 'virus-free', and certainly it doesn't mean there are no 'virus-free' users in Windows community.

P.S. I might not be a good example, but couple of years ago, I used Windows XP with no anti-virus (or similar) for about a year (testing it every 3-4 months) and through all that time haven't got a single virus.

It's hilarious that the guy with all the problems in the first place is the one counseling ME! Tell you what... when I DO get a problem, I'll come ask you. Don't hold your breath!