Hi I am new to the forum - am having a little trouble with my computer - Avast isnt picking up a virus but something has happened because when using google I can not use the link as I get redirected to a totally unrelated page - but also my Avast! is due for renewal in 19 days and every time I try to log on to the Avast website the server says it is unavailable - its almost like my Avast! has been attacked itself… any ideas? I run Windows XP on a 2007 machine.
Hi Trelawny,
If avast! is missing it, try these free virus scanners:
DrWeb CureIT!
Kaspersky Virus removal Tool
Then try these free adware/spyware scanners. Download, install and update.
SUPERAntiSpyware Free
Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
When you have finished, check for out-of-date and insecure software and update- this will reduce the risk of similar infections.
Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)
- Firefox popping up ads and or google search redirects.
Please download GooredFix and save it to your Desktop. - Double-click Goored.exe to run it. - Select 1. Find Goored (no fix) by typing 1 and pressing Enter. - A log will open, please post the contents of that log in your next reply (it can also be found on your desktop, called Goored.txt). - Note: Do not run Option #2 yet.
Also see:
Hi DavidR
well I think I managed to crash the computer completely now- the go-google.com virus made sense to me as the rest of the comp was working fine - so I followed the instructions - found the TDSSserv.sys and disabled it - and now - it will start up and load - I can access the task bar but the moment i try to open any software either from the desktop of start menu the computer freezes on me 
Any suggestions - other than throwing the blooming thing out the window…
Umm - I guess I should have done all the other things suggested first
Well having managed to deal with the tdss issue you should I would hope be able to run some of the tools that FWF suggests and that would be my recommendation. But, I would start with using the link to malwarebytes I gave in the quoted text.
This may have to be done from safe mode to see if that wil work.
I would also suggest running an avast boot-time scan:
If you have XP, vista32bit or Win2k, you could enable a boot time scan. Right click the avast icon, select Start avast! Antivirus, a memory scan will take place followed by the opening of the Simple User Interface, Menu, ‘Schedule boot-time scan…’ Or see http://www.digitalred.com/avast-boot-time.php.
Or use a command line, Windows, Start, Run and type, C:\Program Files\ALWIL Software\Avast4\sched.exe /A:* and reboot.
Booting into safe mode http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml