RAM on the lam

[bigshotprof]

I think I have a virus on my PC (XP media ed). None of my AV software can find it, but I have huge spikes where my system resources are being maxed out,and sometimes I can't repair my wireless connection, the computer identifies a user who is still connected.

My question is: How can I look and for what?

Thanks

[tokenuser]

I think I have a virus on my PC (XP media ed). None of my AV software can find it, but I have huge spikes where my system resources are being maxed out,and sometimes I can't repair my wireless connection, the computer identifies a user who is still connected.

My question is: How can I look and for what?

ThanksKeep the taskmanager open and have it sorted by "memory".

You'll soon see what processes are hogging the resources.

Also - it might be worthwhile rebooting into safe mode, and doing the virusscan from there.

Another also - have you run a malware/spyware scan? Something like Adaware or Spybot S&D??

[bigshotprof]

Keep the taskmanager open and have it sorted by "memory".

You'll soon see what processes are hogging the resources.

Also - it might be worthwhile rebooting into safe mode, and doing the virusscan from there.

Another also - have you run a malware/spyware scan? Something like Adaware or Spybot S&D??

I regularly run both of those and AVG. I occasionally (like right now) run off-site scans like Trend Micro's. All of them have come up empty.

I am going to open the T manager. good idea.

[tehBoris]

What about the possibility that Windows is broken and it's time for a reinstall?

[bigshotprof]

What about the possibility that Windows is broken and it's time for a reinstall?

After a day of testing, I am beginning the think that it is either that or a hardware problem, because the usage seems to spike out of relation to what is going on application-wise (which is why I thought it could be a bot or a virus in the first place). I did a reinstall about three months ago. The processor is four years old, so it might just be getting cranky.

[xcorvis]

...the computer identifies a user who is still connected.

My question is: How can I look and for what?

Thanks

For this part, open the task manager and click on the users tab. If you see more than just yourself, you're in trouble. If you don't see anyone, go and check your sharing settings by right-clicking on My Computer, click Manage. In the new window, find the "Shared folders" (or Sharing settings or something) and see what folders are shared. All of your top level folders (C:) will look like they are shared, but they're not really. If you see something you think should not be there you can try stopping it by right clicking and selecting "stop sharing".

[bigshotprof]

Thanks all!

[Dark_Shroud]

Try the free trial of NOD32, PM me for a download link. AVG has it's limits when it comes to removing some of the nastier viruses.

[fishtoprecords]

What about the possibility that Windows is broken and it's time for a reinstall?
When I professionally developed on Windows, I would do a:

format c:
reinstall

every six months or so, whether it needed it or not. Guarenteed to clean out virus, defragment disk, clean registry, etc.

[bigshotprof]

Just one more interesting piece of trivia then I will let this die. I was monitoring the processes as suggested. I noticed a surge in the CPU usage, and almost all of the processes in the list registered significant boosts in CPU usage all at once. Strikes me as odd. Strike you as odd?