Ctrl+Alt+Del

[Ryan]

Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I was
out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
off the computer and disconnect the modem.
I went through and slowly got rid of some of the problems,
and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
internet. The first two things I did were download
Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
functioning correctly; save for one thing.
Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It doesn't
restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing screen;
nothing at all.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose anything
I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

Ryan

PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Ryan,
Open the SYSTEM.INI file in notepad. It's in C:\Windows folder.Look in the
system.ini file under the [386Enh] section for the line:
LocalReboot=Off and change it to: LocalReboot=On. If there is no
line, add it. Save the file and reboot.
Let us know how that works.
If this does not work, we may be looking at a malware issue.
HTH,
--
Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
W98 Support & Discussion:
http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
Windows Help & Discussion:
http://forum.aumha.org/

"Ryan" > wrote in message
...
> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I was
> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the problems,
> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
> internet. The first two things I did were download
> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
> took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It doesn't
> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing screen;
> nothing at all.
> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose anything
> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
>
> Ryan
>
> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/5/04

Okay, I opened the file and added the line because it
wasn't there, and rebooted. It still didn't work. It might
be malware, but I used Ad-aware when I found out that it
still wasn't working and got the new reference file, and
it still only found three or four tracking cookies.
I think it might be something wrong with the keyboard
settings, though I've tried changing them and still some
of the keys don't work.
Can you think of anything else it might be?
(I've checked the keyboard connection - it's working fine)

Ryan


>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Ryan,
>Open the SYSTEM.INI file in notepad. It's in C:\Windows
folder.Look in the
>system.ini file under the [386Enh] section for the line:
>LocalReboot=Off and change it to: LocalReboot=On. If
there is no
>line, add it. Save the file and reboot.
>Let us know how that works.
>If this does not work, we may be looking at a malware
issue.
>HTH,
>--
>Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
>W98 Support & Discussion:
>http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
>Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
>http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
>Windows Help & Discussion:
>http://forum.aumha.org/
>
>"Ryan" > wrote in message
...
>> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I
was
>> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
>> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
>> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the
problems,
>> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
>> internet. The first two things I did were download
>> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
>> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
>> took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
>> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
>> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It
doesn't
>> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing
screen;
>> nothing at all.
>> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
>> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose
anything
>> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
>> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
>>
>> Ryan
>>
>> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
>> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.
>
>
>---
>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
6/5/04
>
>
>.
>

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Ryan,
I suspect it is malware, and things like Ad-Aware and others don't always
catch it. I'm going to look into this further, with the help of my friends.
I will post back to this thread, but I notice you are posting via the MS web
interface. In the event you have trouble finding this thread, I may start a
new one with your name in the subject line. It may take some time (a couple
of days??)
--
Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
W98 Support & Discussion:
http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
Windows Help & Discussion:
http://forum.aumha.org/

> wrote in message
...
> Okay, I opened the file and added the line because it
> wasn't there, and rebooted. It still didn't work. It might
> be malware, but I used Ad-aware when I found out that it
> still wasn't working and got the new reference file, and
> it still only found three or four tracking cookies.
> I think it might be something wrong with the keyboard
> settings, though I've tried changing them and still some
> of the keys don't work.
> Can you think of anything else it might be?
> (I've checked the keyboard connection - it's working fine)
>
> Ryan
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Hi Ryan,
> >Open the SYSTEM.INI file in notepad. It's in C:\Windows
> folder.Look in the
> >system.ini file under the [386Enh] section for the line:
> >LocalReboot=Off and change it to: LocalReboot=On. If
> there is no
> >line, add it. Save the file and reboot.
> >Let us know how that works.
> >If this does not work, we may be looking at a malware
> issue.
> >HTH,
> >--
> >Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
> >W98 Support & Discussion:
> >http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
> >Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
> >http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
> >Windows Help & Discussion:
> >http://forum.aumha.org/
> >
> >"Ryan" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I
> was
> >> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
> >> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
> >> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the
> problems,
> >> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
> >> internet. The first two things I did were download
> >> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
> >> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
> >> took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
> >> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
> >> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It
> doesn't
> >> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing
> screen;
> >> nothing at all.
> >> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
> >> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose
> anything
> >> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
> >> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
> >>
> >> Ryan
> >>
> >> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
> >> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.
> >
> >
> >---
> >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> >Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
> 6/5/04
> >
> >
> >.
> >


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/5/04

[Ryan]

Alright, thankyou, that is very much appreciated. Also, if
you think I might not find the thread, you could send me
an email ) if you like.
Again, thankyou - a couple of days is fine. =)

Ryan

>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Ryan,
>I suspect it is malware, and things like Ad-Aware and
others don't always
>catch it. I'm going to look into this further, with the
help of my friends.
>I will post back to this thread, but I notice you are
posting via the MS web
>interface. In the event you have trouble finding this
thread, I may start a
>new one with your name in the subject line. It may take
some time (a couple
>of days??)
>--
>Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
>W98 Support & Discussion:
>http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
>Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
>http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
>Windows Help & Discussion:
>http://forum.aumha.org/
>
> wrote in message
...
>> Okay, I opened the file and added the line because it
>> wasn't there, and rebooted. It still didn't work. It
might
>> be malware, but I used Ad-aware when I found out that it
>> still wasn't working and got the new reference file, and
>> it still only found three or four tracking cookies.
>> I think it might be something wrong with the keyboard
>> settings, though I've tried changing them and still some
>> of the keys don't work.
>> Can you think of anything else it might be?
>> (I've checked the keyboard connection - it's working
fine)
>>
>> Ryan
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >Hi Ryan,
>> >Open the SYSTEM.INI file in notepad. It's in
C:\Windows
>> folder.Look in the
>> >system.ini file under the [386Enh] section for the
line:
>> >LocalReboot=Off and change it to: LocalReboot=On. If
>> there is no
>> >line, add it. Save the file and reboot.
>> >Let us know how that works.
>> >If this does not work, we may be looking at a malware
>> issue.
>> >HTH,
>> >--
>> >Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
>> >W98 Support & Discussion:
>> >http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
>> >Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
>> >http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
>> >Windows Help & Discussion:
>> >http://forum.aumha.org/
>> >
>> >"Ryan" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I
>> was
>> >> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to
shut
>> >> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
>> >> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the
>> problems,
>> >> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access
the
>> >> internet. The first two things I did were download
>> >> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and
was
>> >> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update.
It
>> >> took many restarts but I finally got most of the
things
>> >> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
>> >> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It
>> doesn't
>> >> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing
>> screen;
>> >> nothing at all.
>> >> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I
really
>> >> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose
>> anything
>> >> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD
burner.
>> >> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
>> >>
>> >> Ryan
>> >>
>> >> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde
(that
>> >> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.
>> >
>> >
>> >---
>> >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system
(http://www.grisoft.com).
>> >Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
>> 6/5/04
>> >
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>---
>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
6/5/04
>
>
>.
>

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Ryan,
OK, I'll post here, but also drop you an e-mail if I find out something.
Please be aware, by posting your e-mail address here, you'll probably be
inundated with a lot of spam. Next time when posting, try something like
this:
coldrumbleATNOshaw.ca
(remove the AT and NO to contact me)
This will prevent the spam-bots from harvesting your e-mail address.
--
Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
W98 Support & Discussion:
http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
Windows Help & Discussion:
http://forum.aumha.org/

"Ryan" > wrote in message
...
> Alright, thankyou, that is very much appreciated. Also, if
> you think I might not find the thread, you could send me
> an email ) if you like.
> Again, thankyou - a couple of days is fine. =)
>
> Ryan
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Hi Ryan,
> >I suspect it is malware, and things like Ad-Aware and
> others don't always
> >catch it. I'm going to look into this further, with the
> help of my friends.
> >I will post back to this thread, but I notice you are
> posting via the MS web
> >interface. In the event you have trouble finding this
> thread, I may start a
> >new one with your name in the subject line. It may take
> some time (a couple
> >of days??)
> >--
> >Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
> >W98 Support & Discussion:
> >http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
> >Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
> >http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
> >Windows Help & Discussion:
> >http://forum.aumha.org/
> >
> > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Okay, I opened the file and added the line because it
> >> wasn't there, and rebooted. It still didn't work. It
> might
> >> be malware, but I used Ad-aware when I found out that it
> >> still wasn't working and got the new reference file, and
> >> it still only found three or four tracking cookies.
> >> I think it might be something wrong with the keyboard
> >> settings, though I've tried changing them and still some
> >> of the keys don't work.
> >> Can you think of anything else it might be?
> >> (I've checked the keyboard connection - it's working
> fine)
> >>
> >> Ryan
> >>
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >Hi Ryan,
> >> >Open the SYSTEM.INI file in notepad. It's in
> C:\Windows
> >> folder.Look in the
> >> >system.ini file under the [386Enh] section for the
> line:
> >> >LocalReboot=Off and change it to: LocalReboot=On. If
> >> there is no
> >> >line, add it. Save the file and reboot.
> >> >Let us know how that works.
> >> >If this does not work, we may be looking at a malware
> >> issue.
> >> >HTH,
> >> >--
> >> >Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
> >> >W98 Support & Discussion:
> >> >http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
> >> >Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
> >> >http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
> >> >Windows Help & Discussion:
> >> >http://forum.aumha.org/
> >> >
> >> >"Ryan" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I
> >> was
> >> >> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to
> shut
> >> >> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
> >> >> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the
> >> problems,
> >> >> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access
> the
> >> >> internet. The first two things I did were download
> >> >> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and
> was
> >> >> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update.
> It
> >> >> took many restarts but I finally got most of the
> things
> >> >> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
> >> >> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It
> >> doesn't
> >> >> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing
> >> screen;
> >> >> nothing at all.
> >> >> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I
> really
> >> >> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose
> >> anything
> >> >> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD
> burner.
> >> >> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
> >> >>
> >> >> Ryan
> >> >>
> >> >> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde
> (that
> >> >> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >---
> >> >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> >> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system
> (http://www.grisoft.com).
> >> >Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
> >> 6/5/04
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >---
> >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> >Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date:
> 6/5/04
> >
> >
> >.
> >


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/5/04

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Ryan,
The experts would like you to run HighjackThis:
This courtesy of MS-MVP Glen Ventura:
********************
Download, unzip (if it is in a .zip file), and run Hijack This from one of
these
locations:
http://computercops.biz/downloads-cat-14.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/HijackThis.exe
Unzip or locate it to a folder other than your Desktop or the Temp folder,
double-click HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save
Log"
button.
Press that, save the log somewhere you can find it (Desktop, My Documents,
or
similar).
Most of what it lists will be harmless or even required, so do NOT fix
anything yet.

Copy the log files and paste them into a new post at this forum:
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30&sid=8ffbc7fdbcb01f7e49a03f108b7f3a1c

But before you post your HIjack log, read and DO what is suggested here:
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075

This is an excellent forum for W98 issues, and may be well worth your while
becoming a member. It's totally free. See here:
http://forum.aumha.org/

Please post back here if you're still around Ryan. If I don't get a
response, I will e-mail you.
--
Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
W98 Support & Discussion:
http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
Windows Help & Discussion:
http://forum.aumha.org/

"Ryan" > wrote in message
...
> Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I was
> out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
> off the computer and disconnect the modem.
> I went through and slowly got rid of some of the problems,
> and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
> internet. The first two things I did were download
> Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
> gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
> took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
> functioning correctly; save for one thing.
> Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It doesn't
> restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing screen;
> nothing at all.
> Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
> don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose anything
> I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
> Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
>
> Ryan
>
> PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
> wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/5/04

[Dapper Dan]

In the event that doesn't resolve the issue, have you checked your
keyboard? Try the Ctrl+Alt on the other side of the keyboard. Also
have you checked to see if the Delete key works ???

Dan

"Curt Christianson" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Ryan,
> The experts would like you to run HighjackThis:
> This courtesy of MS-MVP Glen Ventura:
> ********************
> Download, unzip (if it is in a .zip file), and run Hijack This from
one of
> these
> locations:
> http://computercops.biz/downloads-cat-14.html
> http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/HijackThis.exe
> Unzip or locate it to a folder other than your Desktop or the Temp
folder,
> double-click HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".
>
> When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a
"Save
> Log"
> button.
> Press that, save the log somewhere you can find it (Desktop, My
Documents,
> or
> similar).
> Most of what it lists will be harmless or even required, so do NOT
fix
> anything yet.
>
> Copy the log files and paste them into a new post at this forum:
>
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30&sid=8ffbc7fdbcb01f7e49a03f108b7f3a1c
>
> But before you post your HIjack log, read and DO what is suggested
here:
> http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075
>
> This is an excellent forum for W98 issues, and may be well worth
your while
> becoming a member. It's totally free. See here:
> http://forum.aumha.org/
>
> Please post back here if you're still around Ryan. If I don't get a
> response, I will e-mail you.
> --
> Curt--and NOT the MVP Curt Christianson (I wish!)
> W98 Support & Discussion:
> http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
> Windows How-tos and and Freeware:
> http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/
> Windows Help & Discussion:
> http://forum.aumha.org/
>
> "Ryan" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Last night my brother got the computer hacked while I was
> > out. He did what I had told him earlier, though; to shut
> > off the computer and disconnect the modem.
> > I went through and slowly got rid of some of the problems,
> > and then this morning I worked up the guts to access the
> > internet. The first two things I did were download
> > Zonealarm (because it had screwed up a while ago and was
> > gone from our harddrive) and get the Windows update. It
> > took many restarts but I finally got most of the things
> > functioning correctly; save for one thing.
> > Whenever I press Ctrl+Alt+Del, nothing happens. It doesn't
> > restart, it doesn't pop up with the task-managing screen;
> > nothing at all.
> > Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? I really
> > don't want to have to reformat, because I'll lose anything
> > I have that can't fit on a floppy - I have no CD burner.
> > Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
> >
> > Ryan
> >
> > PS: Some keys don't work as well, like the tilde (that
> > wavy dash thing), Caps Lock, and Escape.
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/5/04
>
>

[Ryan]

Thankyou for the information, and the email. Yes, I had to
leave after my last message. Hair cut. ;)

I followed the instructions on the site and posted my log.
I hope some good can come of it! Thankyou again for
sticking with me. It's very much appreciated.

Ryan

[Ryan]

Yes, I have checked the keyboard. Neither side of the
keyboard have a working Ctrl or Alt key; the Del key does
work, however.
As far as I have gathered, the non-working keys are the
tilde, Ctrl and Alt, Caps Lock, and Esc.
I have checked the connection to the computer as well;
it's fine.

Ryan