Phished To Death
I guess some lessons have to be learned the hard way. This was hard. My computer melted down 2 days ago. Everything I tried to correct the virus problem I was being assaulted with failed. I had to call in the infantry. His name was Jaime. He spent 3 hours de-bugging my system on Thursday. We got back online and everything checked out fine. Once he was gone, the same problem popped up again. I had a pop up virus from “bestfreevirusscan”, or some such nonsense, that was throwing pop-up ads at me faster than Dax Shepard throwing groceries in Employee Of The Month.
Jaime showed up again this morning to do the dirty deed. He. Purged. My. Computer. Everything; totally gone. It’s like the day I bought it, but with 1/3 the software. It’s actually kind of nice, since I didn’t realize how much useless and old stuff I had on here. Did I really need to bookmark all of that? No, I didn’t. The problem is getting everything loaded back on. I rushed trying to get pictures, videos and documents saved to flash drives, CD’s, 8-tracks; anything I could find. I think I got most of it. If I didn’t; well, then I guess I didn’t need it that bad in the first place.
Whatever this thing was, it was buried deep. You may have read a few weeks ago that Microsoft was rushing out a patch for IE7 because they had found a “fatal flaw”. Well, the patch didn’t work so well. This thing hit me Tuesday morning and once it was in my system, it was over. I got all the way to system restore; but the system would freeze there. This thing won’t allow you to go back to an uncorrupted restore point. Your only option is to reinstall your operating system. Ouch. I was about 70% IE and about 30% Firefox before this happened; now? I’ll never open up IE again. Ever. It’s just not worth it. Too many ways in for the bad guys.
I did come across a few things while I was downloading like mad; one of them was this video. It’s from the summer and I figured all of my friends north of me could use a reminder of summer. Melisa will love it; that’s a given. Weaselmomma will wonder if 2 beagles can provide as much warmth as a fleece blanket (they can) and Karen will ponder the number of microbes that were exchanged in the last 5 seconds of the video. Even though he’s in Europe, Xbox will enjoy it as I believe he has become smitten with the NukeBeagles, judging from his comments; and Busy Dad will just wonder how many Newcastles he could put in their bowl before they get sleepy. I’m thinking 2 would do it. Take heart, all you frost-bitten bloggers; summer’s coming! Just not as fast as you’d like, unfortunately.
James
That sucks. Sorry to hear.
(NukeDad) It was like watching your car go down a boat ramp with all of the windows open and no emergency brake.
Jamess last blog post..Regarding Versaries
Jan 17, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
Melisa
I could watch that for hours. I did notice right away that it was missing something that I’m familiar with, with my own dog: the noise. Wow. They don’t make any noise, huh? Roxie has that “I’m being stabbed right through my stomach all the way out my back” kind of noise coming out of her half the time.
Maybe she needs a companion.
I value my marriage though, so I guess I won’t ask what Jim thinks about that. Look for a post on “the many poses of Roxie” next week… Maybe Buddy and Penny will enjoy it too.
Thanks for the summer reminder!
(NukeDad) Once Buddy gets pissed off enough he’ll start making some noise, but they are usually pretty quiet while chasing each other. Another dog walking down the street, however? Ear shattering bark/yelp/howl/growl like I’ve never heard. With tails wagging the whole time. They’re such wimps.
Jan 17, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Weaselmomma
Ahhhhh, summertime. They do look warm and cuddly. Sorry you had that major virus issue. I hope it didn’t cost a fortune and that it is fixed forever!
(NukeDad) Let’s just say it cost more than I wanted to pay, but I could have been charged alot more. It better not happen ever again.
Weaselmommas last blog post..Today’s Agenda
Jan 18, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Xbox4NappyRash
They really really are beautiful animals.
Loved that.
(NukeDad) Thanks, Xbox; I thought you’d like it.
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..So I can blame you
Jan 18, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Audubon Ron
Input output enema should do the trick.
I don’t mess around, I wear a 2 mil 55 gal trash bag and duck tape the sleeves when I surf.
(NukeDad) The enema didn’t work; had to do a full transplant.
Audubon Rons last blog post..Cat Cam
Jan 18, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Oscar
Once a virus gets in, you can never get rid of it without totally wiping out your OS. I have had great success with Panda anti virus. 4 years without a pop up or junk mail.
Clean out your explorer files once a week. Especially if you are directed into a site that is questionable. I jump out immediately (well if she’s cute, maybe a few seconds) then flush internet cache files.
I have 3 dogs that do a similar routine. One of them climbs up into that play fort part of the swingset.
(NukeDad) We put some good virus/popup/spyware stuff on here too. We should be set going forward. It’s funny that you mention the play fort; they (The NukeBeagles) use it more than the kids. This one of the few videos that they haven’t used it.
Jan 19, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Eric
I love beagles!
We have one, named Logan, and she is a handful!
The best is when you come home from a long day and she SCREAMS to welcome you home
(NukeDad) They are great! Buddy and Penny can definitely be vocal when they want to; thank goodness it’s not all the time.
Erics last blog post..Mommy intuition
Jan 19, 2009 @ 10:36 am
tom
I’m going home tonight and wiping IE off of my system. Only…… it allows the latest Realplayer plugin for downloading videos, and Firefox doesn’t. Decisions decisions…. sorry to hear about the virus, dude. Glad everything’s cleansed and purged now. Stick to bananas, rice, applesauce and toast for a while. Or the computer equivalent, whatever that would be.
(NukeDad) I hear you; I’m just not willing to take the chance anymore. Microsoft is having to “patch” every couple of weeks now, they’re playing catch-up and will never win.
toms last blog post..Myocardial Monday – HFCS
Jan 19, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
matt
This is one of the reasons I am glad I’ve always worked on a Mac. MS stopped producing IE for Mac a LONG time ago, and I have never looked back. But you’re right though. Sometimes a little “spring cleaning” on the old ‘puter can be a healthy thing
(NukeDad) Yep, when (and if) I grow up and become a cool kid, I want to get a Mac too. My neighbor has one. Jerk.
Jan 19, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
1sttimedad
Don’t just ditch Internet Explorer, NukeDad, ditch the piece of crap PC and get a Mac. I work on a Mac and love it dearly. I’ll never buy a PC again and can only wait until my old one at work bites the dust.
(NukeDad) Yep, been told that as well, unfortunately this PC is less than 2 years old. We’ve talked about it, though, and I think our next computer WILL be a Mac.
1sttimedads last blog post..OK Obama, you’re up
Jan 20, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins
Ah…not a frozen thing in sight in that video. Those were the days…
(NukeDad) They’ll be here soon Colleen; keep the faith.
Colleen – Mommy Always Winss last blog post..Is this a sickness?
Jan 21, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
Mike
As you know a few weeks ago I lost most of my blog and had to rebuild, so I feel for you. It is not a pleasant experience to go through.
I’m still waiting for winter here. Rain once in a while but no really cold weather. Sucks to live here in So Cal…
(NukeDad) Ha! There are a few people who would disagree with you. I lived in Redondo Beach for about 6 months back in the early ’90′s. Spent my last night there down at Tony’s on the pier. Is it still there?
Mikes last blog post..Too Much Time On My Hands…
Jan 21, 2009 @ 7:37 pm
Karen
That totally sucks with the computer, thankfully you were able to save your files! I really need to get mine backed up, so many pictures of my babies that would be lost forever if something happened to this thing… I would never switch to a mac though, I HATE mac! My high school had a ton of them, I detested them all even the fancy new ones. Oh and there is a new worm to watch out for: http://www.pcworld.com/article/158085/downadup_1_in_16_pcs.html?tk=rss_news And apparently deleting IE is a bad idea since microsoft updates through it, pain in the butt. My techie friend told me not to when I got pissed at it.
What is the green stuff on the ground? Is the snow green in the Carolinas??? The brown stuff reminds me of the stuff in all my planters, what in the world is it doing outside on the ground, did you put it down to provide traction in the green snow/ice? The Iowans usually use sand for that but then we have white snow so it could be totally different. First the mysterious black stuff in my parking spot and now this. Oh and if that damn groundhog sees its shadow I think we should all go on a road trip so we can kill and eat it!
The butt thing is definitely a reason I am not too cool with dogs, after watching one eat pig feces and then try to lick people at my Aunt’s place… I love the over-psychotic dog lovers who get all crazy when I say I don’t really like dogs and say things like “A dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s!” They really need to remember they are talking to a microbiologist, it isn’t always quantity of microorganisms, you only need about 10 cells of E. coli O157:H7 to get sick… Though dog’s usually carry a different infectious strain of E. coli, not sure how infectious it is but normally small children get sick from it I think. I like to look at dogs and will pet one that doesn’t try to jump on me (crappy jointed people do not like getting mauled, especially tiny ones closer to the dog’s size and weight) nor lick me (gross!). I am fine with other people having dogs, as long as they pick up their poop when they walk it through my area and keep it from attacking me I’m good. Beagles are one of the cutest breeds, if BusyDad got them drunk I’d probably pet one, but not by its head in case it puked
.
(NukeDad) I still have IE just in case, but I’ll never browse in it again. That green stuff is still around-it’s January and my grass is still green; that’s after snow and all last week being in the teens and single digits at night. Weird. No dog kisses on the face; that’s the house rule.
Karens last blog post..Pray for CK Updated
Jan 22, 2009 @ 1:50 am
Momo Fali
Okay, you’ve convinced me. No more IE.
The dogs? Where do they get their energy? If I could just have a teeny, tiny bit of it, my life would be much easier.
(NukeDad) Kibbles & Chunks. It’s available at Sam’s and Costco in 50 pound bags. I eat at least a bowl a day. I have the cat like reflexes of a 34 year old now.
Momo Falis last blog post..They Played Me Like a Fiddle
Jan 22, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Karen
Sometimes when the ice age comes in fast and hard the grass here actually stays green because it freezes before the chlorophyll has a chance to degrade and then it takes longer to degrade, normally it is brown by spring (if said season exists, I suspect it is a myth propagated by the vast left-wing conspiracy).
(NukeDad) We got a quick flash-freeze early this year; maybe that’s what did it.
Karens last blog post..Pray for CK Updated
Jan 24, 2009 @ 5:45 am
Seashore
I am sorry about your computer. When something similar happened here, my husband spent an entire day burning pictures to DVD’s. It is such a hassle, but now we have that batch backed-up. Now if we just do the past year, and keep it up….yeah right.
(NukeDad) You’re right; it’s tough to make yourself do it, but it’s worth it. Or maybe try Carbonite, if you’re willing to pay for it.
Seashores last blog post..Mall Tips..
Jan 25, 2009 @ 8:56 am