Thread: access to websites is blocked

I have tried reloading windows xp three times. I obtain Virgin(ntl) web site but when I want to got to any other,ie avg/microsoft, there is a delay and the web address at the bottom changes and it fails to load and a message comes up saying access denied. I can never get on to a website to load a virus checker. I have tried loading an avg disc but this too fails.
What I need to know is can I look somwhere in the program files, (or is it on the hard disc?), to find this web adress and kill it off. Is it possible to download something from my laptop on to a pen drive that i can then feed into the desk top to get it.How can I protect the pen drive from getting the virus as I have read that they can become infected.
Or can I learn to be a hacker to get my own back?

I have tried reloading windows xp three times.

. Not sure I understand correctly. Do you mean that you've reinstalled three times?
If you think you have a virus then download DrCureit on to a flash drive and try running it on the infected PC.

You could also download SAS free version; http://www.superantispyware.com/
and malwarebytes (free trial version) ; http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
and install from the flash drive or CD.

Running these security programs from safe mode would be better.
Safe mode how to; http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

Forgot the link to Dr Cureit; http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/

Originally Posted by brian stuck

I have tried reloading windows xp three times. I obtain Virgin(ntl) web site but when I want to got to any other,ie avg/microsoft, there is a delay and the web address at the bottom changes and it fails to load and a message comes up saying access denied. I can never get on to a website to load a virus checker. I have tried loading an avg disc but this too fails.
What I need to know is can I look somwhere in the program files, (or is it on the hard disc?), to find this web adress and kill it off. Is it possible to download something from my laptop on to a pen drive that i can then feed into the desk top to get it.How can I protect the pen drive from getting the virus as I have read that they can become infected.
Or can I learn to be a hacker to get my own back?

Brian, on your reinstalls, did you do a complete format before installing XP? Because I have yet to see a virus survive a complete format & reinstall (not a quick format, a full format).

If you are sure that this is being caused by a virus and you absolutely cannot get any anti-virus software loaded at all, you could take the hard drive out of the system, hook it up to an IDE/SATA to USB adapter, plug it into your laptop and scan it that way.

I'm not sure I understand the question about finding a web site and killing it off - could you explain that a bit more? Do you have a router that may be contributing to the web site denials? Routers that have not had the default password settings changed are suspect. Just a thought...

Many thanks to Fabler and Simrick.
I did reinstall. I am not entiely sure of what I am doing but followed the Packard Bell instructions using the red floppy and restart discs.
I have Malwarebytes, Suprantispyware, niether of which worked. I then used Dr Cureit which identified 'Virut' virus.I had a paid version of avg, but as I had not worked out how to reactivate it I used my free verson from my laptop. This seemed to reintroduce the problem. Prior to this I had been able t access web sites as normal and even get SP2 back on . The naext prob. is that windows firewall would not turn on.I tried disabling Norton which is the 2002 version but I am now back to being unable to get on to web sites. when I click on internet explorer I get the 'open with' box asking if I want to open with notepad, paint etc
So I am going to try one more reinstall.
Thanks once again for your replies.

Before you try another reinstall try removing Norton. First disable Nortons firewall, AV etc. Next run the removal tool (2003 should work for you); http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...nsf&view=docid . Reboot and try to start Windows firewall. You have the free AVG so you should be ok. Try connecting to the net now.

to Simrick and dabler - twice - many thanks for the Norton suggestion, I did in fact do this on the last and final reinsatll. I am pleased to say everything is working. So success for all

to Simrick and Fabler - twice - many thanks for the Norton suggestion, I did in fact do this on the last and final reinstall. I am pleased to say everything is working. So success for all Many thanks obce again for your help, Brin.

Glad you now have internet connection. Be aware that AVG and Norton conflicted a while ago resulting in no internet connection.
You also need to know that you did not 'reinstall XP' but restored the PC to factory settings.
This means you do not have the XP disc but only Packard Bell's recovery disc which means all the 'bumff' that came with the PC will be reinstalled including Norton 2002! You will now need to reinstall Windows updates. I think SP2 first (ignore the others) then that will allow you to install SP3.

Thanks Fabler , see what you mean, all these different descriptions have me confused - is there an 'idiots guide to computer everything'?
Yes it restored to PB factory settings, is this different to a hard disc reformat?
But does doing what I did remove the bug?. It seems to be working ok now though. The AVG is the full version. My laptop (HP Pavilion) only has the free version, but it seems a lot sturdier. Both systems have their firewalls activated.
Do you suggest changing the security package as they all seem to need upgrading, and hence paying for updated versions, allbeit at a reduced price?
Do you suggest any particular company or combination?
Many thanks Brin.

brian stuck,
I'm now totally confused. Laptop or desktop neither needs Norton. Use tool linked previously to remove.
This is in my humble opinion only.
AVG antivirus is inferior to Avast Home, again in my humble opinion.
Security suites are also inferior, even again in my humble opinion!
I use:
http://www.pctools.com/firewall/ firewall

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html free home AV and the best.

Spywareblaster (free download means you have to update manually! ;'http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Malwarebytes (free trial) http://www.malwarebytes.org/

SAS; http://www.superantispyware.com/ . Liked this program so much I paid a one off payment for 'real time scanning'.
Another one that picks up what the other miss is Spybot S&D; http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html .
Never used paid for security suits.