NGADM and Computer Virus

Well, there is good news and bad news to be said. Being the optimist that I am, the good news comes first.

I took third place in the 2012 Newgrounds Audio Deathmatch! With the competition consisting of around 200 contestants, I did not expect to make it past the first round. At absolute best, I figured I might make the top sixteen, so I'm pleasantly shocked and very thankful to have made it as far as I did!

What I loved about the competition is that it pushed me to places I had never been as a composer. My round one piece was very typical of my style, consisting of sentimental piano with some light orchestration. The second round, however, had me composing an orchestral, adventurous, fast paced track. Since most of my music is very mellow, this was a big (and very successful) step into something new. My third track has been described as a fusion of jazz fusion and liquid DnB, an obvious departure from the norm for me! Finally, my fourth track was very cinematic orchestral theme with much more complexity than anything I've previously done. Here are links to my submissions:

Impromptu - Spring
Children's Overture
Alpine
In Remembrance

As for the bad news...My computer has contracted a horrific virus. It keeps me from accessing any file or program on the computer. I can't even open up task manager or the control panel, and my antivirus software won't do a thing about it. In fact, it looks as though every personal file on my computer has vanished (though I'm sure the virus is just hiding theme). After starting up, a program called "File Restore" loads on the desktop and tells me that a serious error has occured on my computer and caused all my files to become inaccessable. It says that it can restore them all if I buy the full version of the software. The whole thing is obviously a virus and scam. The problem is that I can't exit the program and can't pull up task manager to end it. In fact, the program is practically the only thing that will run. Maybe I can figure out how to run my computer in safe mode or something to take care of this?

Anyway, I can't access my music software and thus cannot compose for the time being. I'm using a computer at the college to write this since I can't utilize the internet at home. I'll figure this out somehow though, and I've got most of my personal files backed up. Overall, I'm more happy about the deathmatch than bummed about the virus.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me! I'm behind on review responses, but I'll soon go back and reply to each one.

Comments

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S3C 2012-10-18 12:29:59

yeah, try running your computer in safe mode. Repeatedly press F8 (I think...) when your computer is starting up, it should bring you to a black screen and where you can select a running mode of "safe mode with networking". Then download two programs: Hijackthis and Malwarebytes. First run malware bytes and see if it brings up any obvious spyware programs. Delete what is spyware obviously. Then use hijack this to repair and delete registry values and possible trojans- you'll have to use google and an online manual to figure out what exactly is bad. Then once that is done you might want to run a system restore. This might alter some of your recent settings, but it shouldn't delete any of your personal files on your computer.

BlazingDragon 2012-10-18 12:29:59

Thanks for the advice!

DivoFST 2012-10-18 12:37:45

Congratulations for your run in the NGADM, i kept a close eye on the final 4 submissions and i must say that In Remembrance was in fact the most enjoyable music, unfortunatly you got matched against Kor-Rune and his technical skills are insane.

BlazingDragon 2012-10-18 12:37:45

Yeah, Kor-Rune is insanely talented! I'm happy to have made it so far though. Thanks! :D

gadogry 2012-10-18 22:17:08

HI Blazingdragon, I've removed this virus on a friend's computer before. While I can't remember the exact steps (it was a while ago), this virus pretty much just made all files on your computer hidden, and moved all the shortcuts in your start folder to somewhere else. All your files are still there -- it's just hidden/displaced. So don't panic-delete/format anything. Just do the obvious thing and google "system restore virus" and read up on it.

I hope your computer come around soon, and keep up the good work :)

BlazingDragon 2012-10-18 22:17:08

I was able to remove the virus, but other problems came up and it got to the point that I couldn't even get to the desktop. I had a system error every time I started the computer. Thanks for the info though.

acmeDyne 2012-10-19 02:30:20

Congratulations on a well-deserved top three finish!
I honestly would not have been surprised if you were the overall winner.

BlazingDragon 2012-10-19 02:30:20

Thanks! I really liked your entries and honestly didn't think I'd make it as far as I did. I hope you enter next year.

KrisKrosNL 2012-11-02 06:31:14

How did you even receive that virus in the first place? Did you download/install something prior to the virus being assigned to your PC?

BlazingDragon 2012-11-02 06:31:14

I'm honestly not sure how I got the virus. I let my brothers use my computer, and I'm wondering if they may have gone on some pages that they shouldn't have. -_-

AshleyAlyse 2012-11-04 02:05:14

I had this virus a long time ago. I believe it is the internet security virus. It tells you that you have an error and you need to pay for software to fix it. It's been so long, so I don't really remember what I did, but I may have done system restore, or booted it in safemode. I went to a site from another computer and downloaded the rkill.exe and the Malwarbytes program, I stuck that onto a flash drive and tried to put it onto my computer. Mmmm, I can't really remember exactly what I did. Sorry. :( I advise you to look up the internet security virus and how to get rid of it. Hope that helps a little!

BlazingDragon 2012-11-04 02:05:14

Thanks for the tips! I ended up having to wipe the hard drive, but I'm happy the computer still works.

Hack-Back 2012-11-05 23:29:40

S3C: Yes, while that is all a good idea there are advanced malware infections that install rootkits and trojan droppers in the system files, which means that AV Programs are rendered unable to delete/quarantine the files on their own.

My Sugestion: After doing what S3C said and you are still having malware issues, please download and run a program called combofix. It's almost too OP to run on windows machines, but if there are any infected system files this program will find them, crush them, and make a fresh copy of the system file that was removed from existing backup directories. A fair warning though, be careful and follow the instructions that this program gives you to the dot, failure to do so will lead to a reinstallation of windows.

BlazingDragon 2012-11-05 23:29:40

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll have to check out that software if I have anymore problems.

m0lecule 2012-11-07 22:15:00

Check PM, tough guy.