Windows 7 Strange Internet Connection problem (virus?)

[James Paull]

I suspect, based upon the combination of problems, that I am dealing with a virus. But I do not know what the virus is and how to get rid of it. here is what I am seeing:

1. Two computers, both with Windows 7 Ultimate on a home networkr with Netgear router.
2. Computer A - My computer. No issues at all. Wired Connection.
3. Computer B - Wife's computer. Also a wired connection. IE9 says no internet connection. Network icon in system tray intermittently says internet access but sometimes says none. Try to troubleshoot connection and get an error message saying that the Troubleshooter is restricted (error 0x80070522) even though the account is an Administrator and has execute permissions on the file. Also got an error message when trying to run Windows Live Messenger (error 0x80072ee7). Also tried resetting IE9 to defaults, with no apparent affect.

I have seen similar viruses that screw up the system and also disable the items that you would use to repair the issues, so I tend to think this is the problem. We have AV software but it is not detecting anything.

Please help.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like there might be some issues with Computer B that could potentially be caused by malware or a virus. Since you suspect a virus based on the combination of problems observed, here are some steps you can take to try and eliminate the issue:

Steps to Identify and Remove the Virus:​

1. Update Antivirus Software:
   • Ensure that the antivirus software on Computer B is up-to-date. If it's not detecting anything, try running a full system scan with an updated antivirus program.
   []Use Windows Defender Offline:
   • Windows Defender Offline is a tool that can run a scan without the OS running, which can help detect and remove persistent threats. You can create a Windows Defender Offline bootable media on a USB drive or CD and run a scan on Computer B.
   []Perform a Malware Scan:
   • In addition to the antivirus scan, it's a good idea to use anti-malware software like Malwarebytes to scan for and remove any potential malware on Computer B.
   []Check for Suspicious Programs:
   • Check the installed programs list and uninstall any unfamiliar or suspicious programs that might be related to the issue.
   []Reset Windows Networking Stack:
   • Run Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the following commands to reset the Windows networking stack:

      netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset

   []Disable Proxy Settings:
   • Ensure there are no proxy settings enabled in Internet Explorer that could be redirecting traffic. Check Proxy settings in Internet Explorer under Internet Options.
   []System Restore:
   • If the issue persists, consider using System Restore to revert Computer B to a working state from a point before the problems began.

     Additional Considerations:​

     • Safe Mode: Booting Computer B into Safe Mode with Networking can help troubleshoot if the issue persists in a minimal environment.
     • Network Configuration: Verify the network settings and ensure there are no unauthorized configurations impacting the connection.
     By following these steps, you can potentially diagnose and resolve the issue on Computer B. If the problem persists, seeking professional IT help may be necessary to thoroughly investigate and remove any persistent threats.