Do I have a virus? "This system is shutting down"

[TheBlob]

Within the past month we've done a major computer upgrade (against my better judgement). Got a brand new Hewlett Packard computer, a new Toshiba laptop, Windows XP on both (upgraded from Windows 98) as well as DSL (upgraded from dial-up).

It's been a nightmare of epic proportions (half a dozen visits from the phone company, broken modems sent through the mail, etc). No need to go into it all right now but suffice it to say, nothing would please me more than to open the window and throw it all out and watch it crash onto the pavement six floors below.

A few days ago a gray box began appearing on my HP screen.
It reads:


"This system is shutting down.
Please save all work in progress and log off.
Any unsaved changes will be lost.
This shut down was initiated by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Windows must now restart because the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service terminated unexpectedly."

This message is accompanied with a 60 second countdown before my computer resets.

Within 2 minutes the process repeats itself. I don't even need to be online. The HP is now useless.
This all started once DSL was installed.

Anyone else having this problem?


Damn, only 20 minutes left on this laptop battery
(The window is looking more tempting by the minute)

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. yes it is a virus

you need to update windows. this is an exploit that came downt he pipeline a while back.

go to windows update page.

you also need to purchase a hub, or router. something cheap (Linksys is good). This will act as a crude firewall to prevent it from happening again.

As it happens, being piped straight thru a broadband connection leaves you with your dick in the wind.

[catzies]

2. Go to your Task Manager and look to see if MSBlaster.exe is running.

That's what it sounds like at first thought anyway.

[Momof1]

3. sounds like msblast to me...

I upgraded to xp last week, and before I had a chance to install Symantec anti-virus thing. I got Msblast. My brother in law had to download a patch. And that didn't work. He tried over and over again.

Well, in the end he had to erase my harddrive AGAIN.

[TheBlob]

4. Oh great.

I never had a problem with my old system.
Now, $2000.00 later It's one misery after another.

HP didn't even include rescue disks with the package!

[trof]

5. Yep, Windows XP. I had it.

Can't remember now if it was Blaster or something else.
Always wanted to send error reports to Microsoft, too.
I think I asked here and somebody sent me to a website with a free uninstall/clean up.
Might try googling it.
Pain in the ass, it was.

[TheBlob]

6. Victory!

Yep. That's what it was, the Blaster virus.
Got in touch with Microsoft tech support.
Took about an hour but I've removed it and upgraded the system.

Thanks guys!

(Stepping away from the window)

[melonhawg]

7. Besides Windows XP?

I know...I'm using it too..Just kidding MR BILL!!"