Malware prevents me from accessing my registry

[MicrosoftFails]

Let me begin by saying one thing: to whoever decided to give System Restore the ability to be disabled, why didn't you just write the script for the virus currently afflicting me and hand it right to them? Thank you for continuing to represent Microsoft's clear inability to recognize extremely obvious virus potential, and instead make it more and more easy for them to be created. Thank the Lord you get paid to do this while others go through years of schooling to, God forbid, do something productive. I understand that there is a potential for viruses and malware to be stored in system restore and resurrect after a restoration. So let's just hand the virus makers the ability to TURN IT OFF AND MAKE IT COMPLETELY USELESS DURING THE ONLY TIME IT IS USEFUL! This is by far the most pathetic thing that I've seen such a reputable company do. Ever.

Anyways, here is my problem. Hopefully there are some competent people in there. There is some sort of malware on my PC, I'm running Windows XP on an IBM blah blah, none of the other specs matter and let's not pretend they do. This malware has only 2 functions that I am aware of. It turns off my system restore every millisecond, and disables my registry editor every 20 seconds or so. The constant processes cause my computer to run like I'm surfing the web on AOL in the 90's. I can run a script in command prompt to access my registry and delete disableSR, set value to 0, whatever I do it doesn't matter, because in less than a full second the system restore is disabled again and my registry is locked. It is a system command that is doing this, so of course, due to microsofts continual implementation of genius strategies, I cannot disallow access to the registry from the source that continues to change it, not even for long enough to restart and run the SR. Good job on your debugging and validation steps before releasing your new versions, Windows, if you have even heard of those terms before. Useless.

I never thought I would be saying this, but I'm seriously considering buying a Mac right now. Sure, its 5 times more expensive for similar spec PCs, but at least they weren't designed to destroy themselves in 3 weeks.

[wide-load]

You don't have to spend a lot of money on new hardware, just run Ubuntu Linux on your current stuff. It works better on the hardware that you have than Windoze. And, you don't have to be concerned about malware and viruses. If you need occasionally to run Windows Ubuntu will partition your hard drive and allow you to set for dual boot, so you can boot Windows on those rare occasions when you just have to.

Good Luck on getting that malware cleaned of your system.

[-pops-]

All computers should have a full system backup, not only to restore the software but also as a fail safe in the event of hard drive failure - which will happen one day whether you have a Mac, Windows or Linux.

Verbose rants like yours are unnecessary if you follow the recommended procedures in computer maintenance, including anti-malware programs (which Microsoft now supply for free).

[andsome]

All computers should have a full system backup, not only to restore the software but also as a fail safe in the event of hard drive failure - which will happen one day whether you have a Mac, Windows or Linux.

Verbose rants like yours are unnecessary if you follow the recommended procedures in computer maintenance, including anti-malware programs (which Microsoft now supply for free).

100% in agreement.

[MicrosoftFails]

All computers should have a full system backup, not only to restore the software but also as a fail safe in the event of hard drive failure - which will happen one day whether you have a Mac, Windows or Linux.

Verbose rants like yours are unnecessary if you follow the recommended procedures in computer maintenance, including anti-malware programs (which Microsoft now supply for free).

People who replace their computers every few years (the majority of the population) don't have to worry about HD failure.. and this doesn't even pertain to the topic I have brought up at all.. I had a backup, I utilized the SR provided by Microsoft for this purpose. I did not write this to get a "You should've done", or "It's your fault this company fails at basic programming principles". I was in search of a solution. It does not surprise me that a "Newbie" offered genuine help, while the Microsoft forum moderator was judgemental, lazy, and complacent. Thank you for proving my point. You cannot agree that it is ridiculous to have a system failure's failsafe disableable...? I'm not arguing about this anymore.

It's true, it could've been avoided by making my own backup. But the point is that Microsoft gives the impression that you can be confident in their system restore, then they give virus builders the options to simply turn it off repeatedly..

In any fashion, I came here to get an answer to what I should do, not to what I should have done to avoid being relient on Microsoft's broken System Restore system. If you don't have an answer, don't answer.

[doug]

A more polite reply please. Your last sentence is not acceptable.

[Boris]

Thank the Lord you get paid to do this while others go through years of schooling to, God forbid, do something productive.

It does not surprise me that a "Newbie" offered genuine help, while the Microsoft forum moderator was judgemental, lazy, and complacent. Thank you for proving my point

You seem to be under the misapprehension that this Forum is run by Microsoft.

It is not linked in any way at all - the service we provide here is given freely by unpaid volunteers, who try to help Windows users with their problems where they can.

If you have a problem with Microsoft, please contact them directly, but do not abuse our staff, who have no influence over Microsoft's software defects !

Your problem might be easier to respond to if you gave some indication of what virus/malware you have contracted, what anti-virus solution you are running and what actions you have so far taken (unsuccessful) to remove the problem.

If you respond to this in a polite manner, I will try to assist you.

[MicrosoftFails]

A more polite reply please. Your last sentence is not acceptable.

Let's pretend I'm not the only adult here for a few seconds... The moderator labelled my post a "verbose rant" and provided no help on top of that, if you don't want negative reactions towards moderators of this forums, maybe they should be more helpful than they are judgemental. I posted this exact thread on three other forums (available upon request), and have found a solution to my problem with no additional information required, no flak from moderators or members, and no judgemental tone implied. All I said was don't post if you don't have an answer for me, and quite frankly I don't care if it hurts anyone's feelings because they could have been much less ignorant and complacent toward me initially. It's a shame none of you have developed the ability to listen and respond appropriately and professionally, being forum moderators. Instead I'm getting this throng of mods acting like my 12-year old sister going "OH NO YOU DIDNT 'INSULT' SOMEONE I KNOW BECAUSE HE WAS RUDE AND COMPLACENT TO YOU". It's a chame this isn't the official microsoft forum, you idiots would fit right in with the rest of the fat, lazy American slobs that claim they are more useful than they really are.

I seriously suggest not giving out moderation rights in All-Bran cereal boxes; you'll get many less 60 year old men who think they know things about computers because they did in the 80's.

Now, go shrug this off and continue acting like you're all geniuses and everyone else is wrong. It's the way of your countrymen. Good luck with the site, and sorry to everyone with a brain who was dually polite in this experience, you are not included in this.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

you idiots would fit right in with the rest of the fat, lazy American slobs ...

This forum is hosted in the UK, and most of the members and moderators here are British.

The forum has been established to help people from all over the world, and members have done so for many years. However, there are a few rules here, one of them being to treat other members with respect. This is not what you were doing from your very first post.

Thank you for continuing to represent Microsoft's clear inability to recognize extremely obvious virus potential, and instead make it more and more easy for them to be created. Thank the Lord you get paid to do this while others go through years of schooling to, God forbid, do something productive.

After that you were getting more rude with every post.

Since your primary goal seems to be to insult other forum members, rather than looking for help, I suggest that you do not post here anymore.

[andsome]

Good riddance if the spoilt child goes for good.

[Boris]

you idiots would fit right in with the rest of the fat, lazy American slobs that claim they are more useful than they really are.

I have (up until today) always found Canadians to be polite, helpful and very nice people.