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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
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Automatic System Cleaner–Free App to Fix Windows After Viral Attack

March 23, 2014 7:57:03 AM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

 

So, you’ve done your due diligence and despite all you’ve done, you’ve been hit. It happens.

The thing about your Security software? It’ll clean out the virus/Trojan, but it won’t fix the damage the malware has done to your system when it took over various functions and rendered them inoperable.

So what can you do? Format and reinstall Windows, or remove the malware and try to fix all the functions rendered inoperable.

Now, instead of the laborious task of going and finding all the broken stuff and fixing them (even if you know how to do that), “There’s an app for that!”.

Moreover, it’s free, small and portable as well. It will even serve as a dashboard to activate your CCleaner and Malwarebytes scans. Seriously.

Automatic System Cleaner v. 2.5 is it. There’s a bunch of other good stuff by the dev (kudos to Matthew McMullan) there as well (Ask toolbar remover, an actual GUI for CeckDisk to show all its switches and a multi-toolbar remover as well).

To show what it can do, I’ve assembled a collage of screenies for you.

 

 

Source:

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/03/09/fix-windows-virus-attack-automatic-system-cleaner/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e1179%2ehj0ao01hy5%2e182d

 

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DrJBHL
DaveBax
Join Date 10/2007
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Reply #1 March 23, 2014 9:00:27 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Looks like it will clean even more than CCleaner which I use almost everyday. 

Question please. You are calling it one thing and when you go to the DL page it just says Auto Cleaner and it's dated 2010. What I'm thinking is the date is the dat4 of the first version along with the name. Looks like they changed the name a bit but not on the web page?

Also you mention it's for the Viral Attack but looks like it can be used to clean out junk even if you have no Trojans on the system. 

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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
Join Date 04/2002
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Reply #2 March 23, 2014 9:37:05 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Yes, it's also a general cleaner as well...I think it's an amazing tool. I just approached it from the post viral attack angle, as Martin Brinkmann did because I think this is the most labor saving part of it.

As for your other question? I think he just chose a different name for the file...maybe he started it as one thing but decided to name it Advanced System Cleaner...good point though.

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DrJBHL
Frankief
Join Date 09/2003
+295
Reply #3 March 23, 2014 2:20:56 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

fuctions
Freudian slip there Doc? LOL. Looks like a good tool to add to my arsenal. Thanks for posting!

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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
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Reply #4 March 23, 2014 3:05:06 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

* sigh. The women of the wild west are a handful.  

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DrJBHL
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
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Reply #5 March 23, 2014 4:07:23 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Doc, you're a real frontiersman.  Thanks for posting!   

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DrJBHL
DaveBax
Join Date 10/2007
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Reply #6 March 23, 2014 7:02:45 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

The one you show doc is the one I downloaded. Thanks for the post.

 

 

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DrJBHL
Z71
Join Date 08/2001
+76
Reply #7 March 27, 2014 9:43:14 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

USE AT OWN RISK! 

Tried it yesterday, at this time. Complete system CRASH!

I just now got everything (windows, updates and apps.) reinstalled.

Luckily I had all the skins I'm working on backed up.

Stupid me, for not just sticking to what works. Had to try something new.

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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
Join Date 04/2002
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Reply #8 March 27, 2014 11:19:27 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I feel awful that this happened to you...

Ross, when you installed it, did you have a specific purpose in mind? Have you had a recent viral infection? Maybe the crash was due to something else?

Have you looked at your logs? Do you have any codes from the crash?

 

*the one time I didn't put my infamous disclaimer on the article...wouldn't you know it?

The infamous disclaimer:

As always, before installing ANYTHING on your computer:

1. Do your own research about the software.

2. Determine your need.

3. Create a restore point in case anything goes wrong during the installation.

4. If you haven’t done a backup within the past week, do one. It’s painless and saves quite a bit of regret.

5. Always choose "Custom" or "Advanced" installation if offered. That will allow you to view whether the software comes in a wrapper with toolbars, home page and search engine switchers or other software/Adware you might not want.

 

 

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DrJBHL
Z71
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #9 March 27, 2014 11:46:35 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

No logs. Did a clean windows install (after the fact). Just glad I do regular backups. Learned that the hard way, years ago.

Don't think it was anything else. Does seem odd, that I would have a crash, seconds after I hit execute.

Was trying it, if it worked, I could get rid of about 5 or 6 other programs, that this one does.

It was just an idea. I'll just stick with what I know works, that I've used for years.

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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
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Reply #10 March 27, 2014 12:14:34 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Ross...I've checked responses to the ghacks post, not many but no one reported a crash.

If you're still in the market, there's an alternative: http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html

With MajorGeeks mirrors.

 "Tweaking.com - Windows Repair can do the following:

 Reset Registry Permissions
 Reset File Permissions
 Register System Files
 Repair WMI
 Repair Windows Firewall
 Repair Internet Explorer
 Repair MDAC & MS Jet
 Repair Hosts File
 Remove Policies Set By Infections
 Repair Icons
 Repair Winsock & DNS Cache
 Remove Temp Files
 Repair Proxy Settings
 Unhide Non System Files
 Repair Windows Updates
 Repair CD/DVD Missing/Not Working
 and more...


Using Tweaking.com - Windows Repair:

When you first run the program you will be introduced to 4 steps before the 
repair options. These steps are highly recommend to do before attempting any 
repairs.

Step 1. Clean Your System Of Infections.
Trying to fix a system that is currently infected is obviously a very bad idea 
and can make things worse. An infection can hijack a machine and keep part of 
the repairs from running correctly. Since only part of a repair will work the 
other part that failed could end up causing problems. Rule of thumb before 
working on a system is to make sure it is clean. Even if you think your system 
is clean doing a scan before hand is a good idea.

Step 2. Check File System
Doing a check disk on the hard drive is a good idea. This will have Windows 
check the file system on the drive fixing any problem it finds. Corrupt files 
can break a lot of things, including the repairs. So making sure the file system 
is good is a must.

Step 3. System File Check (SFC)
The built in Windows system file checker is a tool that checks that the Windows 
files are intact, the correct versions and not corrupted. This is a good idea to 
do before doing repairs as if a file is corrupt and we try a repair that needs 
that file then the repair will fail.

Step 4. System Restore & Registry Backup
Doing a system restore point is a great idea to do before doing any repairs. If 
any unforeseen problems happen after any repair than a system restore can put 
the system back to the way it was before the repairs. This is highly 
recommended.

Tweaking.com - Registry Backup is also bundled with the program."

 

Maybe your crash came from something in your file system?

Before backing up, I run a deep infection scan (with BitDefender and Malwarebytes), defrag, chkdsk /f /r , and a registry defrag...

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DrJBHL
Z71
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #11 March 27, 2014 1:03:10 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

That might be a good thing to check out, but, it wouldn't have helped me.

When I hit execute, it downloaded a bunch of programs and when it tried to run, BAM!, my system shut down.

Then when it tried to reboot, I couldn't get past the animation (Win7 Flag). There was about a 2 second blue screen (to fast to read anything), then it would try to reboot again. I couldn't even get back in the system in safe mode, to do any repairs or restores.

I'll just chock it up to being a bad download.

I use 3 different programs for infections (BitDefender, Malwarebytes, and Norton), that I rotate month to moth to month. I do a chkdsk every 3 to 4 weeks, and I defrag with PerfectDisk Pro (which does 3 thing in one). I'm a CCleaner-aholic, and I like long walks on the beach. (Wait, that's for another site) LOL.

Some people say, I have ODD or ADD, what ever, when it comes to keeping my system clean. I'm always looking for new things, that will keep me running clean and smooth. I thought (this) was it.

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DrJBHL
DrJBHL
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Reply #12 March 27, 2014 1:37:40 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I'd say you have sound practices, and don't think you're beaching at all.

Definitely not OCD, or you wouldn't have written ODD...

I installed mine...no problems at all...again, unhappy you had a bad experience...but so very glad you have sound practices to fall back on.

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DrJBHL
Jafo
Join Date 03/2001
+1844 sdemployee
Reply #13 March 27, 2014 7:55:48 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting Z71,
reply 11
I'll just chock it up to being a bad download.

That'd be my guess.  It's either that or a pre-existing proggy also running at startup that had 'issues' with the new stuff - something that not everyone would necessarily encounter with it.

9 times out of 10, all the cleaners/fixers/improvers simplyadd more junk....themselves.

CrapCleaner is enough, along with a good quality AV, and leave defragging to Windows default [disabled on SSDs].

Maybe add DriverBooster to help keep you up to date with drivers.

Multiple AVs is belts and braces....more shit to wear but your pants still won't fall down either way.  If you think you 'need' more than one then you clearly have the wrong one.

Use Acronis [or similar] to image your OS drive once a week or so.

Use Syncback to backup your important files [work/photos/skinning/etc] EVERY DAY, and also secondary redundancy backups to a third drive.

Never let MS Update auto update without letting you vet what it's doing first.

 

IF you have the urge to try new proggies always assume it'll go tits-up and thus set a restore point first and/or extra data backup...

 

Remember...if you haven't blue screened/crashed/lost data then you haven't run Windows....

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DrJBHL
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #14 March 27, 2014 8:06:17 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Quoting Jafo,
reply 13
Remember...if you haven't blue screened/crashed/lost data then you haven't run Windows....

Amen to that.

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DrJBHL
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
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Reply #15 March 27, 2014 8:25:47 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Very sound advice, Jafo. I agree all the way.  

Never heard of Syncback, gonna look into it. 

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DrJBHL
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #16 March 27, 2014 11:12:50 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Quoting RedneckDude,
reply 15
Never heard of Syncback, gonna look into it.

Excellent set-it-and-forget-it backup app.  At a great price ($0).  Runs unattended using scheduler.

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DrJBHL
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
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Reply #17 March 28, 2014 12:25:25 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

So, use Syncback AND Acronis? Or is it either/or?

 

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DrJBHL
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #18 March 28, 2014 12:38:39 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I use both.  Each backs up to a different removable drive.  As recommended by the Department of Redundancy Department.

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DrJBHL
Jafo
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #19 March 28, 2014 7:03:20 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting RedneckDude,
reply 17
So, use Syncback AND Acronis? Or is it either/or?

Both.

One is ideal for heavy duty drive image backup ... the other is for secondary duplication [backup] of specific data files/folders.

A combination of BOTH works best...

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