I personally would not go to Best Buy or any of the others mentioned except Micro Center. I have personally many years ago used Micro Center, but not to clean out an infection, to do some upgrading.

I have found that locally there are some excellent small shops that build, repair, clean, do pretty much everything and the prices are much better so is the service. I would check around for some of those local based places, they are more likely to work with you. I can tell you pretty much exactly what any of the big box stores will say, we have to reformat it. They rarely will mess with trying to clean or repair from a bad infection they just wipe it all clean and start over.

If you are willing to do a little more work yourself if you go to the dsl cleanup forum and post there telling them what you have done thus far they will help you and they will work with you free till you are clean. There are some really great people there. Here is the link for you. Come on over and talk to us about it.

Here is a link that might be useful: cleanup forum

Be sure who ever you use has specific instructions or you have all your personal data backed up elsewhere before taking the computer in. Sometimes it is more cost effective to simply re-install the operating system, you need to state whether you will allow that or not and lose your data.

you might want to look at this from microsoft about your updates issues too.

Bill Castner has created a little program that fixes some of the changes that these infections cause you can look at that too.

Download to your Desktop FixPolicies.exe, a self-extracting ZIP archive from here:
http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/Bil ... licies.exe
* Double-click FixPolicies.exe.
* Click the "Install" button on the bottom toolbar of the box that will open.
* The program will create a new Folder called FixPolicies.
* Double-click to Open the new Folder, and then double-click the file within: Fix_Policies.cmd.
* A black box will briefly appear and then close. This will enable your Control Panel and stop the Administrative warnings, at least until the malware infection resets the registry policy keys again. You can run this as many times as you like. A permanent fix requires removing the infection.

I am not aware of the procedures you have taken or steps you have gone through, which is why going to the cleanup forum is the best bet. Have you tried vundofix or vundobegone?

Here is a link that might be useful: windows updates

raven, Yes, I've run vundofix. It didn't find anything. Norton 360 has said that it fixed the vundo threat, 2 or 3 times now. What did seem to make a difference, when I was still getting the bogus popups about my computer being infected, was running the Smithfraud fixer (I got it here on another thread). After that, I didn't have the popups any more. I'm not sure if I still have a virus, maybe just residual damage. The problems are that internet access is sporatic through either IE or Firefox; Google won't work. I can get into some sites from links from others or email. And of course I can't get Windows updates. I'll try the FixPolicies above and I'll look at hte site you sent. Thanks, Steve

Sometimes it is more cost effective to simply re-install the operating system,
I agree. When I get mine mangled up, Dell tech support just walks be through it...as I have an extended warranty (thank goodness) and then my computer is once again like new...after I get everything back on it as I want it.

I have found that locally there are some excellent small shops that build, repair, clean, do pretty much everything and the prices are much better so is the service.
Some locals I have talked to that have had repair work done were always charged $200-$250...and then said things weren't 'right' after they received it back. They were then afraid to take it back for more work for fear of having to pay even more $$$.

Sue...so happy with her extended warranty with Dell

I have had the worse experiences with small shops. They 'rip' you off. I have tried so many and am shocked at how they charge. I gave up. I don't have the time to spend hours trying to fix something myself. Luckily nothing terrible has happened, but just trying to network a few computers in the office turned into an expensive nightmare.

They charge to set it up. Then it doesn't work and you call. They come up, click something and hand you a bill for $125.00. Next day, same thing. They overcharged for switches, routers, etc.

Sorry, I am so angry over my experiences I could go on for pages. Best advice is, if you have the time, learn to do it yourself.

I still haven't. Maybe over vacation.

Jane