PC fault or a virus

[Brockett]

Calling all IT experts
My desktop PC has developed a problem in that a message ( looks like thousands of them) tells me the "F" drive is reserved and then another stack of messages that "F" drive needs to be formatted"
The screen is locked and nothing works except shutdown
"F" drive was last active when I updated my TomTom Sat Nav Via USB port. This what I was doing when the problem started.
Nothing is now plugged in that could activate any USB and certainly not an "F" drive.
Is this a fault or a Virus?

Antivirus is Via Zone Alarm
PC is a ChillBlaster
Fortunately I have this little notebook to stay in touch etc.
Dave

[TravellingStrom]

I think you have a virus

Download from Microsoft the free program called Windows Defender

But first, you will have to restore your computer to an earlier time

In my case a restore point of the previous day was enough to boot the computer correctly then uninstall aftermarket virus program then install windows defender

I have not had any issues since that day

Good luck

[Brockett]

Travellingstrom. Thanks for the advice. Are you saying I should uninstall Zone Alarm and then Install Windows Defender?
Lets hope I have a restore point
I may have placed too much faith in Zone Alarm
Dave

[Strommer]

Sounds more like a corrupt file from the TomTom work.

Can you get your PC into Safe mode?  If so, a simple restore to "last known safe configuration" should sort it.

[Brockett]

Having left the troubled PC for a few days I returned home ready to do battle as per "TravellingStrom" and would you believe it the "fault" has cleared.
Previous shut downs and restarts having had no effect all.
Well Fan my Duck !!

OK then the other news .....

Today I went to my local dealer and bought a K8 DL1000. I am having the tyres replaced with Anakee2s as these were very good on the 650.

Dave

[Gassoon]

Wahey!  

[Strommer]

Just make sure you do a full backup while it's running...

[Brockett]

Strommer -  yes you are right - thanks.
Dave

[TravellingStrom]

Get windows defender anyway. Backing up with a hidden virus is next to useless, if you have one of course

Don't forget some virii will hide until a specific date and can replicate themselves while being supposedly cleaned

For a free program it works extremely well and at least now you don't have to do a system  restore although I don't like problems which suddenly clear themselves, the problem is usually still there

Cheers
TS

[Strommer]

I'd  be tempted to do some disk diagnostics.  BUT do nothing without backing up.

Also - create a Linux usb stick, that way if it all goes bad you can still disinfect the drive from the linux stick.

[Brockett]

Just after my last post when I reported the PC was OK it went a bit crazy again. I did a shutdown and switch on it then sulked for ten minutes before booting up properly. Now I find this:
When I select Computer I can see "Local disk C:"  and its usage and E: drive which is labelled as
"System Reserved (E:)" with 79.8 MB of it's 99.9 MB capacity is free.
When I select it is shown as empty and I cannot open it.
I can run a virus check scan on it and it shows as OK.
I have Windows 7
Google links to various forums seem to throw up the possibility that this is a microsoft wheeze to store important system information that sits in the " safe Zone"  a.k.a. "System Reserved (E:)" .
Questions:
Has anyone had this sort of thing on their PC?
What is best / most cost effective back up drive ( I don't have any backup at present)?
Dave

[TravellingStrom]

Backup to a USB external drive, they are cheap