# Any idea what's wrong with my computer (and how I should fix it?)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 30, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182 "2004-08-30T04:27:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182/1 "2004-08-30T04:27:50Z")

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For the past two days I haven’t been able to use my home computer for more than a few minutes and I haven’t been able to get onto the I’net through it at all. When I log-on (to the PC, not the I’net) I get the following message:

> [@](#):
>
> \*Register Class Objects failed: hRes= 0x800706BA
> 
> The RPC server is unavailable. Maximum retry attempts exceeded.\*

After being on a few minutes I usually get the following message (even if I haven’t tried to use the I’net):

> [@](#):
>
> _The system is shutting down. Please save all work in progress and log off. Any unsaved work will be lost.  
> The shutdown was initiated by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM._

I am assuming I’ve picked up a virus of some sort. I do not currently have Norton. Has anybody else encountered this, and are there any products on the market which may help remedy it?

Thanks for any info.

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182/2 "2004-08-30T04:32:18Z")

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That sounds like the old Blaster Worm. First, go [here](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.removal.tool.html) for a removal tool and instructions. Then go get the free Zonealarm firewall, to prevent reinfection.

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182/3 "2004-08-30T04:37:19Z")

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Look [here](http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10449).

It’s a virus. You can boot into Safe Mode then restore to a good restore point, apparently. If not, you’ll have to use your Windoze CD to restore the Registry.

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**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-whats-wrong-with-my-computer-and-how-i-should-fix-it/262182/4 "2004-08-30T04:48:25Z")

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Did someone steal our sticky? The one appropriately named:

[Have a computer question? Read this first.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=260053)

Nope. It’s still there. Complete with copius quantities of useful information. Go nuts, **Sampiro.** 🙂