Need Antivirus that can run without Internet access.

by DJL
27 replies
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I am trying to clean up a friend's old Windows XP computer that currently cannot access the Internet.

Using AntiMalwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware I have removed more than 1,000 threats.

However, one of the problems on this PC is that it cannot currently access the Internet.

I have tried several Antivirus programs (Avast, AVG, and Comodo), but none of them will function without Internet access.

Before I solve the inability to access the Internet, is there any Antivirus program I can use on this PC?
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Why can't it access the internet?
    Depending on what is going on there might be several easy fixes to that problem.
    Solve it and you solve your anti virus problem too.
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      I haven't yet determined why it cannot access the Internet.

      Because of the amount of malware I found on the computer, I thought it might be prudent to try to scan for viruses before going online.

      Can you recommend any software or procedures I could implement to diagnose the problem?

      For now, all I have found is the following result from the command "ipconfig /all":
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Windows IP Configuration

      Host Name....................: D68P4J71
      Primary Dns Suffix...........:
      Node Type....................: Hybrid
      IP Routing Enabled...........: No
      WINS Proxy Enabled...........: No

      Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

      Connection-specific DNS Suffix...:
      Description......................: Intel<R> PRO/100 VE Network Connection
      Physical Address.................: 00-13-20-0A-20-81
      Dhcp Enabled.....................: Yes
      Autoconfiguration Enabled........: Yes
      Autoconfiguration IP Address.....: 169.254.247.45
      Subnet Mask......................: 255.255.0.0
      Default Gateway..................:
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Why can't it access the internet?
      Depending on what is going on there might be several easy fixes to that problem.
      Solve it and you solve your anti virus problem too.
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
        Originally Posted by DJL View Post

        Because of the amount of malware I found on the computer, I thought it might be prudent to try to scan for viruses before going online.
        I totally agree. (just saw that after I posted my reply)

        The first thing I do if I am suspicious of anything is disconnect from the internet and start a scan.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    If you download Avast to a usb key you can install it from there to your friend's computer. It won't be totally up to date, but won't be far behind. Then you can use Avast to scan the computer.

    http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

    In that type of situation I normally just set it to delete all the infected files it comes across. You get that option when it comes across the first one.

    If you can, ask it to do a 'boot time scan.' That option might no longer be available, but it was good.
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      I have tried Avast, AVG, and Comodo, but none of them will run without Internet access.
      Originally Posted by Lloyd Buchinski View Post

      If you download Avast to a usb key you can install it from there to your friend's computer. It won't be totally up to date, but won't be far behind. Then you can use Avast to scan the computer.

      http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

      In that type of situation I normally just set it to delete all the infected files it comes across. You get that option when it comes across the first one.

      If you can, ask it to do a 'boot time scan.' That option might no longer be available, but it was good.
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      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        I would go into safe-mode in XP, and access the internet from there, you should get through!

        I know that the Norton shortcut icon for either quick or full system scan, (pretty sure it is full system only) icon will appear in safe mode if you can place it on your desktop in normal mode!

        Shane
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        • Profile picture of the author DJL
          I tried accessing the Internet in safe mode, and that did not work either.
          I do not have any Norton or Symantec software on any of my systems, as I had unsatisfactory experience with their performance and support in the past.
          Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

          I would go into safe-mode in XP, and access the internet from there, you should get through!

          I know that the Norton shortcut icon for either quick or full system scan, (pretty sure it is full system only) icon will appear in safe mode if you can place it on your desktop in normal mode!

          Shane
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          • Profile picture of the author KimW
            Originally Posted by Sumit Menon View Post

            Well, Kim, I have a 169 address as the Autoconfiguration IP address to on my computer. I don't think that's the actual IP address
            Sumit,
            I don't want to argue but I find this difficult to believe. Google it yourself you will see that a 169 IP is considered an invalid IP address and shows when Windows can't find a valid one. In XP when someone does ipconfig like DJL did it does show the actual IP address.

            Originally Posted by DJL View Post

            I tried accessing the Internet in safe mode, and that did not work either.
            I do not have any Norton or Symantec software on any of my systems, as I had unsatisfactory experience with their performance and support in the past.
            And DJl,
            As I said,until you get a real IP and not the 169,you wont access the internet even in safe mode.


            Here are a couple of links for you,but they are no way comprehensive.

            https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/thread/12447

            ExtremeTech Discussions - 169. IP Address Help
            By the way,the 4th post in the link above says to try the programs I recommended.

            I didn't watch this so I am not sure if the advice is good or not, but it might help.
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            • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
              Originally Posted by KimW View Post

              Sumit,
              I don't want to argue but I find this difficult to believe. Google it yourself you will see that a 169 IP is considered an invalid IP address and shows when Windows can't find a valid one. In XP when someone does ipconfig like DJL did it does show the actual IP address.
              Look... After this stuff it does show my actual IP address. But only when I'm connected to the internet. It's probably because of how my internet is set up. I'm on XP too, btw.

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        • Profile picture of the author syedur
          Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

          I would go into safe-mode in XP, and access the internet from there, you should get through!

          I know that the Norton shortcut icon for either quick or full system scan, (pretty sure it is full system only) icon will appear in safe mode if you can place it on your desktop in normal mode!

          Shane
          I’m sorry but, windows started in safe mode, basically starts by excluding several components/hardware. So, you will not able to use internet in safe mode.
          I might be wrong, if you know better please update me.
          Thanks.
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          • Profile picture of the author KimW
            Originally Posted by syedur View Post

            I'm sorry but, windows started in safe mode, basically starts by excluding several components/hardware. So, you will not able to use internet in safe mode.
            I might be wrong, if you know better please update me.
            Thanks.
            No offense,but you are wrong. Safe mode does not stop someone from using the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Anytime you are getting a 169. IP you cannot access the internet. You need to reset that. Sometimes you can do it by resetting the router,but in your case you probably need something more.
    One program I used a lot in the past is winsockfix. Another is LSPfix.
    I would google them to get the latest versions. Even though the latest versions will still be old since it is XP.

    Shane, he cant get online even in safe mode with a 169 IP.

    If you can get it fixed enough to go online, then you can get on in safe mode and download and install your favorite anti virus and update it, then get rid of the rest of the bad guys.

    I would also update the malwarebytes and rerun a full scan with it.
    Actually I would do this first. In a lot of cases this will catch more than any anti virus.

    The worst computer I ever had a similar problem with had over 100K "problems" on it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Anytime you are getting a 169. IP you cannot access the internet. You need to reset that. Sometimes you can do it by resetting the router,but in your case you probably need something more.
      One program I used a lot in the past is winsockfix. Another is LSPfix.
      I would google them to get the latest versions. Even though the latest versions will still be old since it is XP.

      Shane, he cant get online even in safe mode with a 169 IP.

      If you can get it fixed enough to go online, then you can get on in safe mode and download and install your favorite anti virus and update it, then get rid of the rest of the bad guys.

      I would also update the malwarebytes and rerun a full scan with it.
      Actually I would do this first. In a lot of cases this will catch more than any anti virus.

      The worst computer I ever had a similar problem with had over 100K "problems" on it.
      Well, Kim, I have a 169 address as the Autoconfiguration IP address to on my computer. I don't think that's the actual IP address
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    169 DOT something DOT something IN THE STATES is considered a "WALLED or "GARDEN" address.

    usually reserved for cable lines .. with an Unauthorized cabled modem

    Modem hackers refer to it as the "Walled Garden address"
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Did you do malwarebytes in safe mode?
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  • Profile picture of the author kimmokia
    http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=33654.0

    Hope the above link is of help to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    The last thing you want is the problem PC to be connected to the modem/net. If the PC is connected to the net it allows the virus to update whenever it wants.

    How to Update MalwareBytes to a PC without Internet Connection (Offline Update)

    This is what I would do, in this exact order:
    1. Disconnect the ethernet cable from the modem.
    2. Run CCleaner (free) to get rid of any crap on the browser history/cookies/etc...
    3. Run Malwarbytes (link above)
    4. Run CCleaner again
    5. Connect the ethernet cable to the modem.
    6. Update Malwarebytes
    7. Disconnect the ethernet cable
    8. Run CCleaner again
    9. Run Malwarebytes with the updated virus list
    10. Run CCleaner
    11. Connect the ethernet cable

    That's a lot of repetitive steps, but that's what I would do. CCleaner runs very fast, Malwarebytes might take a while depending on how much data is on the C drive.

    Load CCleaner on a USB thumb drive from a good PC, then use the thumb drive on the problem PC, drag CCleaner from the USB drive to the problem PC desktop & install CCleaner.
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      The last thing you want is the problem PC to be connected to the modem/net. If the PC is connected to the net it allows the virus to update whenever it wants.

      How to Update MalwareBytes to a PC without Internet Connection (Offline Update)

      This is what I would do, in this exact order:
      1. Disconnect the ethernet cable from the modem.
      2. Run CCleaner (free) to get rid of any crap on the browser history/cookies/etc...
      3. Run Malwarbytes (link above)
      4. Run CCleaner again
      5. Connect the ethernet cable to the modem.
      6. Update Malwarebytes
      7. Disconnect the ethernet cable
      8. Run CCleaner again
      9. Run Malwarebytes with the updated virus list
      10. Run CCleaner
      11. Connect the ethernet cable

      That's a lot of repetitive steps, but that's what I would do. CCleaner runs very fast, Malwarebytes might take a while depending on how much data is on the C drive.
      every thing you said is good. ... very good... step it all up one.

      so one is two, two is three. ect.

      step 1 ... make sure your friend/client has paid his bill.
      again 169 something DOT something DOT anything is usually reserved for
      cable modems that did not pay there bill.

      or hacked modems that got busted.

      check with his provider his bill is payed... then check that is MAC
      is also payed for.

      It look like ( from what you said, you might be surprised )
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      • Profile picture of the author KimW
        Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

        169 DOT something DOT something IN THE STATES is considered a "WALLED or "GARDEN" address.

        usually reserved for cable lines .. with an Unauthorized cabled modem

        Modem hackers refer to it as the "Walled Garden address"
        Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

        every thing you said is good. ... very good... step it all up one.

        so one is two, two is three. ect.

        step 1 ... make sure your friend/client has paid his bill.
        again 169 something DOT something DOT anything is usually reserved for
        cable modems that did not pay there bill.

        or hacked modems that got busted.

        check with his provider his bill is payed... then check that is MAC
        is also payed for.

        It look like ( from what you said, you might be surprised )
        Kenmichaels,
        While I have never heard of that before, it may be partially true.
        But what I also posted is true, and has nothing to do with paying your cable bill or not.


        Of course those of us with experience will have different routes to get to the same destination, but from years of experience the method I described above works extremely well the majority of the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I use Avira and I know that can scan without the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author hirithk
    Hi,

    Every antivirus software needs Internet, For running it doesn't require antivirus, but for software updates it needs internet, Try with Avasta.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Sumit,
    I don't disagree, I said it shows a 169 when it can't connect to the internet. So if you are showing it offline,that is fine. It is when you try to connect and can't that it has problems I posted information on.
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      I am very grateful to all of you who have offered advice.

      Yesterday I ran both WinsockFix and LSPfix, neither of which fixed anything.

      After that, based on advice from another friend, I ran the Microsoft update SP3 for Windows XP, then shut down for the night.

      This morning, when I turned on the computer, all it would do is beep (4 long - pause - 3 long beeps) and would not boot.

      My friend does use broadband service from the local cable company, and his other computer continues to have Internet access, so I do not think the issue is related to billing. My broadband service is DSL from the local phone company, and all other computers on my network (where I am trying to fix this computer) have no Internet access problems.

      My next step will be to take the computer to the local repair shop to see what can be done to get it booting again. I will update this thread with further information thereafter.
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by DJL View Post

        This morning, when I turned on the computer, all it would do is beep (4 long - pause - 3 long beeps) and would not boot.
        .

        The beeps are telling you what is wrong.
        All mother boards beep a code when things go wrong.

        Look in your user manual to determine what they mean.
        If you lost it, look up your mother board online.

        some beeps mean bad ram, some bad video, ect
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Good Luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    pfffft

    I did not realize this was an old thread ... I am guessing by now your fixed
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      Thanks to all who have offered their advice on this thread.

      After much trial and error, and unraveling a combination of software and hardware problems, I did manage to revive this old computer.

      The principal problems were a boatload of bloatware, adware, and malware, and the motherboard had one bad memory slot.

      The final solution involved (a) not using the bad memory slot, (b) reformatting the C: drive and doing a clean install of Windows from a setup disk that Dell very kindly sent me at no charge, and (c) installing some drivers (downloaded from the Dell website) that Windows was unable to find for itself.
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  • Profile picture of the author measolutions1
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