Check your system for any suspicious activity or unusual behavior.
Check your system for any suspicious activity or unusual behavior.
This might seem silly but my PC has been behaving oddly lately and I'm worried. This will take some time, so please wait. It began after I tried to reinstall Hamachi to play an old game (commando) with a friend. I think it might have altered the permissions on my "E" disk, preventing me from editing or viewing files unless I clicked "continue" with the admin icon each time. I searched online and found a workaround by creating a new user profile named "Everyone" for the E disk. Still unsure if this fixed the problem, as I'm having trouble accessing files inside it. By the way, today I was playing a cracked version of The Forest (sorry, just testing for friends) which somehow got past Steam's checks and allowed multiplayer. While playing, my Discord server's VC channel kept streaming unexpectedly, even after I turned it off several times. When I tried to close the stream repeatedly, the game wouldn't maximize and I had to force shut down one of my PCs by pressing the power button repeatedly. Interestingly, my motherboard's LEDs remained on even after I turned them off in BIOS. I powered everything down completely and then turned it back on, but the lights stayed off. I'm really worried now. Sorry if this sounds crazy, but could you help me? Am I in trouble?
If you suspect malware on your PC, I suggest using Malwarebytes for a scan—the free version works perfectly. If it comes up empty but problems continue, you might need stronger actions. In extreme scenarios, backing up data and reinstalling Windows could be necessary, though I wouldn't rush into that just yet.
When you really need to reinstall Windows, consider an in-place upgrade first. This helps preserve your data and often resolves problems. For the future, avoid cracked software whenever possible; if you must use it, always run a scan with Malwarebytes and a reputable antivirus like Kaspersky or Avast. Many free options work well.
Thanks for the guidance. I checked with Avast several times but didn’t detect anything... I’m really hoping I won’t have to wipe my files clean.
If problems persist, Malwarebytes is recommended for targeted use. Avast serves as a consistent antivirus, monitoring in real time. Malwarebytes focuses on malware removal, available only in its premium form. It excels at catching threats that standard antivirus software might overlook. Additionally, it tends to generate more false alarms, identifying harmless items as malicious—something acceptable in this context.
An inplace upgrade involves reinstalling Windows on top of the current setup. This preserves your files and data while potentially resolving corrupted system files and settings. You can also execute chkdsk /f from an elevated prompt, followed by sfc /scannow and DISM commands. Review the DISM command sequence carefully, as only a few are necessary. Re-run sfc /scannow for extra assurance. This process should also detect and repair any damaged system files, while verifying the boot drive's condition. If these steps fail, consider updating your BIOS to the latest stable release and test it.
I haven't noticed anything unusual yet. I still need guidance on resolving the "E" disk's permissions and related issues without setting up a new profile for everyone.