|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
A friend of mine got the "Department of Justice" ransomware virus.I spent 6 hrs trying to get rid of it.Used all the tricks in the book. The final outcome was I used a Linux boot disc to save his personal files. That went fine.Then I booted into the WinXP disc with the idea to reformat and reinstall Windows. It went through all the gyrations with the final thing being "remove all discs and press enter to reboot. I did.When the computer came on I couldn't get past the MOBO splash screen. Can't get into the BIOS nothing.I'm so pissed off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471 |
That is bad news. I never encountered one so bad I couldn't still get to the BIOS.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
John,
I can feel you frustration man, I wish you guys the best with this one.
PS: Thanks for the heads up on this critter.
Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,341
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,341 |
John, I had the exact same problem last week with a friend’s computer. I had to pull the HD, put it in a SATA to USB adapter and format the drive. I placed the HD back into his computer and loaded his OS and drivers. What a PITA this virus is!
I just wonder why some people consider corrupting other people's computers as fun!
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
I'm headed back to the ill computer.I pulled the CMOS battery in HOPES the BIOS will reset itself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471 |
You have to leave the battery out for several minutes.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
One thing I always do is to leave the task manager running all the time. That way if a bizarre screen comes up, I can end that application/process and then run malwarebytes immediately.
I guess that won't work 100% of the time, but it hasn't failed yet (as I look down and notice that the task manager is not running at the moment!!).
I think those kinds of viruses still require you to click on the ransomware page to activate it (but I might be wrong).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471 |
John, any speculation on how your friend got this? Browsing? Sharing a file?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,808
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,808 |
John, I have battled this virus in the past. It can be removed without resorting to reformting the HD.
It ain't easy. Best to have a second computer on hand so you can google options and download files from web. I recall, HitmanPro was a big part of the solution. Good luck.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I'm headed back to the ill computer.I pulled the CMOS battery in HOPES the BIOS will reset itself.
Now yer on the right track. I would have first measured the voltage drop in circuit, would be willing to bet the cmos battery is very low, couldn't get the thing to boot properly. Sometimes pulling it like that and letting it rest, it will get some sort of Surface Charge, but even if it does boot the machine afterwards, good idea to at least check the voltage level in-circuit, or just replace the cmos bat. The malware, which is on the hard drive, could not have kept it from going through boot or into bios, but the install may have put a bit of excess drain on the cmos battery, which is likely old and gettin' a little weak anyway. When the voltage crosses the threshold where it cannot power the chip, she daid. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
If its any consolation, the Toshiba Satellite Win7 nightmare I'm working on tonight, whew.
Avast full scan reported and quarantined maybe 40 some instances.
Browser Adware attack, the ubiquitous "conduit" - rather easily removed by comparison with this "Internet Helper" piece of @#@$.
Malwarebytes scanning right now, has reported 134 Objects found in 47 minutes and still running...
And get this, the customer's complaint and reason to call was, "no sound".
Three browsers, IE, Chrome and FireFox, all of 'em hijacked, a boot time long enough to go to the kitchen and make Mom's slow cook potroast recipe and come back just in time to be almost booted up, and this guy waited until he couldn't make a Skype call anymore to get concerned?
Dunno if this one is going to survive yet...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471 |
To add to your list of possibilities, Mac, I have owned several Toshiba laptops, including most recently a Toshiba Satellite running Win7. The hard drive failed. The good news is, I replaced it with an SSD and the performance is dramatically improved. Still, it's lots of effort to get everything loaded and working again.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Defraggler reports the hard drive is in good shape.
Today...
At this minute in time...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 16 |
I had the "Dept of Justice" problem last month. Luckily a friend of mine had put me on to the image program called Macrium Reflect. It is a free download, and once you make an image of your HD --(I do this every so often) the Lennox rescue boot disk gets you back on track with no problem.
Unfortunately this won't do you any good without prior preparation.
Good luck.
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 506
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Securitytango.com for most malware, though probably not this POS. I learned about it here--store for future reference.
Incidentally, I've been getting more notices of attack pages in Firefox lately. I always close the page immediately and go back to what I was doing in the first place. I do risky stuff with one of my PCs, but I run Avast and malware scans on a regular basis. It's been years since I've been bitten.
We now return you to your regular programming.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Turned out to be a simultanious HD failure.The minute that I unplugged the HD It booted to the Windows disc.I totally reformatted and installed Windows.When it does it's first reboot to then continue I get a "Disc read error". I have a small 8g drive I'm going to install this am to further confirm. The machine is a little long in the tooth.I decided to wipe the drive because he had had this before and reinstalled windows BUT didn't reformat. The computer was a real mess even before this attack.If my drive fails I'll suspect the PSU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Sounds like a plan, John.
After quarantining/removing over 600 objects, malwares, registry events, after hittin' the Uninstall Programs repeatedly, you name it, this little Toshiba is runnin' like a raped ape this morning, almost hate to have to hand it back to the guy so he can crap it up again...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,114 |
Those department of justice viruses have been upgraded over time and have gone from being fairly easy to remove to rather hard. It used to be as simple as booting up in safe mode and doing a system restore to an earlier time. The latest versions of the virus are blocking safe mode and/or delivering a message that system restore did not work (even though it did).
The Cryptolocker malware that is out there now makes it insane to have an internet connection and not have your computer backed up. This is the scariest virus/ransom ware that I've ever seen. No one knows how to fix it once you have been infected with it. It just cannot be undone.
Keith
2026 Audiophile Windows 11 RYZEN THREADRIPPER 3960X 4.5GHZ 128 GB RAM 2 Nvidia RTX 3090s, Vegas,Acid,SoundForge,Izotope Production,Melodyne Studio,SONAR,3 Raven Mtis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
This Wikipedia article on Cryptolocker should put the fear of God into anyone tempted to use an illicit P2P site. How about 10 Bitcoin* to get your files unencrypted--maybe? *Current Bitcoin value = $957.42
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,805
Posts796,419
Members39,960
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean