If you don't actually know, can you please point me in the right direction?
Why?
My final suspicion regarding all my PC problems is now the Windows XP SP2 CD which I obtained by post from Microsoft (??? ...... or from a spoof web site???) in August 2004. I carried out my last re-installation of my operating system (six times since Christmas!) last weekend without using this disc and then downloaded all updates, including SP2, from the Internet - everything is working just as it should now!
I read about rootkits in connection with Sony. Is there any way for me to check if the CD actually contains something "nasty"? (Nothing found by virus scanning).
I'm suspicious for a couple of reasons other than just my having PC being high-jacked. On close examination of the packaging sent by (supposedly!) Microsoft, the Part Number printed on the packaging is X10-72919 but on the disc label it is Part Number X10-80291. The disc certainly looks genuine. However, in the centre (silver) part of the disc is printed X10-58085! Not only that, but the address label is a UK pre-paid 2nd-class business item. However, the address, at the end (after my Postcode) says not Great Britain, but the German equivalent - GROBBITANNIEN. Rather strange!
I have had contact with Systernals SysInternals . I helped their Bryce Cogswel ("the man") investigate a false positive returned when I scanned my machine a couple of weeks ago (and posted the result in their forum; they asked me to help!). Of course this scanning tool inspects only the Registry and cannot include the CD (at least I don't believe so). I have, though, emailed Bryce to ask what I might do to check this CD.
Do you have any suggestions?
My thoughts turn to sending the CD to the detective on our high-tech crime unit who discussed matters with me following the theft of my identity (PayPal/eBay) last spring. (I'm pleased to say that I did get my money back - eventually!).
David B.