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[Resolved] browser corrupted ?

44 min read

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Windows XP home , IE7 , DSL connection , Acer Desktop Computer .

I was surfing the internet on my desktop and had several pages open when my old Adobe 6 Reader opened up by itself and my browser pages all froze . I have heard that Adobe can sometimes enable malware , but I could not shut down computer to stop installation . Then the computer shut itself down ( maybe because I also tried to use control+alt+delete to stop processes) , when it restarted , I had the following problems

The computer boots up OK to desktop with all icons present

When I try to open My Computer icon in start menu , the screen is blank except for the swiveling flashlight , for 3 MINUTES before it shows icons for the removable and fixed drives . It has never been in any way slow before . However , I had some shortcuts on my desktop to various folders on my fixed drive (partitioned into 2) , C and D , and those folders open instantly , then I am able to go to any folder or file on the drive by clicking on it , or by changing the location in the address bar .

When I run Windows explorer , and I click on the My computer icon in the tree on the left window , nothing happens .Nothing appears in the right window , but if I click on other icons on left , things open on right .

I can open my IE7 browser , it has always been set to open my home page on blank . But when I try to go to any page on the internet , either by clicking on a favorites bookmark , or by typing a simple address into the address bar , like www.google.com , the browser freezes , nothing at all downloads or shows , and I have to use task manager to close the window (red x at upper right doesn't work) .

However , I AM connected to the internet , because when I started to scan with my malware fixers , I was able to download updates , I downloaded a Windows critical update while I was working on this , and I can still get new e-mail through Outlook Express .

I also noted when I tried to save scan logs , I can not change the "save to" location , when I click on the little down arrow , no "tree" of drive icons appears , nothing happens and the process freezes , so it is stuck on the last folder I saved to before the trouble started , but I can save the logs there .

I also noticed on my NTI CD/DVD burner program, I can not navigate to any folder in the file selection window , I see icons for the various drives but nothing happens when I click on them . However , I also have Nero burner installed , and with that I can navigate from drive to drive and folder to folder to make selections , it doesn't seem to be affected .

What I am guessing is that whatever malware installed through adobe , it has corrupted my OS or browser , but maybe in a simple way that can be fixed . However , I do not have a Windows XP disk , only my Acer Computer recovery disks rfrom pre-installed program .

The fixes already tried :

Scan with AVG Anti spyware , I was able to update it , it found only cookies , which I deleted .

Scan with Spybot search and destroy , I was able to update it , it found just 2 malware , but they were two that had been found and deleted before : Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter.FirewallOveride , and Microsoft.WindowsSecurityCenter_disabled . I had Spybot delete these two again .

Scan with new AdAware , I could not update this as apparently it accesses a web page , but I had updated it in August , and when I scaned , it found 16 malwares , which I had it delete .

I also scaned with SmitfraudFix , and had it fix what it found , and saved logs.

I have also used ATF CLeaner and CC Cleaner .

I downloaded and installed the newest HijackThis program today .

Because I can't navigate to any page on the Internet , I dug out and set up my old Dell laptop with Win2K on it , and that's what I am using to post this message . Laptop has only CD/DVD reader drive and 3.5 floppy drive . If I have to download any fixes , I have to download them to laptop drive, copy to a USB thumbdrive , plug the thumbdrive into the desktop and install from there to the desktop drive . If I get a log file from the desktop , I have to burn it to a CD , readthe CD with laptop , copy log to laptop drive , and upload from there .

So thats where I stand :connected to Internet , browser unable to find or connect with Internet pages , unable to navigate to computer drives except by "backdoors" .


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 20:58:31, on 11/1/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\acer\Acer eConsole\MediaServerService.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\ISafe.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\VetMsg.exe
C:\Program Files\Acer\eRecovery\Monitor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\VTTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\cctray\cctray.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\CAVRID.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://cgi.verizon.net/bookmarks/bmredir.a…p;bm=bz_welcome
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: FDMIECookiesBHO Class - {CC59E0F9-7E43-44FA-9FAA-8377850BF205} - C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\iefdm2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eRecoveryService] C:\Program Files\Acer\eRecovery\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cctray] "C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\cctray\cctray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CAVRID] "C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\CAVRID.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ERUNT AutoBackup.lnk = C:\Program Files\ERUNT\AUTOBACK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download all with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlall.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download selected with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlselected.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download video with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlfvideo.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dllink.htm
O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O16 - DPF: vzTCPConfig -
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/…b?1158766737609
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat…b?1163900908375
O16 - DPF: {7B297BFD-85E4-4092-B2AF-16A91B2EA103} (WScanCtl Class) - http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/webscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {B1E2B96C-12FE-45E2-BEF1-44A219113CDD} (SABScanProcesses Class) - http://www.superadblocker.com/activex/sabspx.cab
O16 - DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0015-0000-0002-ABCDEFFEDCBA} -
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Acer Media Server - Acer Inc. - C:\Program Files\acer\Acer eConsole\MediaServerService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CAISafe - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\ISafe.exe
O23 - Service: VET Message Service (VETMSGNT) - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\VetMsg.exe

–
End of file - 5992 bytes
[external image: Posted Image]

DO NOT use any TOOLS such as Combofix, Vundofix, or HijackThis fixes without supervision.

Doing so could make your pc inoperatible and could require a full reinstall of your OS, losing all your programs and data.




Stay with this topic until I give you the all clean post.

Lets try System Restore first.

1.
Click Start.

2.
Point to All Programs.

3.
Point to Accessories.

4.
Point to System Tools.

5.
Click System Restore.

6.
Follow the instructions on the wizard.

See if you can find a date the the PC worked.
It had no system restore points , however , I did set a restore point after the infection , on Friday . The only restore point is 10/31/08. I did try that restore poit just now , it does not cure the problem
You can download this to a flash / thumb drive, copy it to the infected pc and run it on the infected computer.

Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3


* IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop


  • Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. Note: If you are having difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, or are unsure as to what programs need to be disabled, please refer to the information available through this link : Protective Programs

  • Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.

  • As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.

  • Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.


[external image: Posted Image]



Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

[external image: Posted Image]


Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.
"copy/paste" a new HijackThis log file into this thread as well.

Notes:

1.Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
2. ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.
3. Combofix prevents autorun of ALL CD, floppy and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you – please tell your helper.
4. CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.

Give it atleast 20-30 minutes to finish if needed.


Also please describe how your computer behaves at the moment.
OK , I was able to put CombFix.exe on the desktop hard drive , I clicked it and it installed the recovery thing , then it started to scan , but now it has stopped and is hung up (now for more than 30 mins). I disabled my AVG , Spybot , and put CA Anti Virus on snooze . The ComboFix did not produce a log , but the last 3 lines in the black box say : Completed stage_50 C:\ComboFix\DirRoot ' "C:\WINDOWS\system32" is not recognized as an internal or external command , operable program or batch file. Then just the blinking cursor . For more than 45 mins now .
Lets try it like this:

  • Save it to your Desktop
  • Now physically disconnect from the internet and STOP all your monitoring programs (Antivirus/Antispyware, Guards and Shields)
  • Click on your START button and choose Run. Then copy/paste the entire content of the following quotebox (Including the "" marks and the Symbols) into the run box.

    Go to [external image: Posted Image] -> Run -> copy/paste in the following single line command & click OK

    "%userprofile%\desktop\combofix.exe" /killall


    [external image: Posted Image]
  • Click OK and this will start ComboFix in a special way.
  • When finished, it will produce a log. Please save that log to a Notepad File to post in your next reply along with a fresh HJT log.

Note:
Do not mouse-click combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

* After you have saved the logs, restart your system to re-enable all the programs that were disabled during the running of ComboFix.

* Reconnect to the internet

* Post the following logs/Reports:
  • ComboFix.txt
  • Fresh HijackThis log run after all the other tools have performed their cleanup.
OK , i have started combo fix from the run box , but it still is hanging up at the last line mentioned above

' "C:\WINDOWS\system32" is not recognized as an internal or external command , operable program or batch file.


I think I have folowed all of the instructons above in the protective programs links

AVG Antispyware is turned off

Spybot S&D Teatimer is disabled

AdAware is off , AdWatch is installed but only as a trial copy , it has expired and I think it is inoperable .

PrevX was installed but I recall I uninstalled it a long time ago (supposedly it is uninstallable but I found some forums where angry users were instructed how to disable it) .

I have no other firewall than Windows firewall and that is off .

So I still can't post a finished ComboFix log , but I have put in the latest HJT scan

( I just remembered , I had some trouble with Zlob downloaded a few months back . I found it because I noticed Spybot scanning it but not finding it in the results . I used some fixes found on the Internet on what looked like trusted sites , and I trusted that they fixed it . )

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 16:28, on 2008-11-02
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16705)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://cgi.verizon.net/bookmarks/bmredir.a…p;bm=bz_welcome
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: FDMIECookiesBHO Class - {CC59E0F9-7E43-44FA-9FAA-8377850BF205} - C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\iefdm2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eRecoveryService] C:\Program Files\Acer\eRecovery\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cctray] "C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\cctray\cctray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CAVRID] "C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\CAVRID.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKLM\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [services] C:\WINDOWS\services.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download all with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlall.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download selected with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlselected.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download video with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dlfvideo.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download with Free Download Manager - file://C:\Program Files\Free Download Manager\dllink.htm
O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O16 - DPF: vzTCPConfig -
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/…b?1158766737609
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat…b?1163900908375
O16 - DPF: {7B297BFD-85E4-4092-B2AF-16A91B2EA103} (WScanCtl Class) - http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/webscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {B1E2B96C-12FE-45E2-BEF1-44A219113CDD} (SABScanProcesses Class) - http://www.superadblocker.com/activex/sabspx.cab
O16 - DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0015-0000-0002-ABCDEFFEDCBA} -
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Acer Media Server - Acer Inc. - C:\Program Files\acer\Acer eConsole\MediaServerService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CAISafe - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\ISafe.exe
O23 - Service: VET Message Service (VETMSGNT) - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Virus\VetMsg.exe

–
End of file - 5293 bytes
Click on your START button and choose Run type in CMD
In the open window type in path
Note: you will need to type exit to close that window

What does is give you?
Here's what I got , I was very careful to transcribe it with the EXACT punctuation and case letters PATH=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;;C;\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MUVEET~1\030625 I noted that the second system had a capital S , and TWO semicolons after Wbem I typed exit and closed the window .
Path looks OK. I think it's Combofix that caused the error.

delete this folder - C:\QooBox\LastRun

Now try Combofix again.

I deleted the last run folder and I started ComboFix again , I did it from the Run box as you last suggested , but again it goes up to Completed Stage 50 and then the line ' "C:\WINDOWS\system32" " is not recognized as an internal or external command , operable program or batch file. Would it be possible I have a bad copy of combo fix ? should I download it again from one of the other links above ?

I deleted the last run folder and I started ComboFix again , I did it from the Run box as you last suggested , but again it goes up to Completed Stage 50 and then the line
' "C:\WINDOWS\system32" " is not recognized as an internal or external command , operable program or batch file.

Would it be possible I have a bad copy of combo fix ? should I download it again from one of the other links above ?

Yes. Do this:

  • Click START then RUN
  • Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the U, it needs to be there.

    • [external image: Posted Image]

    Make these are gone:

    C:\ComboFix
    C:\QooBox
    C:\combofix.txt
    C:\combofix-quarantine-files.txt

    After the above, try the download from Link 2:

    Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

    Link 1
    Link 2
    Link 3


    * IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop


    • Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. Note: If you are having difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, or are unsure as to what programs need to be disabled, please refer to the information available through this link : Protective Programs

    • Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.

    • As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.

    • Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

    **Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.


    [external image: Posted Image]



    Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

    [external image: Posted Image]


    Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

    When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.
    "copy/paste" a new HijackThis log file into this thread as well.

    Notes:

    1.Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
    2. ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.
    3. Combofix prevents autorun of ALL CD, floppy and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you – please tell your helper.
    4. CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.

    Give it atleast 20-30 minutes to finish if needed.


    Also please describe how your computer behaves at the moment.
I put the command as you typed it in the run box , and about 10 seconds later I saw a litte window that said combofix was uninstalled . However , the C:\ComboFix folder is still there . I contains 1 file : nircmd MS_DOS Application 28kb The QooBox folder is gone , as are the two text files . I have downloaded the file from link2 , and will put it on my thumbdrive and wait for your answer .

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