Explorer Does Not Run on Startup; Opens a Window to My Documents

Welcome to Major Geeks!

You need to install and run SUPERAntiSpyware as requested in our cleaning instructions.

You also need to refer to step 1 of the READ & RUN ME and uninstall the Viewpoint software that you still have installed, and also you need to uninstall the 7 old versions of Sun Java that you have installed and then install the current version. This was all covered in step 1. If you are having a problem doing this because you could not figure out how to run Add/Remove Programs without having a Desktop then you can simply run Task Manager and click File, New Task (Run...) and enter appwiz.cpl in the box and click ok.

Then you will need to run MGtools again and attach a new MGlogs.zip file.

Do you know what the below startup processes are?

 

That's okay! Keep your system in normal startup mode. We will remove these during our cleaning processes. I was betting that they were not valid processes.

 

Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {CFBB8D46-47FD-4D71-A9EF-D303AD7FB88D} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [newbreed] forces_elite.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATLIEHELPER] NopeZ.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [utsgmon] Testimonials.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [forces_elite] UserSp1.exe
O9 - Extra button: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: The Weather Channel - {2E5E800E-6AC0-411E-940A-369530A35E43} - (no file)

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Now we need to use ComboFix

• Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
  • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
• Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
• If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
• At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
• You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• Follow the prompts.
• When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
• I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


Now although you are using AVG for your antivirus, you still have left overs from Symantec. Please run the below then reboot. After reboot run it one more time.

Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT)

Now run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

Now delete all files and subfolders in the below folders except ones from the current date (Windows will not let you delete the files from the current day).
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\Carol Warren.WARRENUPSTAIRS\Local Settings\Temp

Now run Ccleaner. Only use the Run Cleaner button. Do not run anything else on any other forms.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs:

• C:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

You're welcome. Make sure that along with the new logs you tell me how things are working.

 

Okay that looks much better but there is a little more to do.



Now we need to use ComboFix to remove some more malware

• Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
  • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
• Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
• If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
• At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
• You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• Follow the prompts.
• When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
• I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs:

• C:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

Your logs are clean.

If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
3. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
   • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
   • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
     • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
     • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
   • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)
4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
5. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
6. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
7. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
8. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
   • Refer to the cleaning procedures in step 3 the READ ME for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
   • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
9. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
   • How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

You're welcome. Surf safely!