I am unworthy, who do I hire to do the spyware sticky steps?

Since I am completely useless at these things (really, only these things) I can't even begin to do the sticky instructions, hell, I can't even tell if I've downloaded a file or not.

I downloaded SpywareBlaster, couldn't find it, finally found it, got the msv...60 error, downloaded your fix for it, then tried install again and got the same error, and I can't find the msv...fix anywhere. Puter already has winzip, but I think it was a trial version and may be expired. I GIVE!!

A co-worker who also uses this computer has gotten it infected with every thing possible, I think. I've got about.blank, dialers/porn site pop-ups, and heaven only knows what else. Now when I do shut down on my win98, it won't shut down, have to unplug the darn thing every time.

I am in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area of California. I doubt that any of your geeks live nearby, so what do I look for in the yellow pages and what questions would you suggest I ask them to know if they are up to date on all the stuff you guys know?

I think this info might be helpful to others also.

 

Chaslang, Thank You so much for replying. The actual error is msvbvm60.dll, error 1157.

As further proof of my ineptitude, I do not recall being offered a download choice other than C drive. I did read your instructions about that on the sticky, and saw a download temp file, and I think that's were I put the msv..fix, but now can't find it. (the fix, not the temp folder)

 

It says that it already exists, in my temp folder.
It said, this file, vbrun60sp5.exe already exists, do you want to replace it? I think that is the one I downloaded from your site last night. However, SpywareBlaster still will not install.

I just cancelled and came back here.

 

I just wanted to help out Chas,
for the error which is when you are launching SpywarreBlaster I assume?
Please click on this link and it will download the MS VisualBasic files that are missing on your system, after downloading you would have to run the executable of course. Afterwards you should be ok to run the program.

For the file that you are not able to see, are you sure you are looking at the correct 'Temp' folder as there are few of them.
Also your 'show hidden files and folders' option may not be selected in Folder Options settings.
START > Control Panel > Folder Options > View > select 'show hidden files and folders' option then OK.

As Chas mentioned create a folder on the C drive (or even Desktop) and name it something like 'Downloads' and once you are about to download a file the OPEN/SAVE/CANCEL window will appear, click SAVE and for 'Save In' location on top you will see the drop down window which should help you pick the new folder you created.

 

Hi, Turc. Any help you can give will be appreciated. In the meantime, I have a cpl of easy questions.

On this computer, I go into MSN as my "homepage?".
To use two windows, I have to use IE for the second one, and that is the "about.blank" one. It just comes up a blank page with AboutBlank in the url place. Is there any harm in going ahead and surfing from there? If the worst thing About Blank does is bring up a blank page, that doesn't bother me much.

Also, I'm sure that going to my aol account from this puter can't hurt anything, can it? (This isn't my computer, thank goodness, it is my employers.) Like I have sent myself email from this puter. And I have used my aol acct to browse and go to different websites, sometimes.

Thanks

 

Sorry Chas, you Gold and I pretty much typed up a post at the same time, so it looked like I repeated your post.
Anyhow, I am not sure about the 'about:blank' deal and two windows, not sure if this was a result of an infection or a simple setting done by the registry.

Gold, explain the above statement, I can't seem to figure out what you were doing exactly. What browser/s are you using? What happens when you open it/them (meaning what do you see as their opening -Home- page? etc.



If you have already checked the settings of the browser and that does not show a blank page selected as your home/start page then I'd recommend d/l and using about:buster.
I am still confused about how you connect to Internet, is it an always on broadband connection such as cable or DSL? If so then you use your own AOL account because AOL provides its own browser which could explain why AOL was not effected with some issue as Internet Explorer.
Check your settings in IE first on 'General' page and see what the 'Home Page' on top is configured as, if it is anything but blank, then try the about:buster as I mentioned above, at this point running HijackThis and logging all process running currently and at Windows startup could be a wise thing to do ass well.
Repost and let us and especially Chaslang know, I think I will leave you to his caring hands unles he wanted me to continue...

 

Agreed Chaslang!

Gold, just for you I went ahead and created a self-extracting zip file, which when run, (with process window to show you what it is doing) automatically creates the C:\Program Files\HijackThis folder and then afterwards run the program as well! Life couldn't be any easier...
So if you are having problems with downloading and installing HijackThis v1.99, shoot me a PM with your e-mail address and I will send you this file, ok?

ps. file size 234KB

 

Goldcountryrose --

To PM (send a private message) Turc, click on his name at the top of the post below and then click on the "Send a private message to Turcoloco" link that pops up.

Just thought I would head that one off, Turc.

--Publius

 

No, good thinking, thanks!
I was kind of not sure but I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but it is always better to cover all bases.

 

Good Morning.

I have dial up. Earthlink is my ISP. When I connect to the internet, no page comes up automatically. The way someone set this computer up, in order to get to a page where I can start surfing, I have to go to start/favorites/MSN. If I want 2 things open at the same time, such as now I would like to have one open to refer to your answers and one to type this, I have to use IE, and that is the one that comes up About.blank.

I don’t know about which browser, I’d guess I am using whatever browser earthlink or msn uses at first. I don’t know how to check browser setting.

Can I use about buster and the hijack thing without doing the other steps? I think that in view of my soooo many questions, I should send PM, and believe it or not, that is one thing I did know how to do. LOL But thanks for the tip Publius.

 

Hi Rose,

Check your e-mail please. I will send you the fully automated self-extracting zip files (total 3) once I am done (hopefully tonite) with the screenshots+instructions on how to install and use them...