Malware Removal

Welcome to Major Geeks, nickmod

Please attach the remaining requested log from running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Thanks!
dr.m

 

Hello, nickmod


The below fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for issue(s) on this machine. Also, please do not install any other software while we are still working with you unless instructed. Once we have given you the all clean and final instructions you will be free to install what you want.


Step 1:
Please Disable Spybot's TeaTimer

* Run Spybot and click Mode
* Select Advanced Mode.
* Then click Tools and select Resident.
* Now in the right window pane, uncheck TeaTimer.
* Also while this is open, in the left column now select IE Tweaks
* and then in the right pane make sure all the Miscellaneous locks are unchecked.
* Now quit Spybot!


Step 2:
Please look in Add/Remove Programs for the following and uninstall if found. If you get any errors just make a note and proceed

Step 3:
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.


Step 4:
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:

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Step 5:
Now we need to use ComboFix to remove some 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.
• Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. *Remember to re-start them before coming back online.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below code box into it (make sure you scroll all the way down in the code box to get all lines selected ):

• 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.
  If it asks you to overide the previous file with the same name, click YES.
• 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.


Step 6:
Run Ccleaner


Step 8:
Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs to your next reply:

• C:\MGlogs.zip
• C:\combofix.txt

Make sure you tell me if you had any problems running this procedure and give a description of how things are working now!


dr.m

 

nickmod

You missed attaching this updated file:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

dr.m

 

We're just about done, nickmod.


Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program does not require an installation. The executable actually runs the program.

NOTE: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF Cleaner will remove all files from the items that are checked so if you have some cookies you'd like to save. Please move them to a different directory first.

* Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
* Under Main choose: Select All
* Click the Empty Selected button.

You have alot of appls loading at start-up.... I suggest that you use Startup CPL 2.8

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs to your next reply:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

Thanks!
dr.m

 

Hello, nickmod

Please answer these questions so I can have a better idea of your current problem.

• Are you referring to no Desktop AFTER you log in.....like in explorer.exe is not running?
  • If so, what happens when you use Task Manager to run explorer. Is that what you're doing to continue to get logs?
• Do you get your Windows Welcome screen okay?
• Does it happen in Safe Boot mode?
• Does it happen on other user accounts if there are any?

Although your logs should that you ran the tools in Normal Boot mode, you must stop using MSconfig to control your start-ups --- refer to this section in the below link:

Msconfig must be set for Normal Startup mode

Step 1: ** Again - remove Windows Messenger
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.

Step 2:
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:

Step 3:
Now we need to use ComboFix to remove some 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.
• Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. *Remember to re-start them before coming back online.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below code box into it (make sure you scroll all the way down in the code box to get all lines selected ):

• 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.
  If it asks you to overide the previous file with the same name, click YES.
• 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.

Step 4:
Run Ccleaner


Step 5:
Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs to your next reply:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me if you had any problems running this procedure and give a description of how things are working now! Remember to answer my questions

dr.m

 

nickmod

No malware was found in your last logs.

Afer conferring with our most experienced malware expert, this now sounds like a hardware issue. Perhaps you should check -

• to make sure the video cable is screwed down tightly and not loose
• test using another monitor
• try another graphics card

dr.m

 

You're very welcome, nickmod.

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

* You probably should start a new thread describing your current problems in -

Our Hardware Forum


Safe surfing!