Need help to fix mother's laptop..

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by abenoit, Apr 7, 2009.

  1. abenoit

    abenoit Private E-2

    My mother's laptop is causing me issues. I don't know how to deal with it. I am getting numerous error messages. It is running on Windows Vista Home Premium.

    When Windows opens I get this message:

    "Windows desktop manager has stopped working" Then the computer tries to find a solution, but it never does. Also, all the fonts on the desktop have changed, as well as the background. The desktop clock and calendar have disappeared as well.

    On top of this I cannot access many of the programs and I continually get this message:

    c:\Windows\system32\control.exe
    "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item,"

    Also, Internet Explorer will open, but it has completely changed, and will not navigate anywhere, it continually keeps trying to load this webpage: http://my.yahoo.com over and over again, but never opens it and I cannot make it stop unless I close out IE completely.

    I am currently on our home PC trying to figure out what to do to make the laptop work. I have tried system restore, but that does not work so I restored it BACK to the point where it is now. So any suggestions would be helpful... thank you.
     
    abenoit, Apr 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    This may not be malware related but if you wish to follow our malware removal procedures to at least rule it out then please refer to the below and come back with the 4 requested logs when done.

    Welcome to Major Geeks!


    Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can run steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. To avoid addtional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advise that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!. Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
    Kestrel13!, Apr 10, 2009
    #2

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