The more I try the worse it gets! I need Help!

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by gabby, Mar 10, 2006.

  1. gabby

    gabby Private E-2

    I have been workin on this for several days now and I am at my wits end. I am attaching my Bitdefender log and an HJT log. I have followed all of the instructions in the "Before Posting" page. And should tell you the following. My Add/Remove programs hasn't worked in years so when necessary I use the free trials downloadable from various places.
    When I try and run Microsoft Windows Defender it says I need to perform an upgrade, and will not open.
    I tried running Pandascan this morning and waited for over two hours and it never did complete downloading.
    As I mentioned, I am at my wits end and believe it's time for some help.
    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Majorgeeks!

    You did not attach your HJT log. Make sure you follow all instructions in step 7 properly and then attach your HJT log.

    You should look at your Bitdefender log (change the .txt to .html and then double click on it and you can see it in your browser) You need to delete those items it is pointing out in your email.

    Is your copy of Windows licensed to you and has it been activated with Microsoft?

    What happens when you try to use Add/Remove programs? Be specific.
     
  3. gabby

    gabby Private E-2

    Thanks for responding I truly appreciate it.
    In response to your questions,
    When I click on add/remove nothing happens at all.
    As far as the Window issue goes I bought this machine from Dell with XP and I was convinced by someone that I did not want XP due to privacy issues and he installed 2K, I was told there were no licensing since I had originally purchased XP. I have considered going back to XP from the restore CD but I am not sure about the SP issues. I will probably pursue that once I have these issues resolved.
    I apologize for the HJT log here it is.
    Again, Many Thanks!
     
  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You need to be more specific.
    Do you mean after opening Control Panel when you click on Add/Remove programs it does not open?
    Or do you mean when you have the Add/Remove programs window open and you select to remove a particular application in the list, nothing happens.

    Bad idea. Windows XP is more secure than Win 2K. Also you have a license for WinXP from Dell. You do not have a license for Win 2K and you friend illegally installed Win 2K on you PC which violates his licensing agreement with Microsoft (assuming he purchased it to begin with. If not then that is even worse.)

    You did not attach your HJT log yet! Follow the instructions in the links given in step 7 and you should have no problems attaching a log.

    Also did you delete those email entries Bitdefender complained about.
     
  5. gabby

    gabby Private E-2

    I believe I got the HJT attachment this time, I'm not sure what went wrong last time.
    On the Add/Remove issue. I can go into control panel and I can see the icon for add/remove however when I click to open it, all that it does is highlight the icon, and the program never opens.
    As for the OS issue, I would really appreciate your advice as to how, and when to return to XP,
    You have been a tremendous help,
    I look forward to your reply.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    There seems to be things missing from your HJT log. There should be processes loading at startup other than what you show. Has someone already been experimenting with HJT to fix things or has someone deleted startup entries from the registry?

    Do have paid versions of Ewido and SpySweeper installed? What version numbers are they?

    Please explain exactly why you are in this forum looking for help. Is it only because of the Add/Remove program problem?

    Let's get an installed programs list from HijackThis too!

    Run HijackThis, click Open the Misc Tools section
    Click Open Uninstall Manager
    Click Save List (generates uninstall_list.txt)
    Click Save, to save it to a file where you can find it.
    Upload this file as an attachment too.


    Note: You have no antivirus application installed. This is a very bad idea.
     
  7. gabby

    gabby Private E-2

    I have done some things in HJT in an effort to correct my overall problem of an extremely slow machine, and quite honestly I assumed it was malware causing it to run slow. I went to the techno website that will do an automatic analysis and deleted what it recommended, or should I say the things that it said were not important. Evidently this was wrong, and I have learned my lesson, from now on I will rely on the expert opinions given here.
    I have attached the uninstall list from hjt.
    The Spysweeper program was purchased and the website says it is the most current version v 4.5.9 (Build 709)
    and the Ewido is a free download Version # 1738
    I recently uninstalled Norton based on the advice I have seen given here relating to multiple spyware programs. I was never really happy with Noron anyway.
    Maybe my problem is not spyware or malware related at all, I am convinced something is not as it should be.
    Please, tell me which direction to turn now.
    Thanks ever so much!
     

    Attached Files:

  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Okay first since you have a paid version of Spy Sweeper, uninstall the below:
    Ewido
    SpySubtract

    You never follow the READ & RUN ME steps properly. You never check version numbers and updates for programs. The below are all the wrong versions and should be uninstalled and you should install the new versions given in the READ & RUN ME:
    Ad-Aware 6
    Spybot S&D 1.3

    Also note your FireFox version (1.0.7) is way out of date too. FireFox is on 1.5.0.1

    Try something for me:

    Click Start, Run, and enter appwiz.cpl and click OK! Does this bring up Add/Remove programs? If not, try the info in the below link from Microsoft:

    Add/Remove Programs dialog box does not appear or is corrupted
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2006
  9. gabby

    gabby Private E-2

    I must apologize for virtually everything being out of date. I have updated everything and even posted a new log.
    You mentioned earlier that I may actually be posting on the wrong forum. Can I save all of us a bunch of time and simply put in my restore disc and go back to what was sold originally or will that cause a bunch of new problems.
    Once again I seek your wisdom.
    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  10. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    That is always something you can do. I assume you are referring to WinXP. Also is there any important info on your PC that you need to backup. Do you have the ability to do that.

    I don't know what version of Windows you PC came with but after going back to however it was shipped to you, you will still need to tweak the system to get it back to how you want it. This may include things like:
    - uninstall unwanted, unncessary programs
    - install programs that did not come with original PC (including all the malware fighting tools etc) and then get all updates
    - tweak your settings
    - you will not have any of your Favorites etc
    - you will need to dowload and install all necessary Windows Updates

    It's your choice how you want to continue. But reinstalling your OS (or using your recovery disks) is not a topic for this forum. It would be a topic for the Software Forum.
     

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