Windows Explorer closing

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by lubama, Sep 21, 2008.

  1. lubama

    lubama Private E-2

    This as been happening for a few days, I have been trying to find the problem, tough no luck. I was advised to post on this forum.
    The issue the machine is having.
    When I close a window either a program or document windows explorer closes and opens again, sometimes freezes and I have to go to Task Manager and stop drwatson.exe process, which by the way is listed twice.
    I already followed all the instructions on the Read and Run me First.
    Here are the the log files
    Thank you in advance
    Luis
     

    Attached Files:

  2. lubama

    lubama Private E-2

    Here is the last log
     

    Attached Files:

  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Your logs look clean.....what issues are you still having?

    In the meantime:

    Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.
     
  4. lubama

    lubama Private E-2

    Thanks a lot Tim:
    I applied the registry fix and I had a success message, so we are good on that.

    This is the issue I am having:
    Open My computer, C:, My documents, and any document in that folder, when I close that folder I loose all the Icons on desktop and the taskbar, then they return and I can keep working, sometimes when that happens the machine freeze and I have to go to Task Manager and close drwatson.exe and it will work again. I was reading the forum and few posts were related to this issue so I tough it was a Malware problem

    Luis
     
  5. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    It is possible that Dr. Watson is messing with you...so you can remove it with Remove Dr. Watson.

    Tell me if that helps. :)
     
  6. lubama

    lubama Private E-2

    I followed your instructions, the problem still there and now aan error window pops up:

    explorer.exe - application error

    The instruction at "0x029216d3" reference memory at "0x02926d3". The memory could not be "read".

    Click on OK to terminate the program

    When I press ok the desktop recycles

    Luis
     
  7. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    This is either a hardware or software issue and as such I would suggest that you post in either of those forums.

    This could be failing ram or something else, but it is not malware.
    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:


    1. We recommed 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 significan amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we used Pocket Killbox during your cleanup, do the below

      * Run Pocket Killbox and select File, Cleanup, Delete All Backups
    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:\combo-fix folder from combofix.

    4. If we had you run Avenger, you can delete all files related to Avenger now.
    5. If we had you run RenV.exe, you can delete it and the Log.txt file on your Desktop.
    6. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    7. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    8. 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.
    9. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    10. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    11. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Window version and see the steps to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

    12. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:

     
  8. lubama

    lubama Private E-2

    Hey Tim thanks a lot for your support.
    I already apply all your instructions, I also removed the 2 sticks of memory one at the time and replaced with some known good ones I had, they are smaller, in MB, but working on this PC before.
    The next option will bet to do a restore, although I was thinking about installing Vista, I have a copy of Vista Ultimate. This is a HP laptop with a portion of the HDD dedicated as a restore. Should I keep it that way or should a reformat the HDD and use it all for Vista? Should I install over XP as an upgrade so I don't have to install everything again?
    Your advice is really appreciated

    Luis

    PD: I don't know what we did but is working way faster, maybe the register fix?
     
  9. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Good to know.....now you should post in the software section regarding those last questions.

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

    lubama Private E-2

    All right Tim I already did the cleaning, I will post my question in software forum.
    thanks again
    Luis
     
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are most welcome....safe surfing. :)
     

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