Windows Explorer crash during READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

Hi there and welcome. Please don't worry, I will guide you through the malware removal process, but first I need to see the final set of logs from running MGTools.exe which are the most important ones really.

Let's do this:

Now 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.


I know you are having difficulties with windows explorer crashing but I would like for you to try running the C:\MGTools.exe if you haven't already, if not in normal mode then please try it in safe mode.

The logs willl be located at: C:\Mglogs.zip. I need to see those logs before I can give you a complete fix.

 

Please just attach the full C:\MGLogs.zip.

 

Are you having issues connecting to the internet with this machine? Your network settings are not right. Plus we still need to remove an item:

* 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.
* Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
* If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
* 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 ):

Code:

KILLALL::

File::
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\nqjqla.sys

* 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.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs:

* C:\ComboFix.txt
* C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell Kestell13! how things are working now!

 

Hi there.

Did you complete Tim's last instructions? If so...

 

The good news is your logs are clean. The bad news is that your issues are not malware related. You are having major issues with your network settings. Are you running through a router? Have you tried hard wire connecting to the modem?

One thing you should attempt to do is to install SP1 for Vista. That may help with some of your issues.

I think you will need to post in the networking forum for further assistance.

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

1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no real time protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
2. 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" /uninstall
     
     • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.
     • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
     
     
   
   
3. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
6. 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.
7. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
9. If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
   
   • Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
     for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
   • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
   
   
10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
    
    • How to Protect yourself from malware!
    
    

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You are quite welcome.