Blue Screen/Black Screen Issues - scans won't complete

[axnxn]

Hi there,
What a mess.

I have a 64-bit Windows 7 machine which began crashing to a black screen a few days ago. Now I'm getting a blue screen on a regular basis and can only boot into Safe Mode (fortunately with Networking).

I have followed the instructions on cleaning a Windows 7 machine with the following results:

Uninstall Java
I have a slightly older version of Java (6 Update 17) installed, but when I try to uninstall, I get:
The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.

CCleaner
Run - done - fine.

Defogger
Run - done - fine.

SuperAntiSpyware
Found a Malware.Trace - but froze during quarantine (no blue or black screen, just froze). So I wasn't able to quarantine the trace. Log attached.

Malwarebytes
Run - nothing found - log attached.

ComboFix
Froze during startup (no blue or black screen, just froze). No log available.

MGTools
Began to unpack and then went to Blue Screen (twice). No log available. But I did notice it was going to run Hijackthis...

Hijackthis
So I ran this on its own. Log attached.

I also just noticed that the computer isn't recognizing any external drives I attach to my USB ports. I mean, it sees them, they appear in the Device Manager, but they're not assigned a drive letter so I can't use them.

I look forward to any help you can give me!
thank you!!
ann

[chaslang]

Originally Posted by axnxn

MGTools
Began to unpack and then went to Blue Screen (twice). No log available. But I did notice it was going to run Hijackthis...

If MGtools got to this point then there is an MGlogs.zip file. Please attach it.

However it is not sounding like malware is the problem.

When you try to boot in normal mode, what exactly happens?

[axnxn]

Thanks very much for your quick reply!

I'll post the MGtools log this afternoon when I can get back to that computer, but I wanted to respond to your second question about what happens when I boot in Normal mode.

Which is essentially...I get as far as the Windows splash, but then it goes to a black screen.

The first time I did a Malwarebytes scan and fixed two problems it found, it booted normally but as soon as I tried to run Avira, I got kicked to a blue screen. I forgot to mention that Avira Guard won't enable and also won't update.

If you don't think it's malware, what could the culprit be? It just seems so suspicious that I can't enable or update Avira...among the other things.

I'm afraid I might just have to do a clean install --

thanks again for your help
ann

[axnxn]

Hi again,
So I ended up running TDSSKiller which found Rootkit.Win32.TDSS.tdl4 (log attached) and cured it. I can now boot into Normal mode.

My Avira virus definitions still won't update, but the guard is back on. Other than checking that, I haven't done anything else...

Except running MGTools - log attached.

Any suggestions for what's next?
thank you so much!

[chaslang]

Yes it looks like TDSSkiller fixed your problem.

You just need to uninstall Java(TM) 6 Update 17 and install the current version as stated in step 3 of the READ & RUN ME.


Then if 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 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 oof 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!

[axnxn]

Thank you so much!
I think I'm back to normal.

I really appreciate your quick responses.
Have a great holiday and best wishes for the New Year.
ann

[chaslang]

You're welcome. Surf safely and have a great holiday season!