Computer challenged - help please

I completed or at least tried to complete all the steps in the "Read & Run Me First, Malware Removal Guide."

Attached in this post are the first three txt logs/files you had me complete and in the next post will be the following three txt logs/files you had me complete.


I use Windows XP Home edition upgrated with that second package thing from Microsoft upgrade center, and I use McAfee for computer protection.

I don't know very much about computers. However, I was referred here by a friend because I believe my computer is infected even though McAfee says nothing is wrong, but does tell me I was "visited."


My questions and observations during the process:

1.) I have CCleaner but was not aware that it had a registry cleaner - that is really neat

2.) Did not do anything with the start up buttons because I just don't know enough about them to decide which to delete.

3.) Defragmented computer with the IObit Smart Defrag downloaded program - thank you

4 I checked ADD/delete programs for any of the files listed in your "Uninstall Malware via add/remove programs" list -- I did not have any of those files listed.


5 Don't know how big a problem this is but ---------- Got an error message when I did the MSconfig start up mode.
-------- I did notice however that it is in "Normal Mode"

-------- Here is the error message I got ------- "An access denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need to log on using an administrator account to make specified changes" ---- I tried to set up another Owner/admin account but I still got the same message when I tried the run>msconfig thing. So I deleted the account.



6.) Enabled viewing of hidden files, etc.


7.) Why is it not a good idea to download tools into any folder within "c:\documents and settings" ?


8.) Ran the CounterSpy program and did the "Immunize" thing and got a results that says 476 files are unprotected - can I do anything to protect these files, what ever they are?

That's it for this post - Really looking forward to your reply.

 

2nd post - computer challenged, please help

This is the second post with the logs/files requested in the "Read & Run Me first"



My questions and comments on the process:

1.) Ran the Spybot and it found 8 problems see log.

2.) Ran Counter Spy and it found 2 items see log. Actually I ran this twice because when I tried to run Bitdefender, it crashed my computer. Ran the CounterSpy program and tried the Bitdefender again.

3.) Bitdefender - during the second attempt it ran but its strange so I stopped it. Basically it said it was going to take about 2 hours to scan - I let it do its thing, but then when it got to time of 0:00:00 it changed to 10 hours!!!! and kept going - I let it run for a while and finally got fed up and stopped it and ran the report. It found nothing.


4.) Ran Panda Active Scan - it found some stuff - see report - but would not delete these problems - how do I delete or get rid of these malware stuff? help


5.) Read and followed the instructions for downloading and installing Hijackthis log - yup, I changed the exe file to "ananlyse.exe" - attached is the log.


I would not blame you if you don't want to help me, maybe it would be easier to take the computer to Staples or something. I have no idea how to go about getting rid of the bugs.


Thank you for your time in reading these two posts
Happy99


a special thanks to Gurlinthesun for recommending me to the Major Geeks site

 

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the first screen on Windows was ok, but has F10 now as the reset/re-program button instead of F12, but then I got a second screen - a black screen with then Open Windows Xp on one line and the re-program/use F8 on the next line.

so I became more aware of my computer Then I noticed that this last Friday when I ordered something - all of a sudden one of the buttons to download a product turned blue (like it does when I click on it) only I was downloading at the same time - then on this last Friday I got a "Visited" message from McAfee ----never had that before - but it happened when I thought I might have a neighbor using wireless to get in to my computer - why? - once (a couple of weeks ago) I was in a chat and typed in - how do you tell a new neighbor that singing and stuff can be overheard by everyone cause walls are not soundproof. - all of a sudden singing quit and tv was turned down.

Next - on Saturday, I ordered something, heard neighbor laughing, changed the file name and heard "off comments" then "ahaha." I ran McAfee and got another "Visited" message. Also, this Saturday I noticed that the cursor arrow is now bigger and there is a real looking zipper that goes down the side of a Zipped file on my desktop - I did not change this. Oh, there are now three little dots blinking under the two little computer connections when I log on to the internet. There only use to be two before.

All of this is probably nuts, but the fact is I have no idea except I don't want bugs and all of a sudden now I have problems based objectively by the scans suggested by Major Geeks Help post.

I want to rid my computer of all bugs and spy stuff and adware.
Please
Thank you
Happy99

 

forgot to mention:

Why am I no longer the Administrator of my own computer?

 

Followed #4 to the best of my ability. Since I have no idea what is going on, I guess it is hard for others to figure out what is going on. All I can say is what I see and feel.

Do you know how I can become Owner and Administrator?

For example, when I type in msconfig in the run command to make my computer Normal Mode, why am I not able to change anything? This is my computer, I bought it, I own it.

Why do I get an error saying "An Access Denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need to log on using an administrator account to make a specified change."

Happy99

 

I purchased my Compaq 7550 in 2003, I think

 

Did I mention I have an External Hard Drive?

Does this change stuff?

No need to be kind - you can yell at me!
Happy99