My rights have been violated!

I tried posting this in the malware forum with no suggestions, so I'm hoping this is the right place because it has to do with software rights as an administrator. One of my computers seems to have caught some malware. Windows XP Home running AVG antivirus.

When clicking on search results in Google, it takes me to pages other than the search result. So, I suspected Adware. I downloaded AdAware from this site and started to run it. AdAware shut down about 3 minutes into the computer scan and that program is now inaccessible.

I tried to install other similar programs and get a message saying I do not have sufficent rights on the machine to install programs. It's an administrator profile and I just installed AdAware, so obviously something is screwy. Sooooooooo, since I can't follow the instructions listed on this site to diagnose my problem (because I can't install any software), can anyone help me out?

I guess the answer I am looking for is to this question. How do I get my rights back to install software? Then, I believe I can install the software to diagnose the problem and remove the malware. If you disagree, please let me know what you think! Thanks!

 

I'd like to first say thanks for responding and give a quick reply to a few things you mentioned. I apologize for being impatient, but in the past I have generally received replies very quickly. I assumed that because I hadn't gotten a reply about five hours later, then maybe I had made a mistake by being in the malware forum with a software question. I assumed I should have gone through the software forum (also since my question was how to change something in software).

Ad Aware is not on the list, but I attempted that prior to coming to the forum. I only mentioned my attempted use of it to illustrate how it appeared to be shut down and now I am unable to install software.

I did read the guide and actually had all of those items done on the first page prior to reading the post, mostly as the usual things always on my computer (ex. already use and ran CCleaner, etc.). It is my fault that I failed to clarify that I had followed the steps, but could not progress past step #4. Instead, I just said I am not able to install any more software. I knew what I meant!

Anyway, the problem I'd like to address in this forum is not how to remove the malware. I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me with the question I was asking of restoring my rights. Then, I can continue with step #5. If you believe I should stick in the malware forum, I'd be happy to do that. Thanks!

 

Malware may be preventing you to restore rights.
Malware common tactic is the prevention of installing (anti-malware) software.
You may have to rename the anti-malware executable filename as malware could detect it and prevent it from running.

Have you tried booting into safe mode and then following as much as you can the Malware Removal Guide?
Sometimes one is able to do more work while in safe mode.

 

I can't find the read me and run me first pages. Could you please direct me?

 

Thanks, I'm proceeding now. I cannot, however, find any quarantine or immunize folders. Would you happen to know what a 3dsmax 7 or blender-2.48 is? They are in my c drive, in their own folders...Is it the d?&% kids again?

 

Thanks for the idea. I did try that, but can't progress to install things due to being in safe mode. I'll just suffer until my turn comes up with the malware forum experts. :cry I'm sure they'll help me, but I appreciate your time!

 

sounds like a good choice-thanks for your time! :wave