Ÿ9Ÿ9 zero-byte file + problems = need help!

jay4paz · Apr 3, 2009

Last night, suddenly one of the two user accounts ("Jay") on my computer(running Win XP Pro SP3) gave a message it had been "disabled" or "locked" (can't remember) when I tried to log in. Restarted and the user account had disappeared completely from my login screen. My files are still there, and when I try to recreate the user account it says it already exists. But doesn't show up under User Accounts.

Other odd things happening. Suspect malware.

There's a zero byte file called Ÿ9Ÿ9 in c:\documents and settings\jay. I found this forum by searching for that filename - someone else asked about it. I read the replies and tried some of the things suggested. I downloaded HijackThis...the log appears below. If any of the really smart people on this forum have time to take a look, I'd sure appreciate it.

I also downloaded Malwarebytes Anti-malware and scanned with that. It found two items but the log says "no action taken" and the Ÿ9Ÿ9 file is still there - don't know if I'm clean or not. User account is still invisible, I know that.

Here's the log from Malwarebytes, then the log from HijackThis.

Thanks in advance!

TimW · Apr 6, 2009

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.

TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable

If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.

Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

Helpful Notes:

If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can run steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

Starting your computer in Safe mode

If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.

To avoid addtional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advise that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!. Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.

jay4paz · Apr 7, 2009

How do I kill this thread? This was an initial post that I did, submitted it, then found the READ AND RUN ME. I did not see this post show up and therefore thought that since I didn't follow the procedure, my thread had not been posted. Now I see it did. I have a different thread where I did the stuff I'm supposed to. The topic is "Random files/folders/user accounts disappear - please help if you can". Thanks for your reply, TimW, and all the appropriate logs are attached in that other thread.

chaslang · Apr 10, 2009

Thread closed. Other thread with logs answered.

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Ÿ9Ÿ9 zero-byte file + problems = need help!

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TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member