Browser redirects - AVG Icons gone - Task Bar dissappears

A week ago I upgraded my Family Tree Maker Software to version 9 on my Tablet PC. I had been doing well with my Genealogy research, but as I was searching my FireFox browser didn't see to go where I was supposed to. I had AVG free 8 running, and I noticed the system tray icon was gone. So I restarted. The AVG icon came back, but I've been unable to update ever since. I got the "manual" update, but it has been a "crap shoot" as to getting my system tray / virus checking running.

I tried to continue with IE, and that would not let me go anywhere. It would not go to any of my bookmarks, and Tools Windows Update would just go to a random web site.

So I made sure SpyWare Blaster was up to date (16 not protected) and made sure all were at zero. Then I ran SpyBot Seach and Destroy. It, like AVG, would not update. I ran the program anyway, and it found nothing.

So off to Control Panel / Add-Remove Programs. Just to see what I could see. Turns out there are 2 programs in there that I don't need or want. *Browser Address Error Redirector* and "Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer* neither of which the system will let me remove.

I tried to look at running processes, and ctrl+alt+del seemed to "refresh" my desktop, but no task manager. I restarted.

I was able to ctrl+alt+del, and got to task manager, but I was unable to end any processes. There were several processes that start the letters AVG, even though I had no system icon, and running from Start Programs AVG didn't do anything other than "refresh" my desktop.

I tried run command -- That works, but I don't know what to try there.

I tried run regedit -- That refreshes the desktop, then removes the taskbar and all the icons, and my ability to get to task manager. I can only hold the power button to shut down the system.

I have my data saved elsewhere, so I figured I'd do a system restore. I can't. When I press the [F11] key on reboot, the system does not give me any choices, and appears to be 1/2 way through the process asking for a disk that I do not have. (I have two disks - a drivers disk and an applications disk)

I did run the programs, and they seemed to run smoothly with the following exceptions:

ComboFix.exe
-During its run I got a windows error message that said:
avg is running, and combofix will attempt to continue with AVG running. I had no system try icon for AVG, and could not run Task Manager and don't know of another was to terminate it. I will be glad to run that again if you could advise me on how to terminate AVG.
-During its run I got a windows error message that said:
pv.cfexe encountered a problem and needs to close. I got this message twice, once just before combofix insalled Windows Active Recovery and once a little bit after, when the desktop "refreshed" and the desktop icons and taskbar were gone.

This is all the information I have at this time. If I was not complete, or you have questions, please let me know. I believe I followed the steps in order. I hope you are able to help me out. I have seen that you have been able to help others out. I was afraid to try any further advice from similar posts as my situation may be different enough to warrant different action.

Thanking you in advance. View attachment 112168

 

Opps. I will get the newer version and try again. Thank you for your help.

 

Weirdness.

I could NOT download MGtools. It simply refused to download. I downloaded it from my neighbors PC and put it on a thumb drive. Then I copied it to the c:\ directory.

So that is what I used. I hope this version gives you better/more information.

After that download copy, I ran everything in order again. Logs are attached.

Took longer to run this time, but that is fine, just thought it was worth mentioning.

Things went smoothly until I ran combofix.exe.

ComboFix.exe told me that AVG resident was still running. I did not have it running, and when I stopped it (near the beginning of the READ/Run ME instructions) got the warning message I was not protected etc. So this was a surprise. I got to task manager and there were 3 processes that started with AVG. avgrsx.exe, avgnsx.exe and avgwdsvc.exe. I was unable to cancel any of these. (before the previous Read/Run ME, I was unable to get to task manager.)

So I let ComboFix.exe tell me again that these processes were running, and it continued on.

While running I got 2 messages about pv.cfexe caused a fault and needed to close. I declined to "send error report".

Beyond that, everything ran. If I need to uninsall AVG, let me know I will do that, or if there are other things I should be doing, please advise. Thank you again for all your help.

 

The system does seem better. I still can not uninstall the *Browser Address Error Redirector* and *Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer* in the add/remove programs section.

I don't know if the MG tools download was a problem.
I don't know if the AVG in task manager / in memory still for ComboFix is a problem.
I don't know if pv.cfexe caused a fault and needed to close while running ComboFix is a problem.

Browser itself seems fine.

Family Tree Maker is working normally again.

System does seem fine. Just want to make sure that all is okay. If this is "normal" and "all-clear" then GREAT! and THANK YOU so much. If there is a problem and there is more I need to do, please let me know.

 

Thank You again. I will get the subscription for those running, and I printed the "exit" steps and the Malware prevention instructions to make sure I keep the system clean. I really appreciate all your help. System is running very well. You did a great job, and my system is better for all your advice.