Can't Delete Pests

Wrong link Hipster! But there are many others related.

As Star was indicating, if you are up to date with your Microsoft Critical Updates (now call High Priority Updates), ignore the SpyBot message about DSO Exploit. It's a bug.

 

Pre SP2 just means all updates except the new WinXP SP2 update. You do not want to do that yet.

So you are saying you have all the High Priority updates installed. Is that correct?

Run step 5 from Getting Prepared! Then skip the boot into safe mode and run ALL the steps from Time To Start Scanning And Cleaning Steps 1-5 . But ignore the VX2 cleaner, it is not for Ad-aware SE and also skip step 4 (because you have not indicated having problems with the Only the Best hijack). The last step will be to post a HijackThis log but make sure you follow the directions and read the tutorial. And logs must be added as text attachments.

 

Microsoft Update now has a link called Express Install (Recommended): High Priority Updates for Your Computer.

Express install allows you to quickly download and install only the critical and security updates your computer needs.

So if you already have all the items required installed, you will get a message that has the following text in it, "Your computer appears to be up-to-date; no critical or security updates are available at this time. "

So since it sounds like you are up to date, did you do what I asked in my previous message yet?

 

As I said previously, you can ignore the DSO Exploit problem. It is a bug in SpyBot that will be fixed in the next release.

By the way a new VX2 cleaner plugin for Ad-aware SE is available at: http://download.lavasoft.de.edgesuite.net/public/plvx2cleaner.exe

We should try to figure out why you cannot perform Microsoft Updates though. There could be another hidden problem. Also why you cannot boot to safe mode is an issue.

Please run these:

http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4188.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4063.html

 

I have been assuming that you are running WinXP only because I saw a mention of SP2 earlier. You never have told us what OS you are running. I'm guess it is not XP. And would be willing to bet it is WinME.

If you are running WinME (or even Win9x), go here: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
And click Scan for Updates and then install all the Critical Updates.

The scandisk problem is a typical symptom when you have a virus scan or spyware scanner (or anything else like that running). Try shutting down all unnecessary applications before running scandisk. There are always things loaded at startup. Press CTRL-ALT-DEL to see your running processes in Task Manager.

You could also look at this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222469&Product=winme

 

Did you get all of the Critical Updates?
For problems with scandisk like you have you must shutdown any applications that can write to disk. So shutdown any of the following:
- any components of your virus scanner
- firewall should not have to be shut down but try locking it so nothing goes in or out
- shut down any screen blanker software
- any other type of scanners that may be running (spyware etc)
- close browser sessions (in fact don't run anything while doing the scandisk)

No single package covers everything (viruses, trojans, spyware, adware, popups, dialers, etc). Most people here though will not use Norton or McAfee because of two main reasons: they are resource hogs and they do not necessarily work that well. Okay maybe three reasons: you have to pay for them. Why pay when free packages like Avast, AVG, or Antivir exist? And they are not resource hogs and work very well. Install Avast and you can forget about it (it auto updated for you).

As far as a schedule:
- I look for updates daily (unless I have the auto update type)
- run full scans at the sign of any problem otherwise run fullscans monthly unless you are doing lots of surfing. Then do a full scan bi-monthly.
- I actually use Avast and McAfee. The main reason I have McAfee is because I get thru my job for free and because of my job I must have it on any PC I use to connect into my company or they will eventually block my connection due to McAfee not being found. I don't run any of McAfee's other stuff though. Only the Virusscan application.
- similar schedule for sypware scanners but here if surfing is extensive, scan weekly. Also make sure you have a spyware blocking program like SpywareBlaster.

 

If you cannot get into safe mode and cannot run scandisk, something is wrong.
How did you attempt to get into safe mode? If it is the F8 method, try using the method in the link below where you use msconfig:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam

 

No I said use msconfig to enable safe mode. That normally will work when F8 does not. Read the info in the link I gave you again. Expand the plus sign next to the Win98/ME title.

 

Re: Having problems with my emails

You should have started a new thread for this problem since it has nothing to do with your previous issues as far as I can tell. Also, you might want to post this is the software forum as it may not be spyware related.