can't grab hjt log file before browser crashes

You don't need to do this and we DON'T want it in a Word doc. As soon as you run HijackThis with log, it is created in the HijackThis folder. The file name is hijackthis.log by default. Just attach that file.

Attach the log as requested.

Skip it for now! Also if you cannot get in safe mode, we will do what we can in normal mode.


Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as RESTORE.VBS to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files". Once you have saved it double click it to run it. Click Yes at the prompt of the message box. If your antivirus program detects this script, make sure you allow it to run.

Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.

Now attach a new GetRunKey log.

 

Please install and RENAME HijackThis as requested in step 7 of the READ ME. You have it here:

C:\Documents and Settings\Max Arthur\My Documents\Max's Stuff\Business Plan briefcase\virus programs\HijackThis.exe

That is exactly where we indicate not to install it and you did not rename. Do this and continue with the below. Don't attach another HJT log yet until requested..

Also note that you should not be running LimeWire while getting HijackThis logs and if you are running LimeWire when you PC starts up you should configure LimeWire not to do this.

Your problems are due to worm known as W32.Chod@mm.


Start by downloading a tool we will need - Pocket KillBox

Save it to its own folder somewhere that you will be able to locate it later.

Please run HijackThis and click on the Open the Misc Tools Section button on the open page. Then select Open process manager on the left-hand side. Look for the following process (or processes) and one at a time kill them by selecting it and then click Kill process. Then click yes.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe <--- if you don't find this exact match look for another csrss.exe running from another randomly named folder like jtkkmefhi but DO NOT kill C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe which is valid

After killing all the above processes, click Back.
Then please click Scan and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
F3 - REG:win.ini: run=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - Startup: csrss.lnk = ?

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Now run Pocket Killbox by doubleclicking on killbox.exe
Choose Tools > Delete Temp Files and click Delete Selected Temp Files.
Then after it deletes the files click the Exit (Save Settings) button.
NOTE: Pocket Killbox will only list the added files it is able to find on the system. So when you do the below, if some files do not show in the list after pasting them in, just continue.

Select:

• Delete on Reboot
• then Click on the All Files button.
• Please copy the file paths below to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose copy):

C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe <--- if you found a different random folder name being used in HJT above. Replace this with that fullpath.

• Return to Killbox, go to the File menu, and choose Paste from Clipboard.
• Click the red-and-white Delete File button. Click Yes at the Delete on Reboot prompt.

If you receive a PendingFileRenameOperations prompt, just click OK to continue (But please let me know if you receive this message!).

If Killbox does not reboot just reboot your PC yourself.

Now attach the below new logs and tell me how the above steps went.

1. GetRunKey
2. ShowNew
3. HJT

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

Reminder Note: Once we have determined you are malware free you will need to disable System Restore, reboot, and re-enable system restore per step 1 of the READ & RUN ME. This only applies to if using WinXP or WinMe.

 

Let's approach this a different way to see if we can keep HijackThis running.

Download - Process Explorer

Extract it to its own folder somewhere that you will be able to locate it later.

IMPORTANT: You should print or save the below locally, so you can refer to them while offline. You must exit all browsers before running the below steps and it would be best if you actually physically unplug your cable to the internet, reboot, and do not run anything but what I give you to do. Also it would be good to exit all processes and items in your System tray.

Do the above before continuing! Okay unplug your cable now.


Now run Process Explorer by double clicking on procexp.exe

• Let's configure some options first:
  • Click View and select Show Lower Pane. And where it says "Lower Pane View" make sure DLL's is checked.
  • Now click on explorer.exe.
  • Now also under the View menu choose "Select columns" and put a check mark on "Image Path".
• Now look in the list of processes for C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe and right click on it and select Kill Process

Now let's see if we can run HJT.

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
F3 - REG:win.ini: run=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - Startup: csrss.lnk = ?

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Now run Pocket Killbox by doubleclicking on killbox.exe
Choose Tools > Delete Temp Files and click Delete Selected Temp Files.
Then after it deletes the files click the Exit (Save Settings) button.
NOTE: Pocket Killbox will only list the added files it is able to find on the system. So when you do the below, if some files do not show in the list after pasting them in, just continue.

Select:

• Delete on Reboot
• then Click on the All Files button.
• Please copy the file paths below to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose copy):

C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe

• Return to Killbox, go to the File menu, and choose Paste from Clipboard.
• Click the red-and-white Delete File button. Click Yes at the Delete on Reboot prompt.

If you receive a PendingFileRenameOperations prompt, just click OK to continue (But please let me know if you receive this message!).

If Killbox does not reboot just reboot your PC yourself.

After reboot, locate the below folder and delete it:
:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi

Now attach the below new logs and tell me how the above steps went.

1. GetRunKey
2. ShowNew
3. HJT

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

Reminder Note: Once we have determined you are malware free you will need to disable System Restore, reboot, and re-enable system restore per step 1 of the READ & RUN ME. This only applies to if using WinXP or WinMe.

 

1. Please download The Avenger by Swandog46 to your Desktop.

• Click on Avenger.zip to open the file
• Extract avenger.exe to your desktop

2. Copy all the text contained in the code box below to your Clipboard by highlighting it and pressing (Ctrl+C):

Code:

 Files to delete:
C:\Documents and Settings\Max Arthur\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\csrss.lnk
C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
 
Folders to delete:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi

Note: the above code was created specifically for this user. If you are not this user, do NOT follow these directions as they could damage the workings of your system.

3. Now, start The Avenger program by clicking on its icon on your desktop.

• Under "Script file to execute" choose "Input Script Manually".
• Now click on the Magnifying Glass icon which will open a new window titled "View/edit script"
• Paste the text copied to clipboard into this window by pressing (Ctrl+V).
• Click Done
• Now click on the Green Light to begin execution of the script
• Answer "Yes" twice when prompted.

4. The Avenger will automatically do the following:

• It will Restart your computer. ( In cases where the code to execute contains "Drivers to Unload", The Avenger will actually restart your system twice.)
• On reboot, it will briefly open a black command window on your desktop, this is normal.
• After the restart, it creates a log file that should open with the results of Avenger’s actions. This log file will be located at C:\avenger.txt
• The Avenger will also have backed up all the files, etc., that you asked it to delete, and will have zipped them and moved the zip archives to C:\avenger\backup.zip.

5. Please attach the c:\avenger.txt too your next reply!

Also try to run HijackThis now and follow the below if it runs!

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
F3 - REG:win.ini: run=C:\WINDOWS\system32\jtkkmefhi\csrss.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - Startup: csrss.lnk = ?

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.



Now attach new logs from HJT and ShowNew and don't forget to attach the c:\avenger.txt log too.

 

You're welcome. Yes it would be a good idea to run those scans now (if possible) to be sure everything has been fixed.

 

Does the PandaActiveScan link work?

I wonder why you would be hijacked to that site. Is it a site you used to use? It seems legit but rather out of date.

Please download HOSTER and then follow the below steps.

• Unzip Hoster to a convenient folder such as C:\Hoster
• Run Hoster.exe, click Restore Original Hosts and then click OK.
• Click the X to exit the program

Now Go to Start > Run and type in cmd

• Click OK.
• This will open a command prompt.
• Type or copy and paste the following line in the command window:
  ipconfig /flushdns
• Hit Enter
• Exit the command window

Now if you are still having problems, please attach new logs from GetRunKey, ShowNew, and HJT. Make sure you download the current versions of GetRunKey and ShowNew before getting new logs. Both of them have been updated!!