Help: Net Comms drivers appear targetted.

LouArnold · May 25, 2009

Please let let me know if this is truly caused by malware (so I have to wipe the HDD and re-install) or if (and how) I can re-install the two drivers.

I'm running Win XP Pro SP3 on an Athlon. About 1.2GHz CPU with 512 MB memory. It ran very well, until a few days ago. Then anything to do with the Network Connection or Control Panel slowed to a crawl - some 60 seconds delay for operations. I do not now have internet access on that computer.

I followed forums, to view hidden Non-Plug and Play devices and two drivers were marked as with a yellow "!" icon. (Device Manager>View>Show Hidden devices)
- IP Network Address Translator
- TCP/IP Protocol Driver

Properties for both state: "The device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed. (Code 24)"

I uninstalled these drivers, but I don't know what to do next. Where do I get new ones, and how do I get them into the damaged computer.

If there is a virus, I assume its still active and will infect new drivers as well. If this is true, and I need to wipe the drive and re-install, then I will do so, but I need to know if this is necessary.

I have a separate HDD for data and no installed software. I assume I can simply back up the data without fear of backing up the virus as well?

TimW · May 27, 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. If TDSSserv is not found, just continue on with the READ & RUN ME.

TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

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.

After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!

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 the 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.

If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.

To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised 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.

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Help: Net Comms drivers appear targetted.

LouArnold Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member