Help with locking PC please

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Frank Thomas, May 17, 2009.

  1. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    Hi.. I've run the Windows XP cleaning procedure and the logs are attached. Problem is that my PC will lock up sometimes minutes or a couple hours into using. There does not seem to be any particular app that causes this. It has happened while in IE or FireFox as well as when these have not been launched in a session.

    In fact it has locked up once while trying to compose this and attache the logs.

    Typically I'll be working along and notice that the app I happen to be in stops responding. I might be able to open one or two other things and they will lock as I open them. It will get to the point where I can't open or do anything including Task Mgr. Sometimes a persistent tone will sound off like a keyboard lock sound and all I can do is hard boot.

    Please let me know what I can do and thank you very much for this service.

    Also, when trying to set the Normal setup, it would not let me saying that I did not have admin rights but I am definitely using the admin acct.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    While you do have a few things to fix, your problems may not all be due to malware. Let's fix what I see and go from there.

    First run this Resetting Registry and File Permissions and make sure you reboot as requested before continuing on witht the below.


    Now I want to check for a Master Boot Record infection due to some items I see in your logs. Please download the following & save to your Desktop

    GMER's MBR.exe
    • Double click on the MBR.exe file to run it.
    • A log will be produced & saved to the desktop, called MBR.log.
    • Immediately attach this log to your next message before continuing because the next steps will overwrite it.
    Delete the current mbr.log file and then try to run the below instructions.
    Click Start > Run and copy & paste the following textin the code box into the Run box and then click OK:
    Code:
     
    "%userprofile%\desktop\mbr.exe" -f
    
    Now double click on the mbr.exe file and attach the second mbr.log


    Now immediately continue on with the below instructions.


    I strongly advise you to cleanup your Desktop. Remove eveything but links to run programs. Do not download and save programs here and defintely do not use it for long term storage. You need to keep ComboFix.exe here for now as we need it, but we will be removing it when we are finished with your cleanup. A cluttered Desktop is malware's playground and it can also cause performance degradation especially when you start saving large files here like you are doing.


    Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

    Uninstall the below software:
    Java(TM) 6 Update 12
    Search Settings 1.2 <-- should have been uninstalled in step 1 of the READ ME

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) 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:

    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
    O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - (no file)
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SearchSettings] C:\Program Files\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now we need to use ComboFix to remove a bunch of malware files.
    • Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
      • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    • Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
    • If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:
    • Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    • At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    • You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    • Follow the prompts.
    • When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    • I will ask for this log below
    Note:

    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


    After reboot, now install the current version of Sun Java from: Sun Java Runtime Environment

    Now run Ccleaner. Only use the Run Cleaner button. Do not run anything else on any other forms.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  3. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    MBR logs attached.

    Something odd... Before running this I cleaned up my desktop and also looked at the desktops of other accts (grandkids) using File Explore. They did not look excessive so I did nothing. After I ran MBR and rebooted, those accts dissappeared including the folders associated with them. Only two accts were left... both were admin accts, the others were not.

    Removing Search Settings 1.2 process indicated that it would close all instances of IE so I am sending this now and will follow up with any additional emails.

    Thanks for your help.
     

    Attached Files:

    • mbr.log
      File size:
      443 bytes
      Views:
      2
    • mbr2.log
      File size:
      443 bytes
      Views:
      2
  4. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    Logs are attached.

    Correction on previous post. Non admin accts were removed from the XP login screen but they still exist and files do as well. This is not a big concern for me right now.

    Results of running utilities...

    After running analyse.exe 3 of the 4 entries were there. O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SearchSettings] C:\Program Files\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe was not.

    I disabled virus protection in McAfee but while running combofix the McAfee splash appeared a couple times. I don't think there were any issues though.

    When I ran MGtools\getlogs.bat it locked while listing dll exe and sys file in \windows. I hard booted and it started chkdsk which found and fixes some errors such as "error in index $I30"

    When I re-ran getlogs, the app did hang at the last screen asking to wait for log to appear. However, a log was created but I had to close the screem but the pc did not crash.

    I've been working on the pc for awhile and no crash. Also, things to seem faster. I'll use the PC another day or so and see what happens and report back here.

    Thank you
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    Unfortunately I am still getting crashes. Thanks again for any help you can provide.
     
  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Did you run the below command as requested to fix you master boot record which is infected?

    "%userprofile%\desktop\mbr.exe" -f

    If you ran it then it did not work and you will need to boot to the Recovery Console to run fixmbr as stated in the logs.

    Reboot your PC and select the Recovery Console option seen as you first boot up. You installed this as part of the ComboFix procedure. You can read more about the Recovery Console here ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058 ) see option 1 which is what you will be using.

    • You will see a list of possible Windows partitions with numbers next to them. Select your Windows Installation (which is C:\Windows) by typing the number next to it (which should be 1) and press enter.
    • It may ask you for the Administrator password is next (so make sure you know it). It you never gave it a password it is probably blank. If it is blank, just press enter. If you have set one then type it in and hit enter. It will tell you if you enter the wrong password.
    • When you enter the correct password you will get a prompt that looks like this: C:\WINDOWS>
    Now from this command prompt window, here are some things I want you to do. Enter the below commands (the commands are in bold black) in the order given. I will add comments in purple.

    fixmbr


    Then reboot your PC into normal boot mode and continue with the below.



    Now we need to use ComboFix again
    • Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
      • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    • Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
    • If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:
    • Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    • At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    • You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    • Follow the prompts.
    • When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    • I will ask for this log below
    Note:

    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


    Now run Ccleaner. Only use the Run Cleaner button. Do not run anything else on any other forms.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2009
  7. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    Hello...

    Yes I did run "%userprofile%\desktop\mbr.exe" -f. I recall seeing an error in the MBR log that I may have a rootkit infection.

    When trying to run Recovery Console I get the message that "NTLDR is compressed. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart". Consequently, I see that I need to boot with the Windows XP CD which of course I cannot find. I have been careful to retain all CDs that came with my PC when I purchased it and I am very frustrated that I cannot find this most important CD. I even called Dell to make sure that one shipped with my CD and one in fact did.

    I am sorry for this glitch. Do I have any other options?
     
  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Can you borrow a CD matching your OS from a friend just so you can complete this step?
     
  9. Frank Thomas

    Frank Thomas Private E-2

    Finally I got an OS disk and was able to proceed. Since my last post I continued to use the PC with frequent hangs. At one point I started getting BSOD's and would need to reboot. The last BSOD was the Page fault in non page area error. I did try rebooting with only one or the other memory sim with no difference.

    Today I got my OS from Dell, ran Recovery Console as you directed. A new MBR was created and I am back in my PC.

    I ran ComboFix, CCTools and MGTools\GetLogs.bat and the 2 logs are attached. My PC has been on for about 3 hours now with no hang or other errors. Hopefully the rootkit infection was eliminated with new MBR and that is the problem. But I'll leave that to you.

    Thank you again for all you've done and any more help that might be needed.
    By the way, when I ordered the replacement OS from Dell, I mentioned to tech support that I was working with MajorGeeks. They said that sometimes they use you guys as well. Now there's an endorsement!
     

    Attached Files:

  10. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome.

    Many companies send people here, including Microsoft, McAfee and more.;)

    Now the your MBR infection has been fixed, your logs are clean.

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we used Pocket Killbox during your cleanup, do the below
      • Run Pocket Killbox and select File, Cleanup, Delete All Backups
    3. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    6. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    7. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
    9. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures in step 3 the READ ME for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     

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