Impossible to remove virus?

KSpiffy · Aug 9, 2009

Excuse me if I'm in a bit over my head here, as I've never had to deal with a virus that couldn't easily be removed with my anti-virus programs. I really have no idea how to fix this, despite looking through various forums and sites and trying the various methods I found.

Anyway, here are the details I can provide thus far:

-Attempting to open any program other than Internet Explorer results in a small pop-up saying '-application name- is not a valid Win32 application.' This makes it impossible to run any virus removal programs like MBAM.

-An ad for 'Windows Antivirus Pro' software consisetently pops up and is unable to be removed.

-I attempted to use the online 'Housecall' virus scanner by Trend Micro, but doing so results in my computer going to a blue screen, and me having to re-start it.

-I also attempted to go into my computer in Safe Mode, hoping I'd be able to use the applications; instead, upon clicking Safe Mode, the computer goes to a black screen and I must re-start it.

-As per suggestions on another site, I went to my system files and deleted the files for 'Windows Antivirus Pro.' This has done nothing.

I apologize if this isn't enough information on the malware. I attempted several fixes on this site but none of them have worked (mostly due to the fact that I inevitably have to use a program which results in the '-application name- is not a valid Win32 application' pop-up).

Again, I'm in over my head on this one; I'm considering taking it in for a professional to look at (as I don't want to have to clear out all my files), but I thought I'd save some money and gain the nerve to ask for help here. Thank you, even if you aren't able to do anything.

chaslang · Aug 12, 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.

KSpiffy · Aug 12, 2009

Alright, I attempted to follow the instructions in the link to 'TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable.' I got as far as clicking on 'System' (to get to 'Hardware'), and then 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe is not a valid Win32 application' came up.

Therefore, on to the Read & Run:
-Attempted to remove all but one antivirus program, as stated. Is not possible, since I go to (for example, to get rid of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 'Uninstall MBAM' and the 'C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\unins000.exe is not a valid Win32 application' message comes up.

-Attempted to go to Add/Remove programs, but the same message 'is not a valid Win32 application' pops up.

-Attempted to run CCleaner. Get the same message as when trying to run other programs.

-Was able to make all hidden files/folders visible.

-Attempted to put MSconfig into Normal Starup mode as suggested (Start>Run>MSconfig) but once I typed in 'MSconfig' and then hit 'OK' the 'is not a valid Win32 application' message came up.

-Attempted to uninstall known malware & unwanted software, but doesn't appear to be possible through Add/Remove programs because clicking on 'Add/Remove Programs' brings up the dreaded 'is not a valid Win32 application' message.

-Downloaded recommended programs (SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, combofix.exe, RootRepeal, MGtools). Was not possible to use any because of the 'is not a valid Win32 application' message coming up.

I will attempt to run these in safe mode, but at the moment it seems I'm out of luck (especially since safe mode doesn't exactly seem to be working xD.

Thank you for your help thus far.

KSpiffy · Aug 12, 2009

I attempted to run Safe Mode again, but once I hit 'Safe Mode' (using the F8 method), a blue screen pops up that says 'A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.' There are a few lines about checking for malware and then 'Technical Information: ***STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF8C4F524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000). Not sure if that means anything, but decided whatever I can provide you with might help :/

Thank you for your help thus far and for your speedy replies

chaslang · Aug 15, 2009

KSpiffy said: ↑

-Downloaded recommended programs (SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, combofix.exe, RootRepeal, MGtools). Was not possible to use any because of the 'is not a valid Win32 application' message coming up.
Click to expand...

Download them using another PC. Also don't confuse saying download if you mean installing or running scans. Basically there are 3 distinct and separate steps:

downloading the programs

installing the programs by running the installation program

running the actual program after it is installed.

We need to know exactly which stages problems are occurring at.

MGtools will normally run when the others will not. Are you sure you tried to run it? If you truly cannot run any scans, you may have to reinstall.

Do you have other user accounts? If so, can you log into one of them and run any scans?

Have you checked to see if System Restore works?

You may be a victim of a fairly new infection going around that attempts to disable all malware type scanning programs and many other programs too. Obviously this is being done to make removal more difficult or impossible.

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Impossible to remove virus?

KSpiffy Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

KSpiffy Private E-2

KSpiffy Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member