Insane virus (might be acebot), can't use most programs, exists in safe mode...

Duress · Feb 7, 2009

Ok so I have quite the virus here. My computer was just fine and dandy until I turned it off last night, and turned it on today. Upon starting up and logging into windows (XP), all my programs that were supposed to open on startup were crashing, and I was being spammed with 'an error has occurred with xxxxxx, send or don't send error report' messages, and then being spammed with Dr. Watson errors as well. I Google'd this and apparently the Dr. Watson error spam was due to a trojan called AceBot. I tried to follow the instructions to remove it and such, but what happened next is why I don't think it's AceBot.

I couldn't use spybot or any of the other programs I was directed to use (like Killbox for example) because the virus would make me get 'an error has occurred etc' when I try to use them as well. I tried doing the same in Safe Mode, but the same thing happens, the virus seems to still survive in Safe Mode, and crashes anything I try to open. I really don't want to reformat and I want that to be my absolute last option (including after smashing my computer with a hammer).

I can't provide a HJT log either because I can't open the text file (I'm able to use HJT but not open the log text file to copy it from, lol), and I don't think this can be removed from anything having to do HJT logs anyways

if anyone knows how to fix this, any help would be appreciated.

Duress · Feb 7, 2009

bump

Duress · Feb 7, 2009

Ok I am now running ComboFix as suggested by someone on a different forum, but I think there may be a problem..

It just finished completing stage 10, and has been stuck there for some time now.. is this normal?

TimW · Feb 9, 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.

TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable

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.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

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 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.

To avoid addtional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advise 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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Insane virus (might be acebot), can't use most programs, exists in safe mode...

Duress Private E-2

Duress Private E-2

Duress Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member