Looping startup problem

zorgy · Aug 25, 2005

I recently have run and removed about 340 entities or forms of spyware/malware/adware. When I restarted I recive the

"Windows cannot find file C:\WINNT\system32\msqh.exe Make sure you typed the file name correctly, and then try again. To search for the file, click start button, then click search"

The .exe file changes a few dozen time, and then just loops. If I click "OK" another one just pops up. So I held down the enterkey for about 10 mintues trying to flood it through, but it is neverending.

I started up in safe mode and ran McAfee , Ad-Aware, Spybot and some other programs. But, I do believe that the problem is the program itself was deleted, but something in my start up is still trying to referance it. I did the msconfig and disabled all start up programs, but this also did not work. I am assuming it is in my registry, but I have no idea how to fix this. Is this a common problem, and is there a way to fix it short of fdisk? Any help would be much appreciated.

chaslang · Aug 25, 2005

Sounds like you may have a load of file from an HSA hijacker that are still trying to load. You should follow our standard cleaning procedure (given below). Make sure you run about:Buster and HSremove as shown in the READ ME. Also pay close attention to step # 2 of Getting Prepared (where it mentions some bad services to look for.)

If still using msconfig to stop things from loading, set it back to Normal Startup. We need to see everything.

Please follow the steps below:

- Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

- Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.

After doing ALL of the above you still have a problem make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps below:

- Download HijackThis 1.99.1

- Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

- Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file.

- Before running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

- Run HijackThis and save your log file.

- Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next message. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post).

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Looping startup problem

zorgy Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member