New Threat: Spyware or Virus?

I have encountered a new problem that there are very few posts on through Google search...at any rate, no specific fixes. sould have come here first.

The problem occured after getting suckered into a DSL Quest deal involving an MSN. My computer has not been the same since and I have spent two days getting all the crap purged from the system. I've purged all known adware through your posted suggestions using updated Spybot, bazooka (seems to be a good second opinion detecter), Spyblaster, and Aluria's Spyware Eliminator.

My System: Dell 600 m Inspiron, Windows XP, SP1

The problem: Constant Error messages saying "Server Busy because the other program is running" requiring "X" out or "Switch To" which leads to numerous loads of "End Program" boxes on the lower task bar. Ctr, alt, del brings up the task mgr and the CPU usage meter reads 100%. Everything is frozen and periodically an script error message pops-up with a unable to find "pennyweb" or "valuead" url.

I didn't see anything here on this specific problem. I definately need help.

Thanks,

Stutstew

 

More specifically, the Internet Explorer Script Error message is, http://cs.valuead.com/code?pid=12&gid=16&rid=818253034&dom=2&dow=1&hod=22No responses seen here. Anybody seen or heard of this before?

Thanks.

Stutstew

 

Thanks for your response. I will follow all of your advise; however, while there may not be anything that you found bad on it...I'm basically dead in the water as far as surfing is concerned.

Nearly every page load is tied up (100% CPU usage). I'm freezing for 30 seconds until I get the IE page error message "Server Busy". That is followed sometimes by 8 to 10 "end program" task bar repeats, and then the "pennywise" or "valuead" script error message.

Google shows about 10 items related to the topic by other users but absoultely no valid responses as to what is causing the problem. One forum hinted at possible Win driver issues. I've always had problems with this puter (see my previous post). I'm very frustrated. Seems my puter is running hot as well...and I'm trying to think out of the box, like, "Is my CPU fan out?" etc.

Again, your input is gretly appreciated.

Stutstew.

 

an out of the box, suggestion, take the computer cover off, and look for any dust build up, and clean.........i see the most on here use high pressure air,.....but that just moves the dust some where else.......I use a computer vacuum hose attachment to clean.....it has a brush, and hose........and while the cover is off, start up theputer, and see if the fan's are running......it can't hurt, and might fix some of your own questions.......wobbles

 

Thanks...I will do exactly as you suggest (to the best of my ability) later today. I'll post the results along with the Hijack This file and a Host file if I can't get anywhere.

Stutstew

 

Whoooohooo....I got my computer back but I didn't fix any of the problems I was describing (Now it is absolutely clear that Internet Explorer was the source of all my problems...past and present).

I solved issues from a previous post that just left me frustrated as all get out that I thought was a driver compatibility problem or a windows - hardware incompatibility issue I was having with my Dell 600 M Inspiron. I was experiencing screen display problems, 1/2 page loads, text sizing problems, printing issues...anything that had to do with the web was so messed up that I was ready to dump this laptop and send it back to Dell...an then to have problems with script error messaging, spyware, cpu rate usage, bogdowns, all that "pennywise" and "valuead" crap.

But it seems these problems have all gone away with a simple change to the Mozilla Firefox browser. So far, no problems whatsoever. Beautiful, full script pages once again, excellent speed, pop-up blocking, background colors, everything. I wish I had switched to Mozilla a year ago.

So, I still need to purge this computer from all the crap previosly described related to IE.

Question: What's Major Geeks input on Mozilla? Am I safe here? If so, should I uninstall IE and then proceed with Spybot, etc. as previously suggested? What's the best way to "get clean" again?

Thanks a million for all input so far.

Stutstew.

 

Okay...Thanks.