permanent "working in background " sign at the mouse pointer

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by uzi451, Jul 19, 2010.

  1. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Hi again,

    This is the third time I turn to you for help, the two first times were VERY helpful.
    Thanks again.

    My OS is XP Pro
    The problem - After restart the mouse pointer remains at "working in background" status (which is a pointer + a small hourglass near it) and doesn't return to the normal pointer.
    While at this state, I can connect to my ISP , but can't browse to any site (getting the "page cannot be displayed page") .
    Actually I did manage to get into some sites but for a very short period of time.

    The amazing thing is - My computer is also a server to another computer (through ICS) using a cable connection , and the other computer sees the internet just fine !

    Tried to run SupeAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes but they cannot update, which makes me suspect we are dealing with a Malware Issue here.

    Many thanks for your help
     
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you think this is a malware issue, then please do the below.

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    • **** 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. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools 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:


    1. 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:

    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( 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.
    3. 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 aother 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.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

    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.
     
  3. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Thanks,

    I tried to run the cleaning procedure you are offering
    and these are the results:

    1. Couldn't uninstall AVG - uninstall failes with some registry error
    2. MSconfig - doesn't run , I get a crash message
    3. SAS ran fine - attached are the logs, one from today and two from the
    day my problem started
    4. MBAM - I have it already in stalled but trying to update from the
    downloaded file I get the message "the setup filed are corrupted, please
    obtain a new copy of the program"
    Trying to run the existing copy I get the message "error code 730(0,0)"
    5. Combofix - when running it it warns me that as my AVG is still "active" a
    damage can occur to my computer, so I passed this one as I can't
    uninstall this program (see paragraph one).
    6. RootRepeal - worked fine - log attached
    7. MGTools - trying to run it I get the message "Failed to find marker"
    then it runs, but I cant see any folder created in c:\

    Still having my problem and looking forward to hear from you


    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then lets see if we cant get AVG uninstalled.

    Please go here and download and run the AVG Removal Tool.

    Now see if you can run ComboFix.
     
  5. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Tried to run the removal tool, at the first time it seemed to work and afterwards there was a restart,

    But trying to run combofix I'm still having that message "combofix has detected real time scanner to be active: AVG anti virus free"

    I've noticed that there is still on my desktop an AVG installation file which I can't erase , trying to do so I get the message : cannot delete <filename> access is denied

    I'v tried running the removal tool several times again , but no change.
     
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Go ahead and try to run Combo in spite of the message.
     
  7. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Had combofix running for almost 2 hours

    the hourglass sign has gone !
    but the computer refuses to turn off

    Attached is the log

    waiting for your instructions...
     

    Attached Files:

    • log.txt
      File size:
      34.6 KB
      Views:
      4
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sorry to give you the bad news but you will have to do a total clean reinstall.

    I can see the reason for your problems. Your logs show that your Windows Operating system files have become infected by a Virut infection and there is no known reliable fix for this. In addition there are many many other infected files. We could spend a lot of time trying to remove this infection, but odds are that it will not work because the nature of the infection has so many executable system files infected that as soon as we fix one file, other files that are infected will almost immediately or upon the next reboot, just reinfect the files. In addition, your PC would still basically be unreliable/untrustworthy even if we manage to fix the infected files that we can see since there could be many more that we are not seeing.

    The safest thing for you to do is backup your personal data immediately since your PC could possibly become unbootable at any point in time. Do not back up any executable files. This includes programs that you have downloaded since any of them could be infected. Anything you may have already backed up that is an executable type file (things you downloaded to install programs....etc) are most likely infected and will cause you to be reinfected if you reuse these files.

    Once you backup, you need to format partitions and reinstall Windows and all other software especially your protection software. Then install all updates for all software. DO NOT reinstall from any executable file backups you made while this PC was infected or you will just be reinstalling the infection.
     
  9. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Thanks for the help

    I have reintsalled my computer.

    Still I would appreciate some tips about how not to get
    Into this situation again.
     
  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member


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