Popup saying "Cannot find..." on startup

What OS are you running?
Are you sure those are the complete messages? I would bet it is C:\Program Files\ and we need what comes after that. Probably C:\Program Files\999\uncanny.exe

You more than likely have a registry entry trying to load this process at startup.

- 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).

 

Please look at your HJT log and notice what I told you was correct. It is C:\Program Files not C:\Program

F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\Program Files\999\uncanny.exe

 

If you are using WinXP or WinMe, make sure you have system restore disabled (per the tutorial).
For all OS types, make sure viewing of hidden files is enabled (per the tutorial).

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\Program Files\999\uncanny.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Sz Host] winshvc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Windows Sz Host] winshvc.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Windows Sz Host] winshvc.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Windows Sz Host] winshvc.exe

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:
C:\Program Files\999 <--- the whole folder
C:\windows\system32\winshvc.exe

If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and try again. Other wise open Task Manager and kill the process if running then delete the file.

Now run Ccleaner (installed while running the READ ME FIRST). Now if running Win XP goto c:\windows\Prefetch and delete all files in this folder.

Now reboot in normal mode and post a new HJT log. And tell us how things are working.

 

You're welcome! Your clean now. Now to help avoid future problems, you should run all the steps in the below link which includes getting a software firewall (the one in Win XP SP2 is not sufficient and should be disabled after installing one of the ones recommended).

How to Protect yourself from malware!