Popuper.exe and other issues unresolved

You are going to need to get a valid licensed version of Windows. Running without update capability is just not safe. While you copy may not be pirated in your eyes, it is to Microsoft. It belongs to the company you used to work for and was probably only licensed for one PC. Any others that installed it will have the same problem.

Please follow the steps below so we can address you malware problems. To address your Windows update probably you will need to purchase your own valid license.

- 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).

 

First you must disable Spybot's Teatimer function because it could make fixing this difficult.

To disable TeaTimer, run Spybot and click Mode and select Advanced Mode. Then click Tools and select Resident. Now in the right window pane, uncheck TeaTimer.
Also while this is open, in the left column now select IE Tweaks and then in the right pane make sure all the Miscellaneous locks are unchecked.
Now quit Spybot!

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).

Please run HijackThis and click on the "Open the Misc Tools Section" button on the open page. Then select "Open process manager" on the left-hand side. Look for the following process (or processes) and one at a time kill them by selecting it and then click "Kill process". Then click yes.
E:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
E:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe

After killing all the above processes, click "Back".
Then please click "Scan" 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:
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=explorer.exe, msmsgs.exe


After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:
E:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
E:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.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 we need to Reset Web Settings:
1) If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2) Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3) If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

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

 

Your log is clean. But I have to ask, are you loading Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger at startup? Do you want this to run at startup? What I'm referring to in your HJT log is:
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=explorer.exe, msmsgs.exe

You are also in serious need of getting your Windows Updates. This is a major security risk. You should perform all the steps in the below thread, the first of which is Windows Update:

How to Protect yourself from malware!

You will also see in the above link, the recommended use of FireFox. Use it in place of IE where ever possible.

 

Please do a file search for msmsgs.exe and tell me where you find it. Configure search as given below.

Click Search and the Select "All files and folders"
Enter the filename in the "All or part of the file name:" box, so enter msmsgs.exe
Now select "More advanced options"
Make sure the following check boxes are checked:
- Search system folders
- Search hidden files and folders
- Search subfolders
Then click the Search button.

Also when you find it, right click on the one in c:\windows\system32 and select Properties and then the Version tab. Let's find out who it belongs to. The only valid one should be in c:\Program Files\Messenger (and maybe a software distribution folder too).

What is your problem with just downloading the upgrades to Win Xp online? Are you saying you do not have a valid license for XP? As for you question about installing Home over Pro....you would be better off asking that in the Software Forum. At anyrate remember one thing, not getting the patches to your OS leaves you very vulnerable.

 

Yes, try to delete that msmsgs.exe file that is in system32 but it may be refused if it is running. If so, try it from safe mode and make sure the process is not running (like we did in message # 4 using HijackThis to kill the process).

Use the same steps as previously posted to get rid of popuper.

This is the problem with not upgrading and also you are running without and AV and without a firewall. You need to do ALL of the steps in the below link ASAP.

How to Protect yourself from malware!