RunDLL32.exe application error, I think.

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by geekchallenged, Sep 29, 2010.

  1. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    I'm having a bad time with this, I have searched the forum for related threads and I have gone through read and run me first. I'll try to list symptoms accurately;

    1. On start up, I get to my desk top and a series of *.exe error windows popup, usually 24, (12 different ones). All *.exe application errors. Some of them are; RunDLL32.exe, spmgr.exe, vaiopdt.exe, partseal. exe, hkserve.exe, etc.. The message is; *.exe-Application error The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005). Click OK to terminate the application.
    2. I can open explorer or control panel, but can't start any *.exe programs. I can use Google Chrome anytime, but cannot use any other browser.
    3. I can download programs, but most will not load and none will run. I get the error popup with programname.exe, (IE; mbam-setup.exe application error), and the same error message as above. This also happens when I attempt to change the program name. I have downloaded malwarebytes to a zip drive and attempted to scan my computer that way, but the same thing happens.

    I think I've described most of the problem, it's very frustrating and I could use some expert help.
     
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please download and run the below tool named Rkill (courtesy of BleepingComputer.com) which may help allow other programs to run.
    There are 4 different versions. If one of them won't run then download and try to run the other one.

    Vista and Win7 users need to right click and choose Run as Administrator

    You only need to get one of them to run, not all of them. You may get warnings from your antivirus about this tool, ignore them or shutdown your antivirus.
    1. Rkill.exe
    2. Rkill.com
    3. Rkill.scr
    4. Rkill.pif
    Once you've gotten one of them to run then try to immediately run the following.


    Download and save the below to your PC (save it anywhere you can find it. The Desktop is fine). Then double click on it to run it.

    AVPFind.bat

    It should take a couple minutes to run. You will see a black command prompt window while it is running and it should close when it is finished. Once it finishes, attach the c:\avplog.txt file that is will hopefully create as long as the malware does not block the batch file from running. (See: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post )


    Now download and Run exeHelper
    • Please download exeHelper to your desktop.
    • Double-click on exeHelper.com to run the fix.
    • A black window should pop up, press any key to close once the fix is completed.
    • A log file named log.txt will be created in the directory where you ran exeHelper.com
    • Attach the log.txt file to your next message.
    Note: If the window shows a message that says "Error deleting file", please re-run the program before posting a log - and post the two logs together (they will both be in the one file).


    Also please try running the below online scan:

    http://www.superantispyware.com/onlinescan.html

    Reboot immediately after scanning if it finds and removes anything. Let me know if anything was found. See if you can save a log with it.


    Then try running these instructions: Using MGtools


    Attach the below logs when finished with all of the above:
    • C:\avplog.txt - from AVPfind
    • a log from online SAS scan if you could make one
    • log.txt - from exeHelper
    • C:\MGlogs.zip - from MGtools
    The C:\ assumes that drive C is you Windows boot drive. If you boot from another drive, then use the correct drive letter above.
     
  3. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    OK, finally computer is running at least as stable as before the infection. One hint to anyone reading this thread, these instructions will work but you must be VERY persistent. I'm attaching my logs, MGTools did not create a zipped file. I'm attaching the hijackthis.log, if there are other log files you need from MGTools, please let me know. Thank you so much for the help on this and thanks for the welcome!
     

    Attached Files:

  4. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    The last log.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    I certainly will be!

    I need the C:\MGlogs.zip - from MGtools
     
  6. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    OK, found the MGLogs.zip which I assumed would be in C:/MGtools, however it's C:/MGLogs.zip. I'm sure that was mentioned in the instructions, I should have read them better! Here it is, thanks a lot.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    And why are you surfing without antivirus??

    Before we continue I would like for you to use MSConfig to put this machine back into normal start up mode

    Now download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    • Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
    • Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    • Do not change any check box options!!
    • Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:
    • Now click the Execute button.
    • Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
    • Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
    • Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    • A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.

    Also delete all files in the below bold folders except ones from the current date (Windows will not let you delete the files from the current day).

    Now run MalwareBytes and SUPERantispyware as per the instructions in the R&R. Attach logs from each regardless of what it finds or does not find.

    Run combofix at this point.

    Then letting me know how things are running would be great!
     
  8. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    "And why are you surfing without antivirus??"

    I know, I know! Terrible idea, I was running two obviously inferior programs. Neither found anything when I ran scans.
    I ran Superantispyware last night and foolishly forgot to save the log. I also ran Avenger, none of the Registry entries were processed, I got error messages for all three registry commands, can I delete those manually? I can't get Malwarebytes to run on my machine. It downloads and loads fine, but won't run. No error message, just won't start up. Superantispyware detected a few items, mostly tracking cookies, but there was one trojan file and one other file that may have been a helper file, I can't remember for sure. The check boxes next to the Trojan file and the other file were not checked by SAS, I checked them manually and had SAS quarantine them along with tracking cookies. I can't figure out why Malwarebytes won't run, is something wrong with the download at download.com?
     
  9. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    The instructions for running SAS tell you where to locate the log :)

    No. Leave them alone.

    What happened with Combofix?

    Do this:
    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
     
  10. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    Well I can't get Combofix to run on my machine either, not sure what's going on there. It won't start up, no error message, just doesn't start. To recover a scan log in SAS, I need to go to the control center, click the Statistics/Logs tab for the list of logs. However the list is blank, there should be 2 or 3 logs. The "Keep a detailed list of scanning results" check box is checked, as is the "Save empty/clean logs" check box. Not sure why it's not saving logs. Here is the newest MGlogs.zip file. Should I re-enable my CD Emulator Drivers at this point?
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    That is because my syntax was wrong.

    You should be downloading it from here not download.com! Uninstall the version you have and download a fresh version Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.46

    Try running Malware Bytes in safe mode if normal mode is not working, as well as combofix, but before running combofix rename it to 123.com.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.

    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.

    Uninstall these

    • Viewpoint Manager (Remove Only)
    • Viewpoint Media Player

    Maybe now is the time to install some anti virus, one because you should not be surfing without any and two because I would be interested to see if it picks up on anything. I am not seeing anything that's standing out as suspicious. Besides what was already removed. Plus a few temp files..

    .

    Not malware related.

    And what about now? What executables are failing to open? (Besides combofix and Malware Bytes as you mentioned)

    Let me know how you get on with MBAM and Combofix, and address any questions I may have asked.
     
  12. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    OK, I renamed Combofix and it ran fine. I downloaded Malwarebytes from your link, loaded it, renamed it and it ran fine, (see attached logs). I added the registry the registry entries, did get the success message. It appears that all executable programs are working fine, I've started up several from control panel and they all start up fine. How many of the progemas that I have downloaded should I keep. Can you suggest a good routine that I should run every day to stay clean? Thanks again for all your help, it has been truly indispensable.
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    I can, but tell me, did you install antivirus yet? Because that would be a very good start.

    Good that you got combofix to run because it addressed an infected file. Little more to be done:

    Now we need to use ComboFix
    • Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
      • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    • Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
    • If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box. Ensure you scroll down to select ALL the lines:
    Code:
    KILLALL::
    
    File::
    c:\windows\system32\mq8u4gc3.default.tmp
    c:\windows\system32\srvblck2.tmp
    c:\windows\system32\appconf32.exe
    
    • Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    • At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    • You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe

      http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sUBs/CFScriptB-4.gif

    • Follow the prompts.
    • When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    • I will ask for this log below

    Note:

    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
     
  14. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    I'll have the antivirus issue resolved directly. Here are the new logs, thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Rename 123.com back to combofix.exe

    Use Windows Explorer to find and delete these files:
    And this folder:
    If all is well then you can follow final steps

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /uninstall
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    3. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    6. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    7. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders
      related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
    9. If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
        for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     
  16. geekchallenged

    geekchallenged Private E-2

    Thank you to Kestrel13! for all of the help. My machine is probably 99% healthy now. I followed all directions from your last post. I've installed Avast antivirus, a program I used before and liked. Got talked into using an inferior product, you know, that old sad story. Anyhow, thanks again, you and the others on this board are the best!
     
  17. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    You are most welcome! safe surfing. :)
     

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