Virus or Dying HD?

To whom it may concern,

First, I want to thank all of you at Major Geeks for making valuable information available to the common user. Your site helped me resolve 2 different issues within the past year and a half. Unfortunately, I have encountered a new problem that I haven't been able to resolve. About a week ago, my PC started running pretty slow. It seemed like it was bogging down. Then about 3 days ago, my wife and daughter both mentioned that they were encountering problems with Facebook and other online sites/games.

Since their Internet usage is questionable at best, I assumed one of them introduced a virus on our PC. Therefore, I followed the steps listed in the Malware Removal Guide, Win XP Cleaning Procedure. I followed every step exactly. The only tool that would even execute was "MGTools". So, I have the log from that app but none of the others. I included a MS Word doc that contains screen shots of the various error messages I encountered when attempting to launch each of the other executibles in the instructions. With that said, I am able to run other executibles such as IE and Word.

Does this sound like a virus or a HD on its last leg? Please advise.

Thanks again!

 

SAS - I execute the program (file located at C:\ root directory) and receive a message that says:
Open File - Security Warning
The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?
I click on "Run".
A progress window opens to show extraction of file, then immediately another message opens stating "Corrupt installation detected, check source media or re-download.
I click "OK" and the app closes.
I have tried downloading multiple times from multiple locations.

MBAM - I execute the program (mb.exe located at C:\ root directory) and receive the same message that says:
Open File - Security Warning
The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?
I click on "Run".
Immediately, a message appears stating:
Error
The setup files are corrupted. Please obtain a new copy of the program.
I click "OK" and the app closes.
Again, I attempted multiple downloads from multiple locations.

ComboFix - I execute the program (ComboFix.exe located on desktop) and receive the same message that says:
Open File - Security Warning
The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?
I click on "Run".
A progress meter appears, then a message appears stating:
Error
Some installation files are corrupt. Please download a fresh copy and retry the installation.
I click "OK" and the app attempts to close. There is still a ComboFix window on my task bar as well as the progress meter on my desktop. Those 2 items are frozen.
Again, I attempted multiple downloads from multiple locations.

So, I can't tell if the files are actually corrupt or if some type of malware is causing the issue.

BTW - I REALLY appreciate your help!

 

I tried running them in Safe Mode and still received the messages stating that the files are corrupt. Then, I tried running Kaspersky and received a similar "files corrupt" message. Finally, I tried renaming ComboFix to "123.com". That actually got the program to load. I received a message stating updates are available, would you like to download. I selected "Yes". The files downloaded and I received another "files corrupt" type message.

On another note, I also took my PC to a local repair shop. After $170, the technician said he removed a few viruses. My wife picked up the PC, so I don't have details on what he detected and removed. With that said, I am still receiving the "files corrupt" message any time I attempt to run an executible that installs software on my hard drive.

Is it possible that the virus(es) are gone, but some Windows system file is damaged/corrupt, and that is what is causing the "files corrupt" messages? Please advise.

 

Another interesting note is that for any file I download, I receive a Windows alert stating that the file is from "Unknown Publisher". I wonder if that could be related to the "files corrupt" message I am encountering?