PS I get a DRwatson postmortem error after trying to delete a file

 

Hi and Welcome to TSF

Before attacking an adware/spyware problem with hijackthis make sure you have already run the following tools. Download and update the databases on each program before running.

• Ad-Aware® SE Personal Edition
• Spybot Search & Destroy
• CWShredder

Also make sure you are using the the latest version (1.99.1) of HijackThis and it's installed in it's own folder on the root drive. (C:\HJT)


Go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled. Also make sure that the System Files and Folders are showing/visible.
Please make sure system restore is enabled by right clicking on My Computer and go to Properties->System Restore and check the box for Turn OFF System Restore and make sure it’s NOT checked. We want system restore ON and monitoring your current hard drive. Once your clean we will turn this off and then back on to remove the infection from the restore folder and create a clean restore point.

Reboot into Safe Mode (hit F8 key until menu shows up). Make sure to close any open browsers. Open add/remove programs and remove NetMeter if listed. Go into HijackThis->Config->Misc. Tools->Open process manager. Select the following and click Kill process for each one IF they are still listed (they shouldn't be but make sure)

C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe

Check and fix the following in HijackThis if they still exist (make sure you do not miss an entry)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UserFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -u
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe] C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe

C:\Program Files\NetMeter <--delete that folder

Reboot to normal mode...

Please run an online scan at http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
Select the “Autofix/Clean” option and save the activescan log. Then post that log in your next post along with another hijackthis log.

Question: FreeRAM XP <-- Did Explorer start freezeing after you installed this program?

 

FreeRAM XP has been on here for ages as has netmeter, that's something I installed purposefully, can't imagine that has suddenly caused the problem. I'll try the rest

 

ran the virus scan, didn't find anything, can't see where to save the log?? here's the new hjt analysed log

====================================================================
Log was analyzed using KRC HijackThis Analyzer - Updated on 6/3/05
Get updates at http://www.greyknight17.com/download.htm#programs

***Security Programs Detected***

C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavProt.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Firewall\PavFires.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavFnSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Pavkre.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\pavprsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\pavsrv51.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\prevsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\AVENGINE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\psimsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\apvxdwin.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\SRVLOAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\WebProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SCANINICIO] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Inicio.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APVXDWIN] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\APVXDWIN.EXE" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PANDA ANTISPAM SERVER SERVICE] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe"
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Process Protection Service (PavPrSrv) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\pavprsrv.exe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 09:34:21, on 01/08/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\FreeRAM\FreeRAM XP Pro 1.40.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe
C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe
C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.tvtome.com/
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DiskeeperSystray] "C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkIcon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NOMAD Detector] C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NOMAD Detector] "C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FreeRAM XP] "C:\Program Files\FreeRAM\FreeRAM XP Pro 1.40.exe" -win
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Creative Detector] C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe /R
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe] C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe
O4 - Global Startup: DSLMON.lnk = C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {85D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin class) - http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/securelogin-devel.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{08E94C28-F091-40FF-812C-0E2398BE2A80}: NameServer = 212.74.114.129 212.74.114.193
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{08E94C28-F091-40FF-812C-0E2398BE2A80}: NameServer = 212.74.114.129 212.74.114.193
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Antispam Server Service (PASSRV) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Firewall Service (PAVFIRES) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Firewall\PavFires.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Function Service (PAVFNSVR) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavFnSvr.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Pavkre (Pavkre) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Pavkre.exe
O23 - Service: Panda PavProt (PavProt) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavProt.exe
O23 - Service: Panda anti-virus service (PAVSRV) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\pavsrv51.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Preventium+ Service (PREVSRV) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\prevsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Panda IManager Service (PSIMSVC) - Panda Software Internacional - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\psimsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: SecuROM User Access Service (V7) (UserAccess7) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe


End of KRC HijackThis Analyzer Log.
====================================================================

 

Hi.

FYI:

Filename: NetMeter.exe
Name: NetMeter

Description: NetRatings software by Opistat . "OpiStat measures Internet usage anonymously and surveys participants according to their profiles and online habits". This software has been reported to get downloaded and installed automatically after a Grokster install. It anonymously collects your use of the Internet protocols (sites visited, Web pages, advertisements seen, electronic commerce, streaming). To be avoided!

Recommendation: Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"

 

ok, point taken

can you recommend any other bandwidth monitor? I need to be able to measure the amount of traffic as I have a monthly allowance

thanks

 

I recommend you look here for a tool:

www.majorgeeks.com

 

here's my new logfile
====================================================================
Log was analyzed using KRC HijackThis Analyzer - Updated on 8/4/05
Get updates at http://www.greyknight17.com/download.htm#programs

***Security Programs Detected***

C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavProt.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Firewall\PavFires.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\APVXDWIN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavFnSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Pavkre.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\SRVLOAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\pavprsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\pavsrv51.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\AVENGINE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\prevsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\psimsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\WebProxy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SCANINICIO] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Inicio.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APVXDWIN] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\APVXDWIN.EXE" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PANDA ANTISPAM SERVER SERVICE] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe"
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Process Protection Service (PavPrSrv) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\pavprsrv.exe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:53:05, on 20/08/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\FreeRAM\FreeRAM XP Pro 1.40.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe
C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.tvtome.com/
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DiskeeperSystray] "C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkIcon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NOMAD Detector] C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NOMAD Detector] "C:\Program Files\Creative\NOMAD Jukebox 3\PlayCenter2\CTNMRUN.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FreeRAM XP] "C:\Program Files\FreeRAM\FreeRAM XP Pro 1.40.exe" -win
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Creative Detector] C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe /R
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe] C:\Program Files\NetMeter\NetMeter.exe
O4 - Global Startup: DSLMON.lnk = C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {814EA0DA-E0D9-4AA4-833C-A1A6D38E79E9} (DASWebDownload Class) - http://das.microsoft.com/activate/cab/x86/i486/NTANSI/retail/DASAct.cab
O16 - DPF: {85D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin class) - http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/securelogin-devel.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{08E94C28-F091-40FF-812C-0E2398BE2A80}: NameServer = 212.74.114.129 212.74.114.193
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{08E94C28-F091-40FF-812C-0E2398BE2A80}: NameServer = 212.74.114.129 212.74.114.193
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Antispam Server Service (PASSRV) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PasSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Firewall Service (PAVFIRES) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Firewall\PavFires.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Function Service (PAVFNSVR) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavFnSvr.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Pavkre (Pavkre) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\Pavkre.exe
O23 - Service: Panda PavProt (PavProt) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\PavProt.exe
O23 - Service: Panda anti-virus service (PAVSRV) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\pavsrv51.exe
O23 - Service: Panda Preventium+ Service (PREVSRV) - Panda Software - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\prevsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Panda IManager Service (PSIMSVC) - Panda Software Internacional - C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security\psimsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: SecuROM User Access Service (V7) (UserAccess7) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe


End of KRC HijackThis Analyzer Log.
====================================================================

 

Any problems?

 

still get explorer crashing when I right click on a file, something to do with drwatson I think

 

Please download Trend Micro™ Anti-Spyware for the Web Utility (by clicking the "Scan and Clean your PC" button).

• Save it to your desktop.
• Double-click the new icon on your desktop (tmas-web-scan.exe)
• It will say "Loading TrendMicro definitions".
• Once the definitions are loaded, the program will appear to close then re-open.
• Click "Start Scan"
• After it's done scanning, click "Scan Results"
• Make sure all items found have a check next to them, then click "Clean Threats Now".
• Click Exit.

Reboot your computer. In place of the TrendMicro icon will be a text file called "Antispyware.log", please double-click that log and copy the entire contents and paste them in your next post.

Perform an online scan in Internet Explorer with Panda ActiveScan

1. Click on the Scan your PC button & a 'pop up' window shall appear. * ensure that your pop up blocker doesn't block it
2. Click On 'Scan Now'
3. Enter your e-mail address & click 'Scan Now' ...begins downloading Panda's ActiveX controls.- 8MB
4. Begin the scan by selecting My Computer
   * You needn't remain online while it's doing the scan but you have to re-connect after it has finished to see the report.
5. If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report. Click on see report
6. Then click Save report
7. Post the contents of the report in your next reply

* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

 

hi, done both of these, here's the first log, the second one didn't find anything...

Started Scanning
Internet Cookies
Found 'offeroptimizer.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'dist.belnk.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'atwola.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'belnk.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'server.iad.liveperson.net' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'com.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'burstnet.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'insightexpressai.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'www.burstbeacon.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Found 'ad.yieldmanager.com' in 'Internet Explorer Cache'
Programs in Memory
Windows Registry
Found '' in 'SOFTWARE\LimeWire'
Found '' in 'SOFTWARE\Classes\ed2k'
Found '' in 'SOFTWARE\Classes\ed2k\DefaultIcon'
Found '' in 'SOFTWARE\Classes\ed2k\shell\open\command'
Found '' in 'SOFTWARE\Magnet'
Found '' in 'Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Ranges\Range1'
Internet URL Shortcuts
Files and Directories
Finished Scanning
Started Backup
Finished Backup
Started Cleaning
Finished Cleaning

 

Is explorer still crashing? If so, how long can you use the browser until it crashes? Is it on certian websites, on hyperlinks, or just unusable?

 

sorry, crossed wires here I think, it's windows explorer that's crashing, not internet explorer. it's only seeming to do it when i right-click on a file mostly.

 

I don't think it's spyware related anymore. But let's give this one more shot (since I had a user fix this up before):

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should 'not' have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Please download Ewido Security Suite at http://www.ewido.net/en/download/.

1. Install Ewido Security Suite.
2. When installing, under 'Additional Options' uncheck:
* Install background guard
* Install scan via context menu
3. Launch Ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop, double click it.
4. The program will now open to the main screen.
5. When you run Ewido for the first time, you will get a warning 'Database could not be found!'. Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
6. You will need to update Ewido to the latest definition files.
* On the left hand side of the main screen click update.
* Then click on Start Update.
7. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed. The status bar at the bottom will display 'Update successful'.
8. Exit Ewido. DO NOT scan yet.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can go to http://www.ewido.net/en/download/updates/ to update manually.

Download CleanUp! http://cleanup.stevengould.org/ (Alternate Link if main link don't work - http://www.greyknight17.com/spy/CleanUp.exe ) and install it. Don't run it yet.

Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.

CleanUp! deletes EVERYTHING out of your temp/temporary folders, it does not make backups. If you have any documents or programs that are saved in any Temporary Folders, please make a backup of these before running CleanUp!. Run CleanUp! and click on the Options button. Uncheck 'Scan local drives for temporary files'. Also uncheck those two Newsgroup entries if you don't want to delete them. Click OK and then click on the CleanUp! button. Let it run. After it's done, choose Yes to logoff.

Now open Ewido and do a scan on your system.

* Click on scanner
* Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
* NOTE: During some scans with Ewido it is finding cases of false positives.
o You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
o If Ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
o Do NOT select 'Perform action on all infections'
o If you are unsure of any entry found, select none for now as the action.
* Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report
* Click Save report.
* Save the report .txt file to your desktop or a location where you can find it easily.

Restart and post the Ewido log here. Do this also:

Download CWShredder at http://www.greyknight17.com/spy/CWShredder.exe and run it. Click on 'I Agree' button if you agree. Click on 'Fix' (it will automatically fix anything it finds for you) and then click OK. If it asks if you want to delete a certain random file, choose No and post that filename here. Let it finish the scan and then hit Next and Exit.

Does Dr. Watson error still come up? If so, we probably can't do anything more about this but to downgrade your Service Pack. Before we do that, did you install any video codecs lately? If so, try uninstalling them and see if it fixes the problem. I'm almost 100% sure that it's freezing on you for those folders that have video files in them.

So if all the above fails, uninstall XP Service Pack 2 and install Service Pack 1a instead. Do the updates as usual but don't upgrade to SP2.

 

done cleanup and ewido, nothing found though, cwshredder was clean as well.
don't really want to have to uninstall sp2 if i can help it, but will as a last resort. the codecs, how do I uninstall them as I think there might be some new ones on there.

thanks

 

The codecs are usually listed in the Add/Remove panel. Did you install these specifically to play certain media files? If so, see if you can find and remove them.

If not, try removing SP2 and put in SP1a - just do the regular updates from now on and see if that will fix the problem.

 

got rid of some codecs' seems to have worked, thanks a lot
i'll reinstall them one at a time to see which is causing the trouble

thanks for your help

 

Windy:

Well done. Your logs are clean. Any more issues? If not you should be good to go. If the DR Watson errors return..start a new thread and I'll step you through on disableing the program (no need to remove anything). It's really not needed for an end user.

We still have a few more items to address so please follow the instructions below.


Reset hidden/system files and folders

Windows XP
===============

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View tab.
• Deselect the Show hidden files and folders option.
• Select the Hide file extensions for known types option.
• Select the Hide protected operating system files option.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

Windows 2000
===============

• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View tab.
• Select the Advanced settings box option.
• Select the Hidden files Folders.
• Deselect the Show all files option.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

Windows ME
===============

• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View tab.
• Deselect the Show hidden files and folders option.
• Select the Hide protected operating system files option.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

Windows 95/98/98SE
===============

• Open My Computer.
• Select the View
• Select the Folder Options option.
• Select the View tab. option.
• Select the Advance Advanced settings box option.
• Select the Hidden files folder.
• Deselect the Show all files option
• Click Apply to confirm.
• Click OK.

Create a new System Restore point

Windows XP
===============

• Click Start >> Run - type SYSDM.CPL & press Enter
• Select the System Restore Tab
• Tick on the checkbox - "Turn off System Restore on all drives"
• Click Apply
• Then untick the same checkbox & click OK
• This deletes ALL restore points that had the infection and creates a clean one

Windows ME
===============

• Click the Start tab.
• Select the Settings option.
• Select the Control Panel option.
• Double Click the System icon Performance tab option.
• Select File System
• Select the Troubleshooting tab
• Check the Disable System Restore box
• Click Apply to confirm.
• Click OK.

Reboot the PC and repeat the above procedure again
When you get to this option

• Uncheck the Disable System Restore box

For Windows ME..we MUST create a new restore point now as Windows ME will not create one automatically until the computer has been on for 10 hours or 24 hours has passed. To create a new restore point follow the procedure below.

• Click the Start button.
• Point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
• Choose Create a restore point, and then click Next.
• In the Restore point description box, type a name for your restore point, and then click Next.
  Click OK

Enable Windows Auto Update

• Go to Start>Run - type wuaucpl.cpl
• Tick on the checkbox - "Keep my computer up to date"
• Under settings, choose "Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify".
• Click on "OK".

Please visit Microsoft's Window's Update Page and install the latest service packs, patch’s and security updates for your system.


Recommended Protection Programs

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programs:

• SpywareBlaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
• SpywareGuard to catch and block spyware before it can execute.
• IESpy-Ad to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email.
• WinPatrol to monitor any changes that programs make to the registry.

If you do not have a firewall, here are 4 free ones available for personal use:

• ZoneAlarm
• Sygate Personal Firewall
• Kerio Personal Firewall
• OutPost Firewall

In today’s world you MUST have an Antivirus program. If you do not have one, here are 3 FREE ones available for personal use:

• Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus System
• Alwil Avast 4 Home Edition
• Softwin BitDefender Free Edition Version 7

In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'll like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles

• HOW DID I GET INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
• THE ANTI-SPYWARE TUTORIAL
• MAKING INTERNET EXPLORER SAFER

Please stay safe out there and take the helpful advice that’s been given. The goal here is to prevent the adware/spyware/virus/worms from getting on the system in the first place.

Please respond to this thread one more time so we can mark this thread as resolved.