AppBar Bullet and maybe some other malware

[Mako]

Hello,

I've been on the hardware forums talking with jcgriff2 about some problems I've been having with my HP Compaq notebook with 32bit Vista. http://www.techsupportforum.com/micr...t-working.html
I can't tell if all the problems I've been experiencing are related to malware, hardware, or maybe both. The problems started a couple of weeks ago. I first noticed that the sidebar disappeared. After that I noticed that the task manager couldn't be accessed, system restore couldn't be accessed, I couldn't perform windows updates, I couldn't shut the computer down anyway but manually. The network icon in the task bar also shows a red X on it even though I'm connected to a network. Recently, I've made recovery discs and accessed system restore on boot up and tried a system restore to a date before the problems started. The problems still continue. Booting up in safe mode w/networking gives me the four corner screen that never gives me a desktop. And one time I was trying to shut down the computer, I got a message saying that "AppBar Bullet" was running and it was keeping me from shutting down. Sounds like malware or a virus. jcgriff2 suggested I post on this forum.

Heres the DDS log and ark.zip is attached. DDS didn't provide me with an attach.txt file.


DDS (Ver_09-05-14.01) - NTFSx86
Run by Dustin at 17:28:32.33 on Mon 06/15/2009
Internet Explorer: 8.0.6001.18702
Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium 6.0.6001.1.1252.1.1033.18.1790.838 [GMT -5:00]

AV: AntiVir Desktop *On-access scanning disabled* (Outdated) {AD166499-45F9-482A-A743-FDD3350758C7}
SP: Windows Defender *enabled* (Updated) {D68DDC3A-831F-4FAE-9E44-DA132C1ACF46}

============== Running Processes ===============

C:\Windows\system32\wininit.exe
C:\Windows\system32\lsm.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch
C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k rpcss
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k secsvcs
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k GPSvcGroup
C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService
C:\Windows\system32\WLANExt.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkServiceNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\SMINST\BLService.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\RichVideo.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k WerSvcGroup
C:\Windows\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\QPService.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QLBCTRL.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\HpqSRmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\hpwuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Wireless Assistant\HPWAMain.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqwmiex.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Windows\system32\WerCon.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\Com4QLBEx.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe
c:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\hphc_service.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_clipbook.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\RacAgent.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k swprv
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Users\Dustin\Desktop\dds.com

============== Pseudo HJT Report ===============

uStart Page = hxxp://www.google.com/
uDefault_Page_URL = hxxp://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=en_us&c=83&bd=Presario&pf=cnnb
mStart Page = hxxp://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=en_us&c=83&bd=Presario&pf=cnnb
mDefault_Page_URL = hxxp://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=en_us&c=83&bd=Presario&pf=cnnb
uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper: {02478d38-c3f9-4efb-9b51-7695eca05670} - c:\program files\yahoo!\companion\installs\cpn\yt.dll
BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper: {06849e9f-c8d7-4d59-b87d-784b7d6be0b3} - c:\program files\common files\adobe\acrobat\activex\AcroIEHelper.dll
BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper: {72853161-30c5-4d22-b7f9-0bbc1d38a37e} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {dbc80044-a445-435b-bc74-9c25c1c588a9} - c:\program files\java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
BHO: HP Smart BHO Class: {ffffffff-cf4e-4f2b-bdc2-0e72e116a856} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
TB: Yahoo! Toolbar: {ef99bd32-c1fb-11d2-892f-0090271d4f88} - c:\program files\yahoo!\companion\installs\cpn\yt.dll
uRun: [Sidebar] c:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
uRun: [WMPNSCFG] c:\program files\windows media player\WMPNSCFG.exe
mRun: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE c:\windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
mRun: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE c:\windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
mRun: [SynTPEnh] c:\program files\synaptics\syntp\SynTPEnh.exe
mRun: [QPService] "c:\program files\hp\quickplay\QPService.exe"
mRun: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
mRun: [QlbCtrl.exe] c:\program files\hewlett-packard\hp quick launch buttons\QlbCtrl.exe /Start
mRun: [hpqSRMon] c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\bin\hpqSRMon.exe
mRun: [HP Software Update] c:\program files\hp\hp software update\HPWuSchd2.exe
mRun: [hpWirelessAssistant] c:\program files\hewlett-packard\hp wireless assistant\HPWAMain.exe
mRun: [HP Health Check Scheduler] c:\program files\hewlett-packard\hp health check\HPHC_Scheduler.exe
mRun: [GrooveMonitor] "c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
mRun: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "c:\program files\adobe\reader 8.0\reader\Reader_sl.exe"
mRun: [QuickTime Task] "c:\program files\quicktime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
mRun: [avgnt] "c:\program files\avira\antivir desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
mRun: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "c:\program files\java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
mRun: [iTunesHelper] "c:\program files\itunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
StartupFolder: c:\users\dustin\appdata\roaming\micros~1\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\onenot~1.lnk - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
mPolicies-system: EnableUIADesktopToggle = 0 (0x0)
IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\micros~3\office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
IE: {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - {48E73304-E1D6-4330-914C-F5F514E3486C} - c:\progra~1\micros~3\office12\ONBttnIE.dll
IE: {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - {FF059E31-CC5A-4E2E-BF3B-96E929D65503} - c:\progra~1\micros~3\office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
IE: {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} - hxxp://www2.snapfish.com/SnapfishActivia.cab
DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_13-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {8FFBE65D-2C9C-4669-84BD-5829DC0B603C} - hxxp://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/polarbear/ultrashim.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0005-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_05-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0013-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_13-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_13-windows-i586.cab
Handler: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
SEH: Groove GFS Stub Execution Hook: {b5a7f190-dda6-4420-b3ba-52453494e6cd} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll

============= SERVICES / DRIVERS ===============

R2 AntiVirSchedulerService;Avira AntiVir Scheduler;c:\program files\avira\antivir desktop\sched.exe [2009-3-29 108289]
R2 Recovery Service for Windows;Recovery Service for Windows;c:\windows\sminst\BLService.exe [2008-6-25 361808]
R2 Viewpoint Manager Service;Viewpoint Manager Service;c:\program files\viewpoint\common\ViewpointService.exe [2008-12-14 24652]
R3 Com4QLBEx;Com4QLBEx;c:\program files\hewlett-packard\hp quick launch buttons\Com4QLBEx.exe [2008-6-25 193840]
R3 NVHDA;Service for NVIDIA High Definition Audio Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvhda32v.sys [2008-5-3 42528]

=============== Created Last 30 ================

2009-06-13 10:57 <DIR> --d----- c:\programdata\WindowsSearch
2009-06-13 09:31 <DIR> --d----- C:\Temp

==================== Find3M ====================

2009-06-15 16:46 42,654 a------- c:\programdata\nvModes.dat
2009-06-15 16:46 42,654 a------- c:\progra~2\nvModes.dat
2009-04-27 22:30 55,640 a------- c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgntflt.sys
2009-03-29 12:14 86,016 a------- c:\windows\inf\infstrng.dat
2009-03-29 12:14 86,016 a------- c:\windows\inf\infstor.dat
2009-03-29 12:14 51,200 a------- c:\windows\inf\infpub.dat
2008-12-15 04:20 665,600 a------- c:\windows\inf\drvindex.dat
2008-01-20 21:43 174 a--sh--- c:\program files\desktop.ini
2006-11-02 07:42 287,440 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfi.dat
2006-11-02 07:42 287,440 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfh.dat
2006-11-02 07:42 30,674 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfd.dat
2006-11-02 07:42 30,674 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfc.dat
2006-11-02 04:20 287,440 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfi.dat
2006-11-02 04:20 287,440 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfh.dat
2006-11-02 04:20 30,674 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfd.dat
2006-11-02 04:20 30,674 a------- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfc.dat

============= FINISH: 17:28:49.10 ===============


I appreciate the help.

[Mako]

BUMP, please.

[Ried]

Hello Mako,

AppBar Bullet isn't necessarily malware. Some programs have the ability to make an Appbar, like a 3rd party clock program (as an example). It gives you to option of docking that application's screen to the edge of your screen. Window's Sidebar is a good example.

If you right-click on the program's icon in the Notification area, it may have something like an "anchor" option to put a window on the edge of the screen, and an option to close the "anchor" when you right-click on the docked window.

What icons/programs do you have running in your Taskbar's tray area?

[Mako]

I have the Windows Sidebar icon, Avira Antivirus program, the laptop battery icon, the network icon with a red x through it, and the volume icon. When I right click the sidebar icon, nothing happens...I don't get a menu. Meanwhile the sidebar on the desktop remains blank, and when I place the cursor in that area it gives me a "thinking" cursor.

[Ried]

Recently, I've made recovery discs and accessed system restore on boot up and tried a system restore to a date before the problems started. The problems still continue.

I'm not seeing any malware, but that is not a surprise since you did a system restore it would have wiped out any clues I might have - if - it is malware related.

Let's see if an online scan reveals anything lurking about. It can take some time, so please be patient and allow it to run it's full course:


**Vista users - right click on the IE icon and run as administrator

Using Internet Explorer or Firefox, visit http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/par...avwebscan.html

1. Click Accept, when prompted to download and install the program files and database of malware definitions.


2. To optimize scanning time and produce a more sensible report for review:

• Close any open programs
  
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

3. Click Run at the Security prompt. The program will then begin downloading and installing and will also update the database. Please be patient as this can take several minutes.

• Once the update is complete, click on My Computer under the green Scan bar to the left to start the scan.
• Once the scan is complete, it will display if your system has been infected. It does not provide an option to clean/disinfect. We only require a report from it.
• Do NOT be alarmed by what you see in the report. Many of the finds have likely been quarantined.
• Click View scan report at the bottom.
  
  
  
  
• Click the Save as Text button to save the file to your desktop so that you may post it in your next reply

[Mako]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KASPERSKY ONLINE SCANNER 7.0 REPORT
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, 32-bit Service Pack 1 (build 6001)
Kaspersky Online Scanner version: 7.0.26.13
Program database last update: Sunday, June 21, 2009 16:18:11
Records in database: 2374281
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scan settings:
Scan using the following database: extended
Scan archives: yes
Scan mail databases: yes

Scan area - My Computer:
C:\
D:\
E:\

Scan statistics:
Files scanned: 151995
Threat name: 0
Infected objects: 0
Suspicious objects: 0
Duration of the scan: 02:18:44

No malware has been detected. The scan area is clean.

The selected area was scanned.


Looks like the scan came out clean. I scanned the computer twice and got the same result.

[Ried]

It sure did. I don't believe malware is the cause of your troubles. Why not try a Repair install?