Hello Steve and welcome to TSF,
Please print out or copy this page to Notepad since you will not have any of browsers open while you are fixing this. 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. Again, you should not have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.
Go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options->View tab:
* Under the Hidden files and folders heading, select Show hidden files and folders.
* Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
* Click Yes to confirm and then click OK.
Some Anti-Spyware Programs are known to intefere with HJT fixes. If you have these programs, please disable them:
Search & Destroy Spybot's TeaTimer
Go to Tools>Resident - Deselect TeaTimer.
Microsoft AntiSpyware
*Click on Options>Settings.
*In the left pane, click on Real-time Protection.
*Under Startup Options, Deselect Enable the Microsoft AntiSpyware Security Agents on startup.
*Under Real-time spyware threat protection, Deselect Enable real-time spyware threat protection.
*After you've done these, click on the Save button and close Microsoft AntiSpyware.
*Right click on the Microsoft AntiSpyware icon on the taskbar and select Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware.
Special Note:
MicroSoft AntiSpyware Program:
Because of recent changes in the way this program now defines and detects spyware/adware it is no longer recommend as a spyware removal tool. Microsoft has downgraded several adware/spyware programs that it used to detect and remove and now lists them simply as “Ignore”
These are some of the adware/spyware programs that this program will NOT prompt you to remove. Claria, 180Solutions, WhenU, New.net, most WhenU apps, eZula,TopText, Gain/Gator, and Webhancer. These are all known adware/spyware programs and hijackers. Basically this product can no longer be trusted. We recommend you remove it.
Download CleanUp! (Alternate Link if main link doesn't work) and install it. Do not run it yet.
Next, please reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following:
1) Restart your computer
2) After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3) Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4) Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
Go into Hijack This->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 double check it):(You must kill them one at a time).
C:\WINDOWS\ALCMTR.EXE
Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotsheet.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotsheet.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O16 - DPF: {640B39C1-D713-464F-92C3-75BD972B95EE} - http://www.sidestep.com/get/k42037/sb02a.cab
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!.
Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu). Set the program up as follows:
*Click "Options..."
*Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
*Put a check next to the following:
-Empty Recycle Bins
-Temporary Internet Files
-Delete Cookies
-Delete Prefetch files
-[X]Scan local drives for temporary files (Please uncheck this option)
-Cleanup! All Users
Click OK
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program. Reboot/logoff when prompted.
Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer using Panda ActiveScan - requires Internet Explorer
* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
Please print out or copy this page to Notepad since you will not have any of browsers open while you are fixing this. 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. Again, you should not have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.
Go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options->View tab:
* Under the Hidden files and folders heading, select Show hidden files and folders.
* Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
* Click Yes to confirm and then click OK.
Some Anti-Spyware Programs are known to intefere with HJT fixes. If you have these programs, please disable them:
Search & Destroy Spybot's TeaTimer
Go to Tools>Resident - Deselect TeaTimer.
Microsoft AntiSpyware
*Click on Options>Settings.
*In the left pane, click on Real-time Protection.
*Under Startup Options, Deselect Enable the Microsoft AntiSpyware Security Agents on startup.
*Under Real-time spyware threat protection, Deselect Enable real-time spyware threat protection.
*After you've done these, click on the Save button and close Microsoft AntiSpyware.
*Right click on the Microsoft AntiSpyware icon on the taskbar and select Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware.
Special Note:
MicroSoft AntiSpyware Program:
Because of recent changes in the way this program now defines and detects spyware/adware it is no longer recommend as a spyware removal tool. Microsoft has downgraded several adware/spyware programs that it used to detect and remove and now lists them simply as “Ignore”
These are some of the adware/spyware programs that this program will NOT prompt you to remove. Claria, 180Solutions, WhenU, New.net, most WhenU apps, eZula,TopText, Gain/Gator, and Webhancer. These are all known adware/spyware programs and hijackers. Basically this product can no longer be trusted. We recommend you remove it.
Download CleanUp! (Alternate Link if main link doesn't work) and install it. Do not run it yet.
Next, please reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following:
1) Restart your computer
2) After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3) Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4) Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
Go into Hijack This->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 double check it):(You must kill them one at a time).
C:\WINDOWS\ALCMTR.EXE
Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotsheet.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?T...lion&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotsheet.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O16 - DPF: {640B39C1-D713-464F-92C3-75BD972B95EE} - http://www.sidestep.com/get/k42037/sb02a.cab
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!.
Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu). Set the program up as follows:
*Click "Options..."
*Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
*Put a check next to the following:
-Empty Recycle Bins
-Temporary Internet Files
-Delete Cookies
-Delete Prefetch files
-[X]Scan local drives for temporary files (Please uncheck this option)
-Cleanup! All Users
Click OK
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program. Reboot/logoff when prompted.
Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer using Panda ActiveScan - requires Internet Explorer
- Click on the Scan your PC button & a 'pop up' window shall appear. * ensure that your pop up blocker doesn't block it
- Click On 'Scan Now'
- Enter your e-mail address & click 'Scan Now' ...begins downloading Panda's ActiveX controls.- 8MB
- 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. - If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report. Click on see report
- Then click Save report
- Post the contents of the report in your next reply along with a new HijackThis log.
* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
