I have 3 problems w/ computer, please help, anyone

Question

Ok I am experiencing 3 problems, I have already confirmed that i picked up some spyware and have already ran ad-aware and spyweeper numerous times, but i still cannot fix.

1) My aol program will not work. It brings me to the screen name screen and then freezes and I eventually have to end task b/c it won't respond. Have already tried aol restore, running the spy programs and even deleting the program completely and re-installing and still nothing. Have called aol and thats all they told me to do.

2) Internet explorer will not go to some websites. One for example is mtv.com. It just freezes and I eventually have to end task.

3) A search bar has appeared on the bottom of my windows desktop called desktop search. I don't want it there and the spyprograms will not remove it. I have found the folder (that was hidden in the c-drive) and I cannot delete the folder or the application from the computer. I don't want it starting when windows starts (it is called desktop.exe).

I am also getting random popups that were never there before. Let me say that the PC was running perfectly and i mean perfectly up until last week. I would appreciate any help before i just reinstall windows. I cannot get through to anyone at dell either. This seems to be my last option. I appreciate any help.

Also I am running XP with SP2. I switched to cable modem about 2 months ago and was experiencing similar problems but I ran the ad-aware and installed the SP2 and I was working perfectly clear. I have tried reinstalling the SP2 again, but nothing. System restore will not work either. Im not a beginner but also not a expert, but I havAlso I am running XP with SP2. I switched to cable modem about 2 months ago and was experiencing similar problems but I ran the ad-aware and installed the SP2 and I was working perfectly clear. I have tried reinstalling the SP2 again, but nothing. System restore will not work either. Im not a beginner but also not a expert, but I have tried just about everything.e tried just about everything.

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Don't reinstall we might be able to fix this up. Let's see what's going on in that system.

First go into your Add/Remove Programs in your control panel and look for entries with these names in it.

Toolbar
Search

If you don't recognize them remove them.

Now let's see what's going on in that system.
Go to this cight http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/enterprise.htm and do an online scan and delete whatever it finds. Be sure to highlight the drives you want to have searched.
After that could you please go to http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html and download AdAwareSE and delete what it finds. Then while using AdAware, click on add-ons and get their plug-in for the VX2 variant, and run that and delete what it finds.
After that go to http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html
and download SpyBot and run that and delete what it finds.
Now go to
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html and download HiJackThis to its own folder that you create on your C:\ drive.
After it is downloaded open the program and click on the Scan button.
When that is done, click on Save to log.
Post the log that it generates right here so that it maybe viewed and analyzed for problems.
Thanks
Steve

Message Edited by zbestwun2001 on 01-11-2005 10:40 AM

blindman1 · Answer

Will do.  Someone also said that it might be something with the Java engine?  I'm really not familiar with that.

zbestwun2001 · Answer

If it is Java related this site won't work when you go to it.
If this site works your Java is installed and working
FYI, this site is a Java site that shows the air traffic at Los Angelels Inter. Airport.

http://www4.passur.com/lax.html

Steve

mrshtaylor · Answer

I had this problems last wk. For almost a mth. I couldn't get into MSN at all and that drove me nuts. I could get anywhere else..BUT.   I did everything dude mentioned above but to no avail..   I finally did a system restore and am cool ever since.   Do you know how to do that?

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Sure
To do a System Restore is not hard.
If this is what you want to do go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/ System Restore.

Just pick an available date that is before you were encountering these problems.
Steve

blindman1 · Answer

I am posting from my work computer b/c I am also having problems posting in the actual message body from my home PC.  -System restore didn't work when I tried it and is now out of the question b/c the only available date is after the computer became infected. -I have identified a few things that I want gone from the Hijack this log.  What would be the reason that when I click fix this and it says that it's going to be permanently deleted, it is still there when i log back on? -I think I'm just going to run the XP upgrade/reinstaller.  Will this clear up my problems? and what will I lose in the process, so that I know what to transfer to removeable media. -I will try to post the Hijack log again later.   Thank for everyone's input but i'm almost down to my last options.

zbestwun2001 · Answer

If you are running XP now you can do a repair that will not affect your files at all.
Whether it will work or not I don't know in this situation.
I am forwarding this to Mike for his review and see what he says.

Steve

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Ok Take care Steve

blindman1 · Answer

I seem to have fixed it.  I had a pretty good idea that it was the desktop.exe program.  So I entered as administrator in safe mode and deleted it.  Everything seems to be fine now.  AOL program works, websites restored and the desktop search is off of the desktop.

coyote23223 · Answer

Sounds similar ro my problem. I cannot connect with my broadband connection after removing malware (crudware) from my system. It sounds like a browser plugin. (which I beleive to be my problem) as all of the spyware detected seems to be embedded in Internet Explorer. If you find a solution, please advise. System Restore gets me running again, but the crapware is back and I can't seem to get rid of it without disabling my internet connection.

James Garner

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Coyote, If you post your specific problems in a new thread perhaps we can figure out what is wrong with the system Steve

zbestwun2001 · Answer

If you read any of these please pay strict attention to 10 newdotnet

The detailed description is so long I do not feel like typing it one more time. I think I will write it out in my word processor and paste it to whatever forums I visit.

Coyote23223
We can attempt to help you with your problem but you must please pay strict attention to my first post where I asked you to start a new thread if you needed help as this thread is done.
If you wish to post your log it has to be in a new thread or probobly won't even be seen.
We are well aware of the NewDotNet problem.

Take care
Steve

coyote23223 · Answer

Specific is that every time I have spyware removed, whatever spyware that is in my browser disables my internet access. I have posted my specific problem somewhere in this forum. I have used up most of my time trying to find out how to clean or remove this spyware without disabling my Internet connection. When this spyware is removed I have no connection whatsoever to the internet and when I ping the ip address I can send nothing out. This particular piece of spyware has affected one other program which is my Comcast Support Program which restores web settings and Internet Explorer to annother time when it was working correctly. I have another post in this forum somewhere and am about to post a hijack this logfile. If you read any of these please pay strict attention to 10 newdotnet

The detailed description is so long I do not feel like typing it one more time. I think I will write it out in my word processor and paste it to whatever forums I visit.

Thanks for your reply.

TerriA125 · Answer

Hi Blindman1,

I was reading your problem on the Dell Community Forum and I have a similar problem. I removed the Desktop.exe file, which removed the annoying pop-up bar at the bottom right-hand area of my screen, however, my other functions have not come back.

Has your computer worked fine since you removed the Desktop.exe or did you find other problems?

Thanks,

Terri

TerriA125 · Answer

Hi Coyote, I was reading your posting on the Dell Community Forum and I have similar problems.  Has anyone been able to give you instructions on how to solve the problem?  If so, either what were the instructions of who helped you get through this? Thanks,   Terri

Virus & Spyware

I have 3 problems w/ computer, please help, anyone

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