126 replies to this topic

[edshead]

Here you go! Thanks again!

Attached Files

•  OTL_autochk.Txt   3.93K   3 downloads

[Elise]

Thats indeed patched. Best is to do this with Ubuntu.

Navigate to C:\Temp\x86_microsoft-windows-autochk_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.18005_none_e3df6655bee2ee3b\autochk.exe <-- right click the file and select Copy.
Now navigate to c:\windows\system32\autochk.exe <-- right click the file and rename to autochk.vir
Paste the copied autochk.exe file in the system32 folder.

Reboot your computer and see if you can run a disk check.

[edshead]

Bravo.

Replaced autochk per your instructions while in Ubuntu. Booted to safe mode just fine. Started a chkdsk and it asked to schedule one for next startup. I said yes, rebooted, autochk ran and came up clean. Windows loaded fine (even without that popup I mentioned earlier). You've taken me from the brink of a reinstall and all the headache that goes with restoring all my programs... to 100% functional.

You are truly amazing. Thanks for all of your help. There's no way I could've done this without you.

As awesome as you are, no offense, but I hope you don't see me back here again. :-P

Thank you.

[Elise]

You are most welcome! I hope your computer will behave from hereon and not give you reason to return here with a help request (although you are of course welcome to stick around on the forums).

ALL CLEAN
--------------
Your machine appears to be clean, please take the time to read below on how to secure the machine and take the necessary steps to keep it clean

Please do the following to remove the remaining programs from your PC:

• Delete the tools used during the disinfection:
  • Click start > run and type combofix /uninstall, press enter. This will remove Combofix from your computer.
    
  • Rerun OTL and click the Cleanup button. This will remove all tools and logs we used.

Please read these advices, in order to prevent reinfecting your PC:

• Install and update the following programs regularly:
  • an outbound firewall. If you are connected to the internet through a router, you are already behind a hardware firewall and as such you do not need an extra software firewall.
    A comprehensive tutorial and a list of possible firewalls can be found here.
    
  • an AntiVirus Software
    It is imperative that you update your AntiVirus Software on regular basis.If you do not update your AntiVirus Software then it will not be able to catch the latest threats.
    
  • an Anti-Spyware program
    Malware Byte's Anti Malware is an excellent Anti-Spyware scanner. It's scan times are usually under ten minutes, and has excellent detection and removal rates.
    SUPERAntiSpyware is another good scanner with high detection and removal rates.
    Both programs are free for non commercial home use but provide a resident and do not nag if you purchase the paid versions.
    
  • Spyware Blaster
    A tutorial for Spywareblaster can be found here. If you wish, the commercial version provides automatic updating.
• Keep Windows (and your other Microsoft software) up to date!
  I cannot stress how important this is enough. Often holes are found in Internet Explorer or Windows itself that require patching. Sometimes these holes will allow an attacker unrestricted access to your computer.
  Therefore, please, visit the Microsoft Update Website and follow the on screen instructions to setup Microsoft Update. Also follow the instructions to update your system. Please REBOOT and repeat this process until there are no more updates to install!!
  
• Keep your other software up to date as well
  Software does not need to be made by Microsoft to be insecure. You can use the Secunia Online Software occasionally to help you check for out of date software on yourmachine.
  
• Stay up to date!
  The MOST IMPORTANT part of any security setup is keeping the software up to date. Malware writers release new variants every single day. If your software updates don't keep up, then the malware will always be one step ahead. Not a good thing.

Some more links you might find of interest:

• Miekies' prevention suggestions
  
• So How did I get infected?
  
• Microsoft - 'Security at home'
  
• Calendar of Updates: See which updates have been released.
  
• How to backup your Data with Cobian Backup:because you never know, when your harddisk might fail :wink:
  
• Commonly Used Freeware Replacements: a nice list of freeware programs in all categories, that are regarded as useful by the users of this forum.
  
• osalt: Find (free) open source alternatives to known commercial software.

Please reply to this topic if you have read the above information. If your computer is working fine, this topic will be closed afterwards.

[edshead]

Everything appears to have uninstalled cleanly and I've gone through the rest of the post as well.

Additionally, that one popup I was getting on startup returned, and I found it was due to the googletalk plugin registry key in HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run not enclosing the path in quotes, so Windows wasn't reading the full path. Enclosed it in quotes, and it's all fixed.

Thank you again for all of your time and insights. I believe this thread can now be closed.

[Elise]

You are most welcome, it was a nice challenge!

I will request this topic to be closed.

[LDTate]

Glad we could help.

If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this thread with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread.

Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!