[phuc4712]

Lately, I have downloaded some programs that I can't remember all of them. And then I have a really long file name which my panda cloud antivirus stated as suspicious file, but I don't know how to delete it. I tried to find it with windows start menu search and delete some related file, but I still can't get to the file that causes the problem. Everytime I open Internet Explorer it appears a alert box says that the file that I wanted to delete is not designed for windows. Then my panda antivirus says "1 neutralized virus". I tried to find the file with Everything search which I could, but could not delete it. I can't right click it either. I says that the file is in System32 folder. So I went in there but could not find the file. I tried again by viewing hidden files, still no solutions. I installed Ad-Aware Anniversary Free and it says that my computer working file though the first scan it found some system file of Process tamer.
After having the suspicious file, dvd flick doesn't recognize my dvd drive anymore. I don't know if it's the virus or not. Then I tried to install some antivirus softwares from PCW. First I tried to install Spypot Search & Destroy. "Error installing". I tried to install AVG Free 8.5 "error". I tried to download McAfee but I can't download it. It says that I need Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and I was using IE 7 or 8. I tried HouseCall but it took forever. I still looking for solutions.
Nowhere else I can think of so I'm trying to ask anyone who could please give me some information. I hope that my computer became normal again.
I wanted to reinstall but I don't have a installation CD. I'm using a Vista. I'm still learning to use computer correctly. And sorry if my English have anything wrong.
I installed some kind of illegal file. It's a Photoshop CS3 crack. It didn't work anyway so I delete it right away. I think that might be the cause.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Please comment if you want to. Thanks again.

[Flashorn]

Hey phuc !!
OK, first , I don't think you need to be reminded that Cracks and KeyGen usually
come with Malware.


Now, I would suggest you Uninstall ALL of the security programs that you have downloaded
and installed AFTER you have noticed something was wrong with your PC. DO NOT uninstall
Panda!! After you have uninstalled all other security programs that I suggested you do, download
and run this file cleaner . No need to install. This is a .exe . Simply double click on .exe and
put check marks in all boxes then click on Empty Selected. Download directly from this page :

Please download <!--/ATF Cleaner--> by Atribune.


Once that is done , I would like you to download and install (or try) these three programs :
Dr.WebCureIt Scroll down to bottom of page and download. This is a Standalone Antivirus

and does not need to be installed. Just double click on the .exe and run the quick scan.















The second program will require a installation as will the third one. You can download from

MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware . Use the Free version

IF you cannot download from this site because the infection is preventing you , we will have to

download from this site PCSafety.US . The program (MalwareBytes)

is the First one on the second line. You will be redirected to Download.com for the download.

Do not be alarmed. This is perfectly normal.



The third program will be SUPERAntiSpyware . Again , use the Free version.



Now, we will start our scanning with MalwareBytes. After the installation, Please update the

definitions by going to the Update tab and updating the software. Once that's done , Start a

FULL scan of your PC. If it finds anything , it will ask to Delete the infected files. Cick on the Yes

button. This will Quarantine the infected files. Now go to the LOGS tab and by double clicking on the

log for this day , (the log will open in Notepad) Copy and Paste the contents of the log in your

next post.



The next Scan that we will perform is with the SUPERAntiSpyware program. You can do the same

as with MalwareBytes by installing , updating and doing a Full scan then , if it finds anything, it will

also ask to delete

the infected files. You should also say Yes to this procedure. Could you also , Copy and Paste

what it has found.



The last one I would like you to use would be the Dr.WebCurIt. This one does not require an installation.

Simply double click on the .exe and it will bring up the program from which it will start scanning automatically.

If it does find anything you can Copy and Paste the contents of it's log which will be right in front of you.



PLEASE , do these few steps in the same order as I have asked.



IF , for some reason you cannot download any programs that I have suggested, post back and

we will find an alternative.



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[phuc4712]

Hi Flashorn. Thanks for your answer. I was hoping I could remove this "suspicious file". When I got home from school I start right away. I downloaded ATF Cleaner and did like you say. But the other 3 programs I couldn't download them. The WebCureIt site kept making me click download but doesn't let me download anything. The Malware Bytes IE says couldn't show the website and the same with Google Chrome. Last is the SuperAntivirus. I click download the free version once. Then the second time IE couldn't show it, again the same with Google Chrome. Appreciate your help. Thanks.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

I think at this point in time, you should ask experienced, trained, certified, Volunteer

"Malware Removal Specialists" . There are many Advanced Malware removal forums

and I recommend the Support Forums at aumha.net , which are staffed by

"Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals" .

[Flashorn]

Hey phuc!!



The next thing to try would be to go in "Safe mode with Networking"

This should be one of the options offered when you enter Safe Mode.

Use the arrow keys to navigate to this option. If you don't know how to

enter Safe Mode , here is a tutorial to guide you. Safe Mode .

On the tutorial page, you will see "Table of Content" on the left hand side

Click on Windows Vista . It will take to the post for Vista



If you are able to download and install the security applications in Safe Mode,

do the scans in Safe Mode. You can then, restart in Normal Mode

once you are done. Could you also post the Logs from the resulting

scans if you are able to .



IF this does not work then , yes, I do believe it would be best to visit

AumHa as suggseted by Spirit.



Post back and let us know how it goes.



FLASHORN.

[phuc4712]

Thanks for your advice. I will go to aumha.net.

[phuc4712]

Thanks. I will go to the website you suggest.

[phuc4712]

I think I better reinstall my windows. Since I don't have my CD, what can I do?

[Flashorn]

Hey phuc !!



I don't think a re-install should be what you should do first.

Like Spirit suggested "AumHa" will most likely have you

up and running again. They have the use of "Specialized"

tools that is to be used only under their supervision .



If you follow their recommendation and do the tasks that

they require you to do in order to get you back and running,

then , I have no doubt that a re-install will be necessary .



The Experts at Aumha are Very competent and the use of

those specialized tools will identify what is wrong with your

PC. They are also very good listeners. If you don't understand

a procedure, Stop and Ask. They will direct you in the way that

procedure has to be done. There is no fear in a visit.



So, do yourself a favor and go to AumHa. It' not that we Don't

want to help more, it's the fact that it takes a certain amount

of training in order to use those tools. We can take care of some

of those nastier but, when it comes down to reading the results

of the scans provided by the specialized tools , that's when the

training comes into play.



You know that the service they provide is absolutely Free. So, it

will not cost you to have your PC cleaned and back on it's feet

again.



If you have any concerns while you are on AumHa and would like

some advice or how to do a procedure then post back and we will

help with your concerns. But, as I mentioned, they are Very good

at what they do.



FLASHORN.

[smax013]

A Windows reinstall should generally be a last resort as it is kind a pain to do (not hard, but somewhat time consuming).

If you reach that point, then you should have either gotten restore/reinstall disks with the computer or there should be a restore partition on the computer's hard drive. Is this a manufacturer (i.e. Dell, HP, etc) or built computer (i.e. one built by you or for you)? If the former, what brand and model? If the later, then you should either have the disks (unless you lost them) or the builder should have given you the disks.

[phuc4712]

Thanks I'll try to ask at aumha.net then. One of the reason I want to reinstall windows is that I deleted the IE folder in C:program files. I regret I did that. I want to get it back but can't. But I think it's not so bad I'm using Firefox, too. So I'll just wait until my computer normal again and download IE again. Thanks for your help

[phuc4712]

Thanks. That's the start for in case I want to reinstall windows.

[Flashorn]

Hey phuc !!



If it hasn't been too long since you deleted that folder for IE

try going into Safe Mode and do a System restore to Before

you deleted that folder. It might even save you the trouble of

visiting AumHa !

How to System Restore Vista



How to Safe Mode Vista .



But, if it doesn't work then , AumHa would still be your best bet.



Keep us informed on your progress.



FLASHORN.

[coastie65]

Good catch Flash. That may do the trick. coastie

[phuc4712]

I can't restore my system. System Restore failed every time I try. And it's easy to know because a failing one done faster than normal.
Bad news, too. I think I really need to reinstall my system if I couldn't remove the virus after following the directions in http://aumha.net/
Can you give me some pointers on how it's done? Just in case I really need to. Because like I said my dvd drive is not working even in safe mode. I tried to restore in safe mode but also fail. Windows update doesn't update, I always get an error. I can't download anything from microsoft website, at least anything that I tried didn't work. Thanks for helping me.

[smax013]

What is the brand and model of your computer? We might be able to determine if it has a restore partition. If not, then your only option is restore disks or original installation disks, which if I recall correctly, you said you no longer had. If you have no restore partition and you do not have the restore or install disks, then you are basically outta luck for re-installing...unless you go buy a new Windows license.

[phuc4712]

My computer is Windows Vista build 6001. Acer Aspire E380. Any luck reinstalling?

[smax013]

I could not find anything that suggested that you might have a recovery/restore partition. So, unless you have the disks, you might be outta luck.

[phuc4712]

Well thanks anyway. :)

[lexon]

If no luck, install Mint 7, a Linux OS.
I just did on an Acer Aspire 5515 wireless laptop. Great security and
no hard drive maintenance or registry issues.
www.linuxmint.com/download.php

You can also remove the drive, two screws and install a exact replacemnt drive. NewEgg has them for $49.00. free shipping. Mine uses a 160gb drive. Your might be different though. Keep the old drive and if you find a solution, put the Vista drive back in.



lexon