Can't open any programs

[netzone]

Hello!

Very glad I found this place.

Here are my problems.

Yesterday when I tried to boot up, I had lost my wallpaper and I couldn't open any programs....When I click on "My Computer" I get an "explorer.exe has generated errors" error window.
Now, in safemode I can access everything except I can't send or receive mail.
I've ran ad-aware, spybot, CWShreder, I've done online virus scans, scanned for trojans and etc...and they all say nothing is there.
My free virus scanner AVG had said there was the virus "downloader.donn"

Can you please take a look at the HijackThis log and let me know what the heck may be going on.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 1:01:59 PM, on 8/9/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINNT\runservice.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWNETSUP.EXE
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\THOTKEY.EXE
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\Tmesrv2.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\ZipToA.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\ciammittil\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://rd.yahoo.com/customize/ymsgr/defaults/sb/*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {029CA12C-89C1-46a7-A3C7-82F2F98635CB} - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\bin\bh304181.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {516E2306-7ADF-47EC-AEA8-ACB6B51899F1} - C:\PROGRA~1\MACROE~1\iCapture.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Ipswitch.WsftpBrowserHelper - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\Program Files\Ipswitch\WS_FTP Home\wsbho2k0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {ACB1E670-3217-45C4-A021-6B829A8A27CB} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Promon.exe] Promon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EM_EXEC] C:\PROGRA~1\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tpwrtray] TPWRTRAY.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TMESRV.EXE] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\TMESRV2.EXE /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Pinger] C:\TOSHIBA\IVP\ISM\pinger.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADUserMon] C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Startup Options] C:\Program Files\Iomega\Common\ImgStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ComcastSUPPORT] C:\Program Files\Support.com\bin\tgkill.exe /cleaneahtioga /start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver3\LVCOMS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechGalleryRepair] C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\ISStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechImageStudioTray] C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\LogiTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebArmyKnife] C:\Program Files\Web Army Knife\wak.exe q
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [zdnet] "C:\Program Files\Kontiki\bin\kontiki.exe" -s zdnet -q
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [nsdriver] C:\WINNT\system32\nssys32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - Startup: Digital Patrol Update.lnk = C:\Program Files\Proantivirus Lab\Digital Patrol Scanner 5.0\update.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Network Device Switch.lnk = C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\NetDevSW\NetDevSW.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Free WebSite Tools.lnk = C:\Program Files\CoffeeCup Software\CoffeeCup Free DHTML Menu Builder\ThirtyDayTimer.exe
O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) - http://www.comcastsupport.com/sdccommon/download/tgctlins.cab
O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version 5.0 (SP2)) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/ComCtl32/6,0,80,22/ComCtl32.cab
O16 - DPF: {2A32B14F-4D29-4EA3-AC54-E9B19F436CE7} (Scanner Class) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/TDECntrl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} - http://cs6.chat.sc5.yahoo.com/v43/yacscom.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab
O16 - DPF: {36C417C6-13C6-448B-9784-DD73A93B0582} (McAfee.com Download+Installer Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/3,0,0,31/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,9/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {75D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin.SecureControl) - http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/ActiveSecurity.cab
O16 - DPF: {7D1E9C49-BD6A-11D3-87A8-009027A35D73} - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yacsui.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?37628.322337963
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {DA28C54E-D95C-11D3-9A01-005004677EF4} (McAfee.com Component Download Manager Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/clinic/CDM/McCDM.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/toolbar/ym/yiebio4_0_2_10.cab

Please remember I'm clueless, and maybe have to have stuff explained to like I'm 6!

[netzone]

I forgot to mention, I have installed all ms security updates...
I also updated explorer after this happend, thinking "that" would help...nada
It all seems far beyond what "I" know what to do now :sad:

[caperjack]

Hi. First of all you need to update hijackthis to version 1.98.2. Run hijackthis & go to *Config\Misc Tools\Check for update on-line*. Remove 1.97 from the folder it is in & replace it with 1.98.2.
.....................................................................
Edit:first unzip hijackthis to a folder of its own like c:\HJT\hijackthis.exe
..........................................................
Have Hijack This fix the following by placing a check in the appropriate boxes and selecting fix checked. Make sure all browser and all Windows Explorer windows are closed before fixing.

NOTE: Please copy and paste this post into notepad and save to you desktop. or print a copy of these instructions because you will be working with all windows closed except HijackThis.

O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {ACB1E670-3217-45C4-A021-6B829A8A27CB} - (no file)

....................
Comcast (the cable folks who are replacing @home in some parts of the USA) have struck a deal with Tioga to provide an "enhanced" support and self-repairing tool. This is "beta" at present and was made available to download by mistake at present. Remove via Start -> Settings -> Add/Remove Programs......................
..............
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ComcastSUPPORT] C:\Program Files\Support.com\bin\tgkill.exe /cleaneahtioga /start

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [nsdriver] C:\WINNT\system32\nssys32.exe

Next 2 optional but suggested fixes
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE

O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE

Now reboot into safe mode and delete the following files and folders if found ."Fix Checked"...Reboot to SAFE mode to delete files , How to start computer in safe mode

C:\WINNT\system32\nssys32.exe.......delete file

to delete the above files and folder you will need to do the following
go to Show hidden files & folders
"Fix Checked"...Reboot to SAFE mode to delete files
How to start computer in safe mode
reboot computer and post a new log

[netzone]

Thanks very much...
I did what you said. I now have a new hjt log
It seems it's all my .exe files that do not open/function, as well as
my email and my ftp that wont work.
I can only surf and open folders in safemode...no .exe files

Here's the new log -

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:50:10 AM, on 8/10/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINNT\runservice.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWNETSUP.EXE
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\THOTKEY.EXE
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\Tmesrv2.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\ZipToA.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride =

localhost
O2 - BHO: ZIBho Class - {029CA12C-89C1-46a7-A3C7-82F2F98635CB} - C:\Program

Files\Kontiki\bin\bh304181.dll
O2 - BHO: HyperBHO - {4B2F5308-2CB0-40E2-8030-59936ED5D22C} - C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Hyperbar\Hyperbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Watch for Browser Events - {516E2306-7ADF-47EC-AEA8-ACB6B51899F1} -

C:\PROGRA~1\MACROE~1\iCapture.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} -

C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} -

C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Promon.exe] Promon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EM_EXEC] C:\PROGRA~1\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tpwrtray] TPWRTRAY.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TMESRV.EXE] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\TMESRV2.EXE /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Pinger] C:\TOSHIBA\IVP\ISM\pinger.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADUserMon] C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Startup Options] C:\Program Files\Iomega\Common\ImgStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver3\LVCOMS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechGalleryRepair] C:\Program

Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\ISStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechImageStudioTray] C:\Program

Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\LogiTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebArmyKnife] C:\Program Files\Web Army Knife\wak.exe q
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_CC] C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG6\avgcc32.exe /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [zdnet] "C:\Program Files\Kontiki\bin\kontiki.exe" -s zdnet -q
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - Startup: Digital Patrol Update.lnk = C:\Program Files\Proantivirus Lab\Digital Patrol

Scanner 5.0\update.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Network Device Switch.lnk = C:\Program

Files\TOSHIBA\NetDevSW\NetDevSW.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat

5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop

Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Free WebSite Tools.lnk = C:\Program Files\CoffeeCup

Software\CoffeeCup Free DHTML Menu Builder\ThirtyDayTimer.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) -

http://www.comcastsupport.com/sdccommon/download/tgctlins.cab
O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version

5.0 (SP2)) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/ComCtl32/6,0,80,22/ComCtl32.cab
O16 - DPF: {2A32B14F-4D29-4EA3-AC54-E9B19F436CE7} (Scanner Class) -

http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/TDECntrl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} -

http://cs6.chat.sc5.yahoo.com/v43/yacscom.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) -

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {36C417C6-13C6-448B-9784-DD73A93B0582} (McAfee.com Download+Installer Class) -

http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/3,0,0,31/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) -

http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,9/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) -

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) -

http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.c

ab
O16 - DPF: {75D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin.SecureControl) -

http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/ActiveSecurity.cab
O16 - DPF: {7D1E9C49-BD6A-11D3-87A8-009027A35D73} - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yacsui.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) -

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) -

http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {DA28C54E-D95C-11D3-9A01-005004677EF4} (McAfee.com Component Download Manager

Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/clinic/CDM/McCDM.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) -

http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/vso/en-us/tools/mcfscan/2,0,0,4384/mcfscan.cab

I had uninstalled AVG...then after I posted here I went back and downloaded it again. I ran it and it said I had 8 viruses (Mind you, the online scans I did and CWShreder, spybot and Ad-aware said I had none)
When I scanned with AVG and it said I had 8, this time it was able to remove them/fix/move them to the vault.

So, what the heck is the deal there? Ayi yi yi...

This is all driving me crazy!
I seem to remember having this happen once before along time ago. I wish I could remember what I did.

I'm almost ready to throw in the towel :-|

[netzone]

Let me correct one thing. I cannot get in using "safe mode" but I can get in using "restore mode".
I can also boot up...but cannot open folders (My Computer...etc...) error "Explorer has generated errors and will be closed by Windows" is the message I get...

[caperjack]

Have Hijack This fix the following by placing a check in the appropriate boxes and selecting fix checked. Make sure all browser and all Windows Explorer windows are closed before fixing.

NOTE: Please copy and paste this post into notepad and save to you desktop. or print a copy of these instructions because you will be working with all windows closed except HijackThis.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =

http://minisearch.startnow.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

http://minisearch.startnow.com

.................
Just wondering why you are running this '
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebArmyKnife] C:\Program Files\Web Army Knife\wak.exe q

........
I really don't see what could be causing you problem of not being able to run any programs .

Did you edit you hijackthis log ,Im asking because It doesent show where hijackthis is running from!'..
.............
I would like for you to run ad-aware again setup like this .
.....
Download the latest version of Ad-Aware at ADAWARE

Setup Ad-Aware .
After installing AAW, and before running the program, update reference files by using the bottom right button in the program, labeled "Check for Updates."

Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start screen.

Click the "Scanning" button.
Under Drives & Folders, select "Scan within Archives".
Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your installed hard drives.

Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
Click the "Advanced" button.
Under "Log-file detail", select all options.
Click the "Tweaks" button.

Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
"Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile" and
"Unload recognized processes during scanning."
Under "Cleaning Engine", select the following:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.
Please make sure that you activate IN-DEPTH scanning before you proceed
.................................................
Increase the strength of Ad-Aware by installing the VX2 Cleaner plug-in.
Close Ad-Aware 6.
Download the free VX2 Cleaner Here
Install the VX2 Cleaner.
Start Ad-Aware and click on "Plug-ins".
Select the VX2 Cleaner plug-in and click "Run Plugin".
If your computer isn’t infected, click "Close".
If your computer is infected:
Select "Clean System".
Reboot your computer.
Scan your computer with Ad-Aware.
Remove any VX2 objects detected.
Reboot your computer again.
Run a second scan to make sure the files have been removed from your computer.

[netzone]

WOW...after 5 days of this crazy stuff, what you had me do worked!!!

Thank you so much, you rock!
Everything seems to be running "A ok" now....
Well, just so ya know, if anyone I know has any trouble ever, I'll be sending them your way!

This was/is the best tech help board I found!

Keep up the great work!

[caperjack]

Great ,glad we could help.
Some Things to do to help secure you computer .

................................
After you get it all fixed and things are working good ,Download and install these 3 programs to help stop Spyware .

Spywareblaster

SpywareGuard

IE-SPYAD

Keep Up-to-Date!
The most important key to maintaining a secure computer is keeping your protection up-to-date.

also check how i got infected in the first place .

http://www.computercops.biz/postlite7736-.html

[netzone]

Great ,glad we could help.
Some Things to do to help secure you computer .

................................
After you get it all fixed and things are working good ,Download and install these 3 programs to help stop Spyware .

Spywareblaster

SpywareGuard

IE-SPYAD

Keep Up-to-Date!
The most important key to maintaining a secure computer is keeping your protection up-to-date.

also check how i got infected in the first place .

http://www.computercops.biz/postlite7736-.html

_______________________________________________________________

Hello again and thank you for being so supportive!
Grrrrrrrr! It happened again!

All was well and I was so pleased with how everything was resolved, BUT, then I tried to download Google taskbar and it all happened again!
Here's my HJT log -

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 9:06:24 PM, on 8/16/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINNT\runservice.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWNETSUP.EXE
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\THOTKEY.EXE
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\Tmesrv2.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\ZipToA.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\ciammittil\My Documents\HJT\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: ZIBho Class - {029CA12C-89C1-46a7-A3C7-82F2F98635CB} - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\bin\bh304181.dll
O2 - BHO: Watch for Browser Events - {516E2306-7ADF-47EC-AEA8-ACB6B51899F1} - C:\PROGRA~1\MACROE~1\iCapture.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EM_EXEC] C:\PROGRA~1\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tpwrtray] TPWRTRAY.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TMESRV.EXE] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME2\TMESRV2.EXE /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Pinger] C:\TOSHIBA\IVP\ISM\pinger.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADUserMon] C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADUserMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Startup Options] C:\Program Files\Iomega\Common\ImgStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver3\LVCOMS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechGalleryRepair] C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\ISStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechImageStudioTray] C:\Program Files\Logitech\ImageStudio\LogiTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_CC] C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG6\avgcc32.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - Global Startup: Network Device Switch.lnk = C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\NetDevSW\NetDevSW.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Free WebSite Tools.lnk = C:\Program Files\CoffeeCup Software\CoffeeCup Free DHTML Menu Builder\ThirtyDayTimer.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) - http://www.comcastsupport.com/sdccommon/download/tgctlins.cab
O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version 5.0 (SP2)) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/ComCtl32/6,0,80,22/ComCtl32.cab
O16 - DPF: {2A32B14F-4D29-4EA3-AC54-E9B19F436CE7} (Scanner Class) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/TDECntrl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {36C417C6-13C6-448B-9784-DD73A93B0582} (McAfee.com Download+Installer Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/3,0,0,31/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,9/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {75D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin.SecureControl) - http://secure2.comned.com/signuptemplates/ActiveSecurity.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {DA28C54E-D95C-11D3-9A01-005004677EF4} (McAfee.com Component Download Manager Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/clinic/CDM/McCDM.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/vso/en-us/tools/mcfscan/2,0,0,4384/mcfscan.cab

Please, please do your magic again...lol

Thanx in advance!!!

[caperjack]

sorry no magic this time log looks good,except for this on its considered open for debate!
You could fix it and see what happens .
O2 - BHO: ZIBho Class - {029CA12C-89C1-46a7-A3C7-82F2F98635CB} - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\bin\bh304181.dll

[DaveSW]

could either of these two have anything to do with it casperjack?

O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) - http://www.comcastsupport.com/sdcco...ad/tgctlins.cab

O16 - DPF: {75D1F3B2-2A21-11D7-97B9-0010DC2A6243} (SecureLogin.SecureControl) - http://secure2.comned.com/signuptem...iveSecurity.cab <- some people reccomend removing, others ignore it, so I don't know.

[caperjack]

Me no know either .
It would be ok to remove all 016's as the good ones get downloaded the next time you go to the site .

[crunchie]

Go here for an on-line scan & set it to autoclean for you.

Try this scan as well.

[crunchie]

I have exported my exefile registry key that you can try to import to your registry if you wish. I have W2K SP4. Not sure if it will work or not. Double click to merge with your registry, then yes or ok. I see no reason that mine would be different to yours, so it may be worth it.
Make sure that you back-up your registry first!

Start\Run type in regedit. Go to *registry* & select export registry file. On the next window at bottom left choose *all* & export the registry to a location where you can find it :).