ok, here's what I've done to try and get rid of it:

ran adaware (custom settings to suggested on here), CWShredder, Spybot S&D, the free internet virus search thingemy (cant remember the name), and i've attempted to remove it myself with HJT, but i must've missed a file somewhere..

anyways, here's the log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 12:04:21, on 11/07/2004
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:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.exe
C:\WINNT\monitor.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
D:\valve\steam\steam.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
F0 - system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINNT\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Jet Detection] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVCLOCK] rundll32 nvclock.dll,fnNvclock
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "d:\valve\steam\steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [monitor] monitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check.lnk = C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV03.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O13 - DefaultPrefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O13 - WWW Prefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O16 - DPF: {33564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/6/E/F6E491A6-77E1-4E20-9F5F-94901338C922/wmv9VCM.CAB
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/148119a2571ca3/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38139.7760416667
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

the things i removed, without luck are:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
F0 - system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [monitor] monitor.exe
O13 - DefaultPrefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O13 - WWW Prefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?


i figure it wont be a help, but i get redirected here

Reboot into safe mode following the instructions here & open Task Manager & end process on this file if there:

monitor.exe

Close all (browser) windows & rescan with hijackthis. When the scan is finished place a check in the box to the left of the following entries & click 'fix checked':

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/

F0 - system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [monitor] monitor.exe

O13 - DefaultPrefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O13 - WWW Prefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?

Find & delete this file:

C:\WINNT\monitor.exe

Reboot normally after doing the above then post a fresh log please.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 17:11:08, on 11/07/2004
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:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
D:\valve\steam\steam.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://195.225.176.5/ie
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://195.225.176.5/
F0 - system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe monitor.exe
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINNT\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Jet Detection] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVCLOCK] rundll32 nvclock.dll,fnNvclock
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "d:\valve\steam\steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [monitor] monitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check.lnk = C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV03.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O13 - DefaultPrefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O13 - WWW Prefix: http://195.225.176.5/pre.pl?
O16 - DPF: {33564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/6/E/F6E491A6-77E1-4E20-9F5F-94901338C922/wmv9VCM.CAB
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/148119a2571ca3/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38139.7760416667
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab


i got rid of the file, then on restart it gave an error saying it couldnt find monitor.exe, so where could the command for that file to be executed on startup be?

after that post, i tried on normal mode to remove the stuff in HJT again, then do an immediate restart, here's the new log which looks clean to my n00bian eyes...

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 17:16:39, on 11/07/2004
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:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINNT\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Jet Detection] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVCLOCK] rundll32 nvclock.dll,fnNvclock
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "d:\valve\steam\steam.exe" -silent
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check.lnk = C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV03.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O16 - DPF: {33564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/6/E/F6E491A6-77E1-4E20-9F5F-94901338C922/wmv9VCM.CAB
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/148119a2571ca3/housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38139.7760416667
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

i'll post again if there are any other developments.

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