Hi,
I have had the red X next to my C drive in My computer for some time. Is has XP sp 3, Also, some programs do not respond - I click on them and nothing happens, or they start to open and then disappear. Sometimes it gets stuck in a mode where nothing responds. It is in that mode now so after running all those scans. I installed webroot antivirus/antispyware but it did not find anything. Online forums pointed me to the VundoFix so I ran that and it did find a problem and fix it. I went through the instructions for what to do before posting and that also found some problems:

1) Windows malicious software tool did not find anything
2) I ran the ATF cleaner
3) Malwarebytes found several problems - see attached logile
4) EEset found one problem - see atteched logfile
5) uninstall list from Hijack - This is also attached
Thanks In advance for your assistance.
menaicom

Dani AI

Generated

Short, pragmatic checklist based on the HijackThis log and the thread: the combination of Explorer overlays (the red X on a local C:), programs that hang or vanish, and the startup/network changes reported in the log point to persistence hooks (Winlogon/Userinit, hosts/DNS, shell-overlay handlers) rather than a simple mapping glitch — this is why found the symptom unusual and why asked for the log. Check and repair those persistence points first; common fixes and explanations are documented by Microsoft for Userinit and the Hosts file. (learn.microsoft.com)

Immediate actions (do these before attempting delicate removals): make a full backup of personal files to external media, disconnect the machine from the network, and boot Safe Mode for offline remediation. If a rootkit or stubborn loader is suspected, run a bootable rescue scanner (for example a Kaspersky or ESET rescue image) from USB/CD and update definitions before scanning. Follow rescue-disk guidance and capture logs for later review. (forum.kaspersky.com)

Investigation and cleanup steps that have good yield: run updated anti-rootkit tools (TDSSKiller/GMER), use Autoruns from Sysinternals to inspect and remove unexpected entries in Logon, Winlogon and AppInit/AppInit_DLLs, and repair the hosts file to the Microsoft default if it contains malicious redirects. After removals, run CHKDSK to check filesystem health and rebuild the icon cache (XP stores IconCache.db under the user Local Settings\Application Data folder) to clear stale overlay artifacts. (bleepingcomputer.com)

If persistence returns or Explorer remains unstable, a repair install or clean OS reinstall is the most reliable route; Windows XP is no longer supported and a fresh install on a supported OS should be planned after recovery. Keep copies of all logs (HijackThis/scan logs/Autoruns exports) so helpers can verify exact registry keys and files before removal — that avoids accidental deletion of legitimate items.

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All 6 Replies

Generally the red X indicates a disconnected network drive, but thats wierd as your C drive should be a fixed, local, physical drive.

Hello,

Well as jbennet said, it shouldn't be doing this on the C drive.

Download and post the log.

Thanks,

Cohen :)

Generally the red X indicates a disconnected network drive, but thats wierd as your C drive should be a fixed, local, physical drive.

yeah, just to check - you are not anything strange like running off a usb drive/ramdisk/thin client etc?

Are you on home or pro?

OH, just another thing.

In the future, when you post logs, post them in a post / reply.

Thanks

Cohen :)

As requested, I am attaching the hijackthis.log
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:50:24 AM, on 12/5/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Giga Pocket\shwserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft LifeCam\MSCamS32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dns\bin\named.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzCdb\VzFw.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Desktop Firewall\wdfsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe
C:\Program Files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Giga Pocket\RM_SV.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SSScsiSV.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe
C:\Program Files\ZyDAS Technology Corporation\IOGEAR_802.11g_Utility\ZDWlan.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = https://login.yahoo.com/config/login_verify2?&.src=ym
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Windows Internet Explorer provided by Yahoo!
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe,
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,uxefxpt.exe,
O1 - Hosts: login.yahoo.com
O1 - Hosts: www.citibank.com
O1 - Hosts: www.sunnyvale.ca.gov
O1 - Hosts: ca.yahoo.com
O1 - Hosts: finance.yahoo.com
O1 - Hosts: www.google.com
O1 - Hosts: stats.liahl.org
O1 - Hosts: maps.google.com
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VAIO Update 2] "C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe" /Stationary
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VAIO Recovery] "C:\WINDOWS\Sonysys\VAIO Recovery\PartSeal.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SsAAD.exe] "C:\PROGRA~1\sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UserFaultCheck] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\dumprep.exe" 0 -u
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SsAAD.exe] "C:\PROGRA~1\sony\SONICS~1\SsAAD.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_5 -reboot 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: ZDWLan Utility.lnk = C:\Program Files\ZyDAS Technology Corporation\IOGEAR_802.11g_Utility\ZDWlan.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
O16 - DPF: {1239CC52-59EF-4DFA-8C61-90FFA846DF7E} (Musicnotes Viewer) - http://www.musicnotes.com/download/mnviewer.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) -
O16 - DPF: {56762DEC-6B0D-4AB4-A8AD-989993B5D08B} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://www.eset.eu/buxus/docs/OnlineScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {6F750200-1362-4815-A476-88533DE61D0C} (Ofoto Upload Manager Class) -
O16 - DPF: {924C1588-90C3-4910-B6CA-D57A1C0418FE} (YbUploadFavsCtl Class) - http://us.bookmarks.yahoo.com/YbConvFav.CAB
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{213F1AFD-0E46-424A-A166-55CB9E87EB54}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{A55D7012-6249-4941-BA9D-4F89AD3566A6}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{F497BA08-7377-4A15-B29D-34D685E1F85E}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1,
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{213F1AFD-0E46-424A-A166-55CB9E87EB54}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\..\{213F1AFD-0E46-424A-A166-55CB9E87EB54}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O17 - HKLM\System\CS3\Services\Tcpip\..\{213F1AFD-0E46-424A-A166-55CB9E87EB54}: NameServer = 127.0.0.1
O20 - Winlogon Notify: App Management - C:\WINDOWS\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: App Paths - C:\WINDOWS\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: AutorunsDisabled - C:\WINDOWS\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: Internet Settings - C:\WINDOWS\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: logons - C:\WINDOWS\
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
O23 - Service: Giga Pocket Hardware Detector - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\Giga Pocket\shwserv.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\MSCSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\PACSPTISVR.exe
O23 - Service: Sony TV Tuner Controller - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\Giga Pocket\halsv.exe
O23 - Service: Sony TV Tuner Manager - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\Giga Pocket\RM_SV.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: SonicStage SCSI Service (SSScsiSV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SSScsiSV.exe
O23 - Service: twdns - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dns\bin\named.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment Aggregation and Control Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzRs\VzRs.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment File Import Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzCdb\VzFw.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment TV Device Arbitration Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzCs\VzHardwareResourceManager\VzHardwareResourceManager.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment UPnP Client Adapter - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VCSW\VCSW.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\VMISrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-HTTP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Gateway Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-Mobile-Gateway) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\VmGateway.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Video\GPVSvr.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-HTTP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Desktop Firewall network service (WDFNet) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Desktop Firewall\wdfsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (WebrootSpySweeperService) - Webroot Software, Inc. (www.webroot.com) - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 0: (no name) - (no file)

--
End of file - 11169 bytes

I forgot to add that my OS is Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 3. The PC is a Sony Vaio, Pentium 4

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