Member Avatar for NenyaPhantom

Hi guys, my first post and I'm asking for help already
Every time when I start up my comp, I'm getting an error and it says that either winsock.scr or dxsetu.exe has to be closed.

Also, there are around 10 cmd.exe processes running.

this is my Hijackthis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 9:12:23, on 29/03/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\winsock.scr
C:\WINDOWS\winsock.scr
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dwwin.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dwwin.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Tom\Bureaublad\Jens\Ontspanning\Other\Internet-Cleaners\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe winsock.scr
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WheelMouse] C:\PROGRA~1\A4Tech\Mouse\Amoumain.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dxset.exe] C:\WINDOWS\dxsetu.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
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
O15 - Trusted Zone: windowsupdate.microsoft.com
O16 - DPF: ppctlcab -
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) -
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) -
O16 - DPF: {2359626E-7524-4F87-B04E-22CD38A0C88C} - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/cm/ICSCM.cab
O16 - DPF: {2917297F-F02B-4B9D-81DF-494B6333150B} -
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) -
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/cabs/FPDC_1_0_0_44.cab
O16 - DPF: {6A060448-60F9-11D5-A6CD-0002B31F7455} -
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Besturing) -
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} -
O16 - DPF: {92E82FBB-DA00-41E0-ABFE-95482E21A4F6} (NMTransX Module) -
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} -
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) -
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{6222B999-528A-47FC-A279-99A8221E6A8A}: NameServer =
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Unknown - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by dlh6213

Dani AI

Generated

Good first moves by — the symptoms shown in the thread match a classic persistent startup trojan that often disguises itself as a DirectX installer and as a winsock-related screensaver, and the many cmd.exe processes are a common sign of a self-replicating installer or scheduled/reinstall task. Community reports from the era document this behaviour and the same cleanup pattern. (daniweb.com)

Deeper checks that complement an HJT cleanup: use Autoruns to reveal every auto-start location (Run/RunOnce, Winlogon, services, scheduled tasks, Winsock providers) and use Process Explorer to inspect each cmd.exe process (parent process, full command line and image path). Disable or delete only entries that clearly point to unknown, unsigned, or off-location executables; Autoruns’ “Hide Microsoft entries” and signature checks make this safer. These tools help find the re-insert mechanism (task, service, or Run key) that causes reinfection. (learn.microsoft.com)

If network components look damaged or restore drivers are blocked, reset Winsock as a supported recovery step. From an elevated command prompt run:

netsh winsock reset

and then reboot. That resets the Winsock catalog but does not remove the malware itself — combine this with offline/on-demand scanning and removal. Microsoft’s guidance and KB articles explain when and why to use the reset. (learn.microsoft.com)

After removing autorun entries and deleting locked files (use Safe Mode or rescue/boot media), verify with multiple scanners (on-demand tools such as Microsoft Safety Scanner and a modern anti‑malware scanner). If downloads or removals are blocked, run a rescue ISO from clean media before mounting the infected drive. Submit suspicious files or hashes to a multi‑engine site for a second opinion. Back up registry and create an image before making changes; clear old System Restore points after a confirmed cleanup so the infection can’t respawn from restore data. (learn.microsoft.com)

Member Avatar for dlh6213

Cmd.exe is your Command Prompt, do you have any DOS windows open?

These particular items usually require an extra step to remove them, but let's try this first. Scan with HJT and have it fix the following entries:

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe winsock.scr
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dxset.exe] C:\WINDOWS\dxsetu.exe

If RIPE Network is not your ISP (), have HJT fix this one as well:
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{6222B999-528A-47FC-A279-99A8221E6A8A}: NameServer =

Be sure all windows are closed, other the HJT, before hitting the Fix button

Go to the following location and remove the highlighted file or folder (if found):

C:\WINDOWS\dxsetu.exe
C:\WINDOWS\winsock.scr

For every User listed under C:\Documents and Settings, delete the entire contents of these folders (not the folders themselves):

Local Settings\Temp
Cookies
History
Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

Delete the entire contents of your C:\Windows\Temp folder.

Delete the entire contents of your C:\Temp folder (if you have one).

Do a search for *.tmp and delete all entries found.

(Note: if any of these temporary files cannot be deleted while in ‘normal mode,’ try Safe Mode.

Empty your Recycle Bin.

Reboot, close any open browser windows, scan with HJT, and post a new log please.

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