Unable to change desktop background [RESOLVED]

Welcome to GTG.

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should 'not' have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Download smitRem at http://noahdfear.gee.../click.php?id=1 and save the file to your desktop.

Please download Ewido Security Suite at http://www.ewido.net/en/download/ and read the Ewido setup instructions at http://rstones12.gee.../ewidosetup.htm. Install it, and update the definitions to the newest files. Do NOT run a scan yet. NOTE: If you have Windows 9x/ME, you don't need to run Ewido (skip this step).

If you have not already installed Ad-Aware SE 1.06, follow the download and setup instructions at http://rstones12.gee...areSE_setup.htm. Otherwise, check for updates. Don't run it yet!

Download CleanUp! http://cleanup.stevengould.org/ (Alternate Link if main link don't work - http://www.greyknigh...spy/CleanUp.exe ) and install it. Don't run it yet.

Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.

CleanUp! deletes EVERYTHING out of your temp/temporary folders, it does not make backups. If you have any documents or programs that are saved in any Temporary Folders, please make a backup of these before running CleanUp!. Run CleanUp! and click on the Options button. Uncheck 'Scan local drives for temporary files'. Also uncheck those two Newsgroup entries if you don't want to delete them. Click OK and then click on the CleanUp! button. Let it run. After it's done, choose Yes to logoff.

Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

Run the smitRem.exe tool you downloaded earlier. There should be a folder called smitrem created on your desktop. Open it and double click on the RunThis file. Follow the prompts on the screen. Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.

The tool will create a log named smitfiles.txt in the root of your drive, eg: Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.

Open Ad-aware and do a full scan. Remove all it finds.

Run Ewido:

* Click on scanner.
* Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
* NOTE: During some scans with ewido it is finding cases of false positives.
* You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
* If Ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
* Do NOT select 'Perform action on all infections'.
* If you are unsure of any entry found, select none for now.
* When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
* Save the report to your desktop.

Close Ewido.

Next go to Control Panel->Display->Desktop (or Appearance)->Customize Desktop->Web-> Delete everything there except for My Current Home Page.

Restart your computer to get back to Normal Mode..

Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer at Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasoft.../activescan.htm

* Click on 'Scan your PC' button. There should be a popup - if you have a pop-up blocker, make sure it's not blocking it.
* Click 'Check Now' & a pop-up window will appear.
* Enter your Country, State and E-mail Address & click 'Scan Now' - begin downloading Panda's ActiveX controls (8 MB size).
* Begin the scan by selecting My Computer.
* If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report. Ignore any entry it finds (since it wants you to buy the program for removal) as we will address this later.
* Click on see report. Then click Save report.
* Please post that log in your next reply.

Then post the Panda log here along with the logs for smitfiles.txt, Ewido and a new HijackThis log.

I did NOT run an adaware scan in safe mode. I missed this in the instructions, and only just now realized i was supposed to do one when I was reviewing my notes to make sure I did everything right... almost...

The following are my results from the scans I was instructed to do in safe mode:

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido anti-malware - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 9:47:04 PM, 24/02/2006
+ Report-Checksum: 8D1A4CCA

+ Scan result:

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\javapi\v1.0\file\OMG.class-352f55f0-4c0e1be3.class -> Downloader.OpenStream.y : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.27:C:\Documents and Settings\Terry\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\r2mp85l0.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Inet-cash : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.28:C:\Documents and Settings\Terry\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\r2mp85l0.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Hitbox : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.29:C:\Documents and Settings\Terry\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\r2mp85l0.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Hitbox : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.37:C:\Documents and Settings\Terry\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\r2mp85l0.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Hitbox : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Terry\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\javapi\v1.0\file\OMG.class-352f55f0-4eeccf8a.class -> Downloader.OpenStream.y : Cleaned with backup
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\popcaploader.dll -> Not-A-Virus.Downloader.Win32.PopCap.b : Cleaned with backup


::Report End


smitRem © log file
version 2.8

by noahdfear


Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
The current date is: 24/02/2006
The current time is: 15:02:51.81

Running from
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Desktop\smitRem

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pre-run SharedTask Export

(GetSTS.exe) SharedTaskScheduler exporter by Lawrence Abrams (Grinler)
Copyright© 2006 BleepingComputer.com

Registry Pseudo-Format Mode (Not a valid reg file):

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler]
"{438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1}"="Browseui preloader"
"{8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030}"="Component Categories cache daemon"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1}\InProcServer32]
@="%SystemRoot%\system32\browseui.dll"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030}\InProcServer32]
@="%SystemRoot%\system32\browseui.dll"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

checking for ShudderLTD key

ShudderLTD key not present!

checking for PSGuard.com key


PSGuard.com key not present!


checking for WinHound.com key


WinHound.com key not present!

spyaxe uninstaller NOT present
Winhound uninstaller NOT present
SpywareStrike uninstaller NOT present

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Existing Pre-run Files


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~



~~~ Favorites ~~~

shopping


~~~ system32 folder ~~~

oleext.dll


~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~



~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~


~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Killing PID 1264 'explorer.exe'

Starting registry repairs

Registry repairs complete

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SharedTask Export after registry fix

(GetSTS.exe) SharedTaskScheduler exporter by Lawrence Abrams (Grinler)
Copyright© 2006 BleepingComputer.com

Registry Pseudo-Format Mode (Not a valid reg file):

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler]
"{438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1}"="Browseui preloader"
"{8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030}"="Component Categories cache daemon"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1}\InProcServer32]
@="%SystemRoot%\system32\browseui.dll"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030}\InProcServer32]
@="%SystemRoot%\system32\browseui.dll"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deleting files

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remaining Post-run Files


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~



~~~ Favorites ~~~



~~~ system32 folder ~~~



~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~



~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~


~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~


~~~ Wininet.dll ~~~

CLEAN!


activescan

Incident Status Location

Adware:adware/alfacleaner Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\intell321.exe
Adware:adware/wupd Not disinfected C:\PROGRAM FILES\MediaGateway
Adware:adware/transponder Not disinfected Windows Registry
Spyware:Cookie/2o7.net Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Cookies\compaq_owner@2o7[2].txt
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Desktop\smitRem\Process.exe
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Desktop\smitRem.exe[Process.exe]
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/KillApp.B Not disinfected C:\hp\bin\KillIt.exe

HijackThis was ran twice. I ran this one AFTER I restarted my computer. I also saved the logfile of the one I ran in safe mode. If you need that one instead, just let me know. I removed the following as per instructions : R3-Default URL Search Hook is missing.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:59:10 PM, on 24/02/2006
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\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\IMApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\6750491\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkCalRem.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\ImNotfy.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.pogo.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.pogo.com/
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
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\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] "C:\Windows\Creator\Remind_XP.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IncrediMail] C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\bin\IncMail.exe /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Startup: wkcalrem.LNK = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkCalRem.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Compaq Connections.lnk = C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\6750491\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add To Compaq Organize... - C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\COMPAQ~1\bin/module.main/favorites\ie_add_to.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.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
O16 - DPF: RaptisoftGameLoader - http://www.miniclip....tgameloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {0335A685-ED24-4F7B-A08E-3BD15D84E668} - http://dl.filekicker...IL/PhPSetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {288C5F13-7E52-4ADA-A32E-F5BF9D125F99} (CR64Loader Object) - http://www.miniclip....pGameLoader.dll
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcaf...01/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by103fd.bay10...es/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1124496938015
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1126201428546
O16 - DPF: {77E32299-629F-43C6-AB77-6A1E6D7663F6} - http://download.shoc...otoy/OTOYAX.cab
O16 - DPF: {7E980B9B-8AE5-466A-B6D6-DA8CF814E78A} (MJLauncherCtrl Class) - http://www.shockwave...mjolauncher.cab
O16 - DPF: {861DB4B6-3838-11D2-8E50-002018200E57} (MrSIDI Control) - http://data6.archive..._cab/MrSIDI.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn...pDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} - http://download.mcaf...,26/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://playweb02.pog...aploader_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcaf...677/mcfscan.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe (file missing)

I forgot to say THANK-YOU!!!

I really appreciate the time it takes to help me with this.
JL

Delete these:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\intell321.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MediaGateway

Delete everything inside this folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Cookies\

Are you able to change the wallpaper now?

Your log is clean.

To help prevent future spyware infections, read the Anti-Spyware Tutorial and use the tools provided.

Are there any problems now? If not, you should be set to go.

I deleted all of the cookies, but am unsure as to how to delete the other two files...

Do I just search them and delete them? I did not see them on the HijackThis report, or anywhere else, and I don't want to do it wrong...

Thanks again for all your help!

JL

How did you delete the cookie files? If you know how to get there, it should be no problem with the other two...

Go into My Computer...C: drive....then navigate to the respective folders and delete the files/folders listed.

Any other problems?

Sounds good... all seems well here now... desktop changed like a dream!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.