Popups Firefox Slowdown and Restarting [RESOLVED]

Hi Tony,

Welcome to Geeks to Go.

My name is Nick and I will be checking over your logs.

We can definitely help you, but first you need to help us. The first step in this process is to apply Service Pack 1a for Windows XP. Without this update, you're wide open to re-infection, and we're both just wasting our time.
Click here: http://www.microsoft...p1/default.mspx
Apply the update, reboot, and post a fresh Hijack This log.

Thank you. The service pack is currently being downloaded .
I had planned on installing Windows Service Pack 2, but my computer just kept restarting after I had installed it. I will post my HiJackThis log in about thirty minutes. Thanks for helping me!

After quite a long time of troubleshooting, I was able to remove SP1a, even though my Safe Mode was disabled, and the computer was on a reboot loop after I had installed it. It just wouldn't stop restarting. There is no possible way I would be able to install a Windows Service Pack. I am able to install every update for my OS, but not the actual SP.

Is there a way that we could fix my problem without a Service Pack? I have all the updates available, just not the service pack.

Thank you,

Tony

Edited by tvaughn05, 02 January 2006 - 08:51 PM.

Hey Tony,

A service pack is mandatory, because without it you are wide open to re-infections, and we will both be wasting our time.

I'm going to need you to apply Service Pack 1a, and if you get into the rebooting loop again, I'll have a fix ready.

=======================================

We can definitely help you, but first you need to help us. The first step in this process is to apply Service Pack 1a for Windows XP. Without this update, you're wide open to re-infection, and we're both just wasting our time.
Click here: http://www.microsoft...p1/default.mspx
Apply the update, reboot, and post a fresh Hijack This log.

Edited by Cloutz, 02 January 2006 - 09:15 PM.

Okay. I will try it again.

Edited by tvaughn05, 02 January 2006 - 09:23 PM.

The thing is that when I fixed it, I created a whole new Windows Installation in C:/WINXPHME instead of C:/Windows. I had planned on just reinstalling the OS over, but it told me that it may erase some of my personal settings. So now I have a dual-boot system, with one Windows OS constantly rebooting, and another that is new, but I can't use any of my old programs or settings...(or im just too lazy to move all the settings ^_^) So, could you please give me the fix for the rebooting loop, and I will apply it to the Windows installation that is continuely rebooting and has Service Pack 1a. Sorry for making this even more confusing than it already was...I probably could have lived with the popups. :-P

I already wrote a new boot sector to C:, but it still restarts.

Edited by tvaughn05, 02 January 2006 - 09:51 PM.

Should I just reinstall the OS over the corrupt installation??
Or will I lose some of my personal settings?

Hey Tony,

Enabling the Viewing of Hidden and System Files

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View tab.
• Check Show hidden files and folders.
• Uncheck Hide file extensions for known types.
• Uncheck Hide protected operating system files
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

Find c:\boot.ini
Open it with notepad
Post the contents of it in this thread.

Thanks

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINXPHME
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINXPHME="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

^^ Windows is the original corrupted version, and WINXPHME is the new install.

Edited by tvaughn05, 02 January 2006 - 10:17 PM.

Print these instructions out and make sure everything is entered exactly.

Slip in Your XP disk and reboot.
Upon boot up, you may receive 'Press any key to boot from disk' if you do, then press any key
Setup will stop at an options screen.
Choose R.
You may be prompted for the Administrator password. just press enter.
You may be offered which installation ie:
1. C:\Windows
If you are, Press 1 and enter.
You will arrive at a C:\Windows prompt.
Type (make sure to enter it exactly):

fixboot c:

hit enter.

type:
Y

hit enter.

take out the cd

type:
exit

hit enter.

The machine will restart. Let me know how that goes..

Its getting late here, I'll get back to you tommorow morning.

Thanks,
Nick

Edited by Cloutz, 02 January 2006 - 10:45 PM.

Okay, I just did it...It is still in a reboot loop...
BTW, Thank you very much for helping me...

Edited by tvaughn05, 02 January 2006 - 11:04 PM.

Dear Cloutz,

I have decided just to completely format my hard drive, and start a-new. Could you please provide me with ways that I can prevent malware on my new installation of the computer? I already use: Firefox 1.5, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, McAffe VirusScan 2005, Spybot S&D, HiJack This, CWShredder, and Registry Mechanic. Are there any other good free anti-malware programs out there??

Thank you very much for your help,

-Tony

Edited by tvaughn05, 03 January 2006 - 04:05 PM.

Hey Tony,

Sorry to hear that...I could of searched for another fix but you chose what to do with your computer and I respect that.

But I'm glad to hear you want to prevent things like that to happen again

Here is a list of tools I like to suggest to users to prevent future infections.

• Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
  
• AdAware -Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
  
• SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
  
• SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
  
• IE-SpyAd - Puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
  
• CleanUP! -Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
• Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
  
• Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
  
• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
  
• Firefox- Internet Explorer is NOT the most secure browser. I highly recommend Firefox as a safer alternative.

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein

Nick

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

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