[glennc007]

I'm helping out a friend of mine with a problem he is having with his P4 windows ME system. I had some issues with Smitfraud about a year ago and the people at this site were INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. So, I'm hoping I can get a little help here:

The computer only boots up into safe mode. Also, there is no option for safe mode w networking and I cannot get this computer online, so I am posting from another system. When trying to boot up normally eventually the screen is a dreaded "blinking cursor on black screen" and the HDD is not spinning. Ad aware, panda, and spybot are now coming up clean, but there were some issues that did get identified and deleted by ad aware. Please advise.

The hijack this log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 12:10:55 PM, on 2/19/2006
Platform: Windows ME (Win9x 4.90.3000)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
C:\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: SideStep Browser Helper - {08351227-6472-43BD-8A40-D9221FF1C4CE} - C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\SBCIE027.DLL (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: ohb - {285B5CCD-C3F0-4EB6-9632-7D0A3C3AF824} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\HSRB.DLL (file missing)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 6.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCHealth] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\Support\PCHSchd.exe -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tgcmd] "C:\Program Files\Support.com\Client\bin\tgcmd.exe" /server /nosystray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Messenger Plus] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MESSENGER PLUS\MESSPLUS.exe" -silent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QAGENT] C:\Program Files\Intuit\QAgent\QAGENT.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KodakCCS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\KODAK\KODAK_DR\KodakCCS.exe --pdr: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\KODAK\KODAK_DR\dcmnter.pdr"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APVXDWIN] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\APVXDWIN.EXE" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SSDPSRV] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ssdpsrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [StillImageMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WINTOOLS\WTOOLSA.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PavProc] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\PavPrS9x.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [panda cleaner] %SystemRoot%\pavdr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PAVFNSVR] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\PavFnSvr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PSIMSVC] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\PSIMSVC.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PAVFIRES] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Firewall\PavFires.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Panda Preventium+ Service] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\PANDA SOFTWARE\PANDA TITANIUM ANTIVIRUS 2005\PREVSRV.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Pavprot9] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Pavprot9.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Pavkre9X] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Pavkre9X.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\ArcSoft\Media Card Companion\MCC Monitor.exe
O4 - Startup: NkbMonitor.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Nikon\PictureProject\NkbMonitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: VAIO Action Setup (Server).lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Action Setup\VAServ.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsearch.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: Backward &Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - http://bar.mywebsear...?p=ZCxdm093XXUS
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: MSN Messenger Service - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\AIM\AIM.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {AFC3FA82-AD07-45cd-8B57-983435B9899E} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Ebates - {6685509E-B47B-4f47-8E16-9A5F3A62F683} - file://C:\PROGRAM FILES\EBATES_MOEMONEYMAKER\Sy350\Tp350\scri350a.htm (file missing) (HKCU)
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.h.../qdiagh.cab?312
O16 - DPF: {A44B714B-EE0F-453E-9300-A69B321FEF6C} (MaxisSimsFamilyTeleX Control) - http://thesims.ea.co...FamilyTeleX.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204

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glennc007,

Welcome back to Geeks to Go. I'm glad we've been able to help you in the past. I'm reviewing your log now and will be posting shortly.

Thanks,

sari

[sari]

glennc007,

Welcome back to Geeks to Go. I'm glad we've been able to help you in the past. I'm reviewing your log now and will be posting shortly.

Thanks,

sari

[sari]

glennc007,

Please re-open HiJackThis and scan. Check the boxes next to all the entries listed below.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: SideStep Browser Helper - {08351227-6472-43BD-8A40-D9221FF1C4CE} - C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\SBCIE027.DLL (file missing)
O2 - BHO: ohb - {285B5CCD-C3F0-4EB6-9632-7D0A3C3AF824} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\HSRB.DLL (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WINTOOLS\WTOOLSA.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Ebates - {6685509E-B47B-4f47-8E16-9A5F3A62F683} - file://C:\PROGRAM FILES\EBATES_MOEMONEYMAKER\Sy350\Tp350\scri350a.htm (file missing) (HKCU)

Now close all windows other than HiJackThis, then click Fix Checked. Reboot into safe mode.

Restart your computer and as soon as it starts booting up again continuously tap F8. A menu should come up where you will be given the option to enter Safe Mode.

Please remove these entries from Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel(if present):

Wintools

Please note any other programs that you dont recognize in that list in your next response

Please delete these folders using Windows Explorer(if present):

C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\WINTOOLS
C:\PROGRAM FILES\EBATES_MOEMONEYMAKER

After that, Reboot.

Open HijackThis, click Config, click Misc Tools
Click "Open Uninstall Manager"
Click "Save List" (generates uninstall_list.txt)
Click Save, copy and paste the results in your next post, along with a new hijackthis log.

Thanks,

sari

[glennc007]

Thanks for your help! System still does not boot in normal mode btw. There were no folders or files for wintools or ebates. The only program that doesn't look familiar is sidestep. I tried to remove it, but it pops right back into the list. Here are the two logs:

Adaptec DirectCD
Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Adobe Download Manager 1.2 (Remove Only)
Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition 4.0
Adobe Photoshop 7.0
Adobe Premiere 5.1 LE
Adobe Reader 6.0.1
AOL Instant Messenger
ArcSoft Media Card Companion
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Canon PhotoRecord
Canon Utilities PhotoStitch 3.1
Canon Utilities ZoomBrowser EX
DVDExpress
DVgate
DVgate Plug-in for Adobe® Premiere®
HijackThis 1.99.1
hp deskjet 970c series (Remove only)
HP Photo Printing Software
HP Precisionscan Pro 3.1
HP Share-to-Web
Internet Explorer Q889293
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 1
Jeopardy!
Kodak EasyShare software
Macromedia Shockwave Player
Memory Stick Formatter
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft Data Access Components KB870669
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 and Internet Tools
Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1 Standard
Microsoft Outlook Express 6
Microsoft VGX Q833989
Microsoft Web Publishing Wizard 1.6
Microsoft XML Parser and SDK
Motion JPEG Software Decoder
MovieShaker
Mozilla Firefox (1.0)
Nikon Message Center
NVIDIA Windows 95/98 Display Drivers
OpenMG Jukebox Backup Tool
Outlook Express Q823353
Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005
PictureGear 5.0
PictureProject
PictureProject In Touch Downloader 1.0
Quicken Basic 2000
QuickTime
QuickTime for Windows (32-bit)
RealPlayer
RealProducer ActiveX Control
RealProducer G2
Shockwave
SideStep
Smart Capture
Sonic Foundry MP3 Plug-In
Sonic Foundry Sound Forge XP 4.5f
Sony DV Shared Library
Sony VAIO Registration
Spanish Menus and Dialogs for Internet Explorer 6
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
The Sims Vacation
Trend Micro Anti-Spam
VAIO Action Setup
VAIO Support
VAIO Wallpaper
VisualFlow 2.0
Windows Millennium Edition KB891711 Update
Windows Millennium Edition Q823559 Update
Windows VisFx Components

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:33:24 PM, on 2/20/2006
Platform: Windows ME (Win9x 4.90.3000)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\HIJACKTHIS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 6.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCHealth] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\Support\PCHSchd.exe -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tgcmd] "C:\Program Files\Support.com\Client\bin\tgcmd.exe" /server /nosystray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Messenger Plus] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MESSENGER PLUS\MESSPLUS.exe" -silent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QAGENT] C:\Program Files\Intuit\QAgent\QAGENT.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KodakCCS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\KODAK\KODAK_DR\KodakCCS.exe --pdr: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\KODAK\KODAK_DR\dcmnter.pdr"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APVXDWIN] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\APVXDWIN.EXE" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SSDPSRV] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ssdpsrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [StillImageMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PavProc] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Panda Software\PavShld\PavPrS9x.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [panda cleaner] %SystemRoot%\pavdr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PAVFNSVR] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\PavFnSvr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PSIMSVC] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\PSIMSVC.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [PAVFIRES] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Firewall\PavFires.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Panda Preventium+ Service] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\PANDA SOFTWARE\PANDA TITANIUM ANTIVIRUS 2005\PREVSRV.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Pavprot9] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Pavprot9.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Pavkre9X] "C:\Program Files\Panda Software\Panda Titanium Antivirus 2005\Pavkre9X.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\ArcSoft\Media Card Companion\MCC Monitor.exe
O4 - Startup: NkbMonitor.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Nikon\PictureProject\NkbMonitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: VAIO Action Setup (Server).lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Action Setup\VAServ.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsearch.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: Backward &Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - http://bar.mywebsear...?p=ZCxdm093XXUS
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: MSN Messenger Service - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\AIM\AIM.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {AFC3FA82-AD07-45cd-8B57-983435B9899E} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.h.../qdiagh.cab?312
O16 - DPF: {A44B714B-EE0F-453E-9300-A69B321FEF6C} (MaxisSimsFamilyTeleX Control) - http://thesims.ea.co...FamilyTeleX.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204

[sari]

glennc07,

Sidestep appears to be a browser helper related to finding airfares. When you say you're unable to remove it, have you tried using add/remove programs in Control Panel? It should go easily that way.

While you did have some malware on this pc, your log is clean now and I don't see anything that should stop you from booting to normal mode. I've done some research on this, and I believe it's more of a hardware issue. I'd like to suggest you go to this forum, and post a description of the issue there. Be specific - tell them you can boot into safe mode, but not normal mode, and see what they can tell you. Someone there should be able to walk you through some diagnostic steps you can take. Let me know when you've posted, and I'll subscribe to the thread to see if you can get it resolved.

Thanks,

sari