I'm running XP SP2 and I have a problem very similar to the July 18 post by Dit but have been able to make even less progress than he.
It started when Firefox issued a message that it needed to download a new codec and I was foolish enough to do so.
Immediately, I received a slew of pop-ups warning me of infection and providing access to a fix along with a red desktop warning of privacy being compromised with a button promising protection.
Adware Away seems to have cleaned up these sypmtoms, at least superficially.
Remaining symptoms:
A) VIRUS ALERT! displays next to my system time in the status bar and in the properties windows next to created/modified dates there.
C) My Start menu doesn't have a Run entry or anything on the right half of the split screen except Set Program Access & Defaults and Printers and Faxes.
D) Limited Internet: Can't launch Firefox or IE but can connect with Yahoo Messenger. Bought McCafee thinking it would fix this but can't install it since it needs the internet. Using a flash drive to move downloads to my infected computer from another.
E) Window-E key combo is being intercepted and instead of opening a directory window displays a msg saying "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer."
F) After a couple minutes of running from a normal boot, the system becomes unusably slow so have been relying on Safe mode.
G) Can't run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware because mbam-setup.exe won't launch.
I figured I'd end up getting referred to the HijackThis Log forum so started preparing for that, only to find...
I can't enable my windows firewall via your tutorial 'cause have no Run menu.
I can't run the Kapersky Online Scanner 'cause can't launch a browser.
I can't run HijackThis because the installer won't launch.
Was able to run DSS. Or at least to start it. After 60+ minutes of it sitting about 85% through the Examining Add/Remove Programs stage I suspect my problem (F) above is interfering. I'll let it run overnight to see if it eventually finishes. But if not, can I run it in Safe mode? I started to initially but it brings up a msg saying it prefers to be run in normal mode.
And, assuming I can get the thing to finish at all, should I post the log here or elsewhere?
What would you like me to do next?
Thanks,
Ty