I am attempting to run combofix on a 32 bit Vista installation and it is encountering two "real time" AV/AM progs. Super antispyware is installed but not running and CF detects it upon initialization. It also detects Trend Micro AV which is not installed. I have looked through the running processes and couldn't find either and even rebooted after disabling all startup programs and the problem persists. It is a Compaq Presario C571NR with a whole bunch of HP bundled software so I'm assuming that Trend Micro is hidden in the recesses of an hp*.exe process but after disabling everything it still comes up when I run CF. Thanks.

Hello.

First, you shouldn't be running Combofix anyways unless instructed by a trained staff member authorized to diagnose and read the logs. ComboFix is an extremely powerful tool and you should not be using Combofix unless instructed to do so by a Malware Removal Expert. It is a powerful tool intended by its creator to be "used under the guidance and supervision of an expert", NOT for private use. Using this tool incorrectly could lead to disastrous problems with your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. Please read Combofix's Disclaimer. Furthermore, ComboFix logs are not permitted outside the HijackThis forums and then only when requested by a HJT Team member.

Regarding the problem you have is something how Combofix works. In short basically, those two programs are probably uninstalled but they were not registered from the Windows Management Instrumental which most AVs register itself to and so Combofix detects it as "running". I wouldn't worry about it so much but I don't recommend you run Combofix.

With Regards,
Extremeboy