BleepingComputer.com: problems running combofix

Well if this is the wrong place at least the last thread didn't get blasted.

I am running combofix on another machine and I THINK everything is ok. I have Avira and MS security essentials on the machine.
I shut them down before running combofix.
The two succesive windows saying that they were active and that they were still active appeared three times.
Between the second and third appearances I ran sysconfig and NO part of either was listed as running.
Combo fix installed the recovery console ok (used your manual method)
I keep getting (7 TIMES now) the message that PEV.cfxxe needs to close. I don't know what that is. Please enlighten me if you have time.
Combo fix has completed 31 stages and may be hung - I can wait

Hello dolman.

first, the obligatory disclaimer, for the benefit of both you and others who may read this thread.

ComboFix (CF for short) is intended by its creator to be "used under the guidance and supervision of an expert", NOT for personal, unsupervised use. Please read Combofix's Disclaimer. When CF is run without trained assistance, it can no longer be considered a "safe" tool. Using this tool incorrectly could lead to disastrous problems with your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again.

You may find this topic to be informative - ComboFix usage, Questions, Help? - Look here

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now. . .regarding your particular issue. This is not a common error, and indicates a problem relating to one of the components of ComboFix. Without getting further information we can't be sure what's causing the issue exactly. The best course of action would be to post logs to our Malware Removal forum, and one of our trained specialists will assist you in cleaning the machine. If that necessitates using ComboFix, the issue can be addressed at that point.

Please read the information in this guide for instructions on how to post to the Malware Removal Forum. In your new topic please include a link to this thread. It would be helpful if you post a note here once you have completed the steps in the guide and have started your topic in malware removal.

~Blade

I am not doing this on my own, but am working with the guidance of one of the gurus at PCHelp forum.

I read your guide most carefully before downloading and learned for example how to install the recovery console when it won't install from the original installation disk.

The error that was most significant was that PEV.cfxxe needs to close. Apparently when that closes so does combofix. You might consider renaming this file to make that more obvious.

I still have the error report windows PEV.cfxxe needs to close eetc. open on my other computer. I do not know how to copy them. A simple copy and paste produces documents with no content. If these would be of use to you, and you can tell me how, I will be glad to send you the information.

I WILL CHECK BACK IN A FEW HOURS

Well I got a BSOD while running viper rescue. Same thing happened when I was running sigverif. Which is how this whole thing started with this system sigverif came up with the red shield and ! and before I could get the information down BSOD.

Sorry I can't give you the data I offerred so I guess I hope you didn't want it anyway.

This post has been edited by dolman: 02 July 2010 - 07:08 PM

Hello.

I am uncertain whether your helper at PCHelp has been trained in the use of ComboFix. If he had been, he would likely have access to the resources needed to address this problem.

I regret being unable to assist you further.

~Blade