BleepingComputer.com: Task Manager won't open

Periodically, Task Manager won't open. I've run AVG, AdAware, Malwarebytes and IObit Security in Safe Mode, with no negative results...0 (zero) infections. Is there something I'm missing? If you need more info, please let me know. Thank you.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 7:40:59 PM, on 3/16/2011
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16722)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Returnil\RVS3\rvsmon.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\ThreatFire\TFService.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iPrint\iPrint.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\IObit Security 360\is360tray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\agent\bin\avgidsmonitor.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hp\Digital Imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_clipbook.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Users\Sue\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPDSK/1
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar - {91da5e8a-3318-4f8c-b67e-5964de3ab546} - C:\Program Files (x86)\ZoneAlarm_Security\tbZon1.dll
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: ZoneAlarm Security Engine Registrar - {8A4A36C2-0535-4D2C-BD3D-496CB7EED6E3} - C:\Program Files\CheckPoint\ZAForceField\WOW64\TrustChecker\bin\TrustCheckerIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar - {91da5e8a-3318-4f8c-b67e-5964de3ab546} - C:\Program Files (x86)\ZoneAlarm_Security\tbZon1.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Messenger Companion Helper - {9FDDE16B-836F-4806-AB1F-1455CBEFF289} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companioncore.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Bing Bar BHO - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar - {91da5e8a-3318-4f8c-b67e-5964de3ab546} - C:\Program Files (x86)\ZoneAlarm_Security\tbZon1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Security Engine - {EE2AC4E5-B0B0-4EC6-88A9-BCA1A32AB107} - C:\Program Files\CheckPoint\ZAForceField\WOW64\TrustChecker\bin\TrustCheckerIEPlugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll,-100 - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - C:\Program Files (x86)\MSN Toolbar\Platform\6.3.2322.0\npwinext.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IObit Security 360] "C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360tray.exe" /autostart
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Global Startup: iPrint.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\iPrint\iPrint.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companionlang.dll,-600 - {0000036B-C524-4050-81A0-243669A86B9F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companioncore.dll
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1004 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1003 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Show or hide HP Smart Web Printing - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O18 - Protocol: avgsecuritytoolbar - {F2DDE6B2-9684-4A55-86D4-E255E237B77C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: wlpg - {E43EF6CD-A37A-4A9B-9E6F-83F89B8E6324} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\AlbumDownloadProtocolHandler.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG Security Toolbar Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Toolbar\ToolbarBroker.exe
O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: CinemaNow Service - CinemaNow, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\CinemaNow\CinemaNow Media Manager\CinemanowSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: HP Health Check Service - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\hphc_service.exe
O23 - Service: HP Quick Synchronization Service (HPDrvMntSvc.exe) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\HPDrvMntSvc.exe
O23 - Service: hpqwmiex - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqwmiex.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: IS360service - IObit - C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
O23 - Service: ZoneAlarm Toolbar IswSvc (IswSvc) - Check Point Software Technologies - C:\Program Files\CheckPoint\ZAForceField\IswSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft Limited - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: McciCMService - Alcatel-Lucent - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: PDF Document Manager (pdfcDispatcher) - PDF Complete Inc - C:\Program Files (x86)\PDF Complete\pdfsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Returnil System Safe Core Service (RVSMONBL) - CJSC Returnil Software - C:\Program Files (x86)\Returnil\RVS3\rvsmon.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Soluto PCGenome Core Service (SolutoService) - Soluto - C:\Program Files\Soluto\SolutoService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SurveilStar Dump Service (SSWebDump) - Unknown owner - C:\Users\Sue\AppData\Local\Temp\is-980ED.tmp\SSWebDump.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: ThreatFire - PC Tools - C:\Program Files (x86)\ThreatFire\TFService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Check Point Software Technologies LTD - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 12718 bytes

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer

We apologize for the delay in responding to your request for help. Here at Bleeping Computer we get overwhelmed at times, and we are trying our best to keep up. Please note that your topic was not intentionally overlooked. Our mission is to help everyone in need, but sometimes it takes just a little longer to get to every request for help. No one is ignored here.

Please take note:

• If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know.
  
• If you are unable to create a log because your computer cannot start up successfully please provide detailed information about your installed Windows Operating System including the Version, Edition and if it is a 32bit or a 64bit system.
  
  • If you are unsure about any of these characteristics just post what you can and we will guide you.
  
  
• Please tell us if you have your original Windows CD/DVD available.
  
• If you are unable to perform the steps we have recommended please try one more time and if unsuccessful alert us of such and we will design an alternate means of obtaining the necessary information.
  
• If you have not done so, include a clear description of the problems you're having, along with any steps you may have performed so far.
  
• Upon completing the steps below another staff member will review your topic an do their best to resolve your issues.
  
• If you have already posted a DDS log, please do so again, as your situation may have changed.
  
• Use the 'Add Reply' and add the new log to this thread.

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan again:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links if you no longer have it available. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
    
  • DDS.pif
  
  
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
  
• A small box will open, with an explanation about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
  
• Notepad will open with the results.
  
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results.
  
• Close the program window, and delete the program from your desktop.

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet.

Information on A/V control HERE


We also need a new log from the GMER anti-rootkit Scanner.

Please note that if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows you will not be able to run GMER and you may skip this step.

Please first disable any CD emulation programs using the steps found in this topic:


Then create another GMER log and post it as an attachment to the reply where you post your new DDS log. Instructions on how to properly create a GMER log can be found here:



Thanks and again sorry for the delay.

Casey

Here are the logs as requested. By the way, thank you for taking the time to assist me. I appreciate it.

I rebooted my computer about an hour ago, due to programs and the task manager hanging up. I did note the error message I received for task manager:

"tskmgr.exe--The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)"

I have noticed the problem seems to start when my system has been running for several hours. If you need any additional information, please let me know. Thank you again. Peace.

Sue

Hello and sorry for the delay!

COMBOFIX
---------------
Please download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Bleepingcomputer
ForoSpyware

• Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. (Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive.)
  
• Double click on Combofix.exe and follow the prompts.
  
• As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.
  
• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, or if you are running Vista, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.



Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:



Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\Combofix.txt in your next reply.

I downloaded and tried to run ComboFix, but my computer was on overnight and was exhibiting the problems I described, and ComboFix wouldn't run past the loading progress bar. Before I rebooted my computer to try it again, I reran DDS. I thought that perhaps it would be helpful to have a log taken while the symptoms were present. I also got a screenshot of another symptom: If I try to download something after the computer has been on too long, the save screen won't let me choose a filename or change directories. The screenshot and DDS logs are attached. I will now try to run ComboFix again, and will post the results in another post. Thanks for your time.

Thank you for the additional information. If combofix will not run again, try to rename it to random.exe and/or try to run it from Safe mode with Networking.

Here's the ComboFix log. Thanks

How are things running at this point?

After the restart, everything behaves normally. I expect that if I leave the machine on all night, it will start acting up again. At least, that's been the routine. The ComboFix was performed after the restart, when the computer was acting normally again. The same is true about the first DDS logs. The second DDS logs were taken during the last malfunction, just prior to the reboot.

I'm assuming by your question you're not finding anything wrong. Unfortunately, ComboFix doesn't appear to run while the computer is malfunctioning. I've run all of my security software, and they all show no infections. I only bought this computer this year, so I imagine it may still be under warranty, but I can't go without it for that long. I am afraid the only alternative, if you are unable to identify the problem, would be to restore it to factory settings. Naturally, this is a route I would prefer not to take. So any thoughts you may have would be appreciated.

Thank you very much for taking time to address this aggravating problem. As they say here in Arkansas, "I appreciate you." Peace.

This post has been edited by Suziqar: 26 March 2011 - 05:12 AM

Can you please give it some time to see if it will act up again? If so, please let me know if the same problem occurs or if things have changed.

Will do. Thanks.

Okay, please keep me posted.

Yesterday afternoon, I restarted my system (it was behaving, but I had work to do and couldn't risk a lockup). During the boot process, Windows reported a disk error of some kind (I missed the exact wording.) I allowed it to continue with the automatic scan/repair process, then boot continued. I did not run into any further problems yesterday.

If you like, I can rerun the scans you requested earlier, to see if there has been any noticeable change. So far, everything is ok, but this has been an intermittent problem, so I'll wait a couple of days before I relax. By the way, I did clean up my temporary files using System Mechanic.

Anyway, let me know if I should run those scans, and thank you again for your time (and patience!) Peace.

Hi, glad to hear things are okay now.

Your version of Adobe reader is outdated. I recommend you to visit Adobe's site and download/install the latest version (Adobe Reader X). Older versions have known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malware.

UPDATE JAVA
------------------
Your version of Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malicious sites can use to exploit and infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 6 and save it to your desktop.
  
• Look for "JDK 6 Update 24 (JDK or JRE)".
  
• Click the "Download JRE" button to the right.
  
• Select your Platform: "Windows".
  
• Select your Language: "Multi-language".
  
• Read the License Agreement, and then check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
  
• Click Continue and the page will refresh.
  
• Under Required Files, check the box for Windows Offline Installation, click the link below it and save the file to your desktop.
  
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.

• Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
  
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button and follow the onscreen instructions for the Java uninstaller.
  
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
  
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u24-windows-i586.exe to install the newest version.
  
• If using Windows Vista and the installer refuses to launch due to insufficient user permissions, then Run As Administrator.
  
• When the Java Setup - Welcome window opens, click the Install > button.
  
• If offered to install a Toolbar, just uncheck the box before continuing unless you want it.

-- Starting with Java 6u10, the uninstaller incorporated in each new release uses Enhanced Auto update to automatically remove the previous version when updating to a later update release. It will not remove older versions, so they will need to be removed manually.
-- Java is updated frequently. If you want to be automatically notified of future updates, just turn on the Java Automatic Update feature and you will not have to remember to update when Java releases a new version.

Note: The Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. To disable the JQS service if you don't want to use it, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click Ok and reboot your computer.


ESET ONLINE SCANNER
----------------------------
I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

• Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
  ESET OnlineScan
  
• Click the button.
  
• For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
  • Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
    
  • Double click on the icon on your desktop.
  
  
• Check
  
• Click the button.
  
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
  
• Check
  
• Push the Start button.
  
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
  
• When the scan completes, push
  
• Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
  Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.
  
• Push the button.
  
• Push

It took a couple of hours, but here's the log. Thanks for your help.