BleepingComputer.com: ComboFix BSoD's during Combofix.txt writing

Hello BleepingComputer Community

I'm a pretty Technical Guy - and while recently fixing a friends system (removing viruses, malware etc), I downloaded and Ran - Combofix (being sure of course to name it.. something other then Combofix).

It went through stage 1.. 2.. 3.. 3b.. etc.. right up to 50.. -redrew the blue screen. - where i was informed.. not to run any other programs.. - the icons on the screen disappeared momentarily.. - then it said.. hey.. going to write the log file down. .in the root of C: drive. .- c:\combofix.txt - great - seen it before.. standard practice.. - all cool

POOOF ! .. - BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) appears momentarily on screen.. and system reboots..

Jumped into safe mode (with networking) .. ran through combofix again.. - this time.. it let me go thru all the 50 stages.. and WROTE the file down.. - no problems.. no BSoD

..any thoughts.. - suggestions..?

Thank You

This post has been edited by hamluis: 06 April 2011 - 03:14 PM
Reason for edit: Moved from XP forum to AV, Firewall.

...Just passing through...

Could be anything. Run BlueScreenView and let us know what it says: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluescreenview.zip

As a general policy, Bleeping Computer does not offer advice on how to run ComboFix unless we asked someone to run it or if there is a problem with the computer caused by running the tool. This is because people should not be using ComboFix without being advised to do so by a trained expert (i.e. Malware Response Team) who is assisting a member deal a malware issue on that system. When issues arise due to complex malware infections, possible false detections, problems running ComboFix or with other security tools causing conflicts, experts are usually aware of them and can advise what should or should not be done while providing individual assistance. When false detections are identified, experts have access to the developer and can report them so he can investigate, confirm and make corrections. Those attempting to use ComboFix on their own do not have such information and are at risk when running the tool in an unsupervised environment.

Further, using ComboFix is only one part of the disinfection process. Preliminary scans from other tools like DDS, RSIT and GMER should be used first because they provide comprehensive logs with specific details about files, folders and registry keys which may have been modified by malware infection. Analysis of those logs allows planning an strategy for effective disinfection and a determination if using ComboFix is necessary. ComboFix was never meant to be used as a general purpose malware scanner like SuperAntispyware or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware which scan individual drives or different folders on a computer for viruses. Please read the pinned topic ComboFix usage, Questions, Help? - Look here.

With that said, there are circumstances ComboFix will hang, crash or stall at various stages due to malware interference, failure to disable other real-time protection tools or the presence of CD Emulators (Daemon Tools, Alchohol 120%, Astroburn, AnyDVD) so that it does not complete successfully. Also, depending on how badly a system is infected, ComboFix may take longer to complete its routine than it normally does or fail to run properly. While that is not normal behavior, it is not unusual. In such cases, it is helpful to know at what stage CF stalled/crashed and to provide that information to the Helper who is assisting you so they can investigate. This is just another reason why you should only use ComboFix under supervision.

If you need assistance with a malware infection, please read the "Preparation Guide".

• If you cannot complete a step, then skip it and continue with the next.
  
• In Step 7 there are instructions for downloading and running DDS which will create a Pseudo HJT Report as part of its log.
  
• When you have done that, post your log in the Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs forum, NOT here, for assistance by the Malware Response Team Experts.

Hello,

Now that you have posted a log here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic389985.html you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a MRT Team member, nor should you ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show in the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.

From this point on the MRT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the MRT Team members are EXTREMELY busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the MRT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another MRT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

Please be patient. It may take several days to get a response but your log will be reviewed and answered as soon as possible. I advise checking your topic once a day for responses as the e-mail notification system is unreliable.

To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic. Good luck with your log.

Orange Blossom