Spyware or Virus?

[goodgameral]

Hi guys. I'm staying at my cousin's house, and have been fixing up their computers. One had a really bad spyware problem. The other computer however, had a strange problem. After it booted up, it would go to Windows log-on, and then sign in, however, once it booted-up, it would show the background, and that was it. I've faced similar problems, so I did ctrl+alt+ dlte and ran some programs. The internet still worked and I was able to download Ewido, Spybot, and Ad-Aware. I ran all the scans, however, once they all completed (400+ spyware found) I restarted and it still wouldn't go past the background again. I haven't run a virus scan yet, but it's only because it has Norton.

Any ideas?

BTW- I didn't see any processes that looked too out of the ordinary however, idk many names of virus/spyware processes.

Thanks,
GGA

[bigc73542]

And what is wrong with doing a scan with Norton??

[WSFuser]

besides running a virus scan using norton, id also try defragging the disk and using a registry cleaner.

[goodgameral]

Ok... When I try to run Norton it says that it won;'t scan because the subscription expired. When I try to uninstall it, it says some crap that I know Norton doesn't actually say. SO there is something screwed up that's messin up with Norton. I'm gonna try installing PC-Cillin cuz I could find it online and also because it says it can uninstall Norton. I'm figurin this might help with it. I can tell there's some real pest on that computer, just don't know what.

Also, is there a free Registry Cleaner that really works good?

[SwordOfSecurity]

{QUOTE-> Ok... When I try to run Norton it says that it won;'t scan because the subscription expired. When I try to uninstall it, it says some crap that I know Norton doesn't actually say. SO there is something screwed up that's messin up with Norton. I'm gonna try installing PC-Cillin cuz I could find it online and also because it says it can uninstall Norton. I'm figurin this might help with it. I can tell there's some real pest on that computer, just don't know what.

Also, is there a free Registry Cleaner that really works good? <-QUOTE}


try uninstalling norton through control panel, and if that doesnt work, go to the official symantec site, because they have methods & tools used to remove almost all of norton antivirus traces on your computer (simply uninstalling with control panel doesnt remove everything).

answering to your other question, a good free registry cleaner would probably be CCleaner since it can backup your registry files before you delete anything (so you don't mess up your computer big time) and is also great for cleaning other junk left on your computer (temp files, etc.)

also, viruses can tend to mess around with the install and uninstall of AV's so i think you should do an online scan that can remove viruses that are on your computer if norton can't find/remove them. a list of a few can be found here: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=120287

[NAMOR]

This one works on all Norton 2004/2005/2006 products.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

[YeOldeStonecat]

Sounds like Explorer is hung, or something loading...

If you can only see a blank desktop...you can still bring up regedit via the task manager, get to the Run sections of HKLU and HKLM...looks for bad guys and kill them.

If you have access to another PC with a good antivirus...take out the HD of this problem machine, slave it in, and run a scan.

Or if you can get her online with a browser..get to Kapersky and TrendMicro..run some online scans there...

[Kielty]

{QUOTE->
Also, is there a free Registry Cleaner that really works good? <-QUOTE}


Try RegSupreme by macecraft.. fully functional for 30 days, excellent program.

http://www.macecraft.com/

[goodgameral]

Thanks guys, but the online scans wouldn't load for somer reason, also, I left sunday afternoon. But all help I will forward to them.
Thanks!