Re: Malicious Software Removal Tool

PA Bear:

I looked into the page you pointed me to . . . I am happy, except as noted
below *.

I plan to do the format/install. . . . I hope you have time to answer a
couple of quickies?

1. What do you think about using SP3 instead of SP2?
There are ~100 update downloads from SP2, and there was an issue with
getting these updates . . .

2. Do you think I can create a slipstream CD with XP/SP3?

*I am sure about my computer firewall being on, and my McAffee virus program
was on. I need to check on the firewall situation with my router. I have been
told that I am safe, as I am running a router (for wireless) off of a cable
modem - though I am using WEP (128), which I hear is not as good as WPA.

Regards,
Tim


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

Reposting the most important part of my last reply:

After doing the Repair Install (or even a format & reinstall), did you
take
care of /everything/ on the following web-page before otherwise
connecting
the machine to the internet (to, e.g., browse; check email; chat;
download)? => http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

If you did NOT, I'd recommend another format & reinstall, Tim, and taking
care of everything on that web-page before doing anything else. You should
be an old hand at it by now. <eg>
--
~PA Bear

Tim wrote:
I have seen/read your posts in the last week of my largely self-induced PC
turmoil . . . My experience would no doubt serve as a good case study on
why one should not accept what is written on the web, even when it seems
to
be a common opinion.

I think the following is more than you wanted to see . . ..

This whole thing started with me trying to fix the following problem:

It took ~15 seconds to access "My Computer" or "Save As" items. Though
this
has been the case for some time, it recently became a particular burden.

My attempts to fix this problem started with web searches. Unfortunately,
I
followed a path that took me to the point where my computer (T60) would
not
boot. I did not start logging my actions until a couple of days ago, and I
don't have a clear recollection of my late-night/poor choices. I do
remember
it started with accepting suggestions about Services (the starting point
was
disabling DCOM) and copying files (replacing files that may have been
corrupted). I have a second T60 configured in almost the same way as my
primary T60. So, I
used some files from that machine. That apparently was not wise. (Though
the second T60 was very useful over the past week.)

Another set of actions surrounded my trying to do a chkdsk - the
'well-known' (no to me) issue of XP and SATA drives. My actions trying to
get this done also helped lead me to the bottom of the pit.

Unfortunately, one of my actions was to shut off "system restore" . . .
which limited my 'downstream' options.

(Note also that the interaction between MS system support software and the
vendor supplied Thinkvantage software confused me.)

My primary T60 contains 'my life' wrt communications and documents for the
last half a dozen years (rolled forward my files during yearly computer
upgrades). I do have backups. I also made a copy (xcopyi) of my drive to a
usb HD.

After several days on this issue, I ended up learning (at least following
along) how to create a BARTPE.

I took a 'snapshot' of the drive. I then installed XP and SP2. After I
realized the amount of effort it would take to get back to where I was in
terms of software and connectivity, I decided to take big action - I
reformatted the HD and reloaded the snapshot.

I then did the slipstream repair install of XP SP2.

Again, I don't have a good log - I started logging at about the time of my
snaphot restore - but the above is how I remember things.

(I don't think I left any window open for malicious software to get on the
computer. I think one of the issues with the first SP2 install is that I
forgot to disable the virus software. )

I am paranoid, and the computer was shutting down at random times, so I
ran
all of the scans I mentioned in my previous post. (In practice, I scan
daily.)

I bookmarked the page you pointed me to, for future reference. Looks like
good info. (I am one of those guys who used to have IT support . . . ) I
was using the other T60 for most interactions with the e-world.

Regards,
Tim


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
What "issues" necessitated a Repair Install in the first place? Have you
considered a format & reinstall?

After doing the Repair Install (or even a format & reinstall), did you
take
care of /everything/ on the following web-page before otherwise
connecting
the machine to the internet (to, e.g., browse; check email; chat;
download)? => http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html
--
~PA Bear

Tim wrote:
Jerry, David:

Jerry is correct. After going through the repair install fiasco (mostly
through my own issues), I wanted to make sure that nothing had crept
into
my
system. I did a virus scan, a Spybot scan, a Adaware scan, a Defender
scan,
land a MRT (this is apparently the acronym used) quick scan.

Though those passed, with the usual many minor (cookie and MRU) issues
and
a
couple of firewall issues detected by Spybot, which I attribute to my
attempt to do a SP2 install after my first repair install of XP. So, I
ran
full scans using a command line execution once; however, I also used a
'double-click execution' once.

Note that I omitted a perhaps important point the background information
I
provided in my opening post: After the second, slipstreamp-based repair
install, the computer shut down a couple of times. It seemed to
stabilize
after doing some work on "Thinkvatage" software - reinstalls.

But these random shutdowns made me concerned that malicious code had
been
introduced during the episode.

BTW: I received an email notification that my opening post had been
replied
to; however, the link provided did not open a page. Is there something I
need to do to get such links to work? No instructions were included in
the
email.

This is the first time I have ever done a post in this (or any)
community
.
. .

Regards,
Tim


"Jerry" wrote:

If he's running it Full Scan he probably downloaded it and is running
it
from his machine directly.

"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in message
news:%238uFt6FlIHA.5396@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: "Tim" <Tim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Please let me know if there is a more appropriate discussion forum
for
this question.

Is there a maximum number of files that MSRT will check?

I ask this because on two occasions now, my display has gone
'unretrievably black' (HD still being accessed) afer about 2.5 hours
of
MSRT execution (Full Scan). I noticed on the second scan that there
were
almost a million files processed. After 'doing something else for a
bit', I found the situation described above (for the second time).

Background:
I have just done a repair install of XP SP2 on a T60. Actually, this
was
after doing an XP repair install, and messing up an SP2 upgrade. I
then
did the XP SP2 repair install using a slipstream CD. Nice. Next
time,
I
will try to add drivers; e.g., for the XP SATA 'issue'.

Regards,
Tim

Tim:

Are your running the MRT from command line or are you just obtaining
it
through Auto Updates
?

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp


.

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