i have scanned with spybot and ad-aware and they are reading clean. every day though, they continue to find about a zillion problems which are constantly reappearing after they've been cleaned. i'm sure the log is self-explanatory... i'm just not too bright.

thanks in advance for your help.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 6:39:58 PM, on 12/31/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\mhrjcif.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\secure.exe
C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
C:\Program Files\Pinnwg\Xhcyx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss32.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM+\AIM+.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\POPUPS~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AIM95\aim.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\James\LOCALS~1\Temp\qWfZdo.exe
C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\James\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?app...DQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?app...DQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?app...DQ6NTo5&Terms=
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.friendster.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?app...DQ6NTo5&Terms=
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?app...DQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = 24.34.240.9:8000
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.*.*.*;<local>
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - _{1C78AB3F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - _{20EC3D2D-33C1-4C9D-BC37-C2D500688DA2} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - SOFTWARE - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: ohb - {285B5CCD-C3F0-4EB6-9632-7D0A3C3AF824} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hsrb.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IE Update Class - {5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\sysupd.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMTray] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QCn1bYdkj] C:\WINDOWS\mhrjcif.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [secure] C:\WINDOWS\System32\secure.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Admilli Service] C:\Program Files\Admilli Service\AdmilliServ.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Search] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ffis] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Wowyzoiy] C:\Program Files\Pinnwg\Xhcyx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UsbD] C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Win Comm] C:\Program Files\Win Comm\WinComm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IST Service] C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] "C:\Program Files\AIM+\AIM+.exe" -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperProfessional] "C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\POPUPS~1.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: AOL Instant Messenger (SM) - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\AIM95\aim.exe
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {1C78AB3F-A857-482E-80C0-3A1E5238A565} - http://toolbar.isearch.com/general/drm.cab
O16 - DPF: {4C39376E-FA9D-4349-BACC-D305C1750EF3} (EPUImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/wl/acti...l_v1-0-3-9.cab
O16 - DPF: {99802379-7362-40E2-9D28-8A3B9AF880B7} - http://hotsearchbar.com/toolbar2/winhot32.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://utu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader_v5.cab
O18 - Filter: text/html - {950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\mfiltis.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: ZESOFT - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\zeta.exe (file missing)

Close all browser windows, restart Hijack This and put a checkmark next to the following entries:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ap...ODQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ap...ODQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ap...ODQ6NTo5&Terms=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ap...ODQ6NTo5&Terms=
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ap...ODQ6NTo5&Terms=
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - _{1C78AB3F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - _{20EC3D2D-33C1-4C9D-BC37-C2D500688DA2} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - SOFTWARE - (no file)
O2 - BHO: ohb - {285B5CCD-C3F0-4EB6-9632-7D0A3C3AF824} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hsrb.dll
O2 - BHO: IE Update Class - {5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\sysupd.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QCn1bYdkj] C:\WINDOWS\mhrjcif.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [secure] C:\WINDOWS\System32\secure.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Admilli Service] C:\Program Files\Admilli Service\AdmilliServ.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Search] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ffis] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Wowyzoiy] C:\Program Files\Pinnwg\Xhcyx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UsbD] C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Win Comm] C:\Program Files\Win Comm\WinComm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IST Service] C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe
O16 - DPF: {1C78AB3F-A857-482E-80C0-3A1E5238A565} - http://toolbar.isearch.com/general/drm.cab
O16 - DPF: {99802379-7362-40E2-9D28-8A3B9AF880B7} - http://hotsearchbar.com/toolbar2/winhot32.cab
O18 - Filter: text/html - {950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\mfiltis.dll
O23 - Service: ZESOFT - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\zeta.exe (file missing)

Click Fix Checked

Then boot into Safe Mode and ensure that you are showing Hidden Files and Folders.

Delete the following files and folders:
C:\WINDOWS\isrvs
C:\WINDOWS\mhrjcif.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\secure.exe
C:\Program Files\Admilli Service
C:\Program Files\Pinnwg\Xhcyx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss32.exe
C:\Program Files\Win Comm
C:\Program Files\ISTsvc

Reboot and post a fresh log

Neither the "Admilli service" folder or the "win comm" folder were in the program files when I checked. Other than that, I followed instructions exactly

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 5:26:34 PM, on 1/1/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM+\AIM+.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\POPUPS~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AIM95\aim.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\James\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.friendster.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = 24.34.240.9:8000
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.*.*.*;<local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IE Update Class - {5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\sysupd.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMTray] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Search] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ffis] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IST Service] C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] "C:\Program Files\AIM+\AIM+.exe" -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperProfessional] "C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\POPUPS~1.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: AOL Instant Messenger (SM) - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\AIM95\aim.exe
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {4C39376E-FA9D-4349-BACC-D305C1750EF3} (EPUImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/wl/acti...l_v1-0-3-9.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://utu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader_v5.cab
O18 - Filter: text/html - {950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\mfiltis.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe

Close all browser windows, restart Hijack This and put a checkmark next to the following entries:

O2 - BHO: IE Update Class - {5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\sysupd.dll (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Search] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ffis] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IST Service] C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe
O18 - Filter: text/html - {950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\mfiltis.dll

Click Fix Checked

Then boot into Safe Mode and ensure that you are showing Hidden Files and Folders.

Delete the following files and folders:
C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
C:\Program Files\ISTsvc

Reboot and post a fresh log