Have a bit of a problem here today. I got m.exe from a usb drive today, and now I have some issues. I cannot run hijackthis (it immediately closes) nor access any websites that have information on this problem. Whatever it is that I have is also blocking Malwarebytes' anti-malware too.

I tried renaming hijackthis and running in safe-mode. Neither worked. I have the same symptoms while trying to run process explorer too. I am at my wits end.

BTW, I am running Win XP.

Doesn't sound good, can you run malwarebytes from safe mode?

Try this:


Download Dr.Web CureIt to the desktop:
ftp://ftp.drweb.com/pub/drweb/cureit/drweb-cureit.exe

* Doubleclick the drweb-cureit.exe file and Allow to run the express scan
* This will scan the files currently running in memory and when something is found, click the yes button when it asks you if you want to cure it. This is only a short scan.
* Once the short scan has finished, mark the drives that you want to scan.
* Select all drives. A red dot shows which drives have been chosen.
* Click the green arrow at the right, and the scan will start.
* Click 'Yes to all' if it asks if you want to cure/move the file.
* When the scan has finished, look if you can click next icon next to the files found:

* If so, click it and then click the next icon right below and select Move incurable as you'll see in next image:


This will move it to the %userprofile%\DoctorWeb\quarantaine-folder if it can't be cured. (this in case if we need samples)
* After selecting, in the Dr.Web CureIt menu on top, click file and choose save report list
* Save the report to your desktop. The report will be called DrWeb.csv
* Close Dr.Web Cureit.
* Reboot your computer!! Because it could be possible that files in use will be moved/deleted during reboot.
* After reboot, post the contents of the log from Dr.Web you saved previously in your next reply. You can use Notepad to open the DrWeb.cvs report.


This might work for hijackthis:

Copy/paste the following text into a new Notepad document. Make sure that you have one blank line at the end of the document as shown in the quoted text.

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\RunOnceEx\000]"HJT"="HijackThis.exe"

Save it to your desktop as HJT.reg. Save it as :
File Type: All Files (not as a text document or it wont work).
Name: HJT.reg

Locate HJT.reg on your desktop and double-click it. When asked if you want to merge with the registry, click YES. Wait for the merged successfully prompt.

Reboot your computer. HijackThis will open just before your Desktop loads, hopefully

Thanks, Neal. Marvelous advice.

I wasn't able to run anything (malwarebytes, HJT, ProcessexplorerNT, etc) from Safe Mode.

I was able to run Dr. Web Cureit with success. The log is here:

acabcfedbaebaef.dll;c:\windows\system32;Probably DLOADER.Trojan;Incurable.Moved.;


After a system reboot, I was able to successfully run HJT. The HJT Log is here:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:42:26 AM, on 1/30/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)

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\ibmpmsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\FortiSslvpnDaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\RegMgr\iviRegMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\Mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\VsTskMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\IoctlSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
c:\windows\system32\slclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\tvt_reg_monitor_svc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\TPHDEXLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\tvtsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ccmsetup\ccmsetup.exe
c:\program files\lenovo\system update\suservice.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskswitch.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\SHSTAT.EXE
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\udaterui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\McTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\KHAL2\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\j_wilson\thumbdrive_1\SUPPORT_CD\hijackthis\Hij ackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = Yahoo!
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: DDSMEkl - {2502BBD0-D73B-11DD-B4EC-CEBF56D89593} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DLA\DLASHX_W.DLL
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_14\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.0.926.3450\sw g.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CoolSwitch] C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskswitch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ShStatEXE] "C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\SHSTAT.EXE" /STANDALONE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\udaterui.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_14\bin\npjpi150_14.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_14\bin\npjpi150_14.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.<deleted for privacy>.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.<deleted for privacy>.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.<deleted for privacy>.com
O16 - DPF: {230C3D02-DA27-11D2-8612-00A0C93EEA3C} (SAXFile FileUpload ActiveX Control) - https://secure.constructware.com/Fil...ns/saxfile.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind...?1186603009406
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1190315667312
O16 - DPF: {74FFE28D-2378-11D5-990C-006094235084} (IBM Access Support) - http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/IbmEgath.cab
O16 - DPF: {B0882EB7-81A5-4A11-8D45-71888F973933} (fortisslvpn Class) - https://<deleted for privacy>.<deleted for privacy>.com:10443/sslvpn.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {F8C41CBF-721F-4B99-9FC8-2F8077C4AD39} (BravaClientXView 5.2 Class) - https://drawing.constructware.com/IGC/BravaClientX.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = <deleted for privacy>.com
O17 - HKLM\Software\..\Telephony: DomainName = <deleted for privacy>.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = <deleted for privacy>.com
O18 - Protocol: ms-help - {314111C7-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807563E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE12\MSOXMLMF.DL L
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: LBTWlgn - c:\program files\common files\logishrd\bluetooth\LBTWlgn.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: psfus - C:\WINDOWS\system32\psqlpwd.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: tpfnf2 - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\notifyf2.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: tphotkey - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\tphklock.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: ccmsetup - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ccmsetup\ccmsetup.exe" /runservice /config:MobileClient.tcf (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: FortiSslvpnDaemon - Fortinet Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\FortiSslvpnDaemon.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkPad PM Service (IBMPMSVC) - Lenovo - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ibmpmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: IviRegMgr - InterVideo - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\RegMgr\iviRegMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\Bluetooth\LBTServ.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe" /ServiceStart (file missing)
O23 - Service: McAfee McShield (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Manager (McTaskManager) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\VsTskMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: PLFlash DeviceIoControl Service - Prolific Technology Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\IoctlSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\HPZipm1 2.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUPnPRenderer9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUpnpService9.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 9 (RoxLiveShare9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare9.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9 (RoxWatch9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch9.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptLogic Service (SLClient) - ScriptLogic Software Corporation - c:\windows\system32\slclient.exe
O23 - Service: System Update (SUService) - Lenovo Group Limited - c:\program files\lenovo\system update\suservice.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkVantage Registry Monitor Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\tvt_reg_monitor_svc.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkPad HDD APS Logging Service (TPHDEXLGSVC) - Lenovo. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\TPHDEXLG.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Scheduler - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\tvtsched.exe

/log

For some reason after all of this, Windows is now telling me that my active desktop has been disabled.

As a general note, I should advise that my Antivirus Software (McAfee) was able to detect my infection from the outset; however, it was not able to pick-up the root cause of my inability to view websites that referenced HJT or even run HJT itself. Not trusting McAfee, I attempted to run HJT to see if anything else had changed, and the inability to run HJT alone was the symptom that prompted my post here.

Neal, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Search after search for information failed to yield any result; subsequently, I had great difficulty resolving my problem, and your assistance is the only thing that saved my hind end. Kudos, sir.

Run hijackthis and click on "scan system only" button and put checks next to these:


O2 - BHO: DDSMEkl - {2502BBD0-D73B-11DD-B4EC-CEBF56D89593} - (no file)





Please close ALL browser windows (including this one).

Everything closed out but hijackthis and click on "fix checked"


Reboot your PC


For desktop issues try this:

How to enable / disable windows active desktop.