Another "Warning! Your Computer is Infected with Spyware" Situation

Show us a Hijackthis log.
Download Hijackthis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download

Open Hijackthis, click "Do a system scan and save a logfile" don't fix anything yet.
Please attach the logfile as "Code Snippet".


Or use either one of these tools below.
Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop. check for Updates before scanning.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Download SmitfraudFix, and select Option 2. Clean (Safe mode recommended)
http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php

How to use SDFix.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic131299.html

Iqmontqo,

Thanks for your speedy response.  Unfortunately, as stated in my question, the problem has preceded  from simply having the pop-up appear to only receiving a blank, black screen when I power on my computer, so downloading or doing anything else is beyond my current capabilities.  Is there some way  to access my computer from a blank screen?  I mentioned I'm a technical dummy.

FYI, I have the latest versions of Ad-Aware and Spybot installed and run them occasionally.  In addition, I have Webroot Spy Sweeper installed, as well as Max Registry cleaner and Evidence Eliminater.  My virus protection is the McAfee security package offered for free from my Internet provider - Comcast.  

Something I forgot to state in my question...  After the pop-up appeared and before it (I assume) began shutting down my computer's capabilities,  I ran the latest versions of Ad-Aware and Spybot, but no help.  I attempted to run a virus scan, but received a message that my version of McAfee needed to be verified.  Attempts to "verify" over the web produced a message from McAfee that I had the latest version - an endless loop.  I ran Max Registry cleaner.  Received feedback that risky files were present, but when I tried to delete them, I received a message that I needed to register the product to do so.  The product had been registered and paid for some time ago - another endless loop.  And, I noticed the Evidence Eliminator icon had disappeared from my system tray.  Has this thing developed a brain, or what?

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback, but my a solution to my situation remains a mystery.

rpqqamergirl,

Thanks for the feedback.  Please see my response to Iqmontqo for my inability to respond to your recommendations.  I now get a blank screen when I power on my computer and, frankly, don't know where to go from there.  Any ideas?

Yea, unfortunately a lot of this stuff has too much of a brain.

At this point I generally ask 2 questions. First, is there anything on your computer that you would not want to loose? Second, do you have access to a second computer?

The reason I ask is that it is, at this point, probably going to be best to reload everything from scratch. This would involve formatting your hard drive and reloading Windows and all of your software. If you have any data that you want to save, like documents or pictures, we will need to find a way to save them first.

The second computer comes in play if you want to (A) try to get rid of the problem, although it is not going to be likely in my opinion, and (B) the second computer can be used to gain access to any data that you want to save.

To my helpers out there...

It just dawned on me that I should explain that I am communicating via my laptop computer wihich is NOT my infected desktop computer.

It would've been better if you came here when the first symptom appeared. As sometimes running those generic programs can do more harm than good with some infections. Sometimes running an antivirus or other scanners can render the pc unbootable whereas if using a specialize tool would've helped.

Can the pc boot properly into safe mode?
* Restart your computer
* After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually;
* Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu with options should appear;
* Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode, then press "Enter".
* Choose your usual account.

Okay so no choices which mode? just blank screen straightaway when powered on?
Then you would need to try the Recovery Console, do you still have your windows CD?

jgmontgo,

Bad news, but doable if you are willing to work me through the process - can't stress enough my technical IN-capabilities.  I have an early client meeting tomorrow morning about a hundred miles from here, so will need to refocus myself onto preparation and sleep at this point, but would like to pursue whatever will resolve this situation even if the resolution means a "cleaned" computer.   Also, would like the same opinion from rpqqamergirl (if you're are still out there) .  Though an effectively dead computer would indicate a drastic solution, a second opinion is always welcome and not a criticism.  I'll again be available tomorrow afternoon or evening,

rpggamergirl:

Regarding safe mode...  Upon restart of computer, no beep, just get blank screen and an hour glass that lasts about 3 seconds and disappears.   Regarding Windows CD...  I have not been able to locate it (don't you just love users like me?).  The computer came with the operating system already loaded.  It would seem that it would also be provided on CD.  I'll investigate further when I get home tomorrow, but preliminary search has not turned up anything.

Was there ever a beep when the computer started up in the past?

If you are unable to locate the restore media, or Windows disk, you may be able to get a replacement from Sony.

It sounds like the blank screen thing might be caused by a screensaver.  This malware seems to install that BSOD screensaver and it might in this case be causing a black screen instead.

Try rebooting your machine and hitting F8 repeatedly - it might work to get you into safe mode, it might not.

Dosen't sound like a screen saver at all but, jahboite did spur on a thought. I reread your original descripton and I see mention of the Windows "Preparing to Standby" message. So lets look at one thing really quick:

1. Unplug the computer's power cord then plug it back in 
2. Attempt to boot the computer 
3. Let us know what happens 

I woudl not expect this to resolve the issue, but I would expect a change in the symptoms. I am thinking that we are dealing with a number of compounded issues. In any case it will be notable if the symptoms change or stay the same.

Jon

jgmontgo and rpggamergirl,

Sorry, I have not been responsive recently - business travel.  I decided this had gone on long enough.  I ordered a system recovery DVD from Sony, but wasn't home to apply it until this past weekend.  So, my desktop is recovered, up and running fine.  Immediately installed latest version of the Comcast-provided McAfee Security Center and downloaded and ran SpyBot  - no hits as expected.  

FYI, I also downloaded a paid version of Max Registry Cleaner again.  Ran it and got over 300 hits on my clean computer - uninstalled it and issued a complaint to the company.

Anyway, the loss of my applications and data on this computer was acceptable (Grrrrrr).  Had this happened to my other desktop or my laptop, I would have been in deep trouble.  Have now learned the hard way to actually apply best practices.  Rescue/recovery disks have now been produced for all computers and I have a schedule posted to periodically refresh them.

Thanks so much for your assistance.  It's comforting to know that you are out there...

Experts were very helpful.  Problem was an expanding virus that I had let go without attempting to repair well beyond the point of correction being possible.  So, a solution wasn't reached and I had to recover my system, but the assistance was comforting, quick, and appreciated.

You are definitely welcome.