Question

I cannot run Malwarebytes,Hijackthis,SDFix, etc. Hourglass flashes and that's it?

Asked by: Munchkin120

Computer has been acting up, ran a virus scan and found windows\system32\drivers\svchost.exe was infected with "vmalum.ekgf". I had to go to safe mode, but did delete the file. I can't get Malwarebytes,Hijackthis, or anything else to open. When I log on the Internet I'm pretty much stuck at the google page? How can I fix anything when I can't them to run?

This Question has been solved and asker verified All Experts Exchange premium technology solutions are available to subscription members.

Subscribe now for full access to Experts Exchange and get

Instant Access to this Solution

  • Plus...
  • 30 Day FREE access, no risk, no obligation
  • Collaborate with the world's top tech experts
  • Unlimited access to our exclusive solution database
  • Never be left without tech help again

Subscribe Now

Asked On
2009-01-13 at 14:23:18ID24049356
Tags

Virus

,

Google

,

Vmalum.ehgf

Topics

Anti-Virus

,

Network Software Firewalls

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
6
Points
300
Comments
20

Trusted by hundreds of thousands everyday for fast, accurate and reliable tech support.

  • "The time we save is the biggest benefit of Experts Exchange to Warner Bros. What could take multiple guys 2 hours or more each to find is accessed in around 15 minutes on Experts Exchange." Mike Kapnisakis, Warner Bros.
  • "Our team likes having a resource that is more secure than just using Google and most experts using this service really know their stuff. It's nice to look here first versus using Google." Dayna Sellner, Lockheed Martin
  • "Anytime that I've been stumped with a problem, 9 out of 10 times Experts Exchange has either the accepted solution or an open discussion of the potential solution to the problem." Kenny Red, eBay Inc.

See what Experts Exchange can do for you.

Got a question?

We've got the answer.

Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Need individual assistance?

Our experts are ready to help.

If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Want to learn from the best?

Read articles from industry experts.

Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.

Screenshot of an Article

Working on a long term project?

Store your work and research.

Save solutions to your questions, answers you’ve discovered through searching plus helpful articles in your personal knowledgebase for easy future access.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Access the answers to your technology questions today.

Subscribe Now

30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.

What Makes Experts Exchange Unique?

Members of the expert community talk about why the experience at Experts Exchange is different than what you will find anywhere else.

Trusted by the world's most respected brands.

image of each brand's logo

Faithfully serving IT professionals since 1996.

Experts Exchange Logo

Try it out and discover for yourself.

Subscribe Now

30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.

Related Solutions

  1. HijackThis log
    Can someone tell me if anything from this hijackthis log needs to be removed? Even with firewall and anti-virus running I still got hit with adware and a virus. I already removed kernels32.exe from a previous hijackthis log and ran ad-aware in safe mode. But I'm still having ...
  2. Hijackthis logfile
    My pc at work is going really slow and is giving a lot of errors. I run hijackthis.exe. Below I pasted the logfile. Can anyone help me t explain if there are some errors here? Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.0 (BETA) Scan saved at 12:30:31, on 13-06-2007 Platform: Win...
  3. HijackThis: smitfraud?
    rpggamergirl recently gave a solution to a fellow with a smitfraud problem that sounds just like mine. I was about to follow her instructions but thought I should post my own HijackThis log to be sure I'm not jumping to conclusions. I think the problem is in the Video Activ...

Free Tech Articles

  1. WARNING: 5 Reasons why you should NEVER fix a computer for free.
    It is in our nature to love the puzzle. We are obsessed. The lot of us. We love puzzles. We love the challenge. We thrive on finding the answer. We hate disarray. It bothers us deep in our soul. W...
  2. SCCM OSD Basic troubleshooting
    SCCM 2007 OSD is a fantastic way to deploy operating systems, however, like most things SCCM issues can sometimes be difficult to resolve due to the sheer volume of logs to sift through and the dispe...
  3. Migrate Small Business Server 2003 to Exchange 2010 and Windows 2008 R2
    This guide is intended to provide step by step instructions on how to migrate from Small Business Server 2003 to Windows 2008 R2 with Exchange 2010. For this migration to work you will need the fo...
  4. Create a Win7 Gadget
    This article shows you how to create a simple "Gadget" -- a sort of mini-application supported by Windows 7 and Vista. Gadgets can be dropped anywhere on the desktop to provide instant information, ...
  5. Outlook continually prompting for username and password
    There have been a lot of questions recently regarding Outlook prompting for a username and password whilst using Exchange 2007. There are a few reasons why this would happen and I will try to cover t...
  6. Backup Exchange 2010 Information Store using Windows Backup
    There seems to be quite a lot of confusion around the ability to backup Exchange 2010 using the built in Windows Backup feature. This stems from the omission of this feature prior to Exchange 2007 s...

Cloud Class Webinars

  1. Avoiding Bugs in Microsoft Access
    Alison Balter takes and in-depth look at avoiding bugs in Access. In this webinar you will learn about using the immediate window to debug your applications, invoking the debugger, using breakpoints to troubleshoot, stepping through code, setting the next statement to execute, ...
  2. Top 10 Best New Features in Visio 2010
    Scott Helmers gives live demonstrations of the top 10 new features in Visio 2010. This webinar will teach you how to create compelling diagrams by adding shapes to the page with a single click, linking the shapes in a diagram to data in Excel (or SQL Server, or SharePoint), ...
  3. IT Consultant Business Secrets Revealed
    Michael Munger, Experts Exchange tech pro and IT consultant, pulls back the curtain on his very successful businesses and answers question on every IT consultant and business owner should know about. He shares secrets on what he did to solve the 5 most common problems in IT, ...
  4. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
    Quest CTO, Mike Billon, gives an overview of the steps involved in building a dunamic disaster recovery plan. Through case studies and an examination of software/hardware tooles for monitoring and testing, you'll gain a better understandin of where you are, where you want ...
  5. Organize Your Visio Diagrams with Containers and Lists
    Scott Helmers uses cross functional flowcharts, wireframe diagrams, data graphic legends and seating charts to teach you: how to ustilize all three new structured diagram components in Visio 2010, the best practices for organizeing shapes in previous version of Visio, how to organize ...
  6. How to Us Objects, Properties, Events and Methods in Microsoft Access
    Alison Dalter gives an in-depbth look at objects, properties, events and methods in Microsoft Access. In this webinar you will learn about using the object browser, referring to objects, working with properties and methods, working with object variables, understanding the ...

Join the Community

Give a Little. Get a Lot.

Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.

Join the Community

Answers

 

by: greyknight17Posted on 2009-01-13 at 14:49:33ID: 23368202

You will need to rename them first. So delete all those programs you downloaded. Download them again, but this time before you even save them, rename them to something like MBMunchkin120.exe, HJTMunchkin120.exe and SDMunchkin120.exe.

Run Malwabytes' first and then SDFix. Run HijackThis last and post that log here when ready.

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-13 at 15:00:38ID: 23368305

Those programs were not downloaded, but copied from my machine via USB. I can get to download.com and get Malwarebytes which I am downloading now, And I can get Hijackthis from there too I believe. I am renaming before downloading. Would that also work if I rename before copying over?

  Thanks In Advance for your time and patience!!

 

by: QlemoPosted on 2009-01-13 at 15:07:55ID: 23368378

Yes, I had to rename the execs only. I could NOT download the files on infected PC, because of TDS rootkit (which intercepts DNS queries).

 

by: greyknight17Posted on 2009-01-13 at 15:20:12ID: 23368493

Yes, you can rename before copying over. That would work as well. There was a TDS removal tool created. Need to find that and see if that still targets this infection.

 

by: MPCP-BrianPosted on 2009-01-13 at 15:47:15ID: 23368689

All you have to do is make a copy of the executable, you don't need a new instal or new file. Just copy the executable so you have the original and "copy of". Run the copy of. Malwarebytes should correct the problem once run, let us know if this works!

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-13 at 16:08:31ID: 23368813

I renamed malwarebytes to "MBmunchkin", then downloaded it to desktop. I then installed it with no problem. I then clicked on the MB icon to launch the program and that's where the problem lies. It will not open & run. I have uninstalled it, and am going to run it again, but this time I will rename the mbam.exe to mbmunchkin also. Will let you know!

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2009-01-13 at 16:09:24ID: 23368815

I had a thread somewhere where the user had to also rename the malwarebytes exe after installation as it was still being blocked. So if that is the case here after Malwarebytes has been installed just rename the Mbam exe again.

If MalwareBytes still won't run and you're getting error, let us know.

Combofix would also be a good one here if MalwareBytes and other tools you use won't clean it.

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-13 at 16:41:02ID: 23368986

OK, I reinstalled it, then renamed mbam.exe to munchbam.exe and it opened. It would not connect to malwarebytes.org to update it but it is running a full system scan right now. I will keep you posted.
Thanks SO Much!!

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-13 at 17:52:04ID: 23369383

The scan completed and found 25 infected files, 20+ were TDSS. It said I had to reboot to fix (4), but ofcourse when rebooted it could not find the mbam file? (LOL). I've reinstalled and it is now updated and running on its own.

 

by: greyknight17Posted on 2009-01-13 at 18:02:24ID: 23369432

Post the ComboFix and HijackThis logs here also when ready.

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-13 at 20:17:29ID: 23369974

I managed to get through it, combofix rebooted and then resumed its operation. I then did a HJT scan  and have attached both logs. Its now past my bedtime and probably yours too!! Take a look when you can and I will get back at it tomorrow afternoon. EST

Thanks Again :-)

 

by: greyknight17Posted on 2009-01-13 at 21:18:04ID: 23370189

Download OTMoveIt3 at http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTMoveIt3.exe

[*]  Save  it to your  desktop .
[*] Please double-click  OTMoveIt3.exe  to run it. ( Note:  If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose  Run As Administrator ).
[*] Copy the lines in bold below to the clipboard  by highlighting  ALL  of them and  pressing CTRL + C  (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose  Copy ):

:Services
zwbvvz

[*] Return to OTMoveIt3, right click in the  Paste Instructions for Items to be Moved  window (under the yellow bar) and choose Paste.
[*]Click the red  MoveIt!  button.
[*] Copy everything in the Results window (under the green bar) to the clipboard  by highlighting  ALL  of them and  pressing CTRL + C  (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose copy), and paste it in your next reply.
[*]Close  OTMoveIt3
Note:  If a file or folder cannot be moved immediately you may be asked to reboot the machine to finish the move process. If you are asked to reboot the machine choose  Yes.  In this case, after the reboot, open Notepad (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Notepad), click File->Open, in the File Name box enter  *.log  and press the Enter key, navigate to the  C:\_OTMoveIt\MovedFiles  folder, and open the newest .log file present, and copy/paste the contents of that document back here in your next post.

How is it running so far now? It looks like that should be almost it unless there are still problems.

 

by: netecgcPosted on 2009-01-14 at 03:06:29ID: 23371499

Hi Right i have the same problem, but my problem is that once i install malwarebytes and rename the mbam.exe file i still have trouble opening the program

 

by: c674980Posted on 2009-01-14 at 04:58:21ID: 23372076

I've found a malware driver driver that willl block MalwareBytes from installing.

- Goto Device Manager
- "View" Menu / Show hidden devices
- Look under "non plug and play drivers"
- Disable TDSSserv.sys
- Reboot your computer

You should be able to install MalwareBytes now. Probably still a good idea to rename it first.

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-14 at 14:41:17ID: 23378633

Hi Greyknight17,
I've just printed your last post and will do as instructed. It seems that I can now run EXE files. I now have full access to the internet and able to control my destinations as desired.
I will post back after this next adventure..hahaha.

Thank YOU so much! :-)

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-14 at 16:04:23ID: 23379352

I download and ran the OTMoveIt progarm and everything works fine from what I can tell. Here is the copy and pasre from the Results window:
========== SERVICES/DRIVERS ==========
Service zwbvvz stopped successfully.
Service zwbvvz deleted successfully.
 
OTMoveIt3 by OldTimer - Version 1.0.8.0 log created on 01142009_182954
If you think we have done all we can and all looks good to you, let me know!
Thank You!!

 

by: QlemoPosted on 2009-01-14 at 16:12:09ID: 23379402

You could run a Spybot Search & Destroy as last step, and/or some Antivirus software, to make sure all remnants are removed.

 

by: Munchkin120Posted on 2009-01-15 at 15:18:59ID: 31534287

I want to thank all of you for your time and suggestions on curing my problem.
That's pretty nasty stuff when you can't get around on the net and trying to run programsto combat it are stopped from opening. Again I want to THANK YOU because I couldn't have done it without you r HELP!!!

 

by: greyknight17Posted on 2009-01-16 at 13:40:01ID: 23397691

Sorry, forgot to remove the code tags. It should be the following to remove ComboFix:

Go to Start->Run, copy/paste in combofix /u and hit OK to remove it.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

3 Ways to Join

30-Day Free Trial

The Experts

98% positive feedback on 31,087 answers since March 2000. angeliii is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for his work with MS SQL Server & Develoment.

He has also proven his knowledge of Visual Basic Programming, PHP Scripting and Oracle Databases.

The Experts

97% positive feedback on 10,752 answers since July 2000. lrmoore has more than 18 years experience in the networking industry.

The six-time Mircosoft MVPs specialties include firewalls, virtual private networking, and network management.

Testimonials

"...and excellent source for support... Kind of like having your very own IT dept." Electriciansnet

Testimonials

"I was apprehensive at signing up at first. However... it has already made my life as an IT administrator much easier." JaCrews

Testimonials

"WOW! You guys have great, active, and knowledgeable people on here." moore50

Business Clients

Business Clients

In the Press

"If you’ve got a question... Experts Exchange can supply an answer.”

In the Press

"...an invaluable aid for both IT professionals and those who require tech support."

In the Press

"where IT professionals provide quick answers on just about any topic"

Business Account Plans

Loading Advertisement...