Vista laptop being decidedly uncooperative...

[SidS1045]

I've got a Vista Home Premium PC that's giving me fits. It won't go to any website having anything to do with Windows Updates or Microsoft Updates, and it throws error messages when I try to run the WU applet. I even tried posting the HJT log from that PC to this forum and my posting was blocked. Hopefully someone can make sense of this:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:25:09 PM, on 6/18/2010
Platform: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Windows\OEM02Mon.exe
C:\Program Files\Sigmatel\C-Major Audio\WDM\sttray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\DELL\MediaDirect\PCMService.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\EKIJ5000MUI.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERANTISPYWARE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
C:\Program Files\DELL\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony Picture Utility\VolumeWatcher\SPUVolumeWatcher.exe
C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
F:\Scumware Cleaners\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = Preserve
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&p=%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer provided by Dell
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.5.5126.1836\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - C:\Program Files\BAE\BAE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OEM02Mon.exe] C:\Windows\OEM02Mon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\Windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Dell\MediaDirect\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dscactivate] c:\dell\dsca.exe 3
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EKIJ5000StatusMonitor] C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\EKIJ5000MUI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSSE] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [Shockwave Updater] C:\Windows\System32\Adobe\SHOCKW~1\SWHELP~1.EXE -Update -1100465 -"Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; GTB6.3; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 3.0.04506)" -"http://www.nickjr.com/playtime/cats/games/little_bear/bear_dressup.jhtml"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: Picture Motion Browser Media Check Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony Picture Utility\VolumeWatcher\SPUVolumeWatcher.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Kodak EasyShare software.lnk = C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
O4 - Global Startup: QuickSet.lnk = C:\Program Files\DELL\QuickSet\quickset.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjpi160.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjpi160.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/s ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak AiO Device Service (KodakSvc) - SDSD - C:\Program Files\Kodak\printer\center\KodakSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.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: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe

--
End of file - 8104 bytes

=================

I should also mention that I've run Sysinternals' AutoRun and Process Explorer, Lamwarebytes' Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware and Spybot on this machine, to no avail.

Thanks in advance!

[askey127]

Hi SidS1045,
Can you tell me why your machine has no Windows Service packs?
It's so far behind in patches that Microsoft won't support it any more, even for pay.
---------------------------------------------
Please download SystemLook from one of the links below and save it to your Desktop.
Download Mirror #1
Download Mirror #2

• Double-click SystemLook.exe to run it. Give permissions if asked.
• Copy the content of the following codebox into the main textfield:
  

  Code: Select all

  :reg
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Main
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects  /s 
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins  /s
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search  /s
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar  /s
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks /s
  

• Click the Look button to start the scan.
• When finished, a notepad window will open with the results of the scan. Please post this log in your next reply.

Note: The log can also be found on your Desktop, entitled SystemLook.txt

---------------------------------------------
SysProt Antirootkit
Download SysProt Antirootkit from the link below (you will find it at the bottom of the page under attachments, or you can get it from one of the mirrors).
http://sites.google.com/site/sysprotantirootkit/

Unzip it into a folder on your desktop.

• Double click Sysprot.exe to start the program.
• Click on the Log tab.
• In the Write to log box set up the following items.
  
  • Process << Selected
  • Kernel Modules << Selected
  • SSDT << Selected
  • Kernel Hooks << Selected
  • IRP Hooks << NOT Selected
  • Ports << NOT Selected
  • Hidden Files << Selected
• At the bottom of the page
  
  • Hidden Objects Only << Selected
• Click on the Create Log button on the bottom right.
• After a few seconds a new window should appear.
• Select Scan Root Drive. Click on the Start button.
• When it is complete a new window will appear to indicate that the scan is finished.
• The log will be saved automatically in the same folder Sysprot.exe was extracted to. Open the text file and copy/paste the log here.

So we are looking for the log from SystemLook, the log from Sysprot, and some clarification about the Windows patches .
askey127

[SidS1045]

Thanks for your reply. It's not my PC, but one I'm working on for a co-worker. He has taken it back for now, but if I can get it back from him I'll try what you've suggested and post the results here.

The PC's owner told me that Windows updates never worked, which is why it has no service packs installed. I tried downloading the "administrator" version of the SP's, but even they would not install. When I started working with this PC, it was overloaded with malware and viruses. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware found 59 items besides tracking cookies, and eliminating them cleaned it up considerably. It had McAfee running, but it hadn't been updated in over a year and had been destroyed by some of the malware, so I uninstalled it and installed Microsoft Security Essentials, which immediately found one Trojan horse that Malwarebytes didn't find. SUPERAntiSpyware and Spyware Doctor didn't find anything, but I ran them after the others.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted.

[askey127]

SidS1045,
If that last story is true, the user needs to do a COMPLETE SYSTEM Recovery at bootup(not a repair install), then install the Service packs and a new Antivirus.

Units like that having no patches, and running that long with an outdated AV, will be so corrupted that they can never be trusted until the Windows System is re-installed from scratch.
Either his User manual or Dell online will have instructions to do a complete System Recovery at Bootup.

His hard drive will have a complete image of the original Windows installation in a hidden partition.
There will be a Function Key to tap during bootup to gain access to it and re-install his Vista.
The result will be a machine EXACTLY like it was when he bought it. The programs will have to be re-installed.

askey127

[SidS1045]

That's what I've already told him, especially considering the amount of time it's been like this. He's not the most savvy computer user I've ever met, and his wife and child also use the computer. Somewhere along the way UAC was turned off, and that probably contributed to what has happened to it. I'll repeat the recommendation. At least it's now at the point where he can back up his work files before doing the restore.

Thanks again for your help.

[askey127]

SidS1045,
You are 100% correct about that.
Just be sure that all the "backups" are right clicked and scanned with his AV before they are used.
askey127

[NonSuch]

As this issue appears to be resolved, this topic is now closed.

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