Hey all; I have been the recent victim of a spyware/adware attack. The issue is that I have tried the following programs and have still not been able to get all of it off my machine. CCleaner CW Shredder Ad Aware SE SpyBot SD I have run all these programs and still have a desktop that reads "Your computer is infected by spyware/adware..." I can not change my desktop picture to remove this, because when I right click and go to properties, it gives me no options in the pop up window for my desktop. I traced the desktop picture back to me c:\Winnt - some HTML file. I deleted this file and my desktop is now pure white! I still can not change my desktop wallpaper through properties and believe that I must still have some traces of spyware/adware. Can anyone please help me with this issue. I have tried alot of resources and am getting a little worried because my computer is on a network and I don't want anything bad to happen. Appreciate all feedback. GIJOE
Hi, go here http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm and scroll down to number 285, look in the right hand column and there are 2 links, restore all and remove all...I think you know which you want Right click and save on the link and run the saved .reg file. Try again, all should be sweet.
I ran the suggested "restoealltabs.reg" file and it said is installed successfully. I rebooted and it did not allow my applied wallpaper to be seen. Heres the thing, when I lock my computer (control/alt/delete) I can see my wallpaper when the unlonk login window is up. as soon as I unlock by loging back in, it disappears. Also, when I first boot in to windows, I can see my wallpaper, but as soon as my desktop icons appear, my wallpaper goes away and all I get is that blasted white screen. All my apps are working ok, but it still concerns me about this desktop issue. What else can I do to resolve this issue? Appreciate any and all suggestions, because I'm at a blank from trying so many options. GIJOE...
right click on desktop>arrange icons by>lock web items on desktop Remove tick. Or try setting theme to default windows xp, then change background after setting it. May help, let us know.
I am running windows 200 pro on the infected machine. My other machine (not infected) is running XP pro. So what your saying realy won't work, because my right click on desktop does not have these options in it. If I right click and select properties, it gives me no options in the pop up dialog window. Does not show any system info, no wallpaper or screensaver tabs no nothing!! I have been exploring my C:\winnt folder and see my desired wallpaper in it along with the other windows default selections. I recently tried scanning using tmas-web-scan.exe, and it descovered malware. What is this, just another form of spy/adware? Still have not resolved my issue...please help!!! GIJOE
Can you suggest any sequence of appz to run that may remove any and all difficulties that I'm experiencing? I am also willing to do some registry work if needed. I know the back end of windows ok, so if you suggest some of these tasks, provide some sort of instructions if you could. Any help would be greatly appreciated. GIJOE...running out of options
I'm not great with adware and spyware but i have been infected before. i find microsoft beta 1 a good program to detect all types of problems.
My usual list goes like this Ccleaner Ad-aware Spybot S&D Spysweeper trial AVG Free or Anti-vir EDIT : if you right click the desktop, do you have an active desktop option? and is it enabled...this would hide your current wallpaper also.
I have finally got this issue resolved! I used about 6 different programs and finally I used Adawre Away. This one found something non of the others did. The issue ended up being caused by a desktop hijacker. Removed it, rebooted and finally all is back to normal. Can't thank you all enough for the advice and software suggestions. Great site, great advice & great people helping people. Thanks again GIJOE
Glad your sorted and if anyone else with your problem sees this thread they may get the help they need, which means you've helped someone too. Gotta love AfterDawn!
glad you got your problem solved.but i just tried a free version of microsoft antispyware and that program worked unbeleivably well.it not only found spyware/adware that norton didnt find it also removed them while norton couldnt remove sh*t.so if you can,give the microsoft antispyware a try.its free too.
