Password reset and notification emails are now sending correctly.
If you recently requested a password reset, please check your inbox (and spam folder just in case).
You can now reset your password and log in as normal.
Welcome back to PCHF, and thank you for your patience during our migration process!
— The PCHF Team
Welcome to PC Help Forum!
You’re viewing our community as a guest.
That means you can browse posts, but can’t yet reply or start new topics.
Join us today — it's completely free!
As a member, you'll be able to:
✅ Get personalized tech support from trusted volunteers
🦠 Work one-on-one with our Malware Removal Specialists
Roger I am analysing your logs and preparing a fix for you. In the meantime can you use SuperAntiSpyware and AVG. After using Geek uninstaller above to remove both, please go HERE and download and use the AVG removal tool. This will remove some more stuff any uninstaller will leave behind.
Once the VERY ordinary and bloated AV tools are removed please consider one of the below free, and more effective security apps. Recommend you install one of your choice. Once we get your PC tidy we can discuss security further. It appears you have used several AV/security apps before and you should remember NEVER to use two realtime security apps at the same time.
Bitdefender. HERE
Avira. HERE
Avast. HERE
360 Total Security. HERE
So once you have removed AVG using both Geek uninstaller and the AVG removal tool linked above, and SuperAntiSpyware, please use these tools to see what else emerges.
We will need a log from AdwCleaner for further information.
Please download a copy of AdwCleaner from HERE, it is important to download it to your desktop.
Once downloaded to the desktop AdwCleaner will create an icon [MEDIA=imgur]eEGkHPS[/MEDIA]
Should you receive any security warnings or your User Account Control warning appears whilst you are using this application you can safely allow AdwCleaner to continue.
Before running AdwCleaner please ensure all other programs and browsers are closed, then double left click the icon to open it.
AdwCleaner will open, click the scan button to start searching.
[MEDIA=imgur]hBYSf6z[/MEDIA]
The scan may take some time to complete, and when it has any malware found will be automatically selected for quarantining. Click the “Clean” button.
[MEDIA=imgur]ftC2WaB[/MEDIA]
After a few seconds a message should tell you your computer will now reboot. Allow the reboot.
When the computer restarts a log file will be displayed, but if its closed for any reason before copying the contents, you will find a copy of the file if you navigate to C:\AdwCleaner[C#].txt (The C denotes the Cleaning log)
[MEDIA=imgur]jr9Bx9h[/MEDIA]
Please Copy and Paste the contents of the log file with your next reply.
We now need to run Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) on your computer, please go HERE and download it to your DESKTOP.
Before running JRT ensure your antivirus, and any other security software is disabled, if you are unsure how to do this please ask. Also close browsers and other applications before running this tool.
Should you receive any User Account Control (UAC) alert warning when starting JRT you can safely allow it.
Right click the JRT desktop icon [MEDIA=imgur]fam7djI[/MEDIA] and select “run as administrator” from the menu, for XP users just double click the icon. JRT will open with a simple interface, and ask to press any keyboard key to continue. Please do so.
Depending on the amount of data on your computer JRT may take some time to complete the scan. When JRT finishes a .txt file will be saved and displayed on your desktop, please COPY and PASTE the contents of this file in your next post:slight_smile:
Your next post should contain.
[ol]
[li]Info if you uninstalled AVG and SuperAntiSpyware.[/li][li]What is your newly installed AV.[/li][li]AdwCleaner log.[/li][li]JRT log.[/li][/ol]
Hi Roger,
To disable SuperAntiSpyware right click the taskbar item and select exit.
To disable AVG Right click the taskbar icon and select Disable from the menu options.
Gus,
I had already uninstalled AVG and SuperAnti Spyware as per your instructions.
Have installed Bitdefender, and disabled it before I ran JRT.
Please see attached logs as requested. (AdwCleaner and JRT)
Hope this is OK.
Hi Roger, yes the logs are great thank you. You will definitely find Bitdefender a lot less resource hungry and it enjoys a great reputation for malware detection and removal.
BTW, when we finish cleaning we will help you clean up all the tools we used
Please left click on the attached Fixlist.txt file at the bottom of this post. On the dialogue box that opens click “Save File” and then “OK”
[MEDIA=imgur]vzol8OV[/MEDIA]
Select a location then save the file. IMPORTANT the fixlist.txt file must be in the same location as the FRST program otherwise the fix will not work.
[MEDIA=imgur]pjsQ8XB[/MEDIA]
To run the fix right click the FRST icon and choose “Run as Administrator” then click on “Fix”
[MEDIA=imgur]cp0349X[/MEDIA]
Depending on the amount of data to be moved it may take a few minutes to complete, and the computer may reboot. When the fix is complete and/or the computer has rebooted the “Fixlist.txt” file you created will be renamed “Fixlog.txt”
Please COPY and PASTE the contents of this new file in your next post:slight_smile:
Hi Roger, yes you have done it correctly. Looking at the fixlog I see you may have to reinstall Bitdefender again. I did the fix before you told me that you had installed it in place of AVG, and the fix has removed a remnant of Bitdefender from a previous install which will affect the new install. Please do this before running FRST again.
How is your PC now, any difference with your boot up?
Can you please re run FRST and post the two new logs for a fresh look at whats running
Once downloaded right click the FRST desktop icon and select “Run as administrator” from the menu"
If you receive any security warnings, or the User Account Control warning opens at any time whilst using FRST you can safely allow FRST to proceed.
Frst will open with two dialogue boxes, accept the disclaimer.
[ol]
[li]Accept the default whitelist options,[/li][li]If the additions.txt options box is not checked please select it. [/li]
[li]Then select “Scan”[/li][/ol]
Frst will take a few minutes to scan your computer, and when finished will produce two log files on your desktop, FRST.txt, and Addition.txt. They will display immediately on the desktop, but can be reopened later as a notepad file.
Gus,
I uninstalled Bitdefender as requested using Geek.
Re-installed Bitdefender.
Pc at last Restart took 53 seconds to desktop and 9 more seconds to Internet Access.
Please see attached reports as requested
[MEDIA=imgur]fQO1SSi[/MEDIA] link (French for Download) and save it to your desktop.
Once saved to your desktop left click the new icon [MEDIA=imgur]Eu7NnVQ[/MEDIA] and choose “Run as administrator”
Accept any security warnings that may pop up.
Then select
[ol]
[li]Options[/li][li]Check all[/li][li]Validate[/li][li]Close[/li][/ol]
[MEDIA=imgur]693KFMT[/MEDIA]
Next select Scanner from the main interface.
[MEDIA=imgur]0DVeOof[/MEDIA]
Depending on the amount of data on your PC it may take a little time to complete. Once it finishes then click the Report tab as shown above and a notepad file will open with your report file.
Please COPY and PASTE the contents of the notepad file with your next post
Hi Roger, a vpn is used to supposedly hide your movements on the internet, it shows your address as that of the vpn server instead of your own thus hiding your identity.
Actually before you do the ZHP scan can you do a fresh Hijack This scan and post the log
Gus,
I’m none the wiser after your explanation - not that it matters.
Can’t use Hijack This - Bitdefender flags up a message saying:
“ACTIVE THREAT CONTROL
Potentially Malicious Application Blocked”
Windows flags up “Windows Cannot complete the Extraction
The destination file could not be created”
The original Hijack was done before I uninstalled AVG and Installed Bitdefender - would this be the reason I can’t use it?
Is there a way around it, for instance, disable Bitdefender and try to run Hijack with Bitdefender disabled.
I didn’t want to try it without asking you.
Hi Roger, yes some security software will flag the scan tools we use as a threat, if you disable Bitdefender Hijack This should run. Don’t forget to re enable it after you get your log from Hijack This.
Gus,
Apologies - missed a day - thought I replied, but didn’t click Post Reply.
Voila! - That certainly did the trick.
I disabled Bitdefender - ran Hijack successfully - then enabled Bitdefender.
Please see attached report as requested.
We process personal data about users of our site, through the use of cookies and other technologies, to deliver our services, personalize advertising, and to analyze site activity. We may share certain information about our users with our advertising and analytics partners. For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
By clicking "I AGREE" below, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our personal data processing and cookie practices as described therein. You also acknowledge that this forum may be hosted outside your country and you consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your data in the country where this forum is hosted.
Comment