Hi again,
Were the Adaware finds cookies or real spyware? Before you do the clean install
I think I'd give Plun's reference a try it's an "off this site" fix but
negster22 on CastleCops is no slouch... and people have reported success with
it. We haven't had much experience with it here, I'm afraid. If you do suspect
a heavily compromised system and want to go with a clean install, then first off
update using Windows Update and NIS Live Update clean as much as possible with
NAV full deep system scans then run CCleaner again. If you can't get rid of
everything, you might have to do a clean boot MSAS install which is similar to
safe mode yet allows you the ability to specifically start the Installer and
hopefully prevent malware from interfering in the install process. Make sure
when you get MSAS up running again you enable all the real time protection
agents, as well as Norton's Firewall and AutoProtection, and update definitions
of both regularly (scheduled) along with Windows/Microsoft updates. It's
getting to be a harsh world out there.
From my Blog (Jim Byrd):
Hi - Try installing from a "Clean Boot". From my Blog, Defending Your
Machine, addy in my Signature below:
#########IMPORTANT#########
Show hidden files and run all of the following removal tools from Safe mode
or a "Clean Boot" when possible, logged on as an Administrator. BEFORE
running these tools, be sure to clear all Temp files and your Temporary
Internet Files (TIF) (including offline content.) Reboot and test if the
malware is fixed after using each tool.
HOW TO Enable Hidden Files
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339
Clean Boot - General Win2k/XP procedure, but see below for links for other
OS's (This for Win2k w/msconfig - you can obtain msconfig for Win2k here:
http://www.3feetunder.com/files/win2K_msconfig_setup.exe ):
1. StartRun enter msconfig.
2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then clear the 'Process
System.ini File', 'Process Win.ini File', and 'Load Startup Items' check
boxes. Leave the 'boot.ini' boxes however they are currently set.
3. In the Services tab, check the "Hide All Microsoft Services" checkbox,
and then click the "Disable All" button. If you use a third party firewall
then re-check (enable) it. For example, if you use Zone Alarm, re-check the
True Vector Internet Monitor service (and you may also want to re-check
(enable) the zlclient on the Startup tab.) Equivalent services exist for
other third party firewalls. An alternative to this for XP users is to
enable at this time the XP native firewall (Internet Connection Firewall -
ICF). Be sure to turn it back off when you re-enable your non-MS services
and Startup tab programs and restore your normal msconfig configuration
after cleaning your machine.
4. Click OK and then reboot.
For additional information about how to clean boot your operating system,
click the following article links to view the articles in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:
310353 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
281770 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281770/EN-US/
267288 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267288/EN-US/
192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192926/EN-US/
243039 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 95
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243039/EN-US/
#########IMPORTANT#########