F
Frank England
When XP Home boots up it displays message "pixelsvr.exe
won't load" and video display is extremely slow.
won't load" and video display is extremely slow.
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B
Billy
pixelsvr.exe
Sounds like you got yourself a virus,. Google returned the following on
"pixelsvr.exe" Note THAT name in the list of files it "copies itself as"
Here's how to fix, the whole article:
When Trojan.Gema is executed, it performs the following actions:
Copies itself to the %System% folder as one of the following:
Note: %System% is a variable. The Trojan locates the System folder and
copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:\Windows\System
(Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or
C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
Aucompat.exe
Avimgt.exe
Avimgt32.exe
Cabchk.exe
Cabchk32.exe
Cdcompat.exe
Cpusave.exe
Cpusave32.exe
Dskcompat.exe
Dvdcompat.exe
Dx8compat.exe
Dxsty.exe
Hvid.exe
Imagemgt32.exe
Info32x.exe
Intmgr.exe
Monitormgt.exe
Nvid32.exe
Nvidex32.exe
P3p4chk.exe
Pixel32.exe
Pixelpwr32.exe
Pixelsvr.exe
Pwr32ctr.exe
Pwr32ctrl.exe
Pwr32mgt.exe
Pwroff.exe
Sndcompat.exe
Sndsaver.exe
Vidcompat.exe
Wminf.exe
Wminfo.exe
Adds the following line to the [windows] section of the Win.ini file:
"Run"="%System%\<trojan filename>.exe"
so that the Trojan runs when you start Windows 95/98/Me.
Adds the value:
"<trojan filename>"="%System%\<trojan filename>.exe"
to one or more of the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
May copy itself as Program files\Internet Explorer\Iexplorer.exe.
Adds the value:
"Run"="%System%\<trojan filename>.exe"
to the registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Note: This only happens on Windows NT\2000\XP systems.
Adds the subkey:
<trojan filename>
to the registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
and then adds the following values to that subkey:
"(Default)"="<a random value>"
"DisplayName"="trojan filename"
"Uninstall String"="C:\%Windows%\%System%\<trojan filename>"
May attempt to download files from a specified Web site, and then execute
them.
Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere
to the following basic security "best practices":
Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems
install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server,
telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are
removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer
services to maintain through patch updates.
If a blended threat
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html> exploits one or
more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a
patch is applied.
Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host
public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP,
mail, and DNS services.
Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack
password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit
damage when a computer is compromised.
Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file
attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat,
..exe, .pif and .scr files.
Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your
organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using
trusted media.
Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them.
Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it
has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can
cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec
antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus
product lines.
Before you begin: Read all the instructions before you start the removal,
and follow them exactly in the order shown below. Do not skip any steps. We
recommend printing a copy for reference.
Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Update the virus definitions.
Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
Run a full system scan and write down the file names of any files detected
as Trojan.Gema.
Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the Win.ini file. (Windows
95/98/Me).
Reverse the changes that the Trojan made to the registry and restart the
computer.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Trojan.Gema.
For specific details on each of these steps, read the following
instructions.
1. Disabling System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you
temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which
is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they
become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System
Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.
Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from
modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot
remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has
the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you
have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.
Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even
though you have removed the threat.
For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows
documentation, or one of the following articles:
"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2001012513122239?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2001111912274039?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>"
Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are
satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by
following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.
For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me
System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools
Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder
<http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q263/4/55.ASP>," Article
ID: Q263455.
2. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality
assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to
obtain the most recent virus definitions:
Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions:
These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week
(usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To
determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate,
refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent
Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through
Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security
Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether
definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer
to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html> are
available:
<http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html> Read "How
to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1998082013035306?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>"
for detailed instructions.
3. Restarting the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds,
and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe
mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in
Safe Mode
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>."
For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.
4. Scanning for and write down the file name of the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to
scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure
Norton AntiVirus to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1999110513272906?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to
verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2002052213125148?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with Trojan.Gema, write down the path
and file names. Do not attempt to delete the files at this time.
5. Reversing the changes that the Trojan made to the Win.ini file
This step is necessary only if you are running Windows 95/98/Me.
The function you perform depends on your operating system:
Windows 95/98: Go to step B.
Windows Me: If you are running Windows Me, the Windows Me file-protection
process may have made a backup copy of the Win.ini file that you need to
edit. If this backup copy exists, it will be in the C:\Windows\Recent
folder. Symantec recommends that you delete this file before continuing with
the steps in this section. To do this:
Start Windows Explorer.
Browse to and select the C:\Windows\Recent folder.
In the right pane, select the Win.ini file and delete it. The Win.ini file
will be regenerated when you save your changes to it in step F.
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type the following, and then click OK.
edit c:\windows\win.ini
(The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
Note: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate
path substitution.
In the [windows] section of the file, look for a line similar to:
run=%System%\<trojan filename>.exe
where <trojan filename> refers to the path and file name of the file that
was detected as the Trojan in step 4c.
If this line exists, delete everything to the right of run=.
Click File, and then click Save.
Click File, and then click Exit.
6. Reversing the changes that the Trojan made to the registry
WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before
making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in
permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read
the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>,"
for instructions.
Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit
Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
Navigate to each of these keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the right pane, if it exists, delete the value:
"<trojan filename>"="%System%\<trojan.filename>.exe"
where <trojan filename> refers to the path and file name of the file that
was detected as the Trojan in step 4 c.
Navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
Note: This key is usually not found on Windows NT/2000/XP computers.
In the right pane, if it exists, delete the value:
"<trojan.filename>"="%System%\<trojan.filename>.exe"
where <trojan filename> refers to the path and file name of the file that
was detected as the Trojan in step 4c.
Do one of the following:
If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, skip to step h.
If you are running Windows NT/2000/XP, do the following:
Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
In the right pane, delete the value:
"Run"="%System%\<trojan filename>.exe"
Navigate to and select the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
In the left pane, locate and delete the subkey that refers to the file that
was detected as the Trojan in step 4c.
Exit the Registry Editor.
Restart the computer.
7. Scanning for and deleting the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to
scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure
Norton AntiVirus to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1999110513272906?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to
verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...2002052213125148?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam>."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with Trojan.Gema, click Delete.