Frozen Taskbar, maybe spyware related?

ID:277311
 
Jan 9 2007, 1:16 pm
I've been having a problem on the other computer lately. I know it has a lot of spyware, and spybot isn't removing it. Anyway, whenever someone plays a game on the other computer, sometimes I just lose my internet connection, being networked to the other computer. I look at what is wrong and I notice the taskbar is completely frozen. Today it was about half way up the screen frozen. That's probably due to resolution changes though.

I know that sometimes spyware can be badly programmed, I think this is the case with this one. So does anyone know what this spyware is, how to get rid of it. Or if it isn't spyware, how to fix my problem? Thanks.

ADT_CLONE
Jan 9 2007, 3:11 pm
Try Ad-aware as well as spybot to get spyware, and AVG Spyware addition. Sometimes one can get the others dont. Then, go into SAFE MODE on windows to open them (F8 while loading the computer), this will let Windows load with ONLY primary systems, so you can make sure nothing is "in use". Then also get a virus scan, I recommend AVG Free. Scan all of this stuff in Safe Mode, then Defrag your computer. If all else fails, Ctrl+Alt+Del when you turn on your computer, and hit Processes. Try to end anything and everything (You shouldnt be able to end important systems). Write down the name of EVERYTHING that comes back. Create a System Restore point and reboot into Safe Mode again. (You should have went back to normal b4 going to the Task Manager(ctrl alt del)) Now, go your System32 Windows folder, and delete every exe file that had the name of a file that started itself up again. That is probably the best things you can do.

If all else fails, you will probably have to do a wipe.

Hope it doesnt come to that, good luck!

~Polantaris
Jan 9 2007, 3:23 pm
In response to Polantaris
Thanks for that. I figured I would have to something along the lines of that. I use VET Antivirus, which is a really good program.

ADT_CLONE
Jan 9 2007, 4:30 pm
In response to ADT_CLONE
What I suggested (besides a wipe) is the "I'm sick of this s**t and will do anything to get rid of it" method. Deleting system32 files is a very dangerous move, you could accidentally delete something like rundll32 (which can be deleted by accident) and screw up your entire computer, hence why i suggested the Restore Point.

I hope it works out for you. Good luck again!
Jan 9 2007, 6:25 pm
In response to Polantaris
Polantaris wrote:
Now, go your System32 Windows folder, and delete every exe file that had the name of a file that started itself up again.

I would not recommend that without at least doing a web search to see if the file is part of Windows first.
Jan 10 2007, 8:01 am
In response to Crispy
Most important windows files cannot be ended, or do not come back. even svchost.exe doesnt come back unless you start it up yourself again anymore.

That's why I added to put in a SYstem Restore Point, just in case he did.
Jan 10 2007, 12:54 pm
In response to Polantaris
I think you're probably right, but I wouldn't risk my installation of Windows on it. =)
Jan 10 2007, 3:39 pm
In response to Crispy
Actually, its a fact that every essential windows program starts with a lower case letter. Actually, they might be completely lower-case. So you know its a virus or spyware/whatever if it starts with an upper case letter.
Jan 10 2007, 4:14 pm
In response to Polantaris
Polantaris wrote:
So you know its a virus or spyware/whatever if it starts with an upper case letter.

A smart piece of malware (or even one that's not entirely braindead) will be completely lowercase too, so we're back to square one.

I'm just saying be careful when messing around in the system32 folder, that's all. What's so controversial about that?
Jan 10 2007, 4:16 pm
In response to Crispy
I wasn't arguing over that fact, I just felt that it was needed to mention the fact that many viruses and spyware have that foolish mistake. I have caught plenty of viruses on my own computer without using a scan this way.