Expert: Brian Benosky - 7/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brian
Many thanks again for continuing to work with me on this
I have started to run combofix but it informs me that my avast antivirus program is running and can screw up my machine. I had disabled the scanner and anything else I could think of previously though. Task Manager seems to indicate that there are a couple of processes associated with Avast that are still running. However, it prevents me from disabling the process on them. Do you recommend uninstalling Avast before combofix?

ANSWER: Hi Steve

No, you don't need to uninstall Avast.  Close the program so that it is not in your system tray.  ComboFix may warn you that Avast is running, but as long as the scanner is disabled you are safe.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bonjour Brian
102 degrees in Manhattan here. Don't know how it is where you are.
A message appeared in my box from Allexperts at 1:22. It said it was an answer but only restated my question.

Don't mean to appear as a stalker...just didnt know if it the message came through in a "funky" manner or there was a glitsch of somekind.

Danka

Steve F.

ANSWER: Hi Steve

Temperature also reached 102º in the backyard here on L.I..  Cooled down to 86º now.  AllExperts probably had a heat stroke.  I don't see the answer posted on my list, but I know I sent one.  I believe I said to try fixing your shortcuts by going here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Click on the link that says "LNK (Shortcut) File Association Fix (Restores Default Shortcut Behavior)"
It will download a file which you will unzip, extract, and double click on to import the fix into the registry.  After that, let me know how the computer is working.

Brian


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info Brian
I previously found a way to associate the icons with Iexplorer. I did however try to unzip the html association fixer in order to return the icons to Mozilla status. (and set my default to mozilla) no luck there but probably not the vital thing right now.

Think we can succeed at eradicating this little virus pest from my machine?
(should i be making these correspondances private in order to save space, etc?)
Best Regards,

Steve F.

Answer
Hi Steve

Are you still receiving pop-ups and problems with IE?  ComboFix seems to have deleted the malware infecting your system.  If there are still problems, do an online scan with ESET from here:

http://www.eset.com/online-scanner

Let me know either way.

Brian