Expert: James Filmer - 4/6/2011

Question
I think I have a virus that has attached itself to my computer as some kind of software. I have scanned my computer using microsoft
essential and pc protect scan from microsoft. both detected trojan horse virus and removed them. pc protection also detected 379 invalid regestry (i was only able to remove 378, got message stating one was allowed by user ???). the reason i think i still have a problem is that when i look at system restore each day has "software distribution service 3.0". i was tricked earlier into downloading repair for hard drive error. any ideas as what to do. i am a novice at computer repair.

Answer
Suggest removing the Software Distribution 3 and installing one or more additional anti-spyware applications -  links to those applications are on http://Enrgy21.com All are good, and reputable reviews of them are high.

Ehow has a detail post about uninstalling the service. Do that first, but don't defrag until after running at least one of the anti-spyware apps, detecting, removing, rebooting. Defrag last after everything else.

http://goo.gl/e0IAX (ehow)

Check also for critical security updates. If you have Custom Windows updates link option, click it. You'll see any missing critical, but also something you might want to have on your system.

Use a temporary cleaner like CCleaner (link: enrgy21.com/tools) but, compare free cleaners. You may like another better. Check out Gizmo's Techsupportalert comparisons, other great support sites links there too, or use a search engine for best free cleaners. Use it after scanning, removals, reboots. Reboot after cleaning.

Keep your anti-virus up to date, running in the background at all times and run a full system scan at least once a month, just in case you missed an alert.