I need a PC prince to help me fight this stupid Virus/Malware

HJT

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 5:57:58, on 3/19/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16791)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Linksys Updater\bin\LinksysUpdater.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\system32\java.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\Monitor.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgpc01.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\Awc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Philips\Intelligent Agent\Philips Intelligent Agent.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashSimpl.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.0.926.3450\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Dictionary Compression sdch - {C84D72FE-E17D-4195-BB24-76C02E2E7C4E} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\fastsearch_219B3E1547538286.dll
O2 - BHO: SingleInstance Class - {FDAD4DA1-61A2-4FD8-9C17-86F7AC245081} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\YTSingleInstance.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [UnlockerAssistant] “C:\Program Files\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] “C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [Recguard] %WINDIR%\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [readericon] C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [Advanced SystemCare 3] “C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe” /startup
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [Philips Intelligent Agent] “C:\Program Files\Philips\Intelligent Agent\Philips Intelligent Agent.exe” /SILENT
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [HijackThis startup scan] C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe /startupscan
O4 - Global Startup: Windows Search.lnk = C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\npjpi160_03.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\npjpi160_03.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: HP Smart Select - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://support.gateway.com/support/profiler/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/DriverDownload/srl/3.0.0.0/srl_bin/sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A57B18E-2F5D-11D5-8997-00104BD12D94} (compid Class) - http://support.gateway.com/support/serialharvest/gwCID.CAB
O16 - DPF: {CF40ACC5-E1BB-4AFF-AC72-04C2F616BCA7} (get_atlcom Class) - http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/nos/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: cozi - {5356518D-FE9C-4E08-9C1F-1E872ECD367F} - C:\Program Files\Cozi Express\CoziProtocolHandler.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: getPlus(R) Helper - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\NOS\bin\getPlus_HelperSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: LeapFrog Connect Device Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\CommandService.exe
O23 - Service: Linksys Updater (LinksysUpdater) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Linksys\Linksys Updater\bin\LinksysUpdater.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PrismXL - New Boundary Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 11 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio Creator 2009\Digital Home 11\RoxioUPnPRenderer11.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 11 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio Creator 2009\Digital Home 11\RoxioUpnpService11.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 11 (RoxLiveShare11) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\11.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare11.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB11 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\11.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB11.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 11 (RoxWatch11) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\11.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch11.exe
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe


End of file - 10770 bytes

This is a general startup list. Which and how (using Advanced System Care) can I elliminate from this process list. I would like to run the basic, minimum for my pc to run healthy. I guess what I am asking is there are 52 processes running, how and what do I need, how many is normal>?
and what should I look for that would be out of the norm?

Process list saved on 6:05:50, on 3/19/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

[pid] [full path to filename] [file version] [company name]
476 C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
572 C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
616 C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
628 C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
804 C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
920 C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
1104 C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
1136 C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe 8.0.0.0 Lavasoft
1348 C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE 6.0.2900.5512 Microsoft Corporation
1468 C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
1732 C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
1972 C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe 5.1.2715.3011 Microsoft Corporation
2024 C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
352 C:\Program Files\Linksys\Linksys Updater\bin\LinksysUpdater.exe
420 C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
512 C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
676 C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS 6.0.1.22 New Boundary Technologies, Inc.
888 C:\WINDOWS\system32\java.exe 6.0.110.3 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
2148 C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
2268 C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe 1.0.0.53 Yahoo! Inc.
2324 C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe 7.0.6001.16503 Microsoft Corporation
2920 C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
3028 C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
3128 C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
3152 C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
3592 C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
3648 C:\Program Files\Unlocker\UnlockerAssistant.exe
3748 C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe 6.0.30.5 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
3788 C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE 5.1.0.43 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
3812 C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe 6.0.0.1027 Cyberlink Corp.
3832 C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe 1.4.0.8 Alcor Micro, Corp.
3900 C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe 7.1.3.100 Apple Computer, Inc.
4076 C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\Monitor.exe
264 C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe 100.0.1.0 Hewlett-Packard
520 C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe 5.1.2710.2732 Microsoft Corporation
772 C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe 5.1.2710.2732 Microsoft Corporation
1024 C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe 8.0.0.0 Lavasoft
2228 C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
2488 C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe 4.25.0.1014 SUPERAntiSpyware.com
1148 C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe 100.0.170.0 Hewlett-Packard Co.
2356 C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe 7.0.6001.16503 Microsoft Corporation
3004 C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe 100.0.272.0 Hewlett-Packard Co.
3264 C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe 100.0.272.0 Hewlett-Packard Co.
3408 C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgpc01.exe 100.0.28.0 Hewlett-Packard
2236 C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\Awc.exe 3.2.0.633 IObit
3948 C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe 5.1.2600.5512 Microsoft Corporation
3420 C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe 5.1.2710.2732 Microsoft Corporation
2364 C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe 6.14.11.8208 NVIDIA Corporation
5576 C:\Program Files\Philips\Intelligent Agent\Philips Intelligent Agent.exe 2.2.0.0 Philips Consumer Electronics
2108 C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe 7.0.6000.16791 Microsoft Corporation
5536 C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashSimpl.exe 4.8.1335.0 ALWIL Software
4508 C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe 2.0.0.2 Trend Micro Inc.

ERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 03/19/2009 at 06:19 PM

Application Version : 4.25.1014

Core Rules Database Version : 3803
Trace Rules Database Version: 1758

Scan type : Quick Scan
Total Scan Time : 00:29:32

Memory items scanned : 666
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 585
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 15512
File threats detected : 24

File Threats are in a previous backup file from september of last year …

I think a back-up from that long ago, 6 months, is of very limited value (so allowing SAS to deal with them isn’t really an issue), you should however, plan to do regular back-ups. I would say monthly at the longest, I do weekly back-ups.

So Secunia ran and gave me 93% javara updated the 3 -4 java related versions quicktime adobe/acrobat . so i guess what i need to do is as was suggested back up more often. so my plan now is to reattempt a full backup/reboot if possible and then biweekly back up files and folders. then every 6 mos do a complete back up . i would imagine that a few months of updates and backups are better than a few years worth especially time wise.

I do weekly hard disk images (an exact digital image of what is on your hard disk partition/drive) and I keep the last 5, anything older than a month effectively is IMHO a waste of back-up space as much can happen in a 5 week period. I could possibly extend the back-up duration to fortnightly giving 10 weeks or retain 6 back-ups giving 12 weeks, anything longer than that really is I feel a waste of time.

It is effectively what is current on your system and I do daily back-ups of may data files (I often run this more than once a day).

– SYSTEM BACK-UP & RECOVERY
If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.
If you have a back-up and recovery plan, you can recover from anything in minutes, not hours or days.

  1. back-up all the things that you don’t want to lose, data files, like documents, spreadsheets, emails, email account details, registration keys, address book, favourites/bookmarks, downloaded files/programs, etc. the list goes on and on but if you don’t want to lose it back it up. There are many back-up programs that can simplify this task and run it every day.

  2. Recovery - re-installing your system really is a poor choice and one of last resort. There are tools (Drive Imaging software) that take exact images of your Partitions or Hard Disks and these images can be restored in minutes if you suffer a major catastrophe and that doesn’t have to be a virus attack.

I do a weekly image of my partitions and save them to my 2nd hard disk, they can also be saved to off-line storage, DVD, USB external hard disk, etc. as part of my weekly system maintenance.

So if the worst comes to the worst at most I lose:
A. 6 days worth of program updates or new installations, but with my daily back-up I can recover most of that.
B. less than one days data files, emails, etc.
None of these is a problem and much quicker than a system reinstall and I don’t have to go on-line to download the myriad of security updates needed to secure my system where there is a chance to get reinfected whilst my system has vulnerabilities because of these missing patches. Not to mention all my system tweaks and program settings are retained and I will have saved myself many hours of work and a huge amount of stress.

Many of these programs cost, there are some free ones, but it will take some research on your part to find these tools and decide on what is best for you from reviews, user feed back, etc. good luck.

DavidR,
i own an external hard drive. i’m not sure if i understand all your discussions about particions, but… just back up everything … is that what you are suggesting. i have hijack this, spybot, ad-aware, super anti-spyware, malware bytes. i know how to run theses in reg and safe mode, but that is how i battle spyware and viruses… uis there a better way oh yah and i havce Avast too

You are indirectly backing-up everything as it is an exact copy of what is on the partition/disk, etc. I also go further and do daily ‘back-ups’ using different back-up software for volatile files (as mentioned above) that could well change more quickly than the frequency of the drive imaging software.

Partitions, are used to split a large hard disk drive into smaller partitions (though many people don’t bother and just have one very large partition, the whole disk), C for your windows and installed programs, D for data you can go further and have more partitions say another for your media files, etc. This can make backing up easier.

You can then use disk imaging to copy that partition or partitions and save the image to your external hard disk. If you then experience a problem like this or other catastrophe that would take a few hours or longer to resolve, you can simply restore the last back-up image for the effected partition/s.

As to is this a better way, you only have to look at the length of this particular topic to answer that question. You only need to look at your own particular topic, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=43516.0 and two days is a long time when I could restore my C and D partitions in less than 20 minutes.

This I have done on numerous occasions none related to viruses from simple things that would have taken some time to get back to the previous state, if that duration is longer than it takes to restore, no contest, I use my drive imaging software and restore the partition/s and back in business in around 20 minutes.

Mom 24:
First I will just say you have been pretty heroic in this fight to reclaim your machine.
While I will certainly allow those more astute in dealing with malware to help you with your main battle,I noticed you had some concern about the number of process’s you have on your machine.
I have 20 counting my web browser.
A site that can help you “trim the fat”,so to speak is Blackviper:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
Stick with the “safe” profile and you will save a lot of resource,with few if any problems.
This is after you get your machine clean.
Single Dad here.
No mystery about “Too much to do when the time runs out”.
regards,
normishmael