is this a worm?

Viruses and worms
1

My PC with Win 2000 looks like infected by a virus/worm, but Avast has not found anything. Here is a summary:

  1. after a boot the CPU is used close to 100%
  2. after a while of desperate attempts (1 hour or so!) the CPU usage is OK
  3. Avast reports: “AAVM detected a RPC error”
  4. Found this message in the forums, and as suggested tried to set the database to XML or repair the Avast installation (which is up-to-date: program + iAVS)
  5. Tried tools to detect Blaster/Netsky… nothing!
  6. Tried also Windows update

Just trying to get help, before I decide to reinstall Windows! Thanks.

2

Re:

  1. Which process is taking up or using the 100%
  2. What desperate attempts?
  3. This is usually attributed to having another AV installed or having had one that hasn’t been fully uninstalled.
  4. did you change it and or repair, if so I assume it didn’t work?

If you haven’t already got this software (freeware), download, install, update and run it.

  1. Ad-Aware
  2. Spybot Search and Destroy
  3. Spywareblaster Don’t install this until you are clean.
  4. Download HijackThis.zip - HiJackThis Tutorial
3

What service pack are you using?
What other security (related) software do you have installed?

4

I am using w2k sp4. I have just run the security updates from Microsoft.

I have not found any meaningful adware. I have not been able to understand which process is taking 100% of CPU (since I cannot even access the task manager).

Another strange thing is that the CD/DVD appears with an error on the Device Manager, and I am not able to reinstall it with a scan for new hardware. It cannot be a hardware problem, because I see the device with Linux.

5

Not installed any other antivirus or firewall. Avast has run on this box without problemns for more than a year.

6

Disconnect the cd/dvd and see if it makes a difference

7

OK, fixed now.

The error on the CD was: " Your registry might be corrupted. (Code 19)". The solution is given by Microsoft here: “Cannot Access CD-ROM and “Code 31” Error Message in Device Manager After You Remove Adaptec Easy CD Creator from Your Computer” - Article ID : 270008.

So, this is not really related to Avast, but it prevents Avast from working.

8

Thanks for letting us know what the problem was.

Welcome to the forums.