Possible Virus! Help!

[IntelSux]

Hey, I think I have a virus on my computer.
One that Norton Antivirus doesn't detect.

Every once in a while, I will get a virus warning about a file called Open_me.exe on my desktop. It usually gets deleted automatically by the antivirus.
But what creates that file?

I did a little investigating and it turns out in my c:\windows\system32 directory I have a 'dll32' folder that is full of files that look like illegal game cracks and patches. I see 130 megs of that stuff. Every single file is either 2.06 megs or like 1.08 or something. All files have a description of 'works perfectly'. Basically every single one of those files (either the 2.06mb or 1.08mb) is exactly the same. I even did a SFV on the folder and got the exact same CRC for those files.
But how did all that get there?

All files were created at the same time, Sunday, September 21, 2003, 1:07:47 AM.
I searched for all files on my hard drive that were created on that date and I found additional files named 'regstr.exe' (again with a "works perfectly" description) as well as 'net32.exe'

but then I hit a dead end. I don't see any unusual processes running or anything, but I'm pretty sure there's some virus on my system.

My parents use my computer and I think they might have downloaded something.

Can anyone help me out here?

[Steve R Jones]

W32.HLLW.Symten@mm
http://[email protected]

[IntelSux]

umm, that is a totally different virus. It doesn't do anything like what I've described. Plus it's an email attachment. I'm not dumb enough to open those (and my parents don't use email).

And Norton Antivirus detects it, .. but the virus I have hasn't been detected.
(edit: yes, I have the latest virus definitions, latest version, blah blah blah)
thanks anyways.. I'll fix it myself

[Lord Vetinari]

I'd check your startup files using MSconfig (type it in the RUN option on the start menu)
Judging from this page http://www.computersense.on.ca/03052201.htm
the above comment re the virus was correct!- ie W32.HLLW.Shynet