Virus problem-Need help!

[humblejohn]

I believe I have a virus which is replicating files whenever I go into search mode on ie7. Use xp home and have never seen this happen before. Can someone help me to run combofix or is this something that a beginner should be able to do on his own? I know there are directions on the internet but most warn against a beginner using the program. I have Avira , malwarebytes anti malware. These indicate no problem, but something is wrong.

Thanks in advance.

[OS-Wiz]

Try these two: AdAware and SpyBot

[Learux]

Malwarebytes fixed my problem once.

[Steve R Jones]

I vote you give a much more specific/detailed version of what you think is the problem

[wh666-666]

It sounds like you have a BHO ..



You need to run in safe mode with networking:

http://majorgeeks.com/download3550.html
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en...HJTInstall.exe
http://www.forospyware.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe
http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix.exe



Then if I were you, I would run malware bytes in safe mode, your chosen AV and a rootkit scanner, like this one that I use:
https://secure.sophos.com/products/f...tkit/download/

[humblejohn38]

It all started when I downloaded a program "eprompter". It turned out to be a terrible program and when I went to uninstall I couldn't using the normal methods and revo. When I went into find the program in "search" it came up and started to replicate itself until there were at least 540 separate files-all repeated. The instructions for uninstall of this program are unbelieveably complicated. I didn't think I would uninstall it so I never looked. Bad mistake. It is not doing this now. Sorry for wasting everyone's time. I have no idea what cleared it up. Thanks

[wh666-666]

Ahhh yes emprompter is a bugger to remove completely.

Be sure to back up the registry and delete the eprompter reg keys as well.

[epTechPete]

Hello...

I saw this thread and decided I should add a posting. I am the lead tech for ePrompter and I am sorry you experienced a problem that you associated with our application.

You never stated "where" you downloaded ePrompter from. Unfortunately, like many freeware/shareware applications out there, many individuals NOT associated with the application often repost programs for download. Sadly, in some cases, there are some unscrupulous individuals that may add "extra stuff" to the download that was not originally distributed from the developers.

In addition to our own website (www.eprompter.com), we have only ONE additional location that is authorized to have ePrompter available for download: CNET's Download service (www.download.com). Both these locations have the "official" version of ePrompter that is virus free and both sites are scanned daily to ensure there are no virus issues. In lieu of this posting, I re-checked the software files on both locations to verify that they still are virus free... which they are.

As for removal of ePrompter from your system... yes, the current version does not completely remove itself as some would like. The original programmers felt it important to leave the data files available after removal (like alot of programs do). That is being corrected in future versions. In addition, ePrompter does not write registry entries during installation and/or use. The only registry entries that you may find will result in Microsoft Windows creating entries for you in regards to desktop/start menu entries as well as screensaver entries (if you used it).



From the sounds of it you were able to rectify your issue... that's good. I am truly sorry you experienced those issues and also that you felt it was associated with ePrompter. I hope you understand that it was nothing that we, the developers of ePrompter, had anything to do with as mentioned above.



If you have any other issues regarding ePrompter and/or removal, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Pete
Lead Tech
ePrompter

[OS-Wiz]

Pete, thanks for jumping in. Its only fair you get a shot and defending your app.

However, ePrompter appears to have some mixed reviews: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail...r/1011118463/1

Regards

[humblejohn38]

I downloaded from the CNET site. I never go to a site that I don't recognize. There should however be a warning about the impossibility of removing it unless you are Bill Gates! Or something to the effect that beginners should stay away. Thanks for your reply.

[epTechPete]

ePrompter appears to have some mixed reviews: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail...r/1011118463/1
Regards

Granted, everyone has an opinion and entitled to it. If you actually look at the link you are referencing (which is for a beta "testing" version)... we have a 4 out of 5 star rating and the reviews are well over 2 years old and older. If you check out CNET's Download.com site, we have had over 1.7 million downloads and have a 4 star user and a 5 star editors rating.

Like any application available for download to such a wide variety of people... we may not be the best for all and we realize we can not please everyone but we are constantly working to make our application better for most... we try.

[bldegle2]

"The original programmers felt it important to leave the data files available after removal(like alot of programs do). "

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I just did a massive cleanup on my rig, removing tags and whatever from previously installed programs, the list was extensive and it took a lot of digging to get rid of the leftovers (yes, registry entry's were removed too), it was necessary as I switched viri protection and the previous proggie install leftovers was fubaring the new programs total implementation, this is not something that 99% of average users would even attempt......

That may be the norm for many programmers, it is akin to junk mail and email spammage as far as I am concerned, if someone is removing an added program for WHATEVER reason, it should be COMPLETELY removed, your company can spam the user with junk emails if they so desire, but you don't need to be messing with the users computing experience just because they don't like or can't use the program and decide to remove it.....

Like you said yourself, when making a proggie available to all, there may be problems in implementation and use (not 100% compatible, for whatever reason), why should it be compounded by leaving krud on the users rig after removal and creating more negatory feelings about the company?????....

Doesn't compute....

laterzzzz.....

[epTechPete]

I am sure some may consider left over data and in some cases code from a other applications a waste but it can't be classified as 'spam'. I agree it can be a waste of time, space, etc... but there is another aspect to look at.
In most cases, when data is left after removal, it has a legit reason. In many cases, people remove applications to re-install it to potentially correct an application corruption issue or get a newer version. Often, data is "left" so that it can be retrieved when the application is installed/re-installed instead of being lost.

Unfortunately, from a programmers point of few, with the "available" tools for application removal (often supplied by Microsoft Windows themselves)... there is no way to "clarify" with the end-user WHY they are removing the application. For that reason, it has to be assumed, that the user does not want to lose any data. I know, many people who have to clean up their systems often may feel that is not the right decision, but what if "the shoe was on the other foot" and you definitely wanted that data and it was critical for you?

Even mainstay email applications like Outlook, Thunderbird and more leave data when it is uninstalled. Programmers take the "better safe than sorry" stance just in case.

As stated, in the case of ePrompter, the application that WE are responsible for... the previous programmer did leave a bit too much after removal. That has been corrected in a forthcoming version to minimize that issue as much as possible.

Although you may not agree with the "general consensus" from a developers point of view... hopefully you may have a better understanding to the "why" reason.

[ua549]

If one wanted to retain data before removing an application, they would make a backup of that data. IMO doing only a partial uninstall is because of developer attitude and/or laziness. It would be a simple matter to ask about the desired disposition of data during the uninstall process. Instead, users must run a search and remove process to clean up after software removal. It isn't just case of ePrompter, but an industry wide case of developers not caring about doing a thorough job. Maybe they are pissed that a user would consider removing their application.

[bldegle2]

An application or program can be completely removed WITHOUT consequence, if there is a possible conflict, you give the option to the user at uninstall (pretty common).....why is it the 'leftovers' for many programs/apps can be completely removed with third party softwares, but the original 'uninstall' can't do it....not all leftovers have a 'cleanup' third party app to get things completely removed.....

This is business as usual, and no matter what you 'say', it is a way for the 'company' to linger, doing all it can not to lose a potential customer as a lot of progs and apps have a free trial or scaled down shareware version, and the company wanting the consumer to purchase of course.....

As far as removal goes, having an proper install tracker would eliminate any conflict when it comes to uninstall.....

Sorry, the bad taste still lingers from my recent 'clean up', it started out as a specific mission for one program glitch, then further research into leftover system files and registry entries, the clutter was extensive and in some cases, was causing slight slowdowns with certain tasks, and, yes, even an occassional 'blue screen', I was floored at how much REALLY was leftover......

Laterzzzzz..............