Computer Issues

[Akiyama]

So I normally don't really need tech support, but this time I'm at a loss of what to do. I had some spyware issues that I resolved a few days ago, but some lingering effects are still around and I don't know what to do.

My problem is for certain programs.. (YIM!/MSN Messenger) and such are having difficulties opening. By that, I mean they show up in the Windows Task manager under the processes, but don't actually open to where I can do anything with them. I've run Spybot - Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware SE Professional, NOD32, Symantec Anti-Virus with updated virus libraries.. all of that. Still no luck at all and I don't know what to do. Trillian works and yes, I could use that, but I'm used to the two separate messengers, plus other programs that I have issues with. Please BG. Help me out? Thanks a bunch.

[Isiolia]

Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the applications? It's possible that they had components corrupted and then removed as part of a spyware app.

You could also try poking around with Hijackthis http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php
It can be a bit dangerous to use, since it lists everything rather that just suspect programs/startup items...but if you've got a general idea of what should and should not be there, it's quite handy.

[Akiyama]

Well I may try Hijackthis, but as far as files being corrupted, I don't think they are. Last night Yahoo would open, but MSN wouldn't open and AIM opens, but then later in the morning when I restarted, Yahoo wouldn't open and MSN would open. Now neither will open and I don't think I've done anything otherwise. They still show up in my Task Manager when I click their icons and what not. It's like they are being suppressed by something. :/

[Avanarius]

Try ending all the processes related to the said programs and then open one to see if it works correctly.

[Akiyama]

I've actually ended all programs with my name by them and what not then tried to open them separately and still no go. They'd come up on the Task Manager with 0 CPU used and the same memory used, but wouldn't actually open up. D: This is so aggravating..

[Robert]

reformatting is always the best solution

[Shuemue]

reformatting is always the best solution

Hi Devek.

OP: Try the uninstall/reinstall of the applications, spyware very often hijacks DLL's which fuck things up after removal.

[Akiyama]

okay. I'll try uninstalling/reinstalling again. I dunno, it's weird. It's like when the spyware I had at one time which caused me some problems.. (Deleted my uleaut32.dll and I had to replace..) may have deleted other .dlls or something that effect java based programs.. like MSN Messenger and Yahoo. It still doesn't explain the fact that on the web browser I use other than Firefox (Maxthon), it doesn't allow me to use CTRL+F for Find and what not. D:

[Akiyama]

OKay.. update on the situation. It turns out when I ran a few it found win32/trojandownloader.tiny.ID or whatever.. along with spyware and I might just have to reformat. I have so much stuff that I'd have to burn to DVDs.. it's going to be rough. I'm hoping I can resolve my issue without that though..

[viperlasson]

Ouch, run every anti-spyware app you can. Search and destroy, Ad-aware, Hijack this (if you know how to use it). I had a really bad spyware problem before, normal spyware removers couldn't get rid of it. I did a search of the name and it turns out that I had to download this program dedicated to getting rid of it... All in all, I finally got rid of it.