[NeonFx]

To clarify, you have two things in your uninstall list:

Sun Virtual Box

Sun Virtual Box Guest additions


The first is the program that you use to create new Virtual Machines.

The second is a program that should only be installed on Virtual Machines, not the host machine. I believe this second program (Guest Additions) to be the cause of your problems because it is not meant to be used on host machines.

[nichos]

this is what I have below.

Host is XP

Guest is VBox in which I install linux, win7 etc. & for the hole thing to work properly I install guest additions which are not installed in XP directly.

It has been like that for a couple of years or more with no apparent problems.

Sorry Icanot be very precise as all are a bit foggy in my old mind.

[NeonFx]

My point is XP should not have Guest Additions installed. Only Guests (not Hosts) should have it. It is designed to make Virtual Machines act better within Virtual Box, not the computer that is hosting the Virtual Machines.

That is what I believe to be the cause of your problems. Please uninstall it by going to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs in XP

[nichos]

I am sorry to give you hard times in my ignorance, but if I did not use guest additions the mouse would not flow out in to XP & back amongst other things.

Just for interest I tried to install G.Additions in XP (host) & could not find them let alone installthem.

Any way, you want the additions removed, how do I do it please.

[NeonFx]

It's alright. I think you misunderstand how Guest Additions works. If you install it on the Guest and not the Host you will be able to move the mouse freely between the two.

You see, if you install Guest additions in Ubuntu and not in XP (or in Windows 7 and not XP) you will be able to do what you describe, that is what it is designed for. You do not have to have it installed on XP. In fact, it's not supposed to be installed in XP. Do you see what I mean?


All you have to do is go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs in XP (the Host) and uninstall Sun xVM Virtual Box Guest Additions 2.04 . I know it's there because you listed it in your Uninstall List HERE. And also because I had confused your machine for a Virtual Machine because you had it installed. Seeing all the components in the logs made me think the XP machine was a Virtual Machine when it really isn't. Because Guest Additions takes over everything (login, video settings, networking) it would explain all of your symptoms.

[nichos]

Am really confused now.

I never installed them in XP, there is no way I could find to do that, only done it in the host. I must be too old for this game.

Please show me how to install them in XP.

Now do you want it uUNistalled? I'll do it.

[NeonFx]

Haha I never wanted them installed in XP. They were already installed in XP before you came here for help. Even if you didn't know about it.

I want Guest Additions UNinstalled in XP. I think now you're confusing what Host means. Host = XP while Guest = Windows 7/Ubuntu

Is it not listed in Add/Remove programs?

[nichos]

if you say so, I am unaware that I did,

here now unistalled & still does it.

[nichos]

geting late here, see you tomorrow ........nick

[NeonFx]

Let's run an online scan of your system to verify it isn't malware related. After that I'll have to send you back to the technicians because they can't participate in this forum. My expertise is in malware removal and that doesn't seem to be your problem.

STEP 1

The online scanner uses Java, so I will need you to download and install the latest version for that.

Please go here to download the installer:

http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Reboot your machine when that's done.


STEP 2

Using Internet Explorer or Firefox, visit Kaspersky Online Scanner

1. Click Accept, when prompted to download and install the program files and database of malware definitions.



2. To optimize scanning time and produce a more sensible report for review:

• Close any open programs
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan. Click HERE to see how to disable the most common antivirus programs.

3. Click Run at the Security prompt.


The program will then begin downloading and installing and will also update the database.


Please be patient as this can take quite a long time to download.

• Once the update is complete, click on Settings.
• Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button:
  
  • Spyware, adware, dialers, and other riskware
  • Archives
  • E-mail databases
  
  
• Click on My Computer under the green Scan bar to the left to start the scan.
• Once the scan is complete, it will display if your system has been infected. It does not provide an option to clean/disinfect. We only require a report from it.
• Do NOT be alarmed by what you see in the report. Many of the finds have likely been quarantined.
• Click View report... at the bottom.
• Click the Save report... button.
  
  
• Change the Files of type dropdown box to Text file (.txt) and name the file KasReport.txt to save the file to your desktop so that you may post it in your next reply

[nichos]

kasper report

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KASPERSKY ONLINE SCANNER 7.0: scan report
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Kaspersky Online Scanner version: 7.0.26.13
Last database update: Saturday, November 21, 2009 08:53:28
Records in database: 3254855
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scan settings:
scan using the following database: extended
Scan archives: yes
Scan e-mail databases: yes
Scan area - My Computer:
A:\
C:\
D:\
E:\
F:\
G:\
O:\
P:\
Scan statistics:
Objects scanned: 205818
Threats found: 9
Infected objects found: 17
Suspicious objects found: 0
Scan duration: 02:33:15

File name / Threat / Threats count
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Aureate.a 1
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip Infected: not-a-virus:Monitor.Win32.InvisibleKeyLogger.q 1
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.EZula.j 1
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.IGetNet.a 1
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe Infected: Trojan.Win32.StartPage.tv 1
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Gator.3103 1
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.IGetNet.a 1
D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.EZula.j 1
D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.IGetNet.a 1
D:\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe Infected: Trojan.Win32.StartPage.tv 1
D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Gator.3103 1
D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.IGetNet.a 1
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Cydoor.j 1
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Cydoor.d 1
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\HFS.exe Infected: not-a-virus:Server-FTP.Win32.SFH.bc 1
P:\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe Infected: not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Aureate.a 1
P:\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip Infected: not-a-virus:Monitor.Win32.InvisibleKeyLogger.q 1
Selected area has been scanned.

[NeonFx]

I'm glad to see it found nothing active on your system. You probably know what all of those are, but I want to remove them anyway. As you can see, tools like that are often infected. Deleting them will probably render a couple of the tools useless, but they seem to be archived copies of these anyway.

If you used those tools in the past (Longhorn Transformer or Theme XP) to change the themes in Windows that's probably the cause of the display properties problem. It makes even more sense then having VB Guest Additions installed.

Please do the following:

STEP 1

Run OTS

• Under the Paste Fix Here box on the right, paste in the contents of following code box

[Unregister Dlls]
[Custom Items]
:Files
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe
D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe
D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe
D:\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe
D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe
D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\HFS.exe
P:\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe
P:\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip
:end
[Empty Temp Folders]
[ClearAllRestorePoints]
[Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
• This will create a log in C:\_OTS\MovedFiles\<date>_<time>.txt where date and time are those of when the fix was run. Open it from there if it does not appear automatically on reboot. Please copy and paste or attach the contents of that file here.

Note: You may receive some errors while running the fix. Just press Ok and the fix should continue normally.
If it seems to get stuck, give it some time. It's probably still working.


STEP 2

Run OTS again and click on the Quick Scan button at the top. Attach the results of this scan in your next reply.

[nichos]

after step 1 the thing appeaed again.

All Processes Killed
[Custom Items]
========== FILES ==========
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe moved successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\y\My Documents\Syncplicity Folders\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip moved successfully.
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe moved successfully.
File/Folder D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe not found.
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe moved successfully.
D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe moved successfully.
File/Folder D:\merged_partition_content\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe not found.
D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe moved successfully.
File/Folder D:\XP Utilities\Longhorn Transformer\longhorn2.exe not found.
D:\XP Utilities\Theme XP\winxp2.exe moved successfully.
D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe moved successfully.
File/Folder D:\XP Utilities\Xp Vidia Saver\xpvidia.exe not found.
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe moved successfully.
File/Folder P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\disconnector26.exe not found.
P:\aaZipedFiles(cntdD)\HFS.exe moved successfully.
P:\aaZipedFiles1\Beatle.exe moved successfully.
P:\aaZipedFiles1\TempCleanergtc.zip moved successfully.
[Empty Temp Folders]


User: All Users

User: Default User
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes

User: LocalService
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 33170 bytes

User: NetworkService
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 33170 bytes

User: y
->Temp folder emptied: 97837319 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 44793470 bytes
->Java cache emptied: 13817519 bytes
->FireFox cache emptied: 0 bytes

%systemdrive% .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot% .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32 .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
Windows Temp folder emptied: 549145 bytes
%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
RecycleBin emptied: 104438067 bytes

Total Files Cleaned = 249.39 mb


Restorepoints cleared and new one set!
< End of fix log >
OTS by OldTimer - Version 3.1.6.0 fix logfile created on 11212009_203020

[nichos]

Step 2 attached

[NeonFx]

Those aren't the results from Step 2, but that's alright. Let me give you my cleanup and closing speech so that we can move this back to a forum where others can help. I will have this moved soon.

The problem you are having (Display Properties appearing on every reboot) is not malware related and you are now clean.

Let's cleanup.

STEP 1

To clean up OldTimer's tools, along with a few others, do the following:

• Run OTS.exe by double clicking on it
• Click on the "CleanUp" button on the top.
• You will be asked if you wish to reboot your system, select "Yes"

STEP 2

Remove any other tools or files we used by right-clicking on them or any folders they created, hold down the Shift key, and select "Delete" by clicking on it. This will delete the files without sending them to the RecycleBin.

You can also uninstall the other programs (HijackThis or MalwareBytes if we used them) by going to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs (The Control Panel is different in different versions of Windows. It will be Programs and Features in Vista and Programs > Uninstall a Program in 7)

You might want to keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware though and that's fine Make sure you update it before you run the scans in the future.

All Clean

Congratulations!, , your system is now clean. Now that your system is safe we would like you to keep it that way. Take the time to follow these instructions and it will greatly reduce the risk of further infections and greatly diminish the chances of you having to visit here again.

Microsoft Windows Update
Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office products loopholes and fix any bugs found. Install the updates immediately if they are found.
To update Windows
Go to (Start) > (All) Programs > Windows Update
To update Office
Open up any Office program.
Go to Help > Check for Updates


Download and Install a HOSTS File
A HOSTS file is a big list of bad web sites. The list has a specific format, a specific name, (name is just HOSTS with no file extension), and a specific location. Your machine always looks at that file in that location before connecting to a web site to verify the address. A HOSTS listing can be used to "short circuit" a request to a bad website by giving it the address of your own machine and prevent your computer from connecting to that website.

See how to get it HERE
(For Vista and 7 see HERE )

You can also use a tool to update your Hosts file. See HERE and HERE

If you have a separate party firewall or Winpatrol, you may have to give permissions at various times to Unlock the present default HOSTS file and install the new one.

Note: A Hosts file can slow some systems down. If it is slowed down beyond tolerable you might want to empty the Hosts file or reset it using one of the tools.

Install WinPatrol
Download it HERE
You can find information about how WinPatrol works HERE and HERE

Note: This program will work alongside all other security programs without conflicts. It might ask you to allow certain actions that security programs perform often, but if you tell Scotty to remember the action by checking the option, the alerts will lessen.

Other Software Updates
It is very important to update the other software on your computer to patch up any security issues you may have. Go HERE to scan your computer for any out of date software. In particular make sure you download the updates for Java and Adobe as these are subject to many security vulnerabilities.

Setting up Automatic Updates
So that it is not necessary to have to remember to update your computer regularly (something very important to securing your system), automatic updates should be configured on your computer. Microsoft has guides for XP and Vista on how to do this. See HERE for Windows 7.

Read further information HERE, HERE, and HERE on how to prevent Malware infections and keep yourself clean.