help fixing computer problem

[want2knowanswer]

- About a month ago, my antivirus program(Avast) said it detected a virus in memory.
- Suggested I shut computer down and reboot.
- Did so.
- Everything went fine with no resulting errors or messages.

- When attempted to return MS-DOS prompt level, received message that it couldn't fine
  the .pif file.
- Researched and found it still there.

- Tryed to recreate an ms-dos prompt.
- Then receive message that system couldn't find command.com.
- Tryed c:\windows\system32\command.com.
- System still couldn't find it, even though file is there.

- Then ran virus check; spybot checkers(Adaware, Spybot, SpyDoctor, etc.), etc.
- They did find instances of viruses, etc. and removed them.

- Ran defrag, checkdisk, scandisk, etc. etc.
- Check registery for .exe and exefile settings. All o.k. here
- Rebooted computer.
- Tryed other user logons.
- Tryed creating new user logon.

- Still same results.

- Did extension research into problem.
- Can't find anything that works.
- Did extensive research on this board concerning MS-DOS.
- Have not found anything new that is helping.


- NOTE:
  ----
  - Can get cmd command to work and get me to DOS level.
  - However that are certain dos command I use frequently such as 'edit' 'fd(changes date of file(s))', etc.
  - These are not working.


- I don't want to do a system restore at this point. I just want to fix the problem.

- B-T-W.
  - Have Compaq Presario V5305.
  - WINDOWS XP MEDIA EDITION - VERSION 2002 - SERVICE PACK 2
  - Only have restored disk - did not come with OEM disks.

- Any suggestions......

-thanks
-dan

[Broni]

System Restore won't do any good, because it'd bring back all viruses.

Let see, if your computer is clean...

Print these instructions out.

1. Download SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

    * Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
    * An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
    * If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here: http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html.)
    * Close SUPERAntiSpyware.

Restart computer in Safe Mode.
To enter Safe Mode, restart computer, and keep tapping F8 key, until menu appears; select Safe Mode; you'll see "Safe Mode" in all four corners of your screen

    * Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
    * Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
    * Click the Scanning Control tab.
    * Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
          o Close browsers before scanning.
          o Scan for tracking cookies.
          o Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
    * Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
    * Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
    * On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
    * On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
    * Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
    * After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
    * Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
    * A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
    * If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".
    * To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
          o Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
          o Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
          o If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log. A text file will open in your default text editor.
          o Please copy and paste the Scan Log results in your next reply.
    * Click Close to exit the program.
Post SUPERAntiSpyware log.

RESTART COMPUTER!

2. Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html to your desktop.

    * Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
    * At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
    * If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
    * Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.
    * When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
    * Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
    * When completed, a log will open in Notepad.
    * Post the log back here.

The log can also be found here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\log-date.txt
Or at C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\log-date.txt

RESTART COMPUTER!

3. Download HijackThis:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hijackthis.html
Post HijackThis log.