Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

Author Topic: Spools.exe  (Read 5007 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

kgs821

    Topic Starter


    Starter

    Spools.exe
    « on: April 29, 2008, 04:39:27 PM »
    I found the file spools.exe running in my task manager and I had never seen it before, so I deleted it because my computer was almost fried by a fake anti virus software, and I thought it could of been some leftover part. After I deleted it, every time I open any program, it goes to the "Open With" box, and does that every single time even if I choose the program file to go with it. Is spools.exe a normal system process? And what can I do to get my programs to open normally?

    Soriano



      Greenhorn

      Re: Spools.exe
      « Reply #1 on: April 29, 2008, 05:15:24 PM »
      Spools.exe is a network aware worm that will try and disable programs installed by a user and creates a back door connection to a hacker site and will transmit user data and internet activity back that outside hacker.  It was wise of you to try and delete the it from your system.  However it sounds like you went the wrong way about getting rid of it.  I need more information though to make any conclusions.  How did you delete it?  Most modern day anti-virus software can immediately spools.exe and remove it. 

      Try:

      http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

      That is AVG anti virus.  It is a free anti virus but works very well from my experience.  I have used it with multiple clients and it should sot any other viral issues your PC has.  I am at a loss for your "Open With" box randomly popping up.  Need more information.   

      kgs821

        Topic Starter


        Starter

        Re: Spools.exe
        « Reply #2 on: April 29, 2008, 09:14:51 PM »
        Alright, I ran my anti-virus/spyware program (Ad-Aware 2007) and it got rid of quite a few things, then I rebooted. Still, whenever I try to launch a program, the "Open With" box comes up. With some programs, for example Firefox and Ad-Aware, I'm able to browse for the program file and run it, and with others like AIM and Itunes, the program will not start.

        Broni


          Mastermind
        • Kraków my love :)
        • Thanked: 614
          • Computer Help Forum
        • Computer: Specs
        • Experience: Experienced
        • OS: Windows 8
        Re: Spools.exe
        « Reply #3 on: April 29, 2008, 09:31:50 PM »
        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.

        kgs821

          Topic Starter


          Starter

          Re: Spools.exe
          « Reply #4 on: April 30, 2008, 02:39:13 PM »
          I can't even open up the program and install it without the "Open With" window showing up. I dont think it's a matter of virus's or spyware, because I have Ad-Aware and that does a good job of cleaning, I think it might be a matter of me deleting a file that I thought was harmful, but was actually a system process.

          evilfantasy

          • Malware Removal Specialist
          • Moderator


          • Genius
          • Calm like a bomb
          • Thanked: 493
          • Experience: Experienced
          • OS: Windows 11
          Re: Spools.exe
          « Reply #5 on: April 30, 2008, 03:41:16 PM »
          Run this EXE File Association Fix.zip

          Download the ZIP and open it.  Extract the REG file to  your hard disk and double click it.  Answer yes to the import prompt.

          http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

          kgs821

            Topic Starter


            Starter

            Re: Spools.exe
            « Reply #6 on: April 30, 2008, 04:25:21 PM »
            Run this EXE File Association Fix.zip

            Download the ZIP and open it.  Extract the REG file to  your hard disk and double click it.  Answer yes to the import prompt.

            http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
            Wow thanks, worked perfectly.