Host Process has stopped working/Explorer crash/Aero problems

[mcdidd]

My computer was infected with a virus a couple days ago and things started going crazy. I have Windows Vista Home Premium and I have the Aero interface activated. When I open Windows Explorer, it crashes and it brings up a "Windows Explorer is not responding" window (This window is using the Windows Classic theme...) and the computer completely goes crazy. If I restart Explorer, it often reloads in Windows Classic theme (Not Aero). Also, the Host Process stops responding so I cannot run many programs. I have scanned my computer with Malwarebytes, SUPERAntiSpyware, and HijackThis, and I have logs ready to post. If someone can help me, let me know if you'd like me to attach the logs or post their contents. Thanks in advance.

PS: Now I'm getting a notification that says "Windows could not connect to the User Profile Service service." I also have a browser redirect problem. Can someone help me out? I need this computer virus free as soon as possible.

[harry 48]

please post the logs for the expert to see

[Allan]

Please follow the instructions in the following link:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

[mcdidd]

Allan, I have already followed all the instructions in that link and I have all the logs ready to post. I just need to know if someone can help me so I can post them.

[Allan]

I don't understand why you have multiple threads going on this.

[mcdidd]

Sorry Allan, I wasn't sure if I had posted in the correct place. Anyway, here are the logs.

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[mcdidd]

Now Windows Explorer keeps crashing. What is the next step?

[mcdidd]

Can someone please help me? My computer freezes up and explorer crashes every time I type a single letter into Start Search. Someone, please tell me what to do because I can't take this any longer.

[SuperDave]

Hello and welcome to Computer Hope Forum. My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer. I am working under the guidance of one of the specialist of this forum so it may take a bit longer to process your logs.

1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.

If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.

Sorry for being so late. Do you still require help?

[mcdidd]

SuperDave, thanks for the reply. I'm not completely sure if my computer is still infected, so can you guide me through scans so I can figure out if any further action is required? Thanks in advance.

[SuperDave]

Please download ComboFix from BleepingComputer.com

Alternate link: GeeksToGo.com

Rename ComboFix.exe to commy.exe before you save it to your Desktop
Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools A guide to do this can be found here
Click Start then copy paste the following command into the search box & hit enter: "%userprofile%\desktop\commy.exe" /stepdel
As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. This will not install in Vista. Just continue scanning, and skip the console install.
When finished, it shall produce a log for you.  Please include the contents of C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

If you have problems with ComboFix usage, see How to use ComboFix
******************************
Download Security Check by screen317 from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2

* Unzip SecurityCheck.zip and a folder named Security Check should appear.
* Open the Security Check folder and double-click Security Check.bat
* Follow the on-screen instructions inside of the black box.
* A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt
* Post the contents of that document in your next reply.

Note: If a security program requests permission from dig.exe to access the Internet, allow it to do so.

[mcdidd]

SuperDave, do you want me to copy the contents of the logs and paste them in my reply, or attach the logs?

[SuperDave]

Copy and paste is the way to go.

[mcdidd]

My antivirus detected ComboFix as a virus in itself... Should I go ahead and allow it access?

[BC_Programmer]

Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools A guide to do this can be found here