ERROR LOADING SPHPXPNT.DLL/ARACETUW.DLL - SPECIFIED MODULE COULD NOT BE FOUND

[SuperDave]

I'd like to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

•Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan
•Click the button.
•For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)

• Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  
• Double click on the icon on your desktop.
  

•Check
•Click the button.
•Accept any security warnings from your browser.
•Check
•Push the Start button.
•ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
•When the scan completes, push
•Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
•Push the button.
•Push
A log file will be saved here: C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt

[810311]

Hi SuperDave,

I wasn't presented with the option "List of found threats" so I guess all OK now....? I went and copied content of logfile from C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt . Please,see below.


ESETSmartInstaller@High as downloader log:
all ok
# version=7
# OnlineScannerApp.exe=1.0.0.1
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6419
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=cbbc7935b4a69044b2afaad39ce1b0cf
# end=finished
# remove_checked=true
# archives_checked=true
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=false
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2011-01-02 09:41:03
# local_time=2011-01-02 03:41:03 (-0600, Central Standard Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=5891 16776533 42 87 0 5101448 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=86919
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=4279

[SuperDave]

That's looks good. If there are no other issues, let's do some cleanup.
You may keep SAS and MBAM. Update them and run them on a regular basis.
All the others can be uninstalled or deleted.

Delete the Combo-Fix.exe file, C:\Combo-Fix folder, C:\QooBox folder, C:\WINDOWS\nircmd.exe, C:\combo-fix.txt and C:\Combo-Fix-quarantined-files.txt
You may  encounter a folder that refuses to be deleted. In that case, clean out all the files that you can in that folder and leave it. Or, you can download and install Unlocker and delete it.

To turn off Windows XP System Restore:

NOTE: These instructions assume that you are using the default Windows XP Start Menu and have not changed to the Classic Start menu. To re-enable the default menu, right-click Start, click Properties, click Start menu (not Classic) and then click OK.

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives"
5. Click Apply.
6.  When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
8. Restart the computer and follow the instructions in the next section to turn on System Restore.

To turn on Windows XP System Restore:

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives."
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
This will give you a new, clean Restore Point.
****************************************************
Clean out your temporary internet files and temp files.

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop.

Double-click TFC.exe to run it.

Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator

TFC will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.

* Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process.
* Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two.
* Please let TFC run uninterrupted until it is finished.

Once TFC is finished it should restart your computer. If it does not, please manually restart the computer yourself to ensure a complete cleaning.

***************************************************
Looking over your log it seems you don't have any evidence of a third party firewall.

Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders. You need to download a free firewall from one of these reliable vendors.

Remember only install ONE firewall

1) Comodo Personal Firewall (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" and uncheck any HopSurf and/or Ask.com options if you choose this one)
2) Online Armor
3) Agnitum Outpost
4) PC Tools Firewall Plus

If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall, it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to "phone home" for more instructions. Simply put, Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.
*************************************************************
Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out of date software.

•Click Start Now

•Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.

•Click Start

•Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
•Update anything listed.
.
----------

Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

----------

I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

SpywareBlaster- Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Protect yourself against spyware using the Immunize feature in Spybot - Search & Destroy. Guide: Use Spybot's Immunize Feature to prevent spyware infection in real-time. Note: To ensure you have the latest Immunizations always update Spybot - Search & Destroy before Immunizing. Spybot - Search & Destroy FAQ

Check out Keeping Yourself Safe On The Web for tips and free tools to help keep you safe in the future.

Also see Slow Computer? It may not be Malware for free cleaning/maintenance tools to help keep your computer running smoothly.
Safe Surfing!

[810311]

Hi SuperDave,

I have encountered a folder (it's empty and it's in my recycle bin)  and I am not able to delete it from there:

Dc53 - folder name


Also, I have Windows XP firewall which is not good. Which one you suggest from the list you sent me?


thanks a lot

[810311]

Also, I am using Google Chrome. Which addon you will recommend? - Web of Trust or Spywareblaster...?

[SuperDave]

I have encountered a folder (it's empty and it's in my recycle bin)  and I am not able to delete it from there:
Dc53 - folder name

You can download and install Unlocker
and try to delete it with that. What happens when you hit the "Empty recycling bin"?

Also, I have Windows XP firewall which is not good. Which one you suggest from the list you sent me?

The only one I have experience with is Comodo. It's a little bit overbearing at first but it gets better after a bit. One thing I do when trying to install a new program is to disable it and enable the Windows Firewall because it can turn a 2 mins. job into 30 mins. of swearing. But, that's the price we have to pay for security. Compare it to the body scans and pat-downs at the airport. LOL.

Also, I am using Google Chrome. Which addon you will recommend? - Web of Trust or Spywareblaster...?

Both. They both do different jobs.

[810311]

You can download and install Unlocker
and try to delete it with that. What happens when you hit the "Empty recycling bin"?

I tried Unlocker and it didn't work. When I hit delete from recycle bin I get a pop up message "Cannot remove folder Dc55: Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write protected"


I also started getting Java related message saying: "Computer encountered a problem with jereud.exe..."(I don't remember exact file name, next time I'll write it down)

[810311]

I am not able to install Comodo - it says "This installation doesn't support target platform".

[Salmon Trout]

I am not able to install Comodo - it says "This installation doesn't support target platform".

Check you got the right version for your version of Windows (64 or 32 bit).

[harry 48]

Check you got the right version for your version of Windows (64 or 32 bit).

hope you dont mind but dave is giving the op advice

[810311]

32 bit

[810311]

please, see printscreen of an error message I am getting.

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[810311]

"You can download and install Unlocker
and try to delete it with that. What happens when you hit the "Empty recycling bin"?

I tried Unlocker and it didn't work. When I hit delete from recycle bin I get a pop up message "Cannot remove folder Dc55: Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write protected"

[810311]

Now I have one more problem - I am unable to launch Skype.

[810311]

Do I need Microsoft Security Essentials since I already have SAS and MalwareBytes ?