Virus?? Error message "Application cannot be executed. The file *** is infected"

[otc108]

Hi there,

I just recently ran into an issue with my NB205 Netbook.  Whenever I try to run any program that is not IE or Mozilla firefox, I get the following error: "Application cannot be executed. The file *** is infected."

I tried running a variety of different programs/applications, all of which do not work.  Even cmd.exe gave the same error.  However, if I click the link from the popups generated out of the systray, it takes me to the same website claiming that for only 39.95, my computer will be virus free for 3 months.

I wanted to follow the rules of what I should do before posting, but I can't install any programs.  I downloaded AVG, and when it ran?  "Application cannot be executed...."  I'm completely lost, and have no idea what to do.  When I bought this Netbook it came with Windows 7 pre-installed so I have no way to format and reinstall the OS.  I'm at a loss as to what I can do to fix this problem... help?

[harry 48]

go to here and complete and post 3 logs

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

[SuperDave]

Please download and run the below tool named Rkill (courtesy of BleepingComputer.com) which may help allow other programs to run.
Save Rkill to your desktop.

There are 4 different versions. If one of them won't run then download and try to run the other one.
 
Vista and Win7 users need to right click Rkill and choose Run as Administrator
 

You only need to get one of these to run, not all of them. You may get warnings from your antivirus about this tool, ignore them or shutdown your antivirus.

Rkill.exe
Rkill.com
Rkill.scr
Rkill.pif

Once you've gotten one of them to run then try to immediately run the following.
 
Now download and Run exeHelper.

Please download exeHelper from Raktor to your desktop.

• Double-click on exeHelper.com to run the fix. A black window should pop up, press any key to close once the fix is completed. A log file named log.txt will be created in the directory where you ran exeHelper.com Attach the log.txt file to your next message.
  
  Note: If the window shows a message that says "Error deleting file", please re-run the program before posting a log - and post the two logs together (they will both be in the one file).
  

[@@]

Edited.

[otc108]

SuperDave,

I ran rkill and exehelper as you suggested, and here are the logs from those two programs.


-otc108

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[SuperDave]

That's good. Let's see if you can run these scans. Please copy and paste each log in your next reply.

SUPERAntiSpyware

If you already have SUPERAntiSpyware be sure to check for updates before scanning!

Download SuperAntispyware Free Edition (SAS)
* Double-click the icon on your desktop to run the installer.
* When asked to Update the program definitions, click Yes
* If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here
* Next click the Preferences button.

•Under Start-Up Options uncheck Start SUPERAntiSpyware when Windows starts
* Click the Scanning Control tab.
* Under Scanner Options make sure only the following are checked:

•Close browsers before scanning
•Scan for tracking cookies
•Terminate memory threats before quarantining
•Please leave the others unchecked

•Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

* On the main screen click Scan your computer
* On the left check the box for the drive you are scanning.
* On the right choose Perform Complete Scan
* Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
* After the scan is complete a summary box will appear. Click OK
* Make sure everything in the white box has a check next to it, then click Next
* It will quarantine what it found and if it asks if you want to reboot, click Yes

•To retrieve the removal information please do the following:
•After reboot, double-click the SUPERAntiSpyware icon on your desktop.
•Click Preferences. Click the Statistics/Logs tab.

•Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.

•It will open in your default text editor (preferably Notepad).
•Save the notepad file to your desktop by clicking (in notepad) File > Save As...

* Save the log somewhere you can easily find it. (normally the desktop)
* Click close and close again to exit the program.
*Copy and Paste the log in your post
=======================================

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here.

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• Make 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.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
• Please save the log to a location you will remember.
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
========================================

Please download: HiJackThis to your Desktop.

• Double Click the HijackThis icon, located on your Desktop.
  
• By Default, it will install to: C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis
• Accept the license agreement.
• Click the Open the Misc Tools section button.
  
• Place a checkmark beside Calculate MD5 of files if possible. Then, click Back.
  
• Click Do a System Scan and Save a Logfile. Or, if you see a white screen, click Scan.
  
• Please post the log in your next reply.