Ive been hijacked

[Chewie]

Do all these scanners say your system is clean or that they can't remove certain files/infections?

I make some pin money sorting out infected systems and, for me, format & re-install is the painful option since it's not just about backing up and restoring files. Usernames/passords need to be remembered (no-one ever remembers their ISP logon details for a start), Windows and application settings need to be reset to how you like them and all those games & applications need to be re-installed.
Sure, you can easily be back at a clean desktop inside an hour but the job's far from done at that stage.

[IdolEyes787]

One last option,check out these sites.http://www.castlecops.com/forums.html

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

These people are real experts in malware removal and may be able to help.

[the mask]

well guys, thanks for all your help, i tried but failed, i have ended up formatting and doing a fresh install in the end. im back up and running now.

[IdolEyes787]

Glad to here it.
Look on the bright side, at least you learned something and your computer probably could have used a good cleaning out anyway.

[the mask]

BAD NEWS!! Im back, after the formatting of my hd, and installing everything again, the virus is back!! i cant beleive it, im vexed, any ideas please. im doing an ESET scan right now. what are the chances of that, i havent had a serious virus like this for about 5 years, and now twice in one week.

[IdolEyes787]

First thing is to make sure you're actually formatting, and not just installing over top. If you don't see some progress indicator that says something like "Formatting", you didn't format the drive, so something from the old install could potentially be causing problems for the new one.
Second
Check ALL of your storage.
Make sure to scan any removable storage that you use too. They could have a virus.
That includes: thumbdrives, burned CDs, portable harddrives, etc.
You can also get a virus from personal files you regularly interact with on the internet.
Most probably the virus is in something that you saved and reinstalled though.
Running a scan in safe mode could be more effective, make sure that you try that.Also disable system restore, viruses are also saved there(you can re able it again after).
A virus cannot survive a true reformatting,so it must be something that you're adding later.

[the mask]

hi, yeah im sure, it asked me if i wanted to format NTFS (quick) and there was an option without the quick, i opted for the long version just to make sure, i have realised what the problem was, just before i had the problem i dl and installed a new version of limewire, after i had formatted, i dl the same version of limewire and had the same problem, so i have established that was the problem. i have done another format (quick though) but did not dl LW this time and all seems to be running beautifully.

[Barbarossa]

Are you installing msn messenger by any chance?

You need to untick all the "optional" installs that get bundled with that, or you might get this problem.

[IdolEyes787]

hi, yeah im sure, it asked me if i wanted to format NTFS (quick) and there was an option without the quick, i opted for the long version just to make sure, i have realised what the problem was, just before i had the problem i dl and installed a new version of limewire, after i had formatted, i dl the same version of limewire and had the same problem, so i have established that was the problem. i have done another format (quick though) but did not dl LW this time and all seems to be running beautifully.

Never had a problem with Limewire personally .Be careful of where you download stuff from.Try " nsanedown.com " I'd trust it for anything.
Barbarossa brings up a good point too some programs come bundled with other stuff that you may not want.Try to read everything carefully before installing.

[the mask]

Just another question idolEyes787, my taskbar doesnt fully hide, i have it on 'auto-hide', it does go up and down at the correct times but when it hides, there is still about 1 1/2mm of it visible, is there any way of correcting this?

Edit: and i have adjusted my screen, its not that.