A little help needed, please
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 by Stumpy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
For some strange reason, each time I boot my machine it now displays a window to My Documents which I have to close manually, does anyone know why or how I can stop it ?
I have made sure that it there is no shortcut in the Startup Folder, checked the registry, checked for spyware, all is clean, I just cannot find a reason for this to be happeneing.
Also there is now a search Toolbar that appears on the Taskbar (Toolbar is called Search Assistant), this I also have to close
I have checked with 3 Spyware programs plus an online scan by Symantec, system, is clean.
Any help would be appreciated
I have made sure that it there is no shortcut in the Startup Folder, checked the registry, checked for spyware, all is clean, I just cannot find a reason for this to be happeneing.
Also there is now a search Toolbar that appears on the Taskbar (Toolbar is called Search Assistant), this I also have to close
I have checked with 3 Spyware programs plus an online scan by Symantec, system, is clean.
Any help would be appreciated
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Stumpy
Reply #2 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:40 AM
Reply #2 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:40 AM
Search assistant is not in the Add/Remove list, so cannot uninstall 
Also as I have said above I have used three Spyware catchers these are:-
Spybot
Adaware
Spy Sweeper
Plus an Online scan at the Symantec website, I have also done a complete virus scan, also used HiJackThis
But thanks anyway
[Message Edited]
Also as I have said above I have used three Spyware catchers these are:-
Spybot
Adaware
Spy Sweeper
Plus an Online scan at the Symantec website, I have also done a complete virus scan, also used HiJackThis
But thanks anyway
[Message Edited]
goodmorphing
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:47 AM
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:47 AM
Stumpy, try Hijack this. Make sure to post it to a forum where there are experts who can help you. It can be get a little confusing, but the people at the forums really know a lot.
[Message Edited]
[Message Edited]
NightTrainthedark
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:48 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:48 AM
http://www.spy-bot.net/IGetNet.asp
hopefully that will get you on your way.
hopefully that will get you on your way.
goodmorphing
Reply #5 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:49 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:49 AM
OOPS... I see you did that already.
We need YRAG! or IP.
Arkanoid1988
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:53 AM
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:53 AM
I would suggest going on the microsoft website they cover many of the problems you encouter when using windows XP.
http://www.microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com
eieio
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 6:22 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 6:22 AM
Stumpy
Go here
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
and get the StartUpList utility.
It won't remove anything, but it will show everything that starts when you boot up and where it is being started from
Go here
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
and get the StartUpList utility.
It won't remove anything, but it will show everything that starts when you boot up and where it is being started from
Stumpy
Reply #8 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 7:36 AM
Reply #8 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 7:36 AM
Ok, checkedd the options you have given
the window to My Documents still appears on startup
Search Assistant is still in the Right-Click menu of the Taskbar (does not appear on Restart only On a New Boot).
All spyware programs have been re-run all clear, registry has been searched and cleared of any dodgy entries.
Cannot find any place where the Taskbar Toolbars are kept
Thanks for the help you have given, if anyone can think of anything more it would be appreciated, thanks
[Message Edited]
the window to My Documents still appears on startup
Search Assistant is still in the Right-Click menu of the Taskbar (does not appear on Restart only On a New Boot).
All spyware programs have been re-run all clear, registry has been searched and cleared of any dodgy entries.
Cannot find any place where the Taskbar Toolbars are kept
Thanks for the help you have given, if anyone can think of anything more it would be appreciated, thanks
[Message Edited]
Shameless Designs
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:21 AM
Reply #9 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:21 AM
Stumpy, if you click on the search toolbar, to what page does it take you? From the research I did just a few minutes ago, it seems there are two adware toolbars called 'Search Assistant', one by Blazefind.com, and one by lop.com. They also seem to be real devils to remove by all accounts. But from what I've found so far, they need to be treated differently so you need to know which version you have.
Shameless Designs
Reply #10 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:27 AM
Reply #10 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:27 AM
Stumpy, if you've run hijack this, you might want to check this thread to see if anything looks familiar: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=34589&goto=nextnewest
Stumpy
Reply #11 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:34 AM
Reply #11 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:34 AM
Shameless, clicking the Search takes me to Blazefind.com 
Koasati
Reply #12 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:47 AM
Reply #12 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:47 AM
Shameless Designs
Reply #13 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:37 AM
Reply #13 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:37 AM
There are also manual instructions for removing it here: http://www.securemost.com/articles/trou_3_remove_ie_searchbar.htm
If you have Norton's, I would use Koasati's link first, otherwise, the link I'm giving has a more complete list of the dll's and reg entries to remove it manually. The link I gave also indicates that Pest Patrol now has blazefinder on it's update list, so that might be a good way to go also. Pest Patrol is a very good spyware remover. Good luck.
[Message Edited]
If you have Norton's, I would use Koasati's link first, otherwise, the link I'm giving has a more complete list of the dll's and reg entries to remove it manually. The link I gave also indicates that Pest Patrol now has blazefinder on it's update list, so that might be a good way to go also. Pest Patrol is a very good spyware remover. Good luck.
[Message Edited]
Stumpy
Reply #14 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:58 AM
Reply #14 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:58 AM
Ok, thanks guys, I followed the instruction and the Search Assistant does not appear on Taskbar (but is still in the Right-click menu of the Taskbar)
Now there is still the problem of the "My Documents" window opening on startup
Any ideas guys & gals
Now there is still the problem of the "My Documents" window opening on startup
Any ideas guys & gals
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #15 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:20 AM
Reply #15 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:20 AM
Delete or move the folder...reboot and make a new my documents folder
Stumpy
Reply #16 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:54 AM
Reply #16 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:54 AM
Ok tried that, didn't work, what actually happens is this when window desktop appears a window opens (Explorer window) at the "My Documents" which resides at the bottom of the treeview list on the laft hand side and I have to close it manually
This has only started happening recently, never did before (there is no icon on the desktop, it is switched off in the Display Properties)
It's really bugging me now
This has only started happening recently, never did before (there is no icon on the desktop, it is switched off in the Display Properties)
It's really bugging me now
DesignCaddy
Reply #17 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:01 PM
Reply #17 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:01 PM
if you have a recent registry backup, before these strange things, i would reload it... you miht have to reinstall recent programs but i think it could be a registry entry. if it's not a wayward shortcut, a malfunctioning dll, or a mis-printed start up option, it looks like something was tweaked deeper down. i just fixed a friend's machine of spyware, and his system32 folder stopped opening on startup. dispite the precautions you've taken, and the scans, something slipped through and altered something, and may still be there. it could, perhaps, be related to Office malfunctioning, as well.. that would also be fixed by a registry reload
eieio
Reply #18 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:09 PM
Reply #18 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:09 PM
Stumpy
Did you run the StartUpList utility?
If so, can you post the results?
Did you run the StartUpList utility?
If so, can you post the results?
Satans Child
Reply #19 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:16 PM
Reply #19 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:16 PM
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
I dunno if it'll help but it's worth a shot, and only takes a minute.
I dunno if it'll help but it's worth a shot, and only takes a minute.
Stumpy
Reply #20 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:18 PM
Reply #20 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 12:18 PM
StartupList was ran, everything in it I know, ther is nothing there that would cause this particular prob, the main problem (Search Assistant) was rectified, thanks,
I will run it again and post the results here.
I will run it again and post the results here.
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Reply #1 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 5:31 AM
Also run spybot search and destroy.
[Message Edited]