Rebooting computer reloads junk that ad-aware deleted

[troyvcd1]

I run ad-aware and it can find a bunch of junk on my computer and then I can delete it and all is fine. If I then go to reboot my computer this junk all gets loaded back on my computer and I start getting these pop-ups again till I restart ad-aware. I heard that this junk can sit somewhere in your computer in windows XP(sorry I dont know where I'm not to computer literate). Then when you reboot this stuff all gets put back on your computer. Does anyone know how to get rid of this junk permenantly.

[Ripper2860]

Just an idea ...
Try using Spybot Search and Destroy. Sometimes it will catch things that AdAware misses.

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Also -- make sure you have A/V installed and the most current virus sigs. Then do a full scan.

[indolikaa]

Troy,

I spent the better part of last weekend dealing with this sort of problem. Here's how I solved the problem...

1) Told the SysAdmin that I was reformatting his drives,
2) Listen to him bitch about how his backups weren't current,
3) Called his supervisor to override his decision,
4) Had his supervisor sign a release form re: non-current backup,
5) Performed low-level format of hard drives,
6) Restored from clean Windows install.

You may need to run multiple adware/spyware programs to root them out, and even that may not work for you. Some are downright nasty and no amount of scrubbing will completely remove them.

What you have sounds like a trojan running in stealth mode.

Good luck. Formatting my be your only option.

[redwudz]

It's not that easy to get rid of. I have good luck with Spybot, but you really need to disconnect from the internet, startup in 'Safe Mode' for the best effect. Also update Spybot as soon as you load it and it will get the files for newer versions of ad/spyware. It will be a learning experience. You need to find the program you downloaded that started all this and delete it. Then search through 'Program files' and delete any of downloaded spy/adware programs. There are some threads here that relate some of the problems. Some of the programs are uninstallable, but you need to make a list to identify them. If you do a search for 'spyware' or 'adware' you should find some instructions. These programs are made to be self replicating, you need to delete their files. Bottom line, You got to be careful what you click on if it comes from a questionable source.

EDIT: Unfortunatelly, indolikaa may be right in that if you can't get rid of all the crap, reformat is a final cure, as long as you don't reinstall any contaminated files.

[troyvcd1]

I do not believe it is as insidious as a trojan virus or something like that. Our computers at work had all kinds of this stuff and the systems admin. was able to get rid of it. If I run ad-aware it is all gone. It is something about sitting in your windows config. where rebooting your computer reloads this stuff. It is not a virus or anything like that it is just pop-up adds that happen when I am on the internet.

[indolikaa]

It doesn't happen to create Windows with the title 'Save' does it?

[offline]

Call a local IT guru. For a few bucks he/she will clean your
system of self creating bugs and tune up your system for
max performance.

There is no software that can do this, you need expert
knowledge of XP registery tips and tricks. A good %
of the problems often lie with the os itself.

[gitreel]

you can fix this two ways. start menu--run--msconfig. if use msconfig, look for anything questionable---uncheck that box and the computer will want to reboot. The other method requires going into the registry---start menu--run--regit--in the heirarchal tree to the left--click on hkey local machine---software---microsoft---windows--current version--run--then delete questionable things that way. This will keep the software from coming back the next time windows reboots.. Also if you are running me or xp, turn off system restore before this...Then you can turn it back on later.

[offline]

Hey gitreel,

how about you get your own sig and
stop copying others

[gitreel]

I had no idea that was your sig? Don't you think u are just a tad hostile? I will change mine back to what I had. F.U.

[offline]

F.U.

F.U.? Is that a new accreditation you are claiming for your computer
skills? You, madam or sir, are a laughing stock!

[gitreel]

And u are an a**hole. I am not claiming that for my computer skills. I am a 30 year old man. I had no idea that was your sig, and I changed it ok....Get a grip....

[gitreel]

offline, I don't care what you think of me. I was just trying to help someone. If you don't like that you can go f-ck yourself.

[gitreel]

offline, i apologize for my tude, but that would have never happened if you had not called me a laughingstock. I do know about computers. I have been building, repairing, and troubleshooting for about five years. I am currently in ccna2 in the cisco networking academy. I also read every computer magazine religiously. I did not know I had your sig, so I do not know why you attacked me.