[RESOLVED] Windows Security Center will not start!

[cglassback]

No sign of the 'security center' switch off coming back. (Not that I ever found a name for the infection). Delighted. Thanks again. You could mark this as 'solved'. Regards CG

[Broni]

Your computer is clean

1. We need to reset system restore to prevent your computer from being accidentally reinfected by using some old restore point(s). We'll create fresh, clean restore point, using following OTL script:

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following:

:OTL
:Commands
[purity]
[emptytemp]
[EMPTYFLASH]
[emptyjava]
[CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
[Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
• Post resulting log.

2. Now, we'll remove all tools, we used during our cleaning process

Clean up with OTL:

• Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
• Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
• On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
• Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.

3. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

4. If any trojans, rootkits or bootkits were listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately!

5. Download, and install WOT (Web OF Trust): http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

6. Run Malwarebytes "Quick scan" once in a while to assure safety of your computer.

7. Run Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) weekly.

8. Download and install Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI): http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/. The Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Run it weekly.

9. (optional) If you want to keep all your programs up to date, download and install FileHippo Update Checker.
The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases.

10. (Windows XP only) Run defrag at your convenience.

11. When installing\updating ANY program, make sure you always select "Custom " installation, so you can UN-check any possible "drive-by-install" (foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click "Next" button without looking at any given page.

12. Read How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

13. Please, let me know, how your computer is doing.

[cglassback]

Hello Broni. Thanks very much for the final clean up exercise. I am trying to resolve other issues, (slow start up), that may be related before running the final clean up. Please hold open for a couple more days! Thanks. CG

[Broni]

OK...

[cglassback]

All processes killed
========== OTL ==========
========== COMMANDS ==========

[EMPTYTEMP]

User: All Users

User: Default
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Default User
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Main User
->Temp folder emptied: 9648369 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 11667338 bytes
->Java cache emptied: 0 bytes
->FireFox cache emptied: 341843147 bytes
->Google Chrome cache emptied: 227274055 bytes
->Apple Safari cache emptied: 0 bytes
->Opera cache emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 4554 bytes

User: Public
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes

User: UpdatusUser
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

%systemdrive% .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot% .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32 .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32 (64bit) .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32\drivers .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
Windows Temp folder emptied: 4573599 bytes
%systemroot%\sysnative\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 49621 bytes
RecycleBin emptied: 18421840345 bytes

Total Files Cleaned = 18,136.00 mb


[EMPTYFLASH]

User: All Users

User: Default
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Default User
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Main User
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Public

User: UpdatusUser
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

Total Flash Files Cleaned = 0.00 mb


[EMPTYJAVA]

User: All Users

User: Default

User: Default User

User: Main User
->Java cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Public

User: UpdatusUser

Total Java Files Cleaned = 0.00 mb

Restore point Set: OTL Restore Point

OTL by OldTimer - Version 3.2.56.0 log created on 08142012_091405

Files\Folders moved on Reboot...
C:\Users\Main User\AppData\Local\Temp\FXSAPIDebugLogFile.txt moved successfully.
File move failed. C:\Windows\temp\_avast_\Webshlock.txt scheduled to be moved on reboot.

PendingFileRenameOperations files...
File C:\Users\Main User\AppData\Local\Temp\FXSAPIDebugLogFile.txt not found!
[2012/08/14 09:20:33 | 000,000,000 | ---- | M] () C:\Windows\temp\_avast_\Webshlock.txt : Unable to obtain MD5

Registry entries deleted on Reboot...

[cglassback]

Have now carried out all tasks.....inbetween searching for solutions to 2 issues! Windows Defender will not switch on. (Unlike before Windows Security Center remains on Automatic as opposed to permanently stuck at Disabled!). Something stops me from reinstalling and at the same time it is not in Progs or Revo for me to uninstall!! I have now got Avast removed completely. Action Center tells me that I only have MSE ON and Defender OFF regarding both virus and malware checkers. That is strange as I have Spyware Blaster which I assume runs in the background plus Desktop links to other scanners which I assume do not run in the background. If I try to switch Defender on manually it either hangs or tells me that it will restart after a reboot....which it doesn't! (Tried 4 times!). Start up is 'messy' with the Desktop icons reloading 2 or 3 times.

[Broni]

Windows Defender is totally useless so it's better to keep it OFF.

Any other issues?

[cglassback]

OK thanks for that Broni. Off it will stay then! Secunia runs and then seems to hang with all of the icons milky. So I don't seem to be able to progress with that. But! At least I can see all progs and the handful that need an update. Thanks for all tips I have learnt a lot and discovered new scans...and the PC is far more stable! Regards CG

[Broni]

You're very welcome