Weird stuff going on on my comp...

My sister wrote this and posted it on a computer forum but we've yet to get a response. I thought I'd repost her thread on here and see if any of you guys have seen this similar problem:

I need HELP! Have run every scan suggested on here and they aren't finding anything. Something is causing my computer to lose all its settings every time it restarts. It's like it's reverting to some restore point every time. If I add new icons to desktop, they're gone; bookmarks in browser, gone; every program I use has to be set up again as if it's never been used. And when Windows opens I get the "take a tour of windows XP" bubble every time, and the wallpaper resets to the field scene. I don't know what to do! There is a file, surfsidekick3 that I can't get rid of, maybe that has something to do with it? Thanks in advance!

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:07:12 PM, on 6/1/2005
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\TEMP.HOUSE\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis-2.zip\HijackThis.exe

O1 - Hosts: 64.91.255.87 www.dcsresearch.com
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_ 7_0.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: WinStat - {F007E221-018D-4baf-924A-B0E9092F3853} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\WinStat11.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_ 7_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mnmlf] C:\WINDOWS\System32\mnmlf.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: ICQ Pro - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\PROGRA~1\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\PROGRA~1\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.neededware.com
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061...all/xscan53.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite guard - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoguard.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe

You may have a virus or malware running on your computer. Make certain that you have installed a popular antivirus software like norton or mcafee. And make sure you update the antivirus software to have the most recent virus scanning abilities. If that doesnt solve the problem try using some advertising software removal tools like spybot or adaware. If that doesnt work you may have to reinstall windows.

I just did some research on the hijackthis program that is running on your computer. Apparently it is a malware removal tool that allows you to reset the computer to a recent restore point. Perhaps this program is working incorrectly or doing something that you dont understand and is automatically restoring your computer to a previous point which is why you are not able to save new settings and files. read about it here: http://www.auditmypc.com/process/hijackthis.asp

Fuckit. Reinstall XP.

:1:

If you're already losin stuff, and scans aren't helpin, (BTW did you try this one? http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=0&p=1&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&genscs=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d321cd7a 2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671%26displaylang%3den
Its microsofts, and it worked for me,)

But, if you have or it doesn't pick anything up then reformat and reinstall windows,

Its like getting a new computer

Fuckit. Reinstall XP.

Yep, that's what it's looking like we're gonna have to do.....for the 5th fucking time. This time the computer is going in my room. Having it in the living room where anybody can access it is just trouble. :disappoin

Yep, that's what it's looking like we're gonna have to do.....for the 5th fucking time. This time the computer is going in my room. Having it in the living room where anybody can access it is just trouble. :disappoin

there is also the posibility of some corrupted system files. There is one easier way to fix those than a complete reinstall. Pop in the windows cd boot off it and slect its automated repair feature.


However a proper clean xp reinstall is the better option.


also if you still want to leave the pc for other people to use it, password protect it and make them guest accounts. There is far less to fuge up as a guest than as an admin.

Make sure you install a firewall like ZoneAlarm, Windows wall isn't shit. When you do, make sure you turn off Windows firewall.

Sounds like a program is installed thats causing mishap. I'd look there because I had a similar problem where my system process was going at 99% until a while ago when I deleted a bunch of programs that I dont know how they got there.

all of that or....could simply be a dead batery on your motherboard... it is what keeps your settings... does the clock also reset? if so it is very likely it is your battery on your motherbaord...other than that...reformating and resinsalling the OS is the way to go...if you have any files, do a back up. you can also ghost to another harddrive.
after startng it up install: symantic anti-virust (or norton, same thing)
Ad Aware
a good firewall like TexasF355F1 said...i am on a LAN and the server has a firewall and i have windows on my computer, i still manage to fuck it up every once and a while...
oh and stay of porn sites and free gamin sites...newgrounds is fun but its full of addware, spyware, and malware ;)

Fuckit. Reinstall XP.

Your Best Option

And if you do you can partition your harddrive into 2 one for the OS and one for everything else.

Make sure you install a firewall like ZoneAlarm, Windows wall isn't shit. When you do, make sure you turn off Windows firewall.

I agree with getting another firewall such as ZoneAlarm but why turn of the windows one? I don't think they interfere with each other, although ZoneAlarm and Kerio do.

Ya and just make the other accounts limited accounts and password protect yours and you be the sole admin. Just don't forget the Password to your account or the main admin that is created when you install XP.

O one more thing when you reinstall XP burn a firewall to a cd then install the firewall before connecting to the Internet. Then go to WinUpdate.

yes the windows firewall will hate being ran with another firewall.

yes the windows firewall will hate being ran with another firewall.
Yea. I get help on a computer site and everyone of the experts on there say they interfere and cause problems.

Its not just windows firewall and zoneallarm. As a general rule is not a good ideea to run any two sofware firewalls or even any two antivirus on the same machine since they will attempt to access the same resources leading to conflicts.

If it's a non-windows file that's causing this to happen, and you re-install windows without formatting the hard drive, wouldn't the problem (or source of) still exist?

Blindside, by anychance was this other forum you speek of the hijack-this forum?

They specialise in that shit.