multiple issues that scream malware

[ken stice]

hopefully I've uploaded everything you need to help me find the root cause of my issues .

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,



They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.



Before we start please read and note the following:

• At the top of your post, please click on the "Watch thread" button and make sure to check Watch this thread...and receive email notifications. This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing me to solve your problem faster.
• Please do not install any new software during the cleaning process other than the tools I provide for you. This can hinder the cleaning process. Please do not perform System Restore or any other restore.
• Instructions I give to you are very simple and made for complete beginner to follow. That's why you need to read through my instructions carefully and completely before executing them.
• Please do not run any tools other than the ones I ask you to, when I ask you to. Some of these tools can be very dangerous if used improperly. Also, if you use a tool that I have not requested you use, it can cause false positives, thereby delaying the complete cleaning of your machine.
  
• All tools we use here are completely clean and do not contain any malware. If your antivirus detects them as malicious, please disable your antivirus and then continue.
• If during the process you run across anything that is not in my instructions, please stop and ask. If any tool is running too much time (few hours), please stop and inform me.
• I visit forum several times at day, making sure to respond to everyone's topic as fast as possible. But bear in mind that I have private life like everyone and I cannot be here 24/7. So please be patient with me. Also, some infections require less, and some more time to be removed completely, so bear this in mind and be patient.
• Please stay with me until the end of all steps and procedures and I declare your system clean. Just because there is a lack of symptoms does not indicate a clean machine. If you solved your problem yourself, set aside two minutes to let me know.
  
• Please attach all report using
  
  button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
  
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

Fix with AdwCleaner

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save the file to your Desktop.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Accept the Terms of use and click Scan.
• When finished, please click Clean.
• Upon completion, click Report. A log (AdwCleaner[S*].txt) will open.

Please include the contents of that file in your reply.

Note: Reports will be saved in your system partition, usually at C:\Adwcleaner

Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

• Install the progam and select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detection & Protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.

 

[ken stice]

Good evening sir. I've been running into some problems even getting the system to boot up now. It is in a cycle were it keeps asking me to do a system repair. Please be patient with me while I try to get it booted into safe mode. will be above tools and directions be sufficient if I'm able to run them from safe mode?

 

[ken stice]

Wow....things are not looking good. I can't even get into safe mode. the system is in a loop of some sort. it reboots when trying to go into safe mode and launches the system repair tool. I get a message that says "StartupRepairOffline, bad driver". then it says it cannot fix the issue and we start all over again. any suggestions?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

What happens when you try to start windows normally?

 

[ken stice]

Sorry for the delay. I was at work all weekend. To answer your question, when I try to boot normally the system reboots right at the start of the MS Windows splash screen (the full image of the 4 colors coming together does not even complete). It then takes me to the menu to either start normally again, or enter system recovery mode.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Then we will have to scan outside Windows

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 and save it to a flash drive.

• Plug the flashdrive into the infected PC.
• Restart your computer and tap F8 to bring up the Advanced Menu, then click Repair your computer
• Follow the prompt to enter keyboard input method, and then the prompt to enter a password. If the machine does not have a password, simply click Enter.
• In the Choose Recovery Tool menu select Command Prompt.
• You will see a big black window with a blinking cursor (command prompt).
  
  
  
  
  
  Access the notepad and identify your USB drive
  
  In the Command Prompt please type in:
  

  notepad

  and press Enter.
• When the notepad opens, go to File menu.
• Select Open.
• Go to Computer and search there for your USB drive letter.
• Note down the letter and close the notepad.
  
  
  
  
  
  Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
  
  Once back in the command prompt window, please do the following:
• Type in e:\frst64.exe and press Enter.
  You need to replace e with the letter of your USB drive taken from notepad!
• FRST will start to run. Give him a minute or so to load itself.
• Click Yes to Disclaimer.
• In the main console, please click Scan and wait.
• When finished it will produce a logfile named FRST.txt in the root of your pendrive and display it. Close that logfile.
  
  Transfer it to your clean machine and include it in your next reply.

 

[ken stice]

Ok....running it now....I'll reply back soon.

 

[ken stice]

Please see the attached file.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Open Command Prompt in recovery again and type this command:


chkdsk C: /R

 

[ken stice]

see attached file.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

How is the situation now?

 

[ken stice]

I'll try rebooting now.

 

[ken stice]

no luck...still reboots at the windows splash. did the chkdsk log file help at all?

 

[ken stice]

when the system goes into the System Recovery it produces the attached error.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Do you have any restore point or backup to restore your PC to working condition?

 

[ken stice]

unfortunately no. this is a friends computer. I'm thinking it's time to wipe the drive and start fresh. your thoughts?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I think format would be the best and the easiest thing to do.

 

[ken stice]

good copy. thanks for helping.