Solved No audio after scan with ADW

[stravaganza]

Hello to everyone!

About one hour ago, I tried to install a program which contained a lot of toolbars, malwares and other such programs (I had deselected them, and then canceled the installation anyway, but they still got installed).

Windows Defender begun popping notifications about malwares and begun a scan of the PC while the program was still installing: it only appeared as an icon in the desktop bar and didn't let me stop the installation, so I turned my laptop off.

When I turned it back on, the installation had been stopped but some of the programs had still been uploaded. I ran a scan with ADWCleaner and removed all the malwares it found (including, as usual, YTDdownloader even if it's not a malware).

As soon as it was done, I restarted the pc and ran CCleaner as well, deleting any file that could still be around in the recycle bin (like the evil setup file that had started it all), then fixed all the issues that showed up in CCleaner's Registry feature (mostly registry keys left behind by the evil malware softwares), and then ran Windows Defender again and it found nothing.

I checked in my Programs(x86) folder to see that nothing I hadn't downloaded was still lingering in there, and found nothing.

But then, when I tried to watch a video, I got no audio whatsoever. I thought it might be the browser, but not even iTunes works (pressing play only results in the button changing shape, the song time doesn't run).

Did ADWCleaner delete something vital to my audio system? (I already had problems with it, the speakers are functional but do not work, but that's another tale for another time...)

I'll attach the Quarantine file and the Search/Removal logs. I'm sorry, it was a lot of stuff all of a sudden (the way these programs tend to work, I guess). If you need me to translate some terms to English, just ask! It's the least I could do.

My laptop is an ACER Aspire E1-572, running on Windows 10 64-bit.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hello stravaganza. It appears you've already taken specific steps toward remedying the adware and changes applied to your system.
A method I've had success with following similar mishaps of my own has been to access a restore point from a time prior to the changes suffered. Before attempting this, I think it best to address your problem with our Malware Removal Assistance Forum here Malware Removal Assistance where one of our experienced malware removal experts/staff members can help you personally.

 

[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 for the repair.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

Rules and policies

We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!

Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

 

[stravaganza]

Hello stravaganza. It appears you've already taken specific steps toward remedying the adware and changes applied to your system.
A method I've had success with following similar mishaps of my own has been to access a restore point from a time prior to the changes suffered. Before attempting this, I think it best to address your problem with our Malware Removal Assistance Forum here Malware Removal Assistance where one of our experienced malware removal experts/staff members can help you personally.

Hello! Thank you very much. Should I move the thread where it belongs?

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

I've ran the scan with its default settings. Tell me if I have to change them and run the scan again to have a better result!



Here are the logs.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.
• In the same tab, under PUP and PUM detections make sure it is set to Treat detections as malware.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Start Scan.
• 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.

Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
• In the main box please paste in the following script:
  

  createsrpoint;
  autoclean;
  emptyclsid;
  emptyalltemp;
  ipconfig /flushdns >>"%temp%\log.txt";b

• Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
• Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
• When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
• If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Upload it in your next reply.

 

[stravaganza]

Well, this took longer than expected...

Spoiler: Putting the pictures as spoilers so they won't invade the screen...

I ran the Mawarebytes scan and these are the results. The log is the .txt file called "scan_log".

Then the laptop rebooted, and after that I ran zoek. Attaching the log, the .log file called "zoek-results".

 

[stravaganza]

UPDATE: My audio works again! Both Chrome and iTunes!

Thank you very much!!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Excellent

Any remaining issue?

 

[stravaganza]

Not that I can see them... Still, I have no idea what the issue was in the first place! The audio still doesn't work without earphones or external speakers, but that's not malware-related, it was an issue with Windows 8 that lingers with 10.

Thank you again!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Since there are no more problems, we can declare this PC clean

Now, we can proceed with post-cleanup procedures. Let's remove my tools and create a new, non infected restore point concurrently deleting old ones.


Step 1. - Creation of system restore point and tools removal.


Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the
  
  icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt). I don't need it for review.

Tool deletes old system restore points and creates a fresh system restore point after cleaning.


Step 2. - Tips and tricks to keep your computer clean, safe and in a good shape.


Security tips - highly recommended reading:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Maintenance tips:

• Optimize Windows for better performance

Additional software that I personally use and install on all my clients devices:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (paid version highly recommended) - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
• McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
• Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
• Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
• Qualys BrowserCheck - cloud service that scans your browsers and plugins to see if they’re all up-to-date.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle

 

[stravaganza]

Thank you very much (again)! I'll download all your suggested programs, and download ADW again (DelFix deleted it as well), and I'll be more careful in the future.

Have a nice day!