Computer problem.

**shabba4detroit** · 08-03-2012, 10:50 AM

I am having difficulty diagnosing a computer problem. I have been battling it for a while. I believe it is some sort of malware, but I have not been able to detect it.

Search engines do not work. I try to run Google or Yahoo or Bing and I get a message that my browser cannot open the window. It used to be that if I searched, it would open up some sort of generic search engine results page -- similar to the type of page you get when you enter a web address that is unassigned.

I have run several anti-virus programs. I have removed all the junk software. I am at the end of my rope.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

**John_Brian_K** · 08-03-2012, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by shabba4detroit

I am having difficulty diagnosing a computer problem. I have been battling it for a while. I believe it is some sort of malware, but I have not been able to detect it.

Search engines do not work. I try to run Google or Yahoo or Bing and I get a message that my browser cannot open the window. It used to be that if I searched, it would open up some sort of generic search engine results page -- similar to the type of page you get when you enter a web address that is unassigned.

I have run several anti-virus programs. I have removed all the junk software. I am at the end of my rope.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Combofix

Bleepingcomputer.com

Always cleans up my computer nicely when things get wacky.

**chasfh** · 08-03-2012, 10:56 AM

Reformat your computer. Sometimes thats the only way. I do mine about every six months. If yu have Windows 7 its easier than ever to do so.

**Biff Mayhem** · 08-03-2012, 11:36 AM

Does the error message say that it's a "1d10t error"?

**RedRamage** · 08-03-2012, 11:38 AM

Did you try Malware Bytes?

I would also consider looking at Hijackthis and seeing if you have an BHO (Browser Helper Objects) running.

Try opening TaskManager and look for a process that doesn't make sense or you don't recognize. If you find one, kill that process and then see if you can open the page. The process will probably come back on it's own eventually or certainly when you reboot, but you'll at least know what the name of the process is. Google that for removal instructions.

Another thing to try is msconfig. Run that and check out the 'startup' tab. Again, look for programs that you don't recognize. Sometimes simply uncheck the line(s) of from here and rebooting with stop the program from running. (Obviously this doesn't remove the bad just from your Hard Drive, just keeps it from running. You'll still want to find a way to remove it.) Again, this might help you at least identify what's giving you the problem.

**jonjd** · 08-03-2012, 12:18 PM

Also, consider getting a Mac. You will never have a problem like this again.

**Antrat** · 08-03-2012, 12:26 PM

JBK has a good answer. Combo fix is scary sounding when you are about to run it, but it has never failed me.
Also, Jonj has the best answer. Macs rock.

**FarFromDetroit** · 08-03-2012, 02:33 PM

Combofix and Malwarebytes are good suggestions, but they are really just taking stabs in the dark. Without having seen the computer it is hard for me to give you an exact solution, but I work on computers for a living and have a lot of expertise in this field. You most certainly don't need to perform a full OS restore or buy a Mac (although I do likes me some Macs :P ).

Have you tried another web browser yet? What happens when you open Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc? Do you have the same issues?

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that you have a malicious extension installed, are being routed through a proxy, your HOSTS file has been screwed up, or your DNS is not working correctly. All of which are simple fixes. Let me know and I will try to help you out.

**shabba4detroit** · 08-03-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by FarFromDetroit

Combofix and Malwarebytes are good suggestions, but they are really just taking stabs in the dark. Without having seen the computer it is hard for me to give you an exact solution, but I work on computers for a living and have a lot of expertise in this field. You most certainly don't need to perform a full OS restore or buy a Mac (although I do likes me some Macs :P ).

Have you tried another web browser yet? What happens when you open Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc? Do you have the same issues?

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that you have a malicious extension installed, are being routed through a proxy, your HOSTS file has been screwed up, or your DNS is not working correctly. All of which are simple fixes. Let me know and I will try to help you out.

I have tried IE8 and Chrome. I normally run Chrome.

**shabba4detroit** · 08-03-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Biff Mayhem

Does the error message say that it's a "1d10t error"?

Yes, yes it does. I think I'm going to have to start keeping a list.

**FarFromDetroit** · 08-03-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by shabba4detroit

I have tried IE8 and Chrome. I normally run Chrome.

That indicates that it isn't browser specific. Probably something installed on the computer, malware, HOSTS, or DNS. What antivirus are you running? I'm trying to narrow it down to 1 or 2 things so we can properly troubleshoot it.

**Greenwit** · 08-03-2012, 03:26 PM

Hitman Pro is another malware detector. Has a free trial and doesn't require much in the way of user discretion (e.g., you don't need to be a malware geek). If you've tried all these you can probably rule out malware. If you have win 7 you might want to check the administrative tools section event viewer for some additional hints of what might be going on.

**Shinma** · 08-03-2012, 03:45 PM

On July 9, 2012 in accordance with the expiration of the court order that was keeping the DNS server providing internet for those infected with DNS changing malware. You can check it now at DCWG | DNS Changer Working Groupto see if you are affected by it currently.

**pfife** · 08-03-2012, 04:25 PM

too much pr0n on the hd

**Vonlenska** · 08-03-2012, 04:32 PM

reformat

**VegasTiger** · 08-03-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Vonlenska

reformat

draconian

**Ingefanclub** · 08-03-2012, 05:45 PM

Go to the Start button on the lower left of your screen and enter in the search bar SYSTEM RESTORE
Open the system restore and restore your computer to a day before this problem started.

This solved my problems many times. Just be advised you will lose anything you did after the system restore date that you pick.

**Gehringer_2** · 08-03-2012, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by shabba4detroit

I am having difficulty diagnosing a computer problem. I have been battling it for a while. I believe it is some sort of malware, but I have not been able to detect it.

Search engines do not work. I try to run Google or Yahoo or Bing and I get a message that my browser cannot open the window. It used to be that if I searched, it would open up some sort of generic search engine results page -- similar to the type of page you get when you enter a web address that is unassigned.

I have run several anti-virus programs. I have removed all the junk software. I am at the end of my rope.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Do you have more than one browser and do they all behave the same way? If not install some other browser and see if it does the same thing. IF yes, then its probably an OS issue. If it is, and it's windoze, and you don't have a backup (a system restore point might work - as per above- but a full backup is better) older than when the problem started - good luck. If it's not - re-install the browser that doesn't work - or just use the one that does.

**pfife** · 08-03-2012, 07:39 PM

honestly reformat it as a last step, unless there's a bunch of other stuff is acting crazy too. This isn't that major of a problem on its own to justify reformating.

**John_Brian_K** · 08-03-2012, 08:49 PM

Yeah combofix is free as well

**chasfh** · 08-03-2012, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Ingefanclub

Go to the Start button on the lower left of your screen and enter in the search bar SYSTEM RESTORE
Open the system restore and restore your computer to a day before this problem started.

This solved my problems many times. Just be advised you will lose anything you did after the system restore date that you pick.

Not completely true. You will lose new programs and any updates to current programs, but you will keep new data files like word docs, excel docs, emails and whatnot.

**ewsieg** · 08-04-2012, 01:31 AM

System restore is pretty quick and a good option, especially if you use your computer mostly for browsing. Malwarebytes is still the best program to run and if you're not sure what you're looking at with hijack this, feel free to PM me the results. As you can't google it, it's:

|MG| HijackThis 1.99.1 Download