Question : Problem with w32.spybot.worm and shutting down

I'm tryin to fix friends computer, XP.  She had w32.spybot.worm, so I thought I'd try and do system restore.  It seemed to work, norton didn't bring up the warning.  But when you connect to internet, get things like cwindows/system32/Isass.exe....-1073741819 status code...initiated by NT authority/system, another time remoted procedure call (RPC) terminated unexpectedly and then proceeds to shut down in 60 sec.  And for awhile I was getting pop-ups (maybe what you'd call them) saying comp has worm or spyware visit win-fix.com, or security bulletin ms03-003, buffer overrun in Messenger service could allow code execution (828035)...system affected download patch from patchwindows.org, and one other about getting a diploma, so that was crazy.

I guess, if it's just easiest to wipe out the hard disk, I'd do that, just to make it quick and clean.  Though, she doesn't have a recovery system disk.....can you get one off internet somewhere, or use my own, though mine's compaq, hers is toshiba....

What is best?  

Thank you!!

Answer : Problem with w32.spybot.worm and shutting down

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.


Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Update the virus definitions.
Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
Run a full system scan, and delete all files that are detected as W32.Spybot.Worm.
Delete the value that was added to the registry.
Delete any zero-byte files in the Startup folder.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation or one of the following articles:
"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore"

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder," Article ID: Q263455.

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions
These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.


3. To restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode
Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode."
For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.


4. To scan for and delete the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files."
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with W32.Spybot.Worm, write down the file names, and then click Delete.

5. To delete the value from the registry

WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit

then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)


Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


In the right pane, delete any values that refer to the file name that was detected as infected with W32.Spybot.Worm.


Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
RunOnce


In the right pane, delete any values that reference the file name in step d.


Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
RunServices


In the right pane, delete any values that reference the file name in step d.


Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


In the right pane, delete any values that reference the file name in step d.


Exit the Registry Editor.

6. To delete the zero-byte files from the Startup folder
Follow the instructions for your version of Windows:

Note: There may be legitimate files on your system that start with "tftp." Delete only the zero-byte files from the Startup folder.

To delete zero-byte files in Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
On the Windows taskbar, click Start > Find (or Search) > Files or Folders.
Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type, or copy and paste, the following file name:

tftp*.*

Click Find Now or Search Now.
Delete the files that are zero-bytes in size and contained within any folder whose name ends with "Startup."

To delete zero-byte files in Windows XP
On the Windows taskbar, click Start > Search.
Click "All files and folders."
In the "All or part of the file name" box, type, or copy and paste, the following file name:

tftp*.*

Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
Click "More advanced options."
Check "Search system folders."
Check "Search subfolders."
Click Search.
Delete the files that are zero-bytes in size and contained within any folder whose name ends with "Startup."