Hi -

My primary PC (XP SP2 with IE 7.0) was infected with malware - my google searches were often redirected, CPU would spike at 100% for no reason, et cetera - and when repeated scans with McAfee and AdAware didn't find anything, I followed the directions in your "Malware Removal and Prevention" guide as found in you Wiki. I left the process running over night and when I cam back this morning, I found I could not connect to the internet.

Here is what I did:
1) Disabled McAfee real time monitoring. Firewall was already disabled
2) Installed then ran CCleaner (made registry backup when prompted). It found a bunch of junk which I deleted.
3) Ran Ad-Aware (made registry backup when prompted)
4) Installed then Ran SpyBot S&D
5) Started Panda Anti-Viral scan and went to bed.
6)Overnight, Windows update automatically installed a security patch and rebooted the PC. No idea if the Panda scan was finished or not.
7) In the morning, tried to access the internet but could not. Also got error trying to access Windows Firewall: Due to an unidentified problem, Windows cannot display Windows Firewall settings.
Googled that error using my secondary PC. Discovered the error occurs if the SharedAccess registry key is corrupt or if I had Windows Live OneCare installed (which it had been).
9) Downloaded and ran a REG file that fixed the Windows Firewall problem.
10) Checked firewall settings and they don't seem to be blocking anything.

Adtional Information:
- My primary PC is on a two computer peer-to-peer network, connected to the other PC using a Lynksys router. Tried hooking the PC up directly to the cable modem with no luck.
- I can access the router's control panel in IE from the PC.
- The PC has a shared printer connected to it and my secondary PC can print to it.
- Shelled to DOS and ran the Ping command but it timed out.
- Secondary PC can connect to the internet just fine.
- When I ran AdAware I let it delete two keys relating to Windows OneCare. I have since restored them using AdAware to no effect.
- The PC had Windows OneCare installed on it but the subscription had expired.
-Ran Network diagnostics for Windows but it didn't find anything that I could tell.

I am wondering if I blew away a key or a service that I need for Internet Access or one of the applications I installed is some blocking internet access.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
JXT

1. Please do not post duplicate topics on the same issue. All that does is create the potential for confusion and conflicting advice. It is also against our rules here.

I have locked this topic.

2. You will be assisted in the HJT forum. Once you have posted there, all assistance will be coordinated by the 1st Responder who assists you there.