Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Can't open most Applications

Nov 28, 2004 7:00AM PST

Before my dad installed Service Pack 2, everything was working fine, but I don't know if this problem is directly related to that...

Anyways, I can't open the vast majority of programs/files on my computer. I found that I can use Opera and Hijackthis normally, and open jpegs that I have saved to my desktop. When I open AIM/MSN messanger, I can logon, and about five seconds later it closes itself. Other than that, nothing functions at all...no searching files, system restore, Word, iTunes, etc (although I can get into the registry editor).

If anyone has any ideas of what this could be, please let me know.

Here is my hijackthis log, if it helps.
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\3M\PostIt\PsnLite.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\3M\PostIt\PSNGive.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ati2evxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\crypserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WSup.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Opera7\opera.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\regedit.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPSSvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\PIB.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\a john cunningham\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {0982868C-47F0-4EFB-A664-C7B0B101580 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {0982868C-47F0-4EFB-A664-C7B0B1015808} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\mskhhe.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {0BA1C6EB-D062-4E37-9DB5-B07743276324} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msglji.gif
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {25F7FA20-3FC3-11D7-B487-00D0599001 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {25F7FA20-3FC3-11D7-B487-00D05990014 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {25F7FA20-3FC3-11D7-B487-00D05990014C - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {25F7FA20-3FC3-11D7-B487-00D05990014C} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\mseggo.gif
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {3EC8E271-FAB9-418a-8A8E-65AEB4029E64} - C:\DOCUME~1\AJOHNC~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\bacsmw.dat
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {60112085-E1CE-4e0e-823A-EBB1AD98804C} - C:\DOCUME~1\AJOHNC~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\bacsmw.dat
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {72AC6865-B1D3-4C32-A27B-4B3BF04DE655} - C:\DOCUME~1\AJOHNC~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\bacsmw.dat
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {87766247-311C-43B4-8499-3D5FEC94A183} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsB.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {94927A13-4AAA-476A-989D-392456427 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {94927A13-4AAA-476A-989D-3924564276 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {94927A13-4AAA-476A-989D-39245642768 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {94927A13-4AAA-476A-989D-392456427688 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {94927A13-4AAA-476A-989D-392456427688} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjfbl.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD2 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD23 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD233 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD2336 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD23361 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {CC916B4B-BE44-4026-A19D-8C74BBD23361} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msfaol.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D3 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D37 - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D37E - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D37EB - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FCADDC14-BD46-408A-9842-CDBE1C6D37EB} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msnkmi.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinTools] C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Post-it

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Can't open most Applications
Nov 28, 2004 7:11AM PST

Your PC is infected with spyware:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WSup.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsS.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPSSvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\PIB.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsB.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinTools] C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsA.exe

Installing SP2 for XP when your PC is infected with Spyware is not a good idea!

Check this link on how to remove the spyware Toolbar:
http://www.pchell.com/support/ibiswebsearch.shtml

- Collapse -
Why does CNET provide this Toolbar for download??!!!
Nov 28, 2004 7:15AM PST
- Collapse -
Not a Hijackthis forum, but you have spyware...
Nov 28, 2004 7:11AM PST
http://www.iamnotageek.com/a/wtoolss.exe.php

"What Does it Do?
This toolbar is also a search hijacker and BHO. It will also try to install a number of other applications which according to the terms you agreed to while installing it CAN do! IBIS has been known to prevent you from visiting a number of popular spyware removal sites."

For now, you should roll SP2 out until you get the SPYWARE under control.

Bob
- Collapse -
Re: Not a Hijackthis forum, but you have spyware...
Nov 28, 2004 7:46AM PST

I knew I had some spyware issues before SP2 was installed, but I didn't install it/know it was being installed.

Bob, you mentioned "rolling out" SP2 "until you get the spyware under control". What do you mean by this? Do you think my problems are being caused by SP2?

Anyways, I've tried removing things such as Wtools many times without any luck. It makes it even more difficult that I can't use the search function or Windows Explorer right now. I tried ending the process in Task Manager and deleting the registry entry, but it just keeps popping up.

Thanks for the responses everyone,
Ross

- Collapse -
You may have missed the discussions...
Nov 28, 2004 7:54AM PST

In short, SP2 can cause numerous problems if SPYWARE is on the machine. It's up to the owners to not have Virus, Trojans, Spyware, Keyboard Loggers, and whatever else before you install SP2.

For now, you can uninstall SP2, get stable and then determine how to remove the pests.

My outlook on this is rather simple. I don't allow any spyware on any machine.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: You may have missed the discussions...
Nov 28, 2004 8:16AM PST

Thanks for clearing that up, Bob.

Could you explain to me how to uninstall SP2 given my circumstances?

Thanks again,
Ross

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) Control Panel, Add/remove programs....
Nov 28, 2004 8:20AM PST
- Collapse -
Can't open control panel...
Nov 28, 2004 9:45AM PST

If only it were that easy....

Any other ways that you know of to uninstall it?

Thanks,
Ross

- Collapse -
Re: Can't open control panel...
Nov 28, 2004 10:09AM PST

There was a pest that stops control panel, task manager from opening. It's time to make sure your files are backed up. We all have backups, then head to the Virus forum and begin the usual work by telling about SP2, Spyware and you can't open the control panel.

The usual is to scan with Housecall, Spybot, Adaware and keep WINSOCKFIX handy.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Can't open control panel...
Nov 28, 2004 10:28AM PST

The thing is, not being able to open the control panel is part of the problem caused by the SP2 installation. Before SP2 was installed, opening the control panel was not a problem.

Is there a way to uninstall SP2 without using the control panel? If so, I think I could sort out my spyware problems and reinstall trouble free.

Thanks again,
Ross

- Collapse -
I think otherwise.
Nov 28, 2004 10:36AM PST

Installing SP2 with spyware present causes all sorts of issues. The spyware caused the issue, not SP2.

Sorry to read your woes, but spyware is now a fact of Windows "life" and if you leave it on a machine, you find out why most members here want it gone.

bob