Help Please Bob12A

Hi Bob,

Don't worry i hadn't forgotten about you.
I keep looking into this error 138 and one contributing factor seems to be MBAM Pro.
There's quite a few on the malwarebytes site saying they have this problem.
The Pro version does use website blocking, which is probably enabled.
Seems that once it's been enabled.... even turning it off doesn't correct the situation.
There seems to be 2 options.
a) When a site is blocked by MBAM, you can right-click the MBAM tray icon and choose to add to ignore list.( the site should then be allowed)
This may help.
or to find out if MBAM is the problem......
b)Uninstall MBAM Pro.
If you keep a record of the purchase code, you can use it again to reinstall MBAM afterwards.
To remove MBAM completely:

• Uninstall Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware using Add/Remove programs in the control panel.
• Restart your computer (very important).
• Download and run mbam clean
• It will ask to restart your computer (please allow it to).

Test the system for a couple of days and see if the situation has improved.
If not, reinstall a fresh copy of MBAM and use the same purchase code that you used previously.

 

Hi Bob,

There just seems to be a glitch with MBAM Pro on some systems.
If you want to install it again, just try the free version and run it 'On Demand' ( just when you want it to.... manually update first though) that seems to be ok.

I'm glad we seem to have found the culprit.

If after a couple more days everything is still running fine, we'll remove the programs we've used and finish the clean up process.

 

Ok Bob.
I'll wait on your next reply.

 

Hi Bob,

You don't have to reinstall MBAM if you don't want to.
Whilst MSSE is a good program to use, MBAM is updated a lot more.
Sometimes 4-5 times a day.
It will also search out things that MSSE doesn't search for.
I run MSSE, but always keep an up to date version of MBAM (free) on the system.
I update it each day but will only run it once a week.
If you do keep an up to date free version, it's always there in case of emergencies.
Plus it's very handy for scanning the odd file you may want to download or someone sends you.
So the bottom line is.... it's entirely up to you.

Let's finish off the cleaning now and remove the programs we used.


Step 1

• Please double-click OTL.exe to run it.
• You should see a CleanUp! button, press that button,
  
  
  
• This will cleanup an assortment of tools used during malware removal, plus itself

Note:
Otl does not remove MBAM if it's installed.


Step 2
Now you should set a New Restore Point to prevent possible reinfection from an old one. Some of the malware picked up could have been saved in System Restore. Since System Restore is a protected directory, most tools can not access it to delete these bad files which sometimes can reinfect your system. Setting a new restore point AFTER cleaning your system will help prevent this and enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state.

Click Start >> Computer >> System Properties >> System Protection.
Here you have a list of hard drives and partitions available in your computer - mostly just one. Select the drive that has "(System)" written after it and click Configure.
select Turn off system protection under Restore Settings and click Delete button.
Click Continue in confirmation window and click Close after the restore points have been deleted.
Then click OK to close properties for the drive.

Now reboot the system.

Follow the above procedure again, only this time click Restore system settings and previous Versions of files.
Then click OK.

Your System restore will now be active again... starting with a new restore point.

To find out how you may have been infected....read this topic:
How did i get infected?

Not all of the following information will be applicable to you, but it's still best to read it all.

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

• Use an AntiVirus Software
  • Avira AntiVir ... see note* ....installation guide Here
  • Avast free
  • MS Security Essentials ... see note** ... installation guide Here
  
  Note*:
  Avira now includes the Ask.com Toolbar unless you choose not to install it. This means it is pre-checked by default and it is recommended that you uncheck that option during installation.
  
  Note**:
  Upon installation MS Security Essentials will check that your OS is a legal copy.
  
  Only install one AntiVirus program
  
• Update your AntiVirus Software regularly
  
• Use a 3rd party Firewall
  • Online Armor Free
  • ZoneAlarm ...Important note below
  • Outpost Firewall Free
  • Sunbelt Personal Firewall
  NOTE: If choosing Zone Alarm be aware that the free version also installs ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker. It is recommended however that you UNcheck this option.
  
  Only install one software Firewall
  
  Some 3rd party Firewalls will turn off the windows firewall when they are installed.
  It's always best to check that the Windows Firewall is turned off:
  
  How to turn off Windows Firewall:
  Start ... Control Panel ...click on 'Classic View'.
  now select Windows Firewall.
  When the Windows Firewall box opens, put a tick against .. Off (not recommended) and then click Ok
  
• Scan regularly with a 'Stand Alone' Anti-Malware scanner:
  Installing another scanner that you can run once or twice a week is always beneficial.
  Something like:
  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  SUPERAntiSypware
  Remember to update these programs each time before running.
  You can install more than one of these if you only run them as stand alone programs.
  
• Use an alternative browser:
  Some excellent alternatives to MS Internet Explorer are:
  
  Firefox
  For added security, add the NoScript extension to this browser:
  Allow active content to run only from sites you trust, and protect yourself against XSS and Clickjacking attacks
  also consider adding:
  WOT - Safe Browsing Tool
  
  Web of Trust warns you about risky sites that cheat customers, deliver malware or send spam. Millions of members of the WOT community rate sites based on their experience, giving you an extra layer of protection when browsing or searching the Web.
  Btw: you don't have to make a contribution.
  
  Opera
  
  They offer better security, more stability, and better speed.
  
• Keep a backup of your registry
  Keeping a regular backup of your registry will help when something goes wrong.
  Use a program like:
  Erunt
  
  A full tutorial on how to set up and use Erunt can be found here:
  Erunt tutorial
  
• Keep your system clean of temp files etc, using a 'Cleaner':
  
  Cleaners are programs that will help to clean out your:
  Windows temp files
  Current user temp files
  Cookies
  Temporary Internet flies
  Browser history
  Recycle bin
  Etc.......
  In other words.... all the rubbish that you accumalate over the course of your browsing and day to day usage of your pc.
  Programs like:
  TFC by OldTimer
  ATF Cleaner
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly.
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  Using and installing SpywareBlaster
  
• Update all your 'Security' programs regularly - Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Glad I was able to help.

Safe surfing.

 

You're more than welcome Bob.

 

Hi Bob,

Thanks for that. :up:
Getting that type of confirmation is always better than guessing that's what the problem was.
I'm sure this information will be of help to other members.

 

I know what's happening.

The automatic backup won't work with Vista or W7. This is why you are receiving error messages related to ERUNT on boot as it attempts to automatically backup. Please backup manually using ERUNT with the following instructions:

• Please locate the ERUNT icon on the desktop. If it is not there, click Start and type ERUNT into the search box.
• Right click the ERUNT icon in the desktop or the Start menu, and select Run as Administrator
• Click OK at the first message box.
• Ensure the checkboxes for both "system registry" and "current user registry" are checked. Leave the default save location in there.
• Click OK.
• Click Yes to create the new folder.
• You'll get a window saying "registry backup complete" once it's done. Click OK.

Or even easier is to remove Erunt and reinstall it.
When you get to the following screen.... click NO



Then you won't get the error messages, but you will have to Run Erunt manually to perform a backup.
Twice a week will be sufficient.

 

:up:
Glad to hear it Bob.