Multiple Issues: Various Malware + INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR BSoD

[eightDash]

Recently I found I was infected with various malware. I'm not entirely sure how these things work but none of my browsers could connect due to improper proxy settings. I managed to go into the browser settings and turn off proxies but the issue would return. I tried running AVG and it found some things and I believe it removed them but I still had all the same problems I had before.

I then followed Bulletsponge's Malware Removal guide. I'm not entirely sure I did everything correctly though. The main problem I had was that many times the program would say I had to restart to properly remove things. As my computer restarted I booted into safemode once more but I'm not certain that this was what I was supposed to do.

After scanning with all four programs my browser still start up with improper proxy settings. AVG, which I presently have running in my tray as a precaution, is still informing me of malware which is present.

Throughout all this process I had another possibly related problem. Whenever I would try to restart I would get the BSOD with the error message INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR. I would think that would imply a hardware problem with my power supply but it's a little curious that both issues should coincide. I also fear that the fact that I can't shut down properly may have prevented the programs from fully removing malware since they require a restart to finish.

If anyone has any idea of what I could do it'd be greatly appreciated. I'd hate to go through the hassle or reformatting, especially this close to Portal 2's launch.

 

[crackdaddy]

Hey Jordan, To be honest, unless you have absolutely critical stuff on this pc, it really is easier to just do a reload, especially if you have a boot disk and its automated.

If you dont have a backup, thats a good reason enough to load up all your core programs and drivers on a fresh install and make one. Macrium Reflect is one I use, and its awesome and free.

With guest and kids hitting popups all the time, its a very handy thing to have around.

It could be a hardware problem, but until the malware is cleaned up, its gonna be a tough to diagnose.

What version windows are you running?
I've seen this problem range from PSU to hibernate problems, to USB hardware conflicts. etc.

 

[SUPERJ569]

Sounds like you got hit pretty good...I would have to agree with crackdaddy, just do a fresh install.

Hope things work out...

 

[Ric]

I would go ahead and reformat, as said above. But there's one final solution I have in mind.

ComboFix.

It is an extremely powerful piece of software that ran under the correct conditions, will remove a lot of the hard to remove malware.

ComboFix download page.

ComboFix how-to-use guide.

After ComboFix is ran, it will automatically open a .txt file with a bunch of..Text. Before you reformat, I'd like to personally see what you got hit by and figure out a remedy for future incidents. If you'd post the contents of it in this thread, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, and I hope your problem gets resolved.

 

[labowsky]

reformat.

 

[Kain-]

reformat if you dont care what youll lose, i mean i reload windows on my computer at least once a year cuz i only ahve steam games everything else is saved on Ubuntu. or if you cant reload it do what ric says

 

[crackdaddy]

BTW the combo fix is a good last ditch try, Its very powerful and cleans out a lot of crap, but let me tell ya, when the spyware bug hits ya hard, dude, imo, the only way to really be sure its all gone is a format and reinstall.

There was probably a good lesson here, never click on them popups from a website unless you trust them 100% and even then, ask yourself. DO I REALLY NEED THIS? Can I go to another website and get the same thing without installing something and be super careful of what you download. Just practice good safe computer practices. Say no to helper apps, search toolbars, fancy programs that tell you the weather.
All of this can be configured on a yahoo or google or even a MSN home page.

 

[eightDash]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Since I already have an external hard drive with everything backed up I'm just going to reformat. I've been putting off until I beat Portal 2 though since I've been able to run it as soon the computer starts.

What version windows are you running?

Windows 7

After ComboFix is ran, it will automatically open a .txt file with a bunch of..Text. Before you reformat, I'd like to personally see what you got hit by and figure out a remedy for future incidents. If you'd post the contents of it in this thread, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, and I hope your problem gets resolved.

I'll give it a shot. It looks like it's for more experienced users but since I intend to do a full reformat anyway I can't really hurt anything.

There was probably a good lesson here, never click on them popups from a website unless you trust them 100% and even then, ask yourself. DO I REALLY NEED THIS? Can I go to another website and get the same thing without installing something and be super careful of what you download. Just practice good safe computer practices. Say no to helper apps, search toolbars, fancy programs that tell you the weather.

I'm fairly certain the source of malware was from a game my mother downloaded. It's alright though. I still got to beat Portal 2 and as long as it can be fixed by reformatting then it wasn't too much of an inconvenience.

 

[crackdaddy]

Yea good luck to you.

Do yourself a favor, get the Macrium tool and once you get your basic program installed. Say windows7, the drivers, and office, antivirus, cd burner software, and steam, (not the games just steam)

Do a mirror image to that external drive you have, that is the best insurance ever.
Seriously you can reload your pc to a sterile factory setting in 5 minutes.