antivirus 2008/virus removal software?

Browsing through this forum, I found several removal programs for
the subject virus ( MBAM, Combofix( along with ATF Cleaner.

Unfortunately, it appears that when antivirus 2008 gets to a certain
level, it won't allow anything to run. The (XP) window pops up and ask
what application do i want run this file with.... Same condition applies
for both MBAM and Combofix.

Is there another virus removal program (freebies)?
Is there a way around the problem above short of re-installing?

thanks,
savagcl

 

Chances are it is infected with more than just the XP Antivirus and might require alternative methods. This is where guided help comes into play, and it's important to know what we're dealing with. Will hijackThis run? If not, rename HijackThis and try to run it again.

Are all exe apps non-working?

 

I'm clean.

Problem was someone at the computer club had the problem and i was
trying to help them...

Thanks for the quick response,
savagcl

 

I figured that much. That doesn't change the recommendation.

 

Recommendation is good!

Yes, could not get any apps to run, those i tried anyway (notepad,
wordpad, MS Office, a photo program, etc.

Finally, I re-installed XP.

In the last 9/10 days I have had 4 pc's with antivirus 2008. Must be a
fad.....

I've been searching for other tools but not much luck with freebies.

thanks,
savagcl

 

Sounds like it borked the exe association. First order would have been to run a fix for that.

Yes, this is a popular infection right now. It's being contracted via legit sites and links to legit sites by way of exploit as well. No need for someone to go off the beaten path to get this one (or the new Antivirus 2009).

You won't find any better tools to combat this infection, as of yet, than MBAM and CF. Doubt that will change either.

 

One could only hope.

Thanks for the info,
savagcl