Solved Windows 7 Explorer fails on startup & wow.dll error message

Please, run F-Secure Online Scanner

• Disable your Antivirus program.
• Checkmark I have read and accepted the license terms.
• Click on Run Check button.
• Quick scan (recommended) option will come pre-checked. Don't change it.
• Click on Start button.
• When scan is done, in Step 3: Clean the files, leave all settings as they're.
• Click Next button.
• Click Full report... button.
• Copy report's content and paste it into your next reply.

 

1. Update your Java version here: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

Note 1: UNCHECK any pre-checked toolbar and/or software offered with the Java update. The pre-checked toolbars/software are not part of the Java update.

Note 2: The Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. If you don't want to run another extra service, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click OK and restart your computer.

2. Now, we need to remove old Java version and its remnants...

Download JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it.

• Run JavaRa.exe (Vista and 7 users! Right click on JavaRa.exe, click Run As Administrator), pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
• Accept any prompts.
• Do NOT post JavaRa log.

====================================

Your computer is clean

1. We need to reset system restore to prevent your computer from being accidentally reinfected by using some old restore point(s). We'll create fresh, clean restore point, using following OTL script:

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following:

Code:

:OTL
:Commands
[purity]
[emptytemp]
[EMPTYFLASH]
[emptyjava]
[CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
[Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
• Post resulting log.

2. Now, we'll remove all tools, we used during our cleaning process

Clean up with OTL:

• Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
• Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
• On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
• Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.

3. Make sure Windows Updates are current.

4. If any trojans, rootkits or bootkits were listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately!

5. Check if your browser plugins are up to date.
Firefox - https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/
other browsers: https://browsercheck.qualys.com/ (click on "Launch a quick scan now" link)

6. Download, and install WOT (Web OF Trust): http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

7. Run Malwarebytes "Quick scan" once in a while to assure safety of your computer.

8. Run Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) weekly.

9. Download and install Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI): http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/. The Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Run it weekly.

10. (optional) If you want to keep all your programs up to date, download and install FileHippo Update Checker.
The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases.

11. (Windows XP only) Run defrag at your convenience.

12. When installing\updating ANY program, make sure you always select "Custom " installation, so you can UN-check any possible "drive-by-install" (foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click "Next" button without looking at any given page.

13. Read:
How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html
Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/keep-your-computer-safe-online/

14. Please, let me know, how your computer is doing.

 

Way to go!!
Good luck and stay safe

 

The main culprit was ZeroAccess rootkit.
Your son is wrong on this one.
With any kind of rootkit only hard drive formatting can cure the issue.
Repair installation won't do.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/zeroaccess2/

 

I'd say no.
The reason is that rootkits are rather tricky to remove and if you try to do it by yourself you can make situation even worse.
If anything like that happens it's better to come back here and we'll help you out.
In any case rootkit infection doesn't happen every other day

 

Same to you

 

Can you post the log?

 

Hmmm...we better double check....

Download TDSSKiller and save it to your desktop.

• Extract (unzip) its contents to your desktop.
• Open the TDSSKiller folder and doubleclick on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application, then on Start Scan.
• If an infected file is detected, the default action will be Cure, click on Continue.
• If a suspicious file is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.
• It may ask you to reboot the computer to complete the process. Click on Reboot Now.
• If no reboot is require, click on Report. A log file should appear. Please copy and paste the contents of that file here.
• If a reboot is required, the report can also be found in your root directory (usually C:\ folder) in the form of TDSSKiller_xxxx_log.txt. Please copy and paste the contents of that file here.

 

When done re-run RogueKiller...

Download RogueKiller for 32bit or Roguekiller for 64bit to your Desktop.

• Close all the running programs
• Windows Vista/7 users: right click on RogueKiller.exe, click Run as Administrator
• Otherwise just double-click on RogueKiller.exe
• Pre-scan will start. Let it finish.
• Click on SCAN button.
• Wait until the Status box shows Scan Finished
• Click on Delete.
• Wait until the Status box shows Deleting Finished.
• Click on Report and copy/paste the content of the Notepad into your next reply.
• RKreport.txt could also be found on your desktop.
• If more than one log is produced post all logs.
• If RogueKiller has been blocked, do not hesitate to try a few times more. If really won't run, rename it to winlogon.exe (or winlogon.com) and try again