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Solved Windows Calculator and Alt-Tab display keep popping up

Discussion in 'Malware and Virus Removal Archive' started by Frank D, 2010/07/30.

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  1. 2010/07/30
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    No problem :)
     
    broni,
    #41
  2. 2010/07/31
    Frank D

    Frank D Inactive Thread Starter

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    Here are the results of the Kaspersky scan. This is a composite text capture of three separate "pages" of info:


    Scan statistics
    Objects scanned: 125970
    Threats found: 1
    Infected objects found: 2
    Suspicious objects found: 0
    Scan duration: 10:28:28


    descriptions [1]

    You searched for: "not-a-virus:AdWare.WinLNK.Agent.a "

    Number of results: 2

    1. not-a-virus:AdWare.WinLNK.Agent.a

    Internet threat level: 1

    [ descriptions ]

    There is currently no description for this program

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

    When I went back to try to quarantine these apparent non-threats, the page listing them had disappeared. The only option was to run the whole scan again, which I don't think would be productive.

    New thought:
    Since there's no evidence now of a virus, and I got that one instance at 11:36 PM last night of the Alt-Tab thing, could this be hardware-related? Could there be a glitch with my keyboard or its interface? Could this be tested?

    Frank

    P.S. Thank you for sticking with me on this. I think of you and the other analysts on this site as modern Sherlock Holmes(es).
     
    Last edited: 2010/07/31
    Frank D,
    #42


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  4. 2010/07/31
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    hahaha....

    Can you describe that Alt-Tab thing in more details?
     
    broni,
    #43
  5. 2010/07/31
    Frank D

    Frank D Inactive Thread Starter

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    broni,

    When you press the Alt-Tab key combination on the keyboard (all versions of Windows), you see an array of all your open windows in miniature. Holding down the Alt key while "pumping" the Tab key, you advance one miniature window at a time through the array. The currently selected one is highlighted. When you release Tab and then Alt, the miniature display disappears and the window that was highlighted appears full size (i.e., whatever size you've selected) in front. In my case, it's as if a demon casually takes possession of my keyboard and does this at random just to spoil my day.

    I feel somewhat like a psychiatric patient trying to explain about the butterflies that keep appearing on my clothing.

    Frank

    Frank
     
    Frank D,
    #44
  6. 2010/07/31
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    LOL...

    If that issue happens again, try another keyboard and see, if it helps. I doubt, it's malware related.

    For now...

    OTL Clean-Up
    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.

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

    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.

    Turn off System Restore:

    - Windows XP:
    1. Click Start.
    2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
    3. Click the System Restore tab.
    4. Check "Turn off System Restore ".
    5. Click Apply.
    6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
    7. Click OK.
    - Windows Vista and 7:
    1. Click Start.
    2. Right-click the Computer icon, and then click Properties.
    3. Click on System Protection under the Tasks column on the left side
    4. Click on Continue on the "User Account Control" window that pops up
    5. Under the System Protection tab, find Available Disks
    6. Uncheck the box for any drive you wish to disable system restore on (in most cases, drive "C: ")
    7. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click "Turn System Restore Off" on the popup window to do this.
    8. Click OK

    2. Restart computer.

    3. Turn System Restore on.

    4. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

    [SIZE= "4"]5. If any Trojan was listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately![/SIZE]

    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 defrag at your convenience.

    8. Read How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

    9. Please, let me know, how is your computer doing.
     
    broni,
    #45
  7. 2010/07/31
    Frank D

    Frank D Inactive Thread Starter

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    I ran your latest script and my PC is now cleaner and I am wiser.
    You may have hit the nail on the head. If so, I apologize for putting you through all this trouble.

    The keyboard I'm using right now is not the original HP keyboard (USB) that came with the PC. The new one is a Dynex USB, a superb standard keyboard.

    I couldn't use the original HP keyboard. I'm a touch typist and the HP key layout was alien, the board was flat and compact, missing a few familiar keys, keys had no contour, had poor response, keys in strange places, etc. Fine for a two-finger typist who looks at the keyboard, but I kept making typing mistakes and I'm not about to relearn typing after over 50 years.

    So if this is due to the keyboard I'll have to take the matter up with either HP or Dynex

    OK, I've gone through your latest script and I'm ready to face the computing world again. I'm crossing my fingers. If it doesn't happen again, I'll be ecstatic. If it does, but isn't too frequent I'll try to live with it, like some folks do with kitties who like to walk across keyboards. If it's frequent, I'll contact HP or Dynex and see if there's a "recall" or known fix. Etc.

    Thank you and WindowsBBS for your fantastic customer care and attention!

    I'll mark this thread resolved.

    Frank

    BTW Other than those two fleeting instances late last night and earlier today, it hasn't popped up. So if I think just pure thoughts. . . ? :)

    P.S. I looked for the "Resolved" option but couldn't find it listed. All I could find is "Unsubscribe from this thread. "
     
    Last edited: 2010/07/31
    Frank D,
    #46
  8. 2010/07/31
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    In this forum, only I can mark it as resolved and I'll do it in a moment.

    I'm glad, things are back to normal.
    If that pop-up happens again, switch keyboard just for one day, or so, just to see, if that's the culprit.

    Would be perfect for me....LOL

    Good luck and stay safe :)
     
    broni,
    #47
  9. 2010/08/01
    Frank D

    Frank D Inactive Thread Starter

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    Just checking in:
    No Alt-Del popups for over a day now.
     
    Frank D,
    #48
  10. 2010/08/01
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Very well :)
    Thank you keeping me posted :)
     
    broni,
    #49
  11. 2010/08/19
    Frank D

    Frank D Inactive Thread Starter

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    Broni,

    Just checking in. No popups for over two weeks. :)

    Frank
     
    Frank D,
    #50
  12. 2010/08/19
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Thank you for letting me know :)
     
    broni,
    #51
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