Step 5: Cleaning Malware

Important Note Before continuing with the below scans:
The best method to remove malware is to do it after booting in Safe Mode with no connection to the internet possible and no browsers running. Booting in safe mode is important because best results are achieved since safe mode disables most drivers and running programs. If you cannot boot in safe mode due to the malware problem then run the scans in normal boot mode but make sure you tell us when you call.
Thus you will need to print or save these instructions locally in a text file so you can refer to them while offline. Do this before continuing!
Reboot into safe mode:
Windows 98/Me
We recommend that you use the System Configuration Utility to get into Safe mode, however, the F8 key can also be used.
To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows 98/Me in Safe mode
Close all open programs.
Click Start > Run.
In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and then click OK.

On the General tab, click Advanced
Windows Me will look a bit different than the picture below.

In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, check Enable Startup Menu, and then click OK.

Click OK again when the System Configuration Utility reappears.
When you are asked to restart the computer, click Yes.
When the Windows 98 (or Me) Startup Menu appears, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
The computer restarts with Windows in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.) When you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows 98/Me in normal mode.
To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows Me in normal mode
Finish what you need to do in Safe mode.
In the section "To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows 98/Me" above, repeat 1-6, but in step 5, uncheck Enable Start-up Menu.
Close all programs, and restart the computer.
To use the F8 key to start Windows 98/Me in Safe mode
Restart the computer.
As the computer restarts, press and hold down the F8 key until the Windows 98/Me Startup menu appears.
When the Windows 98 (or Me) Startup Menu appears, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
Windows starts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
Windows 2000
The F8 key is the only way to get into Safe mode.
To use the F8 key to start Windows 2000 in Safe mode
Restart the computer.
When you see the black-and-white Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen, start tapping the F8 key.
In the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu, select Safe mode if it is not selected.
If it is not selected, use the arrow keys to select it.
Press Enter.
Windows starts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)
Windows XP
We recommend that you use the System Configuration Utility to get into Safe mode, however, the F8 key can also be used.
To use the System Configuration Utility, you must log on to Windows XP with an Administrator account.
To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in Safe mode
Close all open programs.
Click Start > Run.
In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and then click OK.

In the System Configuration Utility, on the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT and click Network as shown here:

Click OK.
When you are asked to restart the computer, click Restart.

The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.) When you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in normal mode.
To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in normal mode
Finish what you need to do in Safe mode.
In the section "To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP" above, repeat steps 1-7, but in step 4, uncheck /SAFEBOOT.
Close all programs, and restart the computer.
Physically unplug your cable to the internet (even if you have dial-up, unplug modem)
Shut down ALL unrequired applications including browsers
Run Ccleaner with the default options to clean out temporary files. Only use the Default Scan on the Windows Tab and select Run Cleaner. Do not run any other options from other tabs.
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and clean all that it finds.
Run Ad-Aware SE and select Perform full system scan box and allow it to fix all that it finds
Run Spybot Search & Destroy and allow it to fix all that it finds. Make sure you use the Immunize feature and use the SDHelper function but do not use Teatimer.
Run Microsoft Windows Defender and allow it to fix all that it finds
Optional tools to scan with:
• CWShredder – run if you seem to have any CWS type infections. Make sure you select Fix
• Kill2Me – run if you have indications of a Look 2 Me parasite

If any of these Topics seem complicated we can remote into your computer and you can watch us do these steps for you without you having to unhook your computer and take it anywhere. Just send us an email to keepyourcomputerrunningsmooth@gmail.com include your home phone number and we will contact you and setup a time for this.