Get your son his own computer, then when he's "stuck" by his "really cool" junk he will learn ............
I had a similar problem a few weeks ago, and I ended up re-installing some components of Windows 2000. There's a great website I came across where you can post your registry file directory, and someone will provide advice on how to deal with your problem.
Try running your anti-spyware with system restore off.
Are you sure that you have the latest version of SpyBot? Also, SpyBot has a spot where you can set it so that your homepage can no longer be hijacked.
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I am going through the same crap right now. Post your log file.
CWShredder usually works for my friends. Havn't used it myself. I just did a clean wipe on my OS system yesterday. Just took me 2hrs. I do this once a year. If you havn't done it in a while you might consider this.
I can't help much, but I can tell you that if you get rid of those files you listed, it will help. Also, did you make sure that you had the most recent version of Adaware? Don't forget to run your virus scanner program, too.
There's a program called Spyware Blaster. It prevents spyware from being installed on your PC in the first place. Get it going, then try another spyware scan. If the spyware scanners get rid of the spyware, Spyware Blaster should prevent them from coming back.
Spybot has a feature like this, called Inoculation, but it's not as extensive as Spyware Blaster's. It's definitely worth using, however.
It could be one of those "Messenger ads", which are really annoying because they don't appear as spyware. Try this advisory:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/stopspamv45.mspx
Post the results of Hijack This! here so we can see it.
Sounds like you need to do system restore to a prior point. Many times the spyware programs are the worst. I'd get a good anti-virus program (Norton, Trendmicro, etc) and download the recent patches from microsoft. In the end once everything is stripped it often gets into the registry and you may have to restore your whole system to a known safe earlier date. Some people have to wipe the whole system clean and startup disc from the beginning.
Sometimes the cure is worse than the fix with spyware.
Oops-- I have both SpyBot and Spyware Blaster. It's Spyware Blaster that has the ability for you to lock your homepage setting so that it can't be hijacked.
By the way, I found this morning that my Internet Explorer homepage had been hijacked to MSN. I can't figure out how it happened-- and I didn't have it protected from hijack, either. It is now, though.
I would also run a full virus scan and make sure your anti-virus program is up to date as well.
Same problem here, Bump for solutions.
Try running AdAware with the "Deep Scan" option activated (or something like that). It takes alot longer because it goes through 120,000+ files instead of 35,000 or so, but I do this every couple of weeks and I haven't had a problem since my last disaster in early May.
Went through the same thing with my wife's PC. We had it loaded with Norton AntiVirus, Ad-Aware, Spybot, et. all. Nothing worked. Many of these invasive lines of code hit your registry and make it next to impossible to remove without professional help. I ended up installing Windows XP Home Edition on her PC, formatting the entire hard drive to get a fresh start. Since then, it's been fine.
Someone else suggested getting your child his (her) own PC.. a good idea. Keep them off your unit! Good luck!
bump for later