Hi guys, I was searching on Google for ways to clean my infected system, and I stumbled across this wonderful site. It seems that this is the place to be if you want to clean up a computer. I read the sticky at the top of the forum, so I've already backed up my registry using ERUNT. I've had System Restore disabled since day one of owning my computer, so hopefully that isn't an issue. Anyway, to my issues:
About a week or so ago I ran an .exe on my computer that apparently was a trojan. Immediately after running the file, I suspected that something had gone awry, so I quickly re-downloaded Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Grisoft's AVG Free (two programs that I had installed previously, but had uninstalled some time ago for a reason I cannot remember :/). I've since run both, and some problems have been identified and "removed," but I am still suffering from issues. Not satisfied with the results from these programs (or my limited experience with malware removal), I downloaded and installed both Spybot - Search and Destroy, as well as WinASO's Registry Optimizer. I've run both a few times since installation, and they have both claimed to have fixed certain errors and problems. Unfortunately, I was not aware of this site before I tried all of these fixes on my own, so I am worried that I might have made it harder to diagnose and repair my computer.
Right now I am running Windows Vista Home Premium, and I still have AVG, Spybot, and WinASO installed. I disabled Spybot's TeaTimer as advised in a sticky thread here, but AVG still runs at startup, while WinASO only runs at my command (though I've read that you suggest not running any registry cleaners/optimizers, but it's a bit too late for that unfortunately). I have also just downloaded HijackThis and Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, but have not installed them yet.
Now, to better explain what issues I am still suffering from. As of right now, the most annoying issue is that my printer refuses to work ever since this happened. Although my printer hardware appears absolutely fine, whenever I go to print anything whatsoever, I get a very generic error. For example, if I attempt to print this page right now, I receive, "An unknown error has occurred while printing." I receive similar errors when I try to print from a word processor. I own an HP Photosmart C4280 printer, which does have some software that came with it (which I might have lying around here somewhere; though I believe you can download printer software off of HP's site). This lack of a printer is becoming very frustrating as I often have to print out homework for school, among other things.
The second most notable issue is that every time I start up my computer, Windows notifies me that I may be a victim of software counterfeiting, and that I should follow this link to Microsoft's Genuine Advantage page to verify my machine. When I do so, the service is unable to verify my machine, and offers some advice on how to fix my issue (none of which I have since pursued). I can assure that I own a legitimate copy of Windows Vista Home Premium. Before going through all of this trouble cleaning up my computer, I was considering reformatting to fix all of my problems. However, I cannot seem to find my installation disc. I know it must be hiding around here somewhere, but I do not have it on hand at the moment. Regardless, this counterfeit issue only started occurring immediately after I was infected, so I suspect that upon cleaning my computer, this issue will resolve itself.
Finally, there are some strange glitches throughout Vista here and there. Since my infection, I can no longer open my Control Panel through a typical approach. I have always had a shortcut to my Control Panel in my quick-launch bar, but now when I click that icon, the window appears very briefly, and then closes itself. Instead, in order to access my Control Panel, I must right-click this shortcut, and then choose 'Open file location,' and then browse through my files to find what I am looking for.
I apologize for the long post, but hopefully all of this information can help you to help ME resolve all of my issues soon. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!