Hi,

First off, I'm using Windows XP, and have run all the necessary updates to the best of my knowledge promptly and accurately.

I am being blocked from running Spybot, so I cannot even create a log to submit here. I will try my best to explain the problem as best I can figure it out, but please bear in mind that I am not very technical literate when it comes to such matters.

If anyone can help, I would sincerely appreciate it.

Now, I first started noticing something was amiss when the latest Microsoft Windows auto update came through several days ago. I saw the little icon in my system tray, and I clicked on it, and then installed the update. Afterwards, I was told to restart my PC. I did so. However, now I constantly see the Windows Updater icon in my system tray as if there is an update, even when I have already run the update.

I looked into just what it was that Windows wanted me to update, and I found that it is the "Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2011 (KB890830)". Except, it's listed as having "0 bytes". I don't know if that important or not, but I'm making notice of it here just the same. I since downloaded this file over and over, but it still won't disappear.

Furthermore, now whenever I shut my PC down for the day, I notice the little Windows install shield promising to install the update before shutting my PC down. I let it do this each time, and each time it is still there the next time I shut my PC down.

In addition to this, I might add, my McAfee Security Center has been unable to run a scan for two weeks now. Whenever I try to run one, I get an error code.

Realizing that I might be infected with some kind of malware, I went to all my usual steps. I tried HijackThis first. I ran the updates on it first, then tried to open the program. I receive a message saying that Windows could not gain access to this particular file.

I tried Spybot S&D next, but the same thing occurred. I uninstalled Spybot and downloaded a more up to date version from Safer Networking, but again I was told that Windows could not access this file after the program was installed.

Lastly, I tried Ad-Aware, but . . . you get the picture.

I even went to Microsoft's Windows site and manually downloaded the Malicious Software Removal tool, which succeeded in getting the installer onto my desktop. But after installing the tool and running it, halfway through the quick scan the process suddenly shut down.

I received a message from my Firewall saying that it blocked a program from accessing the web. This happened again when I tried to run it from MS online directly.

I'm afraid I'm fresh out of ideas!

I even went to Safer Networking and purchased the bootable CD, but that could take many days to arrive and I don't even know if that is the right step to take in combating whatever this problem might be.

I don't know if anyone can help me, but I hope so. I'm at my wit's end! I apologize for the rather long post, but I figured it was best to be as thorough as possible.

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Ryodin