[Claire Regan]

Hiya

Could you please check my hijackthis log? I read the other posts and followed advice there where appropriate but that damn RazeSpyWare thing is still there. I know you must be sick of seeing this thread but if you can help me I'll be eternally grateful!! I've spent over 8 hours trying to sort this now

Claire Regan


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 01:13:29, on 23/01/2006
Platform: Windows 2000 SP2 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\Cpqdfwag.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
C:\ePOAgent\naimas32.exe
C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MsgSys.EXE
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq\EAB\EabServr.exe
C:\Program Files\NavNT\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\NetWatcherPro\NetWatcherPro.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\internat.exe
C:\Program Files\RealPopup\RealPopup.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\aregan.ANNEREGAN\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.google.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = res://C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.dll/defAPI.htm#secX32;
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.msn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.msn.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.google.com/keyword/%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by eircom net
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = student-proxy.ul.ie:8080
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = <local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdsg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiPTA] atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eabconfg.cpl] C:\Program Files\Compaq\EAB\EabServr.exe /Start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpqset] c:\compaq\cpqsetup\cpqset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\Program Files\NavNT\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NetWatcherPro] C:\Program Files\NetWatcherPro\NetWatcherPro.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RunDLL] rundll32.exe "C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files\bridge.dll",Load
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FA Page] C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.exe home
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ad-aware] "C:\PROGRA~1\Lavasoft\AD-AWA~1\Ad-aware.exe" +c
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [CPQDFWAG] C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\CpqDfwAg.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Internat.exe] internat.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RealPopup] "C:\Program Files\RealPopup\RealPopup.exe" BOOT
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: OSA.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O12 - Plugin for .bat: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin2.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mid: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin2.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mov: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mp3: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin4.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mpeg: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin3.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {11010101-1001-1111-1000-110112345678} - mk:@mSItSTORE:Mhtml:FiLE://C:\html.mHT!http://205.177.122.27/docs/xxx/html.chm::/html.exe
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINNT\System32\NavLogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: nwprovau - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\nwprovau.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Compaq Remote Diagnostics Enabling Agent (CpqDfwWebAgent) - Compaq Computer Corporation - C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\Cpqdfwag.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINNT\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: NAI ePolicy Orchestrator Agent (NAIMAGENT32) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\ePOAgent\naimas32.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Spyware Doctor (SDhelper) - PC Tools Research Pty Ltd - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe

[GTO]

Hi, Claire. Welcome to 2-Spyware.com forums!

Please follow these steps in order to get rid of the parasite your system is infected with:

1. Download the KillBox utility.

2. Use HijackThis to fix the following entries:
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = res://C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.dll/defAPI.htm#secX32;
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RunDLL] rundll32.exe "C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files\bridge.dll",Load
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FA Page] C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.exe home
O16 - DPF: {11010101-1001-1111-1000-110112345678} - mk:@mSItSTORE:Mhtml:FiLE://C:\html.mHT!http://205.177.122.27/docs/xxx/html.chm::/html.exe

3. Now restart your system into Safe Mode. This step is very important!

4. Delete the following files (you may need to use KillBox for this):
C:\WINNT\system32\shdocie.exe
C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files\bridge.dll

5. Reboot your computer, run another HijackThis scan and post a fresh log here.


P.S. Your system is not up-to-date. Please download Service Pack 4 for Microsoft Windows 2000 and apply all latest security fixes and updates. Running an outdated Windows system is very risky!

[Claire Regan]

Here is the latest HiJackThis Log. Thank you so much for your help, I am in the process of updating my service pack now and have downloaded spybot, avast antivirus and zone alarm to hopefully resist this sort of malicious web behaviour in the future. Thanks again,

Claire Regan

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 17:37:28, on 25/01/2006
Platform: Windows 2000 SP2 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\Cpqdfwag.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
C:\ePOAgent\naimas32.exe
C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MsgSys.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq\EAB\EabServr.exe
C:\Program Files\NetWatcherPro\NetWatcherPro.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\internat.exe
C:\Program Files\RealPopup\RealPopup.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\MAILFR~1\mantispm.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\aregan.ANNEREGAN\Desktop\Anti Spyware Progs\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://search.msn.com/spbasic.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.msn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.msn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.google.com/keyword/%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by eircom net
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = student-proxy.ul.ie:8080
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = <local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiPTA] atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eabconfg.cpl] C:\Program Files\Compaq\EAB\EabServr.exe /Start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpqset] c:\compaq\cpqsetup\cpqset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NetWatcherPro] C:\Program Files\NetWatcherPro\NetWatcherPro.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ad-aware] "C:\PROGRA~1\Lavasoft\AD-AWA~1\Ad-aware.exe" +c
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [CPQDFWAG] C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\CpqDfwAg.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Internat.exe] internat.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RealPopup] "C:\Program Files\RealPopup\RealPopup.exe" BOOT
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: OSA.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O12 - Plugin for .bat: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin2.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mid: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin2.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mov: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mp3: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin4.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mpeg: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin3.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINNT\System32\NavLogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: nwprovau - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\nwprovau.dll
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: CA ISafe (CAISafe) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\WINNT\system32\ZoneLabs\isafe.exe
O23 - Service: Compaq Remote Diagnostics Enabling Agent (CpqDfwWebAgent) - Compaq Computer Corporation - C:\WINNT\Cpqdiag\Cpqdfwag.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINNT\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: NAI ePolicy Orchestrator Agent (NAIMAGENT32) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\ePOAgent\naimas32.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

[GTO]

Your log is clean. I'm glad you could get rid of the parasite .

[Claire Regan]

Thanks for your help in ridding my computer of the spyware and god knows what else that was lurking there! However I seem to be having a problem with my desktop now. I can no longer customise my background, any selection I make in the 'Browse' function is ignored and the original pictures all seem to have disappeared, only the original 'pattern' files remain. I'm not sure if this is a result of a virus or of deleting too many files myself. Any help would be, again, hugely appreciated!

Claire

[GTO]

[Claire Regan]

I mean when I click browse to search for a picture to add as my background it lets me search and select a picture but when i press OK nothing happens, the picture doesn't appear and its name is not in the list of wallpapers.

I have since discovered that other people who were hijacked by Razespyware encountered this problem as well.Only bitmap pictures can be added as background pictures, not jpeg or any other format. From what i gather its some sort of permanent damage to the Active Desktop and the only way to fix it is to start again from scratch with the Operating Sytem Restore CD-ROM. However I am in not in a position to do this, I'm abroad without backup disks etc, so i suppose i'll have to just make do for the time being.

Thanks for getting back to me on it though, and for all your help with my Spyware problems!

Claire Regan