win xp home sp2: should windows\help\starter exist??

[cohenfive]

've been trying to get rid of spyware off my pc. there is a file called: vgaanti.exe that is always running and tieing up my pc's resources. i've tried to get rid of it via hijackthis and two files cannot be deleted this way:

here is the location of the files:

c:\windows\help\starter\vgaanti.exe

and

c:\windows\help\starter\vgaanti.exe rerun

when i search into my hard drive, in the windows\help\starter folder are two items:

1.folder named help_mell which has an html document called 'viewer'
2. an html document called 'welcome'

i've asked a spyware expert and his os (xp pro sp2) has no help\starter folder at all...

the question is whether i can or should get rid of the items in the folder or the folder itself? in other words, is this folder part of windows xp home or has it been added by spyware devils??

 

[PlasticJesus]

I have xp home sp2 and I have the c:\windows\help\starter with the help_mell folder and the 'welcome' document.

I don't have the vgaanti.exe or the vgaanti.exe rerun.

 

[KarenMarie]

I found the answer to this problem on another board. It is took long to cut&paste. Am I allowed to post the link to the site?

 

[cohenfive]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
I found the answer to this problem on another board. It is took long to cut&paste. Am I allowed to post the link to the site?

yes please do or send it to me via email, thanks!!!

cohenfive@yahoo.com

 

[KarenMarie]

you dont need to read the entire thread for the instructions. It is in the last post!

Text

 

[cohenfive]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
you dont need to read the entire thread for the instructions. It is in the last post!

Text

sounds like i do the following:

1. turn off system restore
2. boot into safe mode
3. run the killbox application
4. kill c: windows\help\starter
5. hopefully it will be dead....

i wonder how this differs from killing it manually...

anyway, thanks!! posted this on msfn.org and got zippo responses....

 

[KarenMarie]

Let us know if it worked!!

 

[cohenfive]

used killbox to get rid of vgaanti. exe and vgaanti.exe rerun....

seems to be no after effects....now i just have to get rid of the rest of the stuff on the pc which is more benign...

thanks for the help!

 

[imported_Phil]

Remember kids, there's always a price to pay for "Free XXX!".

 

[cohenfive]

Originally posted by: Dopefiend
Remember kids, there's always a price to pay for "Free XXX!".

funny guy....not sure where this came from, i have three kids on the pc as well.

good ending at least..