I am running XP sp3, I have been infected with "XP Securty", AVE.EXE virus and this has wreaked havoc with my computer. I'm suspecting it has changed registries, etc. I can't do anything. I was going to try to totally wipe out the hard drive and try to re-install XP or try to install Windows 7, but I'm not sure I have enough RAM to run it. This computer is approximately 6 years old, a Gateway, I'm considering sending it to the computer graveyard. I'm very frustrated! Any suggestions??1 person needs an answerI do too

No need to trash a perfectly good computer because of this. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-antivirus-vista-2010MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

I think it is the same trojan as Win32/FakeRyan. I had the same symptoms as you. I uninstalled my expensive antivirus - the trojan disappeared - I reinstalled my antivirus as instructed and the trojan reappeared! I contacted my isp provider who could do nothing! However, luckily I had my uninfected wife's computer in the house which I used to follow my isp instructions. This trojan hides in Explorer so that when you do a scaN NOTHING SHOWS UP! It had changed the server settings! Now I am forced to use chrome and the use of explorer bring up all sorts of trouble. Now everything works fine except I cant use Explorer. can anyone help?

No, this is not the same issue as what you had at all. The removal steps for the OP's infection are at the link I already gave him/her. You have something different and should go through thorough malware removal steps as listed below. Then after you've gone through them, if you need more help MAKE A NEW POST and include all pertinent details. Putting your unrelated issue into someone else's post makes it difficult to help you or the OP. Go through these general malware removal steps systematically: http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using Multi_AV in Vista. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your malware here: Bleeping Computer removal how-to's - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html Or here: Malwarebytes malware removal guides - http://tinyurl.com/5xrpft When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT POST LOGS IN THE MS FORUMS. If you can't do the work yourself (and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

be careful on removing AVE.exe it can cause your .exe program to be corrupted (.exe file association to be corrupted) Try to run Safety scanner at http://Safety.live.com Tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgH43lmxl-Y To Vipre http://live.sunbeltsoftware.com/download. Goodluck

Thanks for the tips! I'll post what I find out---or ask for more help!

In safety scanner , it recommend to use Internet Explorer to browse in and also make sure pop up blocker is on and you allow active X when it asked to allow.