HELP PLEASE!! After offspring used parent work laptop to 'browse the internet!!!' - we now have a continuous problem with a 'can't find shell.dll' and various other nasty adware items like about:blank. I am convinced a program is loading at startup which deletes the shell.dll file, because I have repeatedly replaced it into system32 and it is not there. One of my spyware programs has found 'thnall1l.exe' loading at startup, but is unable to remove it permanently. Is this the culprit and how do I get rid of it?

Any assistance from you experts to resolve this problem and eliminate the nasties from the machine, would be much appreciated. A log of the Hijack this file is below

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 14:17:22, on 07/09/2004
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\d3yl.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\pctspk.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\PRPCUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\dadapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\DadTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adaptec Shared\CreateCD\CreateCD50.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\WINNT\loadqm.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mbfeeqvg.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\apphd32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\PPControl.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\PPMemCheck.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\CookiePatrol.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
C:\Program Files\Actiontec Electronics, Inc\Actiontec 802.11b WLAN Adapter\WlanMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
C:\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.euro.dell.com/countries/uk/enu/gen/default.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by 20-20 Technologies
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {C8E92878-0368-E15C-0CF1-83E7C0DA40EF} - C:\WINNT\mskv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTVOICE] pctspk.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiPTA] atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PRPCMonitor] PRPCUI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DadApp] C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\dadapp.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: [CreateCD50] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adaptec Shared\CreateCD\CreateCD50.exe" -r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WlanMonitor.exe] WlanMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [jvtzbficuvly] C:\WINNT\System32\mbfeeqvg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [xTAI] C:\documents and settings\lewisham\local settings\temp\xTAI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [apphd32.exe] C:\WINNT\system32\apphd32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Winad Client] C:\Program Files\Winad Client\Winad.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PestPatrol Control Center] C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\PPControl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PPMemCheck] C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\PPMemCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CookiePatrol] C:\PROGRA~1\PESTPA~1\CookiePatrol.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe" /0
O4 - Global Startup: 20-20 Shortcut Bar.lnk = C:\2020V61\Mswin\60\SCBar.Exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Configuration & Monitor Utility.lnk = C:\Program Files\Actiontec Electronics, Inc\Actiontec 802.11b WLAN Adapter\WlanMonitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: hpoddt01.exe.lnk = Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.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\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O12 - Plugin for .mid: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin2.dll
O12 - Plugin for .mpeg: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin3.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.05p.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.blazefind.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.clickspring.net
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.flingstone.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.my-internet.info
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.scoobidoo.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchbarcash.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchmiracle.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.slotch.com
O16 - DPF: v2cab - http://searchmiracle.com/cab/v2cab.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} - http://imgfarm.com/images/nocache/funwebproducts/SmileyCentralInitialSetup1.0.0.5.cab
O16 - DPF: {91433D86-9F27-402C-B5E3-DEBDD122C339} - http://www.netvenda.com/sites/games-gb/gb/games4.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38113.1142592593
O16 - DPF: {B94B4225-E02E-4D3F-BADB-026F1E2F3AD7} (HttpDownloader Control) - http://www.instantplugin.com/SexDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O16 - DPF: {FF65677A-8977-48CA-916A-DFF81B037DF3} (WMService Class) - http://download.overpro.com/WildAppNonUS.cab
O16 - DPF: {FFFF0003-0001-101A-A3C9-08002B23E0CC} - http://direct.data-line.us/gbn298.exe
O16 - DPF: {FFFF0003-0001-101A-A3C9-08002B23E0CD} - http://direct.data-line.us/gbn298.exe

Welcome to TechSpot

Have you run Adaware, Spybot S&D as well as your Spysweeper program?

Unless you really want it, uninstall the Google Toolbar.

Delete all files from your C:\documents and settings\lewisham\local settings\temp

Clean all your Temporary Internet Files (rightclick IE on Desktop, select properties, click on Delete Cookies and Delete Files (incl. all Offline content)

The following are all creeps:

C:\WINNT\system32\d3yl.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mbfeeqvg.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\apphd32.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by 20-20 Technologies ..... Do you know this lot?

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {C8E92878-0368-E15C-0CF1-83E7C0DA40EF} - C:\WINNT\mskv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [jvtzbficuvly] C:\WINNT\System32\mbfeeqvg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [xTAI] C:\documents and settings\lewisham\local settings\temp\xTAI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [apphd32.exe] C:\WINNT\system32\apphd32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Winad Client] C:\Program Files\Winad Client\Winad.exe
O4 - Global Startup: 20-20 Shortcut Bar.lnk = C:\2020V61\Mswin\60\SCBar.Exe

You need to clean out all these 'junkies' from your Trusted Zone
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.05p.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.blazefind.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.clickspring.net
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.flingstone.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.my-internet.info
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.scoobidoo.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchbarcash.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.searchmiracle.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.slotch.com

O16 - DPF: v2cab - http://searchmiracle.com/cab/v2cab.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/...director/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} - http://imgfarm.com/images/nocache/f...etup1.0.0.5.cab
O16 - DPF: {91433D86-9F27-402C-B5E3-DEBDD122C339} - http://www.netvenda.com/sites/games-gb/gb/games4.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.c...8113.1142592593
O16 - DPF: {B94B4225-E02E-4D3F-BADB-026F1E2F3AD7} (HttpDownloader Control) - http://www.instantplugin.com/SexDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/...ash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O16 - DPF: {FF65677A-8977-48CA-916A-DFF81B037DF3} (WMService Class) - http://download.overpro.com/WildAppNonUS.cab
O16 - DPF: {FFFF0003-0001-101A-A3C9-08002B23E0CC} - http://direct.data-line.us/gbn298.exe
O16 - DPF: {FFFF0003-0001-101A-A3C9-08002B23E0CD} - http://direct.data-line.us/gbn298.exe

Let Adaware/Spybot/Spysweeper clean out what they can.
Then rerun HijackThis and clean out the leftovers from this above list.

Thanks very much for this information - I'll give it a go when I get home later.

I have run both adaware and spysweeper but not spybot, I'll try that as well.

I know my partner would agree with you about the guinness. and will no doubt have a couple tonight if this works.