Malwarebytes does not detect a threat

[TitanInsane]

Hi, I've been using Malwarebytes on and off for about 6 months. It's been very effective at removing threats but for a few months now I've been noticing a major problem with my laptop.

Right now my laptop faces a few issues.

• My password space gets filled up with random characters when I boot up the laptop. This isn't a major problem but it is quite annoying having to delete all the characters (a long string) every time I start up the laptop.
• The letter "H" on my keyboard stops functioning randomly. I use this laptop for notes and social media, so you can imagine how annoying it is to type without a letter that happens to be one of the most commonly used ones. I'm reasonably sure this is not a hardware issue, as it randomly starts and stops working. Running Windows Defender once or twice returns the keyboard to normal but it acts up again within a week or two. And the worst part is that Defender doesn't actually find anything wrong with it. The "H" key not working is only the start of the problems. If I don't run an antivirus program, this eventually creates other problems for my keyboard, mainly, other keys stop working and some keys double whenever I use them. As I type this now, the "H" key works but it wasn't working an hour ago.
• Most, if not all antivirus programs are useless now. This is without a doubt, my biggest problem. Like I said, when Malwarebytes first failed to detect any threats, I downloaded and used a variety of different antivirus programs, all of which failed to detect any threats. The biggest problem however is that whenever an antivirus attempts to scan at more than a surface level, the laptop shuts itself down in the middle of the scan. This has happened to three different scanners that I've used. I've also tried running Windows Defender in Safe Mode but even here, the laptop shuts itself down in the middle of a deep scan or even during a custom scan of individual drives. I have considered that this problem arises due to the scans overheating the computer. This laptop has been in use for well over a decade, so this might just be due to the laptop's hardware being defective but I'm not sure about this.

I'm hoping you can help shed some light on what exactly is the problem. I've tried a lot of things and nothing seems to be working. You guys were amazing the last I needed help and I'm hoping you'll be able to help me this time.

Here are the necessary files.

Thanking you in advance.

Malware Report.txt Addition.txt FRST.txt

[kevinf80]

Hello TitanInsane and welcome to Malwarebytes,

Thanks for those logs, continue:

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop or location where you ran FRST from. NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST or FRSTEnglish, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone. Run FRST or FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait. If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart. The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or wherever you ran FRST from. Please attach or post it to your next reply. Note: If the tool warned you about an outdated version please download and run the updated version. NOTE-1: This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 30 minutes or more. NOTE-2: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications will be automatically closed. Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies will also be removed. The following directories are emptied:   Windows Temp Users Temp folders Edge, IE, FF, Chrome and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History Recently opened files cache Flash Player cache Java cache Steam HTML cache Explorer thumbnail and icon cache BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files) Recycle Bin Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix. The system will be rebooted after the fix has run. Next, Download AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes onto your Desktop. Or from this Mirror   Right-click on AdwCleaner.exe and select http://i.imgur.com/Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users) Accept the EULA (I accept), then click on Scan Let the scan complete. Once it's done, make sure that every item listed in the different tabs is checked and click on the Quarantine button. This will kill all the active processes Once the cleaning process is complete, AdwCleaner will ask to restart your computer, do it After the restart, a log will open when logging in. Please copy/paste the content of that log in your next reply Next, Download "Microsoft's Safety Scanner" and save direct to the desktop Ensure to get the correct version for your system.... https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download Right click on the Tool, select Run as Administrator the tool will expand to the options Window In the "Scan Type" window, select Quick Scan Perform a scan and Click Finish when the scan is done. Retrieve the MSRT log as follows, and post it in your next reply: 1) Select the Windows key and R key together to open the "Run" function 2) Type or Copy/Paste the following command to the "Run Line" and Press Enter: notepad c:\windows\debug\msert.log The log will include log details for each time MSRT has run, we only need the most recent log by date and time.... Let me see those logs in your reply, also let me know if there are any remaining issues or concerns... Thank you, Kevin..

fixlist.txt

[TitanInsane]

Hi, I've done everything you've told me to and I've attached the files required here.

 

AdwCleaner[C11].txt Fixlog.txt msert.log

[kevinf80]

Hiya TitanInsane,

Thanks for those logs, the log from FRST fix "Fixlog.txt" is not complete. Did the fix run complete..?

Thanks,

Kevin

[TitanInsane]

Hey, so I restarted my computer and the password space problem still showed up. The "H" key is also slightly wonky but its fine for now. I'm not fully confident that the problem is solved, even though the MSERT and AdWare said that there were no threats identified.

[TitanInsane]

2 minutes ago, kevinf80 said:

Hiya TitanInsane,

Thanks for those logs, the log from FRST fix "Fixlog.txt" is not complete. Did the fix run complete..?

Thanks,

Kevin

I ran it and the computer restarted. I found the Fixlog file so I assumed it was completed. Should I run it again ?

[kevinf80]

 

Run FRST one more time, ensure all boxes are checkmarked under "Whitelist" but only Addition.txt under "Optional scan" Select scan, when done post the new logs. "FRST.txt" and "Addition.txt"

[TitanInsane]

Here are the files from the scan

Addition.txt FRST.txt

[kevinf80]

Addition.txt log is not complete, quite a bit missing..?

[TitanInsane]

24 minutes ago, kevinf80 said:

Addition.txt log is not complete, quite a bit missing..?

Really ? What do I do ?

[TitanInsane]

Also, maybe my Windows Defender is causing problems ? Should I disable it and then run FRST again ?

[kevinf80]

Yes please, give that a try..

[TitanInsane]

Hi, I think it worked this time. Sorry for the trouble.

Addition.txt FRST.txt

[kevinf80]

Hiya TitanInsane,

How is your system responding now, any issues or concerns...?

Thanks,

Kevin..

[TitanInsane]

The password space still fills up with characters but the "H" key is working fine and the antivirus ran a custom scan without the laptop shutting itself down for the first time in a while. I'm kind of worried that the problem might persist but for now, everything seems fine. Thank you so much for your work.

[TitanInsane]

5 hours ago, TitanInsane said:

The password space still fills up with characters but the "H" key is working fine and the antivirus ran a custom scan without the laptop shutting itself down for the first time in a while. I'm kind of worried that the problem might persist but for now, everything seems fine. Thank you so much for your work.

Yeah, sorry the antivirus doesn't work. The laptop shut itself down again during a deep scan.

[kevinf80]

Hiya TitanInsane,

That password issue will be very annoying. Lets try setting your system up for a "Clean Boot" when done reboot and see if the password issue clears..

Set windows up for "Clean Boot" mode, full instructions here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929135 Basically all none MS services are disabled, see how your system runs in that mode.   Regarding the AV scan is that when you use Windows Defender...   Thank you,   Kevin

[TitanInsane]

Yes the AV scan I use is Windows Defender. But this issue occurs when I use different scanners as well.

I ran it Clean Boot but there were no changes. The password issue still occured.

[kevinf80]

Hiya TitanInsane,

Lets try an Offline scan with Windows Defender... Open the search function, type or copy/paste Windows Defender Security Center then select ok to open that option. In the new window select Virus and Threat Protection then select Scan Options The scan options window will open, from there select Windows Defender Offline Scan You will be given the option to save any opened work etc, then select Scan from there when the scan completes Windows will reboot.. To check for found entries: Select Start , and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection . On the Virus & threat protection screen select Protection history. If entries are shown as "Found" the time and date will be same as the offline scan just completed.....   Thank you,   Kevin...

[TitanInsane]

So sorry for the late reply.

I tried to access Windows Defender Offline but it's not directly available in Windows 8, which is what I'm using. I should have mentioned that at the very start. Anyway, I downloaded as per instructions available in Microsoft Support and tried to run it but it wouldn't work. Is there any alternative you can suggest.

[kevinf80]

Try from the following link, you will have to scroll down to find windows 8

https://www.howtogeek.com/100289/how-to-create-a-bootable-offline-version-of-windows-defender/

[TitanInsane]

9 hours ago, kevinf80 said:

Try from the following link, you will have to scroll down to find windows 8

https://www.howtogeek.com/100289/how-to-create-a-bootable-offline-version-of-windows-defender/

Those are the exact steps that I followed but it didn't work. The scan says it can't download new virus definitions because its not connected to the internet, although my laptop is connected to the Internet.

[TitanInsane]

Yeah I'm sorry I don't think this option is going to work. I've tried it a few time again but apparently Microsoft screwed over Windows 8 and 7 by changing a program that controls internet access from Windows Defender Offline. I tried an alternate method but it didn't work. Any other alternatives ?

[kevinf80]

Hiya Titaninsane,

Typical of Microsoft, ok lets try Kaspersky Rescue Disk 18...

Download Kaspersky Rescue Disk (iso) Burn it to a cd or dvd, if you need a program to burn an ISO...use Active@ ISO Burner Or load to USB flash drive https://support.kaspersky.com/14226#block1 Configure your computer to boot from CD/DVD/USB Note : If you do not know how to set your computer to boot from CD/DVD/USB follow the steps here   Once you have the CD/DVD/USB created, boot the computer up using it Press any key to enter the menu Select your language Press 1 to accept the End User License Agreement Select Kaspersky Rescue Disk. Graphic Mode Click on the Start button located in the left bottom corner of the screen Run Kaspersky WindowsUnlocker to remove Windows system and registry changes made by Malware/Virus http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBmRvambTqA/UA19J97XvPI/AAAAAAAACmY/kg-JQuEpCv4/s1600/krd5.jpg If you can't find Kaspersky WindowsUnlocker, go to Terminal instead > type > windowsunlocker > choose 1 - Unlock Windows > Enter   When it's done, click on the Start button and start Kaspersky Rescue Disk utility Click on My Update Center tab and press Start to download the latest update Next, select the Object Scan tab Put a check next to C:\ and any other local drives Then click Start Objects Scan Quarantine any malware found Restart your computer and see if it boots up normally.... When booted back into Windows Navigate > Start > Computer > C:\Kaspersky Rescue Disck 18.0 Open the folder, inside is log from KRD run named "ScanObject" copy/paste that file to your reply. Thank you, Kevin..

[TitanInsane]

Hi, I'm sorry, I won't be able to complete the scan today. Downloading the boot scan took longer than expected and I didn't have time to run a full scan. I will try again tomorrow and post the results then.