task manager not starting error "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000006"

UPDATE - I booted into safe Mode with networking, logged into my admin account. (computer is noticebly slower), hit Cntrl Alt Del and got the same Error - task manager not starting error "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000006)"

So while there I ran Spybot S&D - it took a very long time 30 minutes or more. I watched the whole process. When it was scanning for Redirector Hosts -it took a very long time on Virtumonde.sci and .sda sdn and dll. During this scan the fan kicked into highest speed. *57 items in Quarantine.

Rootkit Scan "Found evidence of possible rootkit infection"

.

I did a Deep Rootkit Scan.  Files in System folder = 1 hidden out of 2165 files detected. - hidden files: termcap.

The Hidden file deep scan resulrs showed approx 300 of my old photos I took many years ago - as I recognized the names, but some may have been downloaded. Most fotos were over 5 years ago. Why foto's show up in a Root Kit scan - I have not a clue..

That is all for now.

Capt

That was a typo I meant diskmgmt.msc

Yes you run it using the run command.

Your first step will be to make sure you can't infect your second computer.

1. In your second computer use the run command to run: services.msc
2. Scroll down to "Shell Hardware Detection"
3. Double click "Shell Hardware Detection" and set "startup type" to disabled and click "Stop" if it is running.

**Shell hardware detection starts a program when your insert a cd, usb stick, or other media, but in order to start the program it reads a file on the usb stick, cd, etc which can actually contain a virus, causing a virus to infect your computer when you insert the media.**

Your second computer is now safe.

4. Download autoruns by sysinternals.
5. Extract and open the program, then in the program click Options, Filter Options. Clear any filters.
6. After scanning completes, click File, Save.... Save the log some place convenient.
7. Email the log to my email address which can be found on my profile here.

**This program lists all of the programs that start up with your computer. Using the log I can identify any malware you have on your computer and write up a script that will remove any malware I find.**

-Alex

Hello Alex, 

First thank you for your time. I AM Really going crazy and I can NOT think straight, or it just may be "High Anxiety" - Really I am physically shaking with tremors. just super nervous.

I DO NOT know where to start.

You said "Now with your special usb device. You can monitor all connected drives with diskmgmt.msc

Run diskmgmt,msc"

I do not know what you mean here, what special usb device are you referring? A thumb drive USB stick? OR

Are you referring to my usb device connector I use to connect a regular hard (no housing) - my quote "(a special adapter to connect other ide or sata hard drives is NOT Being recognized, although it is listed in Device Manager (without any yellow exclamation point), it Does Not show up in "My Computer" file.  Therefore I cannot backup to a hard drive. This adapter has its own power adapter and cord and a special USB cord that plugs directly in to hard drive and then to a USB port.

I think I need step by step easy instructions, as I am an old man and having a very hard time at this.

I am still copying my files, music and photos using a little 8 gb thumb usb drive and copying them to another computer. Maybe I am transfering infected files also ? ? who knows...

So do I do your suggestion first or keep trying to locate infection,

You said You can monitor all connected drives with diskmgmt.msc

Run diskmgmt,msc

So should I click on Start/Run and type in diskmgmt,msc ? with a comma ?

I am lost - I don't know where to start/

Thanks

sighned "Severely Depressed" and feeling more retarded than ever

Hey Capt,

Sounds like you have alot of malware. The error when trying to start taskmanager up is most likely caused because the malware created a registry key rule that causes the malware itself to run when you attempt to open task manager. The A: drive may be fake and also start the malware.

Now with your special usb device. You can monitor all connected drives with diskmgmt.msc

Run diskmgmt,msc

with this utility you can view all connected drives, their drive letters as well as assign drive letters to them. Even if it does not show up in my computer, and it has a drive letter, you can open it using run and typing in the drive letter like so: X: (X being the drive letter)

You can try to download an advanced task manager called procexp by sysinternals. If you can't open it, change the file name to something random as the malware could have a list of programs it stops from running.

-Alex