Mirar Removal Help

[debbmm]

Thanks for the help.
My son has a Presario computer operating on Windows XP. When we log on now, the only icons on the desk top that we can get into are the internet and the recycle bin. I cannot get anything to work as each icon (or program from explorer) I click on states that there is no program associated with it.

It will not allow me to get into control panel to add/remove programs. I CAN download removal tools and spyware but cannot run them once they are on my system.

I tried rebooting and using the "restore back to known working settings" but that didn't work either.

It's quite a little toolbar...seems to have grown tentacles and spread itself throughout his entire computer...whenever I try to get something to remove it, it seems to sense it and block it from running.

Whatever help you can offer would be great.

[rspassey]

What exactly have you tried so far? Registry Chances yet? Booting in safemode?

Here is one guide to remove mirar by using the registry (http://www.spyany.com/program/article_spw_rm_Mirar.html)

Another using Symantec AV and Registry changes (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.mirar.html)

[debbmm]

I've tried REGEDIT which is the first link you offered. I can get into RUN and put in REGEDIT but cannot RUN anything. I have browsed and cannot find anything. Working through REGISTRY is apparently not an option

You know when you get a picture or something emailed to you and you try to open it..a little box comes up and says what program do you want to open it with? The picture icon is a little window with about 9 colored dots on it...well that is what EVERYONE of the programs are on his computer. It won't let ANYTHING run on the computer...the only thing I can do is work on the internet through mirar (though we have found a way to get in through Yahoo)...I just can't do anything else on the computer.

I did not try operating in safe mode, but as I said, when I rebooted I F2 until I could F8 and tried to retore to last known working settings...but nothing happened. It's almost as if my computer is blank EXCEPT for mirar.

I can download any program you want to suggest to me...but once they are on the computer I cannot RUN them.

DO you think it is a lost cause?

[rspassey]

I would highly recomend booting in safe mode. Just to try it. I, personally, have never dealth with mirar, and am only go off of experience I have with removing other types of adware/spyware/ and malware.

Out of curiosity, when you mention you can get IE to work... can you try and run an online malware scans, which are available from Ewido

www.ewido.net

[debbmm]

That's a great idea...I think that's what we need to be able to run something right from the internet. We will try and I will try safemode as well. I'll let you know what happens
Thanks for the ideas

[debbmm]

This did not work as the program required ACTIVE X to be used and our computer no longer recognizes nor can run any programs. Any other thoughts?

[juppy]

Might try Trend Micro's online scanner. I don't know for sure if it will have the same ActiveX problems or not though. Worth a shot.
http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp

[glc]

This fix should allow you to run executables.

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_exe_fix.zip