Have tried 5 free spyware, anti-virus, malware removers and none work. Have reformatted HD and reinstalled XP and that didn't work. The manual suggestions from searches don't work or are too tedius to be worth my time. This is a computer donated to charity that came loaded with malware and other bad stuff. The specs are good so I'd like to salvage it. Any suggestions?1 person needs an answerI do too

Did you do a Repair Installation or a Clean Installation of XP ?The adware you mention would not survive a Clean installationunless one or more of the following conditions is present - 1) the motherboard has been compromised by hidden malware2) the XP installation media contains embedded malware 3) the XP installation media contains Windows XP RTM/Windows XP SP1 and the system is being infected when connected to the internet during installation4) the system is on a network with an infected system that is reinfecting it5) the router of said network has been compromised by hidden malwareYou can clean the system by booting to a Linux-based distribution CD but if number 1, 4, or 5 are present, the system will become reinfected again -Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 - all articlesFor number 3, if the system was manufactured by an OEM (Dell/Gateway, HP, Lenovo, etc) then it will Activate with no internet connection as Activation is tied to it's original motherboard.If it was not, then suggest that if the installation media contains Windows XP RTM (the original release of XP) or Windows XP SP1 that you not connect it to the internet until you enable the native XP firewall first - Description of the Windows XP Internet Connection FirewallMowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

Did you do a Repair Installation or a Clean Installation of XP ?The adware you mention would not survive a Clean installation unless one or more of the following conditions is present - 1) the motherboard has been compromised by hidden malware2) the XP installation media contains embedded malware 3) the XP installation media contains Windows XP RTM/Windows XP SP1 and the system is being infected when connected to the internet during installation4) the system is on a network with an infected system that is reinfecting it5) the router of said network has been compromised by hidden malwareYou can clean the system by booting to a Linux-based distribution CD but if number 1, 4, or 5 are present, the system will become reinfected again -Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 - all articlesFor number 3, if the system was manufactured by an OEM (Dell/Gateway, HP, Lenovo, etc) then it will Activate with no internet connection as Activation is tied to it's original motherboard.If it was not, then suggest that if the installation media contains Windows XP RTM (the original release of XP) or Windows XP SP1 that you not connect it to the internet until you enable the native XP firewall first - Description of the Windows XP Internet Connection FirewallMowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

The procedure I followed is to clean install the original Compaq OEM version of XP that includes reformatting the HD. Then I install SP2 and SP3 from CDs I have used numerous times before successfully. Then I install a USB adapter and link up with my wireless network(WPA2) and then install Microsoft Security Essentials with updates and assure the firewall is on. I then run a complete scan with MSE which shows no problems. Then I install Advanced System Care Free and try to run it. It stalls at the first Spyware Removal option and shows that it is scanning 180SearchAssistant. It never finishes.My network includes two additional desktops and one laptop, all of which are absolutely clean as is my Linksys wireless router (no admin password).I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years and this is the first time I’ve had this problem. It’s not unusual for a donated computer to be full of viruses, malware, etc. That’s the usual reason most people get rid of a computer in the first place. But I’ve never before found one I couldn’t clean up if it was worth the time and effort.Hope that clears it up and would appreciate your additional advice. If you think it is the motherboard, I think I’ll just cannibalize it and recycle the remains, making sure to overwrite and reformat the HD very thoroughly before reusing it.Paul

Paul,Much thanks for providing full details. Has the USB adapter itself been scanned for the presence of malware ?Advanced System Care is, IMHO, " questionable software " and I would never rely on it.Please read the comments posted on WOT by Users concerned with IObits 'Ethical issues' -http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/iobit.com#commentIn addition to scanning with MSE, suggest you do an online scan at one, two, or all of these online scanners to see if the adware is actually resident on the system -ESET Online Scanner TrendMicro HouseCall - Free Online Virus ScanBitDefender Online ScannerEmsisoft Web Malware ScanAnd, I highly doubt that 180SearchAssistant is capable of infecting the Mother Board, now that you've providedfull details , unless it' mutated into a root kit type of malware.MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

I have uninstalled Advanced System Care and am at the moment running BitDefender's online scan. If it doesn't find anything I'm going to declare the computer infection-free. Unfortunately, after all this effort I probably won't be able to sell the computer for more than $125 for the charity for which I volunteer my time and effort. But, after all, since I'm retired my time isn't worth much. I normally clean up about 30 computers a year and junk about half that many. Anyway, it's a hobby I enjoy. Thanks for your expert advice. I'm particularly grateful for your introducing me to WOT. That was new to me and very informative.Paul