UAC problems -.-

[SirAdam]

Ok I've been downloading, installing, and playing online games for the past couple years now. For some reason (started yesterday) I can't play my game, which requires admin permission automatically due to the auto-patcher. I double click the shortcut and nothing happens. Then I notice that right clicking on a shortcut, like ventrilo, no longer yields an option for running it as an admin. Furthermore I'm currently unable to install anything as well.

I used to get UAC windows like this

Now all I get are UAC messages like this

I think I've figured out that the top pic is related to windows firewall and the bottom pic related to windows defender. So far this realization has meant little to fix this problem. I go to windows firewall click the links to turn it on or change settings and once again...nothing happens. As far as I know I haven't done anything serious enough to prompt issues like these, and before you ask, yes, my account's the only one on the computer with administrative privileges. Please help me

 

[ilikefree]

Did you try a system restore?

 

[SirAdam]

I'm unable to initiate any backup or restore, most likely because admin is required for these actions as well.

 

[ilikefree]

Go to start,all programs.accessories.command prompt. Right click and Run as administrator.

In the box that opens type

Net User Administrator /Active :Yes

This will start the built in administrator account.

Restart you Computer

After you have finished restarting your computer you can enter this account and run the restore

Turn off the account after with the command

Net User Administrator /Active :No

 

[SirAdam]

Well just like with everything else now, when right clicking there's no admin option. I tried regardless of not running as admin to see what would happen and got a "System error 5 has occurred. Access is denied." As expected...

 

[Shadowjk]

Okay have you seen any UAC Prompts for a bizarre .exe File?

this could be a Virus so do you have any Anti-Virus software?

Also try the Tutorial by ilikefree in Safe mode

See http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html?ltr=S For More Information


Hope This Helps,
Josh

 

[SirAdam]

For the first question, no, I haven't noticed any odd .exe files wanting access. Next, yes, I am running with Trend Mirco Internet Security Pro which is constantly updated. Now on to the safe mode... If I run in normal safe mode I get the same issues I've been having (can't run command prompt as admin) , but if I run 'safe mode with command prompt' option it opens the it elevated and finally allows me access to open the hidden admin. Now I noticed a couple things while on the hidden admin account.

1. The shortcut for one of my games was responsive for a change since it wasn't waiting for UAC approval, although that's little comfort when it's on another account that's not safe to play online with.
2. Clicking the windows firewall links while trying to change firewall settings still had an idle effect (nothing happened).

Now I do have a question, if all this is a virus, what can I do about it besides wiping my computer. By the way, shortly after noticing my problems I did run a full system scan and found nothing except a couple small tracking cookies.

 

[ilikefree]

Use more than one scanner. When I think I have something my anti-virus may have missed I go to Trend Micro Housecall and do an on line scan with their multiple scanners

HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA

 

[SirAdam]

Well there's a couple problems with me using Trend Micro HouseCall.

1. I already have Trend Micro, at the bottom of that page is states that all Trend Micro customers already have everything HouseCall has to offer.
2. For HouseCall you must download and use an .exe file. Downloading is no problem, but running it is.

I'm assuming running the .exe requires the UAC, which is the problem I'm having. I would try using any free antivirus I can find except for the fact that I wouldn't be able to run/install them. At this point I must be honsest and say I'm starting to give up hope that my computer's ever going to be fixed. At one point I thought briefly of finding who made the possible virus that's currently plaguing me and causing them bodily harm. Though I'm still eagerly awaiting any helpful suggestions.

 

[ilikefree]

Do you have MalwareBytes installed.
Sometimes you have to rename the antivirus program to stop the virus from detecting it and stopping it from running.
This is something Super-AntiSpyware recomend doing.

 

[mitchell]

Hallo SirAdam, looking at your posts i think i can point you in the right direction but i am not really in a position to talk you through the process as i have not tried it myself but seen this many times.

Hopefully someone who has will pick up on this.

Have a look at the posts in the thread that are related to rkill & the second link is an explanation & guide to rkill (sorry best i can do)

http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/263598-malware-problem-please-help-6.html

RKill - What it does and What it Doesn't - A brief introduction to the program - BleepingComputer.com

Edit; oops didn't see you there ilikefree.

Follow ilikefree advice if malwarebytes wont install then it is what i assumed that rkill maybee the solution

Edit: I just remembered about this you need to download it from a clean computer (be sure to use a clean usb stick so as not to infect the other computer)

http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html

Please note : The scanner is saved under a random filename so that malware infections won't block the scanner.

This is a quick option that may be worth a try first, even if it gets you to a stage where you can install, update & run other scanners

 

[ilikefree]

Yes I have used that Super program it will update and run under a random name.
There are other on-line scanners like A-squared.

Hi Mitchell, feel free to add as every bit helps, mine are just ideas.

 

[SirAdam]

I can honestly say I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[SirAdam]

Sorry guys, I didn't even notice this thread made it to a second page till after that last post. I downloaded MalwareBytes but am unable to run the exe due to this message that pops up.

I've been getting this message or at least ones like it frequently when trying to run exe's after download. And with the name change you were talking about Ilikefree, I have no idea so please fill me in.

 

[mitchell]

Sorry guys, I didn't even notice this thread made it to a second page till after that last post. I downloaded MalwareBytes but am unable to run the exe due to this message that pops up.

I've been getting this message or at least ones like it frequently when trying to run exe's after download. And with the name change you were talking about Ilikefree, I have no idea so please fill me in.

I cant remember the exact name it is something like "Mbam_Setup.exe" or something similar, right click on it & select Rename & rename it to anything like donkey.exe for example.

When you try & install it make sure you right click on the installer & select "Run as Admin...." (standard practice with anything you install)


If it installs run a quick scan remove any detected items & copy & paste the log back here if you can

Also if you can get us a shot of these pop up it would be appreciated, if you cant can you copy what it says in a singular paragraph

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148532-how-use-snipping-tool-vista.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html

 

[Lorien]

Go to http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/22/reset-and-fix-broken-windows-vista-file-ext-and-type-associations-include-exe-com-sys-zip-lnk-folder-drive/ and scroll to EXE and click or double-click on it to run the program to restore EXE file associations. That may help restore your problems with running .exe files.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!