Virtual Private Network? help please

[derekb]

Over the past couple of days my PC Guard has been showing a message saying Virtual Private Network has been detected.Along with an IP address
Can anyone tell me what this means?
Should i block connestions to this IP address.
I've Googled "Virtual Private Network" amd dont see why my PC should be connected to one.
Is this a problem,or am i just getting paranoid about viruses and trojans?:icon_scra

[cpugeniusmv]

That seems strange, you are correct that you probably shouldn't be connecting to a VPN.

What kind of internet connection do you have?

Is your PC directly connected to the modem, or is there a router involved?

[derekb]

I'm on cable
Connected straight to the modem
A search of the IP address show it is someone in Australia!?

[Malakai1911]

Whats this "PC Guard" you use?

Can you run a HijackThis (http://www.merijn.org/files/hijackthis.zip) scan and post your logs here.

[derekb]

PC Guard is a free Internet Security thingy from Blueyonder(my provider)
i will download hijackthis just now and try it.cheers

[derekb]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 21:24:29, on 31/12/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\fws.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Command Software\dvpapi.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\gearsec.exe
c:\APPS\HIDSERVICE\HIDSERVICE.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCOM8\RoxMediaDB.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCOM8\RoxWatch.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools\daemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\RPS.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Derek\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.network54.com/Forum/47103-page-1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=3448&clcid=0x0809
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer Provided by blueyonder
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 www.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 err.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3310.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3312.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3313.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3314.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3316.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3317.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3318.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3319.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3310.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3312.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3313.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3314.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3316.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3317.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3318.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3319.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3310.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3312.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3313.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3314.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3316.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3317.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3318.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3319.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3310.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3312.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3313.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3314.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3316.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3317.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3318.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3319.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3310.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3312.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3313.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3314.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3316.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3317.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3318.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3319.z1305.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3310.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3311.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3312.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3313.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3314.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3315.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3316.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3317.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3318.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3319.z1306.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3520.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3521.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3522.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3523.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3524.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3525.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3526.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3527.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3528.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3529.z1301.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3520.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3521.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3522.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3523.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3524.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3525.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3526.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3527.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3528.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3529.z1302.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3520.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3521.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3522.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3523.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3524.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3525.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3526.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3527.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3528.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3529.z1303.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3520.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3521.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3522.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3523.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 212.227.64.159 c3524.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 205.238.40.2 c3525.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 67.18.233.36 c3526.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 82.43.224.20 c3527.z1304.winmx.com
O1 - Hosts: 209.67.209.50 c3528.z1304.winmx.com
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Pop-Up Blocker BHO - {3C060EA2-E6A9-4E49-A530-D4657B8C449A} - C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\pkR.dll
O2 - BHO: IE PopUp-Killer ; Neikeisoft - {49E0E0F0-5C30-11D4-945D-000000000003} - C:\PROGRA~1\Ashampoo\ASHAMP~1\PopUp.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4D1C4E81-A32A-416b-BCDB-33B3EF3617D3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Form Filler BHO - {56071E0D-C61B-11D3-B41C-00E02927A304} - C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\FBHR.dll
O2 - BHO: ST - {9394EDE7-C8B5-483E-8773-474BF36AF6E4} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\ST\01.03.0000.1005\en-xu\stmain.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.4000.1001\en-gb\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.4000.1001\en-gb\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SiSPower] Rundll32.exe SiSPower.dll,ModeAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools] "C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools\daemon.exe" -lang 1033
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCguard] "C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\RPS.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BootSkin Startup Jobs] "C:\PROGRA~1\Stardock\WINCUS~1\BootSkin\BootSkin.ex e" /StartupJobs
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] "C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [µTorrent] "C:\Documents and Settings\Derek\Desktop\utorrent.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - http://kl.bar.need2find.com/KL/menusearch.html?p=KL
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to &Teleport - C:\Program Files\Teleport Pro\teleport.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05\bin\npjpi150_05.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05\bin\npjpi150_05.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yhexbmesuk.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yhexbmesuk.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Pool 2 - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/pote_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {5EC7C511-CD0F-42E6-830C-1BD9882F3458} (PowerPlayer Control) - http://www.ppstream.com/bin/powerplayer.cab
O16 - DPF: {917623D1-D8E5-11D2-BE8B-00104B06BDE3} (CamImage Class) - http://63.175.189.40/activex/AxisCamControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {CE69F98F-2AF3-4306-BAC6-A79070EDA1B4} (Zylom Loader Object) - http://eu.download.games.yahoo.com/zylom/activex/zylomloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {E7DBFB6C-113A-47CF-B278-F5C6AF4DE1BD} - http://download.abacast.com/download/files/abasetup161.cab
O16 - DPF: {E862C832-3A5F-4CEB-BFAA-167B22010A71} (InfosFinder2.InfosFinder) - http://support.packardbell.com/files/activex/InfosFinder2.CAB
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O18 - Filter: text/html - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: MCPClient - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Stardock\mcpstub.dll
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: DvpApi (dvpapi) - Command Software Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Command Software\dvpapi.exe
O23 - Service: Radialpoint Service (FWS) - Radialpoint Inc. - C:\Program Files\blueyonder\PCguard\fws.exe
O23 - Service: gearsec - GEAR Software - C:\WINDOWS\system32\gearsec.exe
O23 - Service: Generic Service for HID Keyboard Input Collections (GenericHidService) - Unknown owner - c:\APPS\HIDSERVICE\HIDSERVICE.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server (RoxLiveShare) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCOM8\RoxLiveShare.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCOM8\RoxMediaDB.exe
O23 - Service: RoxUpnpRenderer (RoxUPnPRenderer) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCom\RoxUpnpRenderer.exe
O23 - Service: RoxUpnpServer - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy Media Creator 8\Digital Home\RoxUpnpServer.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher (RoxWatch) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\SharedCOM8\RoxWatch.exe
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe
O23 - Service: StarWind iSCSI Service (StarWindService) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindService.exe

When i ran HijackThis a window popped up mentioning O1 and that i should delete it from hosts somewhere
it went over my head really
i have winmx installed(re O1)but have never used it.Only installed it to show someone how to get it working
Should i get rid of Winmx?

[tackdaddy]

to me this looks bad..........my hijack log is only a fraction of this........too many processes running and too beyond my expierence.

[derekb]

oh dear!
having never used hijackthis,could someone tell me what it does?
all the processes there are programmes usually running on my pc(except winmx)
hijack this said to i have a particularly high level of hijacked domains,and if i saw the same IP address in all
the reported O1 items,to consider deleting my hosts file
Any reason not to delete my hosts file?

[black_magiic]

Perhaps its time to reinstall windows?

[Auggie2k]

Oh holy shit, save yourself and listen to Black Magic. You should definately reinstall but first before you do...

Plan it to the button - I mean make note of everything installed (that's worthy) and get a nice fresh copy of XP Pro SP2 off Bit Torrent.

[derekb]

Why though?
What is the hijackthis log telling me?
My PC is running fine,other than PC Guard asking me if i want to block connections to a Virtual Private Network

[Auggie2k]

How long have you had your computer in use without a reformat?

Do you know how many programs would have installed and uninstalled cluttering up your computer?

Your Hijack This log should be at least three times smaller, all those running pointless processes are slowing your computer.

[Auggie2k]

PS: Paste you log onto this site and give us the link to what it says ok.

http://www.hijackthis.de/

[derekb]

again oh dear!
my PC is only three month old!
the running processes all come from programmes i would install again on my PC(except winmx,which takes up half the log!)

[derekb]

thanks for everyones help by the way
here is the link

http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php#anl

[Auggie2k]

Ok, I will do it then...

http://www.hijackthis.de/logfiles/50d9ff2f6bd4961371318681ac8ca7ca.html

Your computer is extremely cluttered. You won't know yourself if you do a fresh restore, honest.

[derekb]

so now i get hijackthis to fix all the "nasty" references?

[Auggie2k]

Hijack this doesn't get rid of these nasty references, although it has a "delete on reboot" command that comes in very handy, and has done for me on those hard to get rid of system malware processes. A malware called cmd.exe f**ked me up for ages.

Try this idea - Get Windows XP Pro SP2 (http://www.thepiratebay.org), XP Antispy (http://www.xp-antispy.org/), Safe XP (http://www.theorica.net/safexp.htm), Tweak UI (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/tweakuixp.html), Startup Control Panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) and Evid TCPIP Patch (http://www.lvllord.de/download.php?url=en/EvID4226Patch223d-en.zip).

Now do a fresh install, use all these programs to max your connections, speed it up and clear all the Windows crap (MSN ect.)

[-0-BACKLASH-0-]

you could get regcleaner ( http://www.worldstart.com/weekly-download/archives/reg-cleaner4.3.htm ) and start removing programs from startup that you don't need.

[derekb]

Thank for everyones posts and advice!:icon_king
i chose not to reinstall windows just now cos i have a load of music not yet backed up:icon_pale and dont want to lose it
....and my pc is/was running fine except for the VPN issue
i will continue to keep using hijackthis to keep an eye on things though(my log file is much smaller than it started!)

regcleaner also came in handy:icon_sant

happy new year y'all!