How does combofix work

ComboFix is Preparing to Run. ComboFix is now preparing to run. When it has finished ComboFix will automatically attempt to create a System Restore point so that if any problems occur while using the program you can restore back to your previous configuration. When ComboFix has finished creating the restore point, it will then backup your Windows Registry as shown in the image below.

ComboFix is backing up the Windows Registry. Once the Windows Registry has finished being backed up, ComboFix will attempt to detect if you have the Windows Recovery Console installed.

If you already have it installed, you can skip to this section and continue reading. Otherwise you will see the following message as shown below:. ComboFix Recovery Console. At the above message box, please click on the Yes button in order for ComboFix to continue. Please follow the steps and instructions given by ComboFix in order to finish the installation of the Recovery Console.

Once it has finished installing, you will be presented with the screen shown below. ComboFix Recovery Console Finished. You should now press the Yes button to continue. If at any time during the Recovery Console installation you receive a message stating that it failed to install, please allow ComboFix to continue with the scan of your computer.

When it is done, and a log has been created, you can then perform the manual install of the Recovery Console using the steps found in the Manually installing the Windows Recovery Console section. ComboFix will now disconnect your computer from the Internet, so do not be surprised or concerned if you receive any warnings stating that you are no longer on the Internet.

When ComboFix has finished it will automatically restore your Internet connection. ComboFix will now start scanning your computer for known infections. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. ComboFix is scanning the computer for infections. While the program is scanning your computer, it will change your clock format, so do not be concerned when you see this happen. When ComboFix is finished it will restore your clock settings to their previous settings.

You will also see the text in the ComboFix window being updated as it goes through the various stages of its scan. An example of this can be seen below.

Stages of the ComboFix AutoScan. At the time of this writing there are a total of 50 stages as shown in the image below, so please be patient. The amount of stages will go up as time goes on, so if the amount of stages is different when you run it, please do not be concerned. When ComboFix has finished running, you will see a screen stating that it is preparing the log report as shown below.

ComboFix is preparing the log report. This can take a while, so please be patient. If you see your Windows desktop disappear, do not worry. This is normal and ComboFix will restore your desktop before it is finished.

This can be seen in the image below. ComboFix is almost done! When ComboFix has finished, it will automatically close the program and change your clock back to its original format. It will then display the log file automatically for you as shown below. ComboFix Log File. You should now post this log as a reply to the topic where you were asked to run combofix.

Your helper will now analyze this log and let you know what they would like you to do next. If you having problems connecting to the Internet after running Combofix, then please read the Manually restoring the Internet connection section. It is possible that ComboFix, even on its first run, may have fixed the problems you are having. We strongly suggest that you still post your log into the topic that you are receiving help as you most likely will have infections left over that your helper will need to analyze further.

Please note that if you uninstall ComboFix it will also remove all backups and quarantines that were created when ComboFix scanned and cleaned your computer. Therefore, only uninstall ComboFix when you are a hundred percent sure that your computer is operating correctly and that you no longer need any of the files that were backed up or quarantined.

It got rid of a lot of pop-up problems that seem so prevalent in today's browsers. Will it run on Win 8. Cons: Won't run on Win 8. This review might sound like I work for Combofix or something, but its the b est thing since sliced bread. It seems to find things that antivirus and Malwarebytes ect. I even watched one time as it chased down a root kit and removed it.

I do however use Combofix in conjunction with two other tools for overall cleaning but Combofix is the best of the 3. The long report Combofix gives at the end could me more clear on what it removed, but since the problems are gone who cares. Pros: Ease of use. Thourugh on the job cleaning.

Cons: Log report, boldly outline things fixed, or removed. It downloads free but requires money to fix. I knew I had problems with computer. I had run it in January and wasn't asked to pay. Pros : Worked great when i used program in January. Cons: It just downloads program and tells me I have computer problems. To fix them I am charged. Excellent Program!!!. Had allertsearch redirect virus affecting all browsers.

Downloaded every trail virus program available on net over week p eriod, ie: avast, avg, kerpersky, sophos, etc. None found virus. Luckily, found Combofix on cnet and 20 minutes later Problem solved!

Thank you Combofix for an excellent program! Pros: Only program that works as described! It doesnt use signatures so how can it have a false positive? Even major anti-virus vendors are not immune to such issues either and here are just a few reported examples. McAfee false-positive deletes critical svchost. If combofix makes your OS unbootable then any antivirus would as well.

It uses Gmner catch me. All the scanners use it. Combofix can delete the wrong things if you make your own scripts to delete files. But that you cant do by accident. Nick Hi all, this all depends on your ability. This just depends on your confidence!

You can see how to perform these operations with a quick Google. Sure; I admit to really screwing my first com, but after the reinstall, I realised that it was only my time and loss of files that hurt; the machine was not burnt out or anything. It worked faster with its new install, and that started to matter to me. This was win ME. A race horse that fell often. I had thousands of dangling symbiotic links, WTF? Yes, we all start and fall at the first fences, but it does get better, especially with good software like ComboFix.

I have used ComboFix for years, never, ever had a single problem with it. Remember, a computer may be infected with several different types of 'bug' at the same time. To be sure to remove ALL, you need to get a strategy together. Which type to attack first, to enable continuing without crashing. COM Chaslang has a really good set of web pages, that give a priority lesson for your attack mode. Save the pages 4? Try the free version. It seemed to finish all its phases normally and then rebooted.

Upon reboot, it has been running for several hours flashing blank blue screens at various positions. How many hours should I let it run before I know that it is in a loop? I think this behavior should be documented or else some more meaningful information should be displayed during this reboot phase. I received quick initial response from Bleeping Computer instructing me what to run but now that it is in a loop for several hours, I have no response yet from bleeping computer.

Rarst williambuell Hours definitely sounds like too long. I am not sure those blue screens come from Combofix, boot issues after malware cleanup are usually caused by removal of infected files that were involved in boot process. Wait wait wait I am starting the average pc user is somewhat like a retarded monkey.

And back to the beggining, since when simple plain text is "dangerous"??? Brad I have been using ComboFix for years now and it is the only program that really works.

I used to waste hours and hours running several other AV programs and cleaning tools, but now I just run ComboFix and get the job done right the first time. I have never run into any problems in years and I have used it maybe times on differant PC's. John williambuell Stick with Bleeping, CF has about 50 processes.

When infected files are removed, all sorts of problems arise.