Adware.Replace - Removal

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Note: Removing this adware component from the system will likely cause the program that installed it to not function as intended.

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The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Unregister the Adware.Replace.dll file.
3. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.Replace.
4. Delete the value that was added to the registry.
5. Edit the Win.ini file.
6. Edit the System.ini file.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Updating the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. Unregistering the 1.01.00.dll file

1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type, or copy and paste, the following text:
   
   regsvr32 /u "[path to and filename of 1.01.00.dll]"
   
   then click OK.
   
   
3. If a dialog box confirming this action appears, click OK.

3. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program, and then run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.Replace, click Delete.
   
   

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   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, note the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.

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4. Deleting the value from the registry

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WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

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Note: This is done to make sure that all the keys are removed. They may not be there if regsvr32 removed them.

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1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "xpsystem"="%system%\Services\Services.exe"
   
   
5. Exit the Registry Editor.

5. Editing the Win.ini file
If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, follow these steps:

1. The function you perform depends on your operating system:
   • Windows 95/98: Go to step B.
   • Windows Me: If you are running Windows Me, the Windows Me file-protection process may have made a backup copy of the Win.ini file that you need to edit. If this backup copy exists, it will be in the C:\Windows\Recent folder. Symantec recommends that you delete this file before continuing with the steps in this section. To do this:
     1. Start Windows Explorer.
     2. Browse to and select the C:\Windows\Recent folder.
     3. In the right pane, select the Win.ini file and delete it. The Win.ini file will be regenerated when you save your changes to it in step F.
        
        
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type the following, and then click OK.
   
   edit c:\windows\win.ini
   
   (The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
   
   NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.
   
   
4. In the [windows] section of the file, look for a line similar to:
   
   run=%system%\Services\Services.exe
   load=%system%\Services\Services.exe
   
   
5. If this line exists, delete everything to the right of run=.
   
   
6. Click File, and then click Save.
   
   
7. Click File, and then click Exit.
   
   

6. Editing the System.ini file
If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, follow these steps:

1. The function you perform depends on your operating system:
   • Windows 95/98: Go to step B.
   • Windows Me: If you are running Windows Me, the Windows Me file-protection process may have made a backup copy of the System.ini file that you need to edit. If this backup copy exists, it will be in the C:\Windows\Recent folder. Symantec recommends that you delete this file before continuing with the steps in this section. To do this:
     1. Start Windows Explorer.
     2. Browse to and select the C:\Windows\Recent folder.
     3. In the right pane, select the Win.ini file and delete it. The System.ini file will be regenerated when you save your changes to it in step F.
        
        
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type the following, and then click OK.
   
   edit c:\windows\system.ini
   
   (The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
   
   NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.
   
   
4. Look for a line similar to:
   
   [windows]
   run=%system%\Services\Services.exe
   load=%system%\Services\Services.exe
   
   
5. If these line exists, delete them.
   
   
6. Click File, and then click Save.
   
   
7. Click File, and then click Exit.

Technical Details