My computer is infected with the messenger blocker virus. I am following instructions given on the symantec.com web site to resolve it. One of the steps requires editing the registry, but whenever i try to click start>run> type regedit, the registry flashes for a second and then dissappears. I also tried the inf solution given on symantec.com but thats of no use. Please help.

Here's a fee-based service to do it for you:

http://us.norton.com/nortonlive/

To detect the threat level, you may want to try the free (& advertised on TV) web site
www.MySafePC.com, but virus removal will cost $$ - they're happy to tell you you're infected for
free, though.

Here's Symantec's list of things to do:

If you suspect that your computer is infected with a threat or you receive a threat alert, and you want to make sure that your computer is secure.

You can perform a virus scan to eliminate any known threat from your computer. Scanning your computer for threats is easy if you follow the step-by-step instructions provided in this article. The scanning process may take an hour or more, depending on the number of files you have on your computer.

To detect and remove all the threats from your computer, follow these five steps:

• Install the latest virus definitions.

• Stop all running programs and temporarily disconnect the computer from any network.

• Run the virus scan.

• Install the latest Windows updates.

• Run a full system scan once again to ensure that there are no threats.

The first step is to check whether you can install the latest virus definitions, as some threats may block your access to all the security products' Web sites including Symantec's Web site. The subsequent steps vary depending on whether you can download the latest definitions from the Symantec Web site or not.

If it is a bad virus that won't let you do anything on the computer, follow the instructions on this link. If you can install programs on your computer, follow only steps 7 and 8 from the above link.

if your computer is infected with virus,
go to the following site
www.tinyurl.com/npelatest
go to this site to download norton power eraser tool and run it
after runnig that if your computer has got infections then it will be displayed in the scan
click on fix to remove the ifections
restart the computer

You maybe able to remove the virus from your computer using a WEB based virus program provided you can connect to the Internet. Please click on these links to these WEB sites :-
WEB-based Virus Scan Trend Micro HouseCall
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Symantec - Norton Security Scan
http://security.symantec.com
Malware file download
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
After removing the virus, I suggest you install a virus program to stop
further virus infections.

Make sure that all your infected computers are physically disconnected from the Internet and any other networks while you work to resolve this issue. For instructions about how to recover an infected computer, visit the following Carnegie Mellon Web site: http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/win-UNIX-system_compromise.html Microsoft does not provide software that can detect or remove computer viruses. If you suspect or confirm that your computer is infected with a virus, obtain current antivirus software. For a list of antivirus software manufacturers, click the following article number to see the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 49500 List of Antivirus Software Vendors Back to the top MORE INFORMATION For additional information about distributed denial-of-service attacks and Trojan viruses, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722931.aspx Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
For additional information about the "Runtime Error 216" error message, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 189989 Error Message: Runtime Error 216 at 00009275

You are infected with the Sub seven trojan.

To determine if your computer is infected with this virus, visit the following Web sites:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.subseven.html (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.subseven.html)
http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/subseven.shtml (http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/subseven.shtml)

This issue can occur if your computer is infected with a SubSeven Trojan virus.

I'd re-install the Norton if possible. Are you still able to access the internet? If so, a good free AV that I use is AVG.

Go to Majorgeeks.com and search for AVG.

Never run a computer on the Internet without a good anti-virus.

Honest1abe

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete any values added to the registry.

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

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions.
  
  If you use Norton AntiVirus 2006, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0, or newer products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated daily. These products include newer technology.
  
  If you use Norton AntiVirus 2005, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 9.0, or earlier products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated weekly. The exception is major outbreaks, when definitions are updated more often.
  
  
  
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them.

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

3. To run a full system scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   
   For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   
   For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
   
   
   
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.
4. Delete the autorun.inf file from writeable removable devices, if necessary.
   

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.


After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: 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 subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Click OK.
   
   Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
   
   
4. Navigate to the following registry subkeys:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\"load"
   
   
5. In the right pane, delete any values associated with the worm.
   
   
   
6. Exit the Registry Editor.

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.


Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Remove all the entries that the risk added to the hosts file.
Update the virus definitions.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected.
Delete any values added to the registry.

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

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:
How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).


2. To remove all the entries that the risk added to the hosts file

Navigate to the following location:


Windows 95/98/Me:
%Windir%
Windows NT/2000/XP:
%Windir%\System32\drivers\etc

Notes:
The location of the hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations. If the file is not located in these folders, search your disk drives for the hosts file, and then complete the following steps for each instance found.
%Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\Winnt (Windows NT/2000).


Double-click the hosts file.
If necessary, deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
When the file opens, delete all the entries added by the risk. (See the Technical Details section for a complete list of entries.)
Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.


3. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:
Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.


4. To scan for and delete the infected files
Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected, click Delete.

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.


5. To delete the value from the registry
Important: 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 subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

Click Start > Run.
Type regedit
Click OK.

Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.


Navigate to and delete the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcRemotes


Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup


In the right pane, delete the value:

"Ph4nt0m" = "Ph4nt0m"


Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv


In the right pane, reset the value to the original value if applicable:

"Start"


Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess


In the right pane, reset the value to the original value if applicable:

"Start"


Exit the Registry Editor.



also u can use the link for free download of virus removal tool
http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Download/browseFreeRemovalTool/