Windows 10: Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware

Discus and support Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security to solve the problem; I got some cryptominer virus and Avast discovered it and 'dealt with it' with moderate success but I'm still having lingering issues from it. My... Discussion in 'AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security' started by Sam Shasteen, Nov 15, 2019.

  1. Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware


    I got some cryptominer virus and Avast discovered it and 'dealt with it' with moderate success but I'm still having lingering issues from it. My CPU/GPU are no longer pegged at 100% but I'm unable to access my desktop/taskbar at all. The screen is 100% black with only minimized showing in the bottom righthand corner, they look like old school windows minimized programs with just being a tiny rectangle with the minimize/maximize/close icons being shown inside of it.


    I first noticed something was wrong with my computer when a couple of command prompt windows would open at startup, they would then minimize and auto-close to no doubt hide whatever scripts they were running. It would also simultaneously black-out the desktop for about 30 seconds and then the desktop would appear like normal. Next time I restarted Avast got rid of some of it but the command prompts were still opening at startup and I couldn't even run command prompt myself, even with privileges, it would just auto-close. There was a script entry in the registry for cmd's autorun that was doing all of it, I cleared the data and was able to access cmd normally. It was pointing to some file called 'soundmodule.exe', no doubt the malware that I'm guessing Avast removed because I cannot find it on my system.


    I think that by deleting the entry and Avast removing the virus there is some script from the virus somewhere that is not running correctly (probably pointing to a file/script that no longer exists) so my desktop is not restored. On startup the cmd now opens and just sits there on top of the black 'desktop' without even trying to run anything. To even get Chrome open to type this I had to go into the task manager and manually locate/run the Chrome program.


    Another problem, although I doubt it would help with this anyway, is that Windows Defender was disabled and I cannot access it through Settings. I've ran through Avast/AVG/CCcleaner.McAfee and none of them detect any issues at all. I can't even bring up the taskbar with the Windows key. I tried to windows+tab to create a new desktop instance but nothing comes up there either.

    :)
     
    Sam Shasteen, Nov 15, 2019
    #1
  2. hput3 Win User

    How to remove en.softonic malware that appears on desktop periodically


    A kind of malware has somehow gotten onto my win 10 PC. What I get is a small advertisment that pops up in the bottom right on my desktop... When I turn it off (clicking the corner X). It comes back again some time later but with different content.

    I haven't timed it but seems lake maybe a 1/2 hr.

    I've googled extensively but all the instructions I've found, tell you to use the windows uninstaller to uninstall softonic. And maybe some manual clean up after the uninstall. But there is nothing installed with `softonic' in its name and even when the ad is running there is no process running with softonic in its name.

    All the google hits appear to assume the windows uninstaller will know about softonic. Even the manual parts of some of the hits appear to assume you have been successful in unintalling it.

    The instructions also suggest several free malware removal products and claim any of them will remove it.
    `Zema Anti-malware', `MalwareBytes' and `AdwCleaner'

    I tried all those listed in one of the instruction sets, ran the scan but none of them found whatever is running the little softonic pop up ad.

    This type of malware apparently falls into a category called a `PUP'.

    I never found in the google hits what expected would be there somewhere. A list of steps to remove something like this by hand.

    Can anyone here advise me?
     
    hput3, Nov 15, 2019
    #2
  3. 3Colors Win User
    Windows Updated(16299.309).KB4088776 Restart is required to complete.


    Hi dalchina. Good news, I followed your suggestion and reinstalled the update and now it appears as "installed correctly" *Biggrin Maybe it was not necessary to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or maybe if necessary. But using it I do not think it could have worsened something. The installation was very fast, unlike the first time it showed step 1 and step 2 completed.

    Thanks for the suggestions and for the time to respond Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware :) Best regards.


    And thanks for the tip of that program, I'll have it on my list.
     
    3Colors, Nov 15, 2019
    #3
  4. Remon Ont Win User

    Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware

    Desktop background gone black after a few minutes of use on laptop.

    Hello,

    Desktop background and taskbar going black could be due to software conflicts.

    We would like to know some information to better assist you with your concern:

    • What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
    • Did you get any error messages or error codes?

    In the meantime, we suggest that you try to check if the "Show Windows Background" option is turned on. Follow the steps below:

    • Open Settings in the Start menu.
    • Go to Ease of Access, then on the left side, click
      Other options.
    • Turn on Show Windows Background and check if it works.

    We will wait for your reply.
     
    Remon Ont, Nov 15, 2019
    #4
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Desktop is completely black after trying to manually disable cryptominer malware

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