This Is A tough One-License Key Removal

[ronju99]

http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />  While surfing in Google I got a virus and trojan. At the same time I got a pop-up from PCGuard trying to sell me their security software. I've removed the virus and trojan and all references in the registry except one folder; (HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\SHUDDERLTD\PSGUARD\PSGUARD\LICENSE). The LICENSE folder is LOCKED and I can't access it. I get the error message;(ERROR OPENING KEY) plus (Cannot Open License: Error While Opening Key). When I right click on the folder I get the mesage;(Unable to Display Security Information). I can right click the other folders and give me permission but trying to delete them won't work because of the locked LICENSE folder. I've run Reg Cleaner and it finds the folders but can't remove them. I've tried many cleaners and nothing works. I don't believe the folders are any harm but would still like to get rid of them . It's a shame that a company can have that kind of control over ones operating system. I've even disconnected from the internet and tried in Safe Mode.
Thanks for any advise, Ron

[Annick]

Hi,

I have the same issue. It is now on my wallpaper and tries to sell pc guard to me.

Did you find a solution?

What does the PC Guard do? It is a virus? How can i remove it?

Pls help.

Thanks,
Annick

[Flipback]

Download this:

http://rapidshare.de/files/5419001/unlocker1.7.2.exe.html


Unlocker for Windows 2000 and Windows XP
Copyright © 2005 Cedrick Collomb
ccollomb.free.fr

Using Unlocker
--------------

How often have you tried to delete or rename a file or folder and got
"Cannot delete xxx: It is being used by another person or program." ?

Unlocker is a tool which will help you removing this scandaleous Windows
bug.

Simply right click the file or folder and select Unlocker. If the file
or folder is locked then a window will appear with a list of processes
locking the file or folder. Select the locks and click Unlock and you
are done.

It is recommended to Unlock wisely and to close open processes locking
files or folder if any, but if only Explorer.exe is the culprit, do not
hesitate ! biggrin.gif

Flip

[Guest]

Hi Flip,

Thanks for the info on how to unlock. Actually i am able to uninstall the pcguard, which i suspect is being the files are locked?

Can you please tell me what i need to do before i try to uninstall the pc guard?

Do i need to delete anything in the registry before unlocking?

What are the steps before i can uninstall pcguard?

Thanks a lot.

Annick

[Guest]

Hi Flip,

Thanks for the info on how to unlock. Actually i am unable to uninstall the pcguard, which i suspect is being the files are locked?

Can you please tell me what i need to do before i try to uninstall the pc guard?

Do i need to delete anything in the registry before unlocking?

What are the steps before i can uninstall pcguard?

Thanks a lot.

Annick

[Guest]

Sorry i meant unable to uninstall the pcguard.

Is this pcguard a virus that can be cleaned with an antivirus? How can i get rid of it?

At the moment, it keeps prompting me to buy the full version pc guard which i do not want to buy anyway. It has even put a warning message as my wallpaper, which i cannot change as the display properties do not how the Themes and Desktop tabs.

This is really bothering me!

Thanks for any help.

Rgds,
Annick

[Flipback]

Make sure that Pc Guard is closed. Alt + Control + Delete and make sure it is not running.  Make sure it is not in the taskbar next to the time.

The just go into the control panel and uninstall in the Add and Remove Programs.

Use the application I posted to unlock anything that you can’t delete.

The Problem is spyware.

The very first thing you will need to do is register. (Registration is fast and free of Charge.)

Post your Hijack log. Read how: http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/index.php?showforum=4

Pinned: Removal and preventive tools
Pinned: Please Read: How to Post a Hijackthis log

Then you will need to wait for the expert on Hijack which is the moderator Questelo. He will be able to help you out.

Flip

[Guest]

Thanks a lot Flip. Your help is much appreciated.

1. How do you identify the files that have not been deleted after uninstall?
2. How do you know which files you need to unlock?
3. Do you delete the files after unlocking them?
4. What if uninstall does not work at all?

Thanks,
Annick

[Flipback]

1. How do you identify the files that have not been deleted after uninstall?
Go to c:\Program Files\ and check for anything that is relevant to the program that you deleted.

Keep in mind that the installation most likely wrote things into your registry and therefore it would be wise to post your Hijack log. Notice that I edited my previous post.

2. How do you know which files you need to unlock?
Run a scan on your computer with one of these anti spy ware programs:
1. Microsoft Anti spy ware Beta
2. Pest Patrol
3. Lava soft Ad Aware

One of them will find the spy ware problem and it will ask: What do you want to do and you simply click remove. Now if it does not remove it, these anti spy ware programs will at least tell you where the files that it can not delete are located and that is when you will have to use the unlocker program so that you can delete them manually yourself.

3. Do you delete the files after unlocking them?
Yes
 
4. What if uninstall does not work at all?
Register and Post your Hijack Log Read my previous post.

Ps. Don't Forget to download Service Pack 2

Flip

[annick]

Thanks Flip.

Will let you know what happened. I have just registered

Cheers,
Annick

[annick]

Hi,

I have deleted a number of files/registry keys related to intell32 and psguard using Lava Soft Ad Aware SE. However, there is one registry key which i cannot delete. My display settings are ok now.

The unlocker program that you gave me can only be used to unlock files/programs, unlocker is not available in regedit?

When i try to delete a folder called PSGuard in the registry, it gives me the following error: Cannot delete PSGuard.com: Error while deleting key.

For the reason i think, each time i restart my PC, a process 'intell32.exe' runs again and it goes to my registry also.

In the taskbar, where the Time is displayed, there is a red ! icon that says 'Your Computer is infected!', i cannot remove it or exit the program. If i left or right click the icon, it takes me to the url www.psguard.com

This is really bothering me, anyone knows how to get rid of this psguard, intell32?

Thanks,
Annick

[Alvin Kevichusa]

Since you've got much of the cleanup already done, try this next step for removal of that pesky locked up Licence key.

Download smitRem at http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/click%20cou.../click.php?id=1 and run it.

It was successful in my case, and I hope it is for you too.

[jbirungi]

" ** In the taskbar, where the Time is displayed, there is a red ! icon that says 'Your Computer is infected!', ** "  .  To get rid of this, go to Winnt\system32 and look for a file with an identical icon to the one in the taskbar poping the the message. In my case it was MSSEARCH.NET  -- try to delete - if it fails use UNLOCKER.  That did it for me.

[ronju99]

Run SmitRem in safe mode then run adaware in safe mode. That removed the PCGuard key in the registry for me.
Ron

[hesterloli]

What is smitrem?  The op was very clear what could not be removed.  It is not a file or a folder but an entry in the registry located here:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PSGuard.com\PSGuard\P.S.Guard\License

Ths key cannot be removed in fact the entire tree cannot be removed.  Has anyone figured out how to get rid of this registyry key?  Please unless you have done it this removal may surprise you.  It does not seem to help to use regedt32 and security.  Thanks

[Guest]

I'm not a techie, but if you Google PSGuard removal, you'll find the answer. Smitrem is a program that will clean PSGUARD and key from registry. I had the same problem as you and got rid of it. Smitrem must be run in safe mode and then adaware to clean everything up.

[Guest]

I used a program called ewido in safe mode. It got rid of the psguard key which couldn't be removed using Ad ware. Plus you need to delete everything related to psguard, intell32 in your regedit and c:\ drive.

To finish, run Adaware SE to remove any remaining spywares.