Spyware has invaded, and took my game out of comission.

[Cpt. Charlotte Doyle]

Hello,

Im having issues with a malware bug thing that is hijacking my computer and making it impossible to play pirates. I was told to download malware fixing software like Spybot search and Destroy, or Malwarebytes. However, before the installation completes, an internal error message pops up saying:

failed to expand shell folder constant user "appdata"

I know that if i can fix whatever this is, and download the malware fixing stuff, that whatever is infecting my computer will be squashed... i hope.

im not horribly computer savvy, but if anyone has any suggestions of how to beat this irritating thing, I would be appreciative.

[Robmac7777]

Did you try with the computer in Safe Mode? then trying running the program. Sorry my tech knowledge is limited, but I hope this helps.

Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.

Do one of the following:

If your computer has a single operating system installed, repeatedly press the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again.

If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.

On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press ENTER. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).

Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of the display. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

[joere444]

I'm not much on computers but I would talk to someone with your computer company.(If you havent already.) I know of a program called AVG. I have one question though....
Did a warning come up in the game that said your computer needs a virus scan? Cause if it did and it popped up in a browser, or in the game and not on your computer desktop. I would suggest taking it to somebody who knows alot about computers, and not downloading the software. Also if you do get your computer fixed then afterward download or run through a cd a program called AVG. It uses the quarentine vault to get rid of maliciouse objects, cookies, and other bad commodities for a computer.

Sincerely
Rp

[Cannonfury]

I say use avast...its free and works greatly. Download it from the internet.

[Cpt. Charlotte Doyle]

Thank you everyone for the advice, im still trying to squash the bug!

[joere444]

AVG is good too, but yeah I'd have a professional look at it if you cant figure it out yourself.
Sincerely,
Rp

[Sven Niscadae]

Charlotte, this may look a bit lengthy but after it's said and done, it really should be a quick fix.

The malware has possibly just changed one registry value that's essentially preventing any software from installing. First you'll need to make sure where your "appdata" folder is supposed to be.

#1: Find "appdata"

1. Go to My Computer and click on the Tools menu, then Folder Options.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Scroll down to "Hidden files and folders" and make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected.
4. Click OK.
5. Click the Start button and select Run (if you're using Vista and it doesn't show, just press WindowsKey+R).
6. Type: %userprofile% and press enter.
7. Make a note whether or not there is an "AppData" folder or an "Application Data" folder.

#2: Editing the Registry
WARNING: Editing the wrong parts of the registry can make your computer very sad. I'll try to be very specific of what to do here. If you don't feel comfortable, do not proceed. We'll work something else out.

1. Click the Start button and select Run (if you're using Vista and it doesn't show, just press WindowsKey+R).
2. Type: regedit and press enter.
3. You should see a window similar to below.
   
4. Click on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.
5. Open up the Find dialog by pressing CTRL+F (or by going to the Edit menu and selecting Find).
6. In the text box, type in: User Shell Folder and click Find Next.
   
   *It should bring you to the path: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders". If not, stop here and tell me what the path says at the bottom of the window.
7. On the right pane of the window, there should be an "AppData" entry. This entry's value should be the path of what we found in #1 above.
   Double-click on that "AppData" entry and it should open the Edit dialog.
8. Edit this value so it says either %USERPROFILE%\AppData or %USERPROFILE%\Application Data depending on what path you found in #1.
   
9. Click OK and close the Registry Editor window.

#3: Boot into Safe Mode and install your anti-malware tools (e.g. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, Spybot: Search and Destroy, etc). You can boot into Safe Mode as Jack (Robmac7777) has noted above. Press F8 right before the Windows logo splash screen comes up, and then select Safe Mode.

Feel free to PM me if there's any trouble with these instructions. I'll be happy to help. Again, if you're feeling uncomfortable with the Registry, please do not proceed with #2.

[Cpt. Charlotte Doyle]

My problem has been resolved and my computer and game are back in action!
I am extremely appreciative to everyone who helped me out and offered suggestions!
Thanks again!

[The Skirata Clan]

Did The Mighty Penguin Saved you?

[Cpt. Charlotte Doyle]

yes, the mighty penguin saved me! - bows to the mighty penguin -

[kageroumaru]

haha webroot is the best internet protection... its better and finds more invaders then avast... when i had avast it DID stop viruses but some got thru... so i started up webroot and around 30 hidden viruses were found that the avast didnt find...... its good