Hi, I have seen similar problems in the forum which many you kind folks seemed to fix, so hopefully I will have the same luck.
I started experiencing a problem this past week with regards to my Windows Vista Update, Ad-Aware update, Windows Defender update, and pretty much any other program that requires updates. Specifically, for Windows Update/Defender I get a 80244019 error and for every other program, such as Ad-Aware, it simply cannot connect. Furthermore, I get redirected to strange sites via Google. For example, I get 404 Page Not Found errors often for pages that exist. I also have the same "Vimax" ads on EVERY website that actually does load up.
So I did some snooping around, I found that this problem can be caused by a trojan virus. I ran my Windows Defender and Norton, and they both found nothing. I was unable to download McAfee because it gives me that Page Not Found error. I ran Ad-Aware and it simply found some tracking cookies and a suspect file, which I promptly removed and deleted. I then downloaded and ran Malwarebytes and it detected a Trojan.DNSChanger virus, which I removed and deleted.
However, when I reboot, the virus is still there. I've done the same process 6 or 7 times. I've tried to flush my DNS after the removal and before the reboot and I've tried to flush after the reboot, but all to no avail.
I do have HijackThis, Malware, and Ad-Aware logs.
I hope somebody can help...I'm supposed to be taking the bar exam on this laptop next month and I'm getting nervous!
Thank you!
Frank
Mod.Edit/moved for ana./Raziel