.14.14.14.14 error on Windows Vista

[Wapsie B]

I'm running Vista Home Premium and have started getting problems with my computer I've never had before, all happening within the last few days. When I reboot and Windows is up a Google search box pops up on the desktop and keeps flashing, putting .14.14.14 multiple times. I took the case off yesterday and cleaned everything out, with no relief of the problem. I open up a browser; Firefox, Opera, doesn't matter. What is going on and short of reinstalling Windows what can I do to fix it? Thanks.


edit: The issue is on my desktop computer. I'm posting this from my laptop running XP Home.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. What do you mean by

"I open up a browser; Firefox, Opera, doesn't matter." What doesn't matter? I'm a little bit confused...

It honestly looks to me like you have some nasty little piece of malware that's infected the machine. I would recommend Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware:

Download Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Download SuperAntiSpyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

[Wapsie B]

2. When Windows is up a Google search box comes up without prompting

wanting to search my hard drive. This window keeps flashing repeatedly with the number .14 appearing in the search box. I open up Firefox or Opera and an error message comes up stating it cannot find a file named .14
I try a system restore and it only allows me to pick one date, 2/26/10. I will not allow me to go back any further even in Safe Mode.
I have Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 with the latest update for that. When I clear out the Google search box to do a search the cursor won't move at all in either browser.

[Wapsie B]

3. I'm doing a full scan with Kaspersky again.

You are most likely correct in saying that it's malware of some kind.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

4. I'm not all that familiar with Kaspersky

Does it have an anti-spyware piece built into it? I know that it does a pretty good job with viruses, but I haven't heard about an anti-malware module.

If so, let it run and if it doesn't find anything, try the tools I liked to above.

[Wapsie B]

5. Yes it does have an anti malware mode.

That is about the only thing working on the computer right now. Windows Player pops up on its own. I click on an icon on the desktop and I get this message asking me if I want to delete this program. Same way if I go to Start-Programs. I don't believe I can have a browser operate properly on that computer to download malwarebytes. If I could save it to a thumb drive and try to run it off there that may work.
Thanks for your advice. I'll work on it some more.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

6. Yep, definitely sounds like malware

Nasty little buggers, and some of them disable your AV or anti-malware software. You *think* it's still working, but it never finds anything. That's why I mentioned SuperAntiSpyware upthread - it seems to be pretty good about cleaning some of the really bad stuff that disables other utilities.

Good luck, and post back if you need more help getting it cleaned up.

[Wapsie B]

7. Update: thank god for Malwarebytes!

Did the trick.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. Good to see that it helped

Malwarebytes is one of the best free programs out there.