Annoying computer problem

[21C]

I've searched through Google without any luck and I don't know any computer support forums so I thought I'd check here for help.

Every once in a while, I get a program that automatically starts running on my computer. It starts with a file called hydra.dat that then deletes itself but it creates a file called app.exe first on the root of my C drive.

The file app.exe cannot be deleted since it says that the file is in use.

I've been able to avoid it in the past by restoring my computer to an earlier time with the use of GoBack but the most recent time I was able to delete it by use of the Command Prompt.

I run AVG Anti-Virus with the most recent updates but it never detects any virus activity. I've also run Adaware and Spybot S&D ( both with the latest updates ) but nothing is detected with these programs.

Has anyone come across this before? Is it anything that I should be worried about? I thought that the files were getting launched via the registry but nothing is picking anything up to this effect.

[StanGunner]

Try using Hijackthis to see what exactly is running. You should try another antivirus program or go to trend micros's free check site. Also you could look in your registry to find where these programs are called from. App.exe was seen in an older virus program.

[21C]

Thanks.

I'll try those suggestions.

[3ric]

Run msconfig from the "Run" option in the Start menu, that lets you see (and de-select) the programs that run at start-up.