Yes, you're right. He needs to do a clean boot, as you say, with either an anti-virus rescue disk or even the OS disk. The best option is the AV rescue disk if one is available, but most people do not make one. (I don't think I have a current one.)

Second best, IMO, is to boot with Hirem's Boot CD (or similar) and run the AV scan from there. That will take care of the bug. Then he should be able to boot normally. He can download and burn the Hirems Boot CD on another PC.

After the PC has been thoroughly cleaned, he can add a good copy of MWB back onto the PC.

Running Malwarebytes on the PC that you are running your wallet on ( in addition to some well-respected brand of updated, ant-virus software ) is definitely a VERY good idea. It's the source of the MWB program that was the problem.

Even the "Free" version of Malwarebytes offers you some additional protection. They have just released a new version and if you are licensed under the previous version number, your old license key is still valid until your original subscription date arrives.

The new version is $39.99 per year. If you get the two-year subscription, they will knock 25% or $20 off the two-year pricing.
That's pretty cheap to protect your data and who-knows how many $$$$ of BTC's.

Anyway, download the newest version and choose "Trial" when you install it. That way you will get the full, premium editions full protection for 14 days. At the end of the 14 days, you can either pay for it and keep the premium version protection features or stay with free and it will continue to function in free mode.

Can't hurt to have the Premium protection for free for 14 days. I run the paid Premium Edition on the PC that runs Bitcoin Core and my wallet, and the Free Edition on my other laptops/PC's.

Here is a link to the new versions download: https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Don't take chances with your data or your Bitcoins!!! But you know that, as I'm sure your intentions were good to be running MWB in the first place. 
Good luck and best wishes!

It sounds as if you have everything well under control. So I shall keep my novice thoughts to myself.
"Please stay on topic." LOL, Now that's funny. 
Good luck.

If you have very deep pockets and an almost-unlimited budget, I'm sure Bitfury will be glad to talk with you and sell you some of their newest miners.

Here are their offerings
 
15PH miner: http://bitfury.com/products#container-datacenter
7.5PH miner: http://bitfury.com/products#blockbox-ac


Only problem is that most people do not have that kind of cash.

I would love to get my hands on one of their "container miners". Then my only problem would be figuring out how to pay the electric costs for that monster! LOL

As was mentioned, Sidehack has been working on small miners using BF's chips. From what I understand, he was given access to a small number of chips. But these are in small miners as far as I know.

If you have any success at sourcing more, let us know.
Good luck!

Only download programs/applications from the manufacturers confirmed website. This is especially true for anti-virus programs.

If you want to download torrents of other applications, that's cool. I do it every now and then. But DON'T do that with a program you expect to protect your computer and data! As was mentioned in previous post, MANY torrent downloads contain malware. I would venture to say that probably over 50% of the warez downloaded have some form of malware in them.

Only download your anti-virus/anti-malware programs from the products official website. Then pay for the professional version.

Anti-virus programs are not the place to skimp on paying for a product. If you KNOW you have a valid, professional AV program, then if you download some app that has malware in it, it will not cost you the data on your PC, your identity being stolen, ransomware, or in your case, BTC being stolen.

If you don't pay for a single other program, it's imperative to have a valid, paid-for AV program.

No other reasonable options, IMHO.

Which pool are you talking about?

If it is a fraudulent seller, ebay/paypal wouldn't have access to retrieve any funds.

Anyway, here are ebays allowed payment methods. The only methods this seller was accepting are disallowed.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html


Doesn't matter now because both listings are gone because it was either sold or removed.

I guess my main concern was that he is only accepting BTC, Bank Deposit or cash. All of those are against EBay's payment rules and terms of service. And would make most people think twice.
None of those give you any recourse once the funds are delivered.

Buying from Bitmain or Avalon with those payment terms is different. Those are the payment option you expect.

Yes, you never can tell if someone is using another vendors name and reputation. I have seen that a number of times on Ebay in the not-so-distant past.

Anyway, if Ebay doesn't like it or it is a fraudulent listing, it will be removed.

If the listing is valid and it's just the payment options that are invalid, it can be relisted with payment methods that give the buyer some protections.

Just my $.02.

EDIT: Both listings now show: This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.

The best way to learn ANYTHING is to do your own research. That way you know what you are doing. But it sounds like you want someone to do the work for you. That is called an "Employee". 

Oh I agree completely with both points. But every now and then I get curious to see what kind of miner is being peddled on Amazon and Ebay. So I have to take a look to satisfy my curiosity - always hoping for a legit, fairly priced item. (I do not DISBELEIVE in Unicorns  )

I have not run across one of those deals yet and would be very surprised to find one.

I was browsing Ebay to see what crazy prices are being asked for the newer generation miners. I might even have grabbed one if they were anywhere close to reasonable.

Imagine my surprise to see these listing by the same person.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Bitmain-T9-bitcoin-miners-ANTMINER-IN-HAND-111-5TH-mini-farm-BRAND-NEW-/132081502154?hash=item1ec0abc7ca:g:guYAAOSw241YkMNL

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Bitmain-S9-Batch-22-16nm-Bitcoin-miners-ANTMINER-IN-HAND-111TH-mini-farm-/132087248625?hash=item1ec10376f1:g:m9MAAOSw5cNYl5vx

Of course this: "PAYMENT IS TO BE  BITCOIN/BTC , CASH  IN PERSON, OR BANK DEPO (NO CHECKS). NOTE WE WILL REFUND ANY PAYPAL PAYMENT OR CC PAYMENT ATTEMPTED  FOR THIS AUCTION."

Both sets of miners are priced at $19,999.99.

And part of the listing reads: "Up for grabs is 10 Bitmain batch 22 11TH S9 16nm bitcoin miners currently running strong for 9 weeks now.  Bitmain ANTMINER S9 111 TH/s mini farm money maker."

So they are USED.
Beside the fact that they are requiring payment in terms Ebay does not allow - BTC and Bank Deposits.

I smell a scam of some sort and wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.
I reported both listings as in violation of EBay's payment policy. I'll do anything I can to help prevent people from being ripped off.

Maybe if we all do our part in some way, we can help to bring down these crazy prices for ASIC miners. [Wishful thinking, I know]

I think it depends on the country we are talking about and the going wage. People in some countries are lucky to make $20 a week (or less). Other countries have IT professionals/technician who charge $20+ per hour.

I think it also depends on the amount of work and the total number of hours it takes to complete. Does the "owner" have all of the parts needed on hand or are you going to have to order this part, wait, order that part, then wait again. Another part, etc., etc.

Do they want or expect you to provide on-going maintenance or technical support? You might make a deal where you set it all up for free and then provide on-going, unlimited support for a percentage of the BTC mined.

Also depends on how well you know that person and if you are doing it mostly out of the goodness of your heart. My going rate for computer/tech support is a minimum of $12-20 per hour depending on who I'm working for. But then again, I have worked on very good friends computers for free.

That's just going to be something you and the other person will have to sit down and negotiate how you will get paid and what are the expectation for continued maintenance as needed.

Bottom line is that you ask for what you think your services are worth!

With a little bit of self-study, research and reading, you can do this yourself. If you have someone else do it for you, you won't learn anything and will have to rely on others to fix issues as they arise. Believe me, issues will arise.

It will pay off in the long-run to know what you are doing.

Just my $.02.

What is your idea of "a [very] small amount of hashing power"?

To some people that means 10TH's and others may consider 100TH's very low. In the grand scheme of things, 1PH is pretty low.

Your answer to this question is one of "the most important points to consider". An equally important point is how much do you pay for electricity where you live?
Is the electricity and internet stable?

Those are just a couple of the MANY questions to resolve and calculate into your mining plan.

Use one of the multiple online profitability calculators to determine if there is a way to make money or is it all a losing proposition. Some factors you just can't change.

Good luck!

Google it. The answer is there in hundreds of different web pages. Very simple to find from multiple sources.

You will need to rely on YOUR OWN smarts to get ahead in the mining game. You can't rely on others to hold your hand.

Good luck!

EDIT:
Never mind. I see from re-reading your post that you don't want to use Google.
That was the extent of my advice. There are too many variables that each person has that might not apply to the next person.

Again, good luck.

No one can answer all of your questions for you. You need to study this forum and the different parts it contains such as, Hardware, Software, Miners, Trouble-Shooting and Tech Support, etc., etc.

Since we don't know what kind of questions you don't know about, it would be impossible for us to provide all the answers you need. You may have more understanding in some areas than in others.

Self-study is the absolute BEST way to learn anything. When you have a specific question, you may seek out the answers on this forum.

Just about any and all questions you may come up with have been answered in this forum, somewhere, over time. If you can't find an answer here, use Google.

Here is as good a place as any to start also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency

Good luck!!

Yes, I immediately assumed it was some dimwit trying to increase their post count or simply start an argument
between people who, in many cases, haven't a real clue as to what they're arguing about. Or there really is NO right or wrong answer to the question in the first place. I'm in one of those moods tonight where I have very little patience for purposeful and practiced stupidity.  

I enjoy doing that every few days or so. Sometimes it seems like the questions are becoming more questionable each day. But I know that isn't the case and have been around for as long as there have been message boards or stone-age graffiti artists.  

Maybe I drank too much coffee this morning or too many beers tonight? And, "No", I'm not trying to increase MY post count. LOL

p.s. Also, I'm not implying the OP's post/question was bad in any way. Just the one quoted reply from @01RIG is what I have issues with.
Carry on!

Then what the heck are you doing on a Bitcoin Miner Hardware forum? There are other threads on this forum that are specifically designed to discuss the purchase of Bitcoins. You will find other like-minded people there.

Perhaps you should take your Bitcoin knowledge there...?

There ya go, Philip! Enjoy the rest of your evening and don't stress on your mining hardware issues. It'll all work out. My hopes are that nothing else breaks.  

Best wishes and Mine On!

BOOM. There goes the diff. I think it was about 7.5.

They're already predicting 460,786,659,806 (+9.15%) for two weeks from now. But really, no one has a damn clue!  

But seriously, that wasn't too bad at all. I was concerned we'd see 12-15+%. I guess all the mega-miners were able to tone it down just in time to not effect their profitability too badly.

Here's hoping for the coin prices to keep up with the diff and that some mystery hardware manufacturer comes out with a 1,000w, 15TH water cooled miner just in time for summer! Oh yeah, I forgot, the price is only $989.99.

Talk about a diff explosion then!!!

Yeah, I've been drinking.... But not too much.

Rest wishes too all and MINE ON!