I know this isn't the greatest place to ask for computer help, but since I haven't been able to find any information anywhere else, here goes.

My flash drive has a file that keeps appearing on it no matter how many times I delete it. It's called "help.vbs", and it's a Visual Basic script file.



What this file did was "remove" any files (pictures, etc) that I placed in the root folder of the flash drive, and replace them with shortcuts. (?!) I eventually discovered that it was actually only hiding the originals (i.e. marking them as hidden), so I decided to eliminate that problem completely by moving those files to folders on the flash drive.

Now, I've still got the file popping up after I delete it. I tried editing the file to make it not "hidden" (which is why I can only see it here, and not on the computers at the local community college), or to remove all the code - leaving a 0 byte file - but it keeps reverting to what it was originally.

I'm worried that the file might cause more permanent damage, seeing as how a very similar situation with a different flash drive ended up with everything on that drive being lost (replaced with non-working shortcuts to the folders, which had been deleted). Unfortunately, I haven't found any information online, because Google doesn't 'count' periods, and my searches only lead to people asking for help on Visual Basic or Vacation Bible School stuff.

I tried scanning the entire flash drive and the file itself with AVG, but it didn't detect any infection.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Just noticed this file is also popping up in my computer's Startup folder. Tried deleting it there, keeps coming back.

Thanks for the tip; after a scan and removal of various infected files, it hasn't popped up again so far.

Sarge wrote:

If the files are accessible and transferable, it seems really easy. Move your files to hard drive, or another flash drive, then format the flash drive. Just to make sure, I'd probably do a full format, not quick format.

I actually did that, but after a while the problem reappeared. I thought it might have been tied to one of the files that I was transferring to and from my flash drive, but apparently not.

No problems now, at least not yet.

I'm inclined to agree with you, seeing as how the file keeps popping back up on my flash drive every time I put it in the computer. As much as I like AVG's interface, it has indeed proved inadequate in a few areas, so I'll just let the license expire.

The only problem might be uninstalling it; the trial version of Norton that came with the PC refuses to uninstall. Hopefully AVG's uninstallation will go more smoothly.