CPU Spikes Locking Up Machine

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by ashleyrkin, Oct 13, 2008.

  1. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    I am trying to figure out what is causing my CPU to start spiking and then won't let go until I shut down and reboot. My machine might go for a couple of hours and then this occurs. I have followed the Malware removal instructions and am attaching the logs. I found an Internet Hijacker and zlob trojan. The performance on my machine has greatly improved, but still after a few hours something causes it to lock up. I don't see much besides System and/or System Idle Process in the task manager when this happens. I also don't see anything remaining. I haven't been able to link it to any specific application, except possibly Mozilla. Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Sincerely,
    Ashley
     

    Attached Files:

  2. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    Also attached is the MGlogs.zip.

    Sincerely,
    Ashley
     

    Attached Files:

  3. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    It is unlikely that your problem is due to malware; however, let finish your cleanup and run a rootkit scan and see what happens.

    Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

    Uninstall the below software:
    Ask Toolbar <-- should have been uninstalled in step 1 of the READ ME
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6
    Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_03
    Java(TM) 6 Update 3
    Java(TM) 6 Update 5
    Viewpoint Media Player <-- should have been uninstalled in step 1 of the READ ME




    Now we need to use ComboFix.
    • Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
      • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    • Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:
    • Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    • At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    • You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
    • Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    • Follow the prompts.
    • When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    • I will ask for this log below
    Note:

    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


    Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixme.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.

    Now run this Running GMER to detect rootkits

    Now run Ccleaner!

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\ComboFix.txt
    • the log from GMER
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  4. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    Attached are the ComboFix.txt, the log from GMER, and MGlogs.zip. I had to manually remove the Ask Toolbar in Safe mode, but I believe it is gone now. I received a success message about adding the fixme items to the registry. I didn't have any other issues.

    I will have to wait and see if it locks up again, it sometimes does not occur for several hours. I will test it out and reply. Thanks so much for your assistance.

    Sincerely,
    Ashley
     

    Attached Files:

  5. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    Unfortunately the machine is still locking up, any suggestions?

    Sincerely,
    Ashley
     
  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Probably not malware ( your GMER log is clean) but we are not finished yet.


    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

    O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {F0D4B239-DA4B-4daf-81E4-DFEE4931A4AA} - C:\Program Files\AskSBar\bar\1.bin\ASKSBAR.DLL (file missing)
    O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} -

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixBT.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.

    Now reboot your PC.
    After reboot, search all hard disks and removable drives for a file named bittorrent.exe and if found, delete it.

    Now run Ccleaner!

    Now please download and run the current version of MGtools.exe



    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  7. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    I believe that I have discovered the cause of my secondary CPU issues. The vent had become so clogged that I think that the hard drive was overheating. I know I should have looked at this sooner, but cleaning it appears to have fixed the problem. I haven't had a lock up since. Does this make sense? The spikes appeared almost cyclic, like a hardware/drive failure.

    I would like to make sure that I have fully cleaned my machine and completed the process to set restore points. Attached is the MGlogs.zip. The link in the previous post for MGtools.exe appeared invalid. I went back to the Windows XP Cleaning Procedure page and downloaded again from there. I don't know if this is the current version?

    The fixBT.reg added successfully to the registry. I really appreciate the help.

    -Ashley
     

    Attached Files:

  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    I'm happy to hear you found the source of your problem as I was sure it was not due to malware.

    Your logs are clean.


    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommed you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
      • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)
    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    5. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    6. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    7. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    8. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Window version and see the steps to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    9. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     
  9. ashleyrkin

    ashleyrkin Private E-2

    Thanks again so much for your help.

    Sincerely,
    Ashley
     
  10. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Surf safely!
     

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