Slow Running & Low System Resources

I had a similar problem on my other desk top computer and wanted to see if you can help with this one. My system resources hover at about 80 - 99 % usage with no programs open.
I have run the Pre-post procedures and I am attaching my logs.
I would appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Ragan

 

Logs part 2

 

Before we begin I need you to relocate and rename your Hijack This. Relocate it to C:\Program Files\HJT and rename it to something like "analyze.exe".

After you complete this step attach a fresh log to your next post.

 

Thanks bjgarrick, attached is the new HJT log.

 

I noticed in your CounterSpy scan you ignored everything, run another scan and this time remove all found infections. After you do this attach a fresh HJT log.

 

Here is an updated HJTlog. In the mean time my MS auto update keeps telling me I have a security update for FLASH player (kb923789). I have tried to install the update several times but it fails every time. While trying to install it consumes 100% of my system resources and I can't do anything else.
Thanks for your help.

 

Did you run CounterSpy again and remove the found infections? If so please attach that new log.

Also, after you run the CounterSpy and remove the found infections, run one more Panda scan so we can start a fix.

 

I ran CounterSpy and it removed some things. I ran it again and it found nothing. Attached is the new Panda Scan.
Thanks!

 

Download Pocket KillBox

• Save it to your desktop or a place easy to find.
• Do not run it yet

Please look in Add/Remove Programs for the following and uninstall them if found:

Viewpoint

Now scan with HijackThis and check the boxes for the following entries:
( Make sure ALL browser windows are closed when you click FIX )

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k

Again, make sure ALL browser windows are closed when you click FIX.

Now, Please boot into Safe Mode, be sure you have the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled per the tutorial. Now, navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:

C:\Program Files\Viewpoint ← Delete this whole folder if it exist!

Next, run CCleaner to clean up cookies and temp files.

Locate PocketKillbox
(Procede with this step even if they do not show in blue)

Next, you will be entering items into Pocket KillBox. Please select the “Delete on Reboot” Option. Copy&Paste each of the file names listed below into the box one by one, making sure Delete on Reboot is Checked for each entry. Click the Red X for each entry, but DO NOT Allow your machine to be rebooted until the last item has been entered:

** Note: For any of the .dll files, check the Unregister .dll Before Deleting box as well. If this option is not enabled, don't worry about it.

• If you get an error message about Pending Operations, just reboot your computer manually.

After you complete the above, REBOOT and proceed with the rest of this fix...

Next Reset Web Settings & Default Security Settings

To Reset Web Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK

To Default Security Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Security Tab and click Default Level for Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites.

Note for IE 7 users:
Select Internet Options, then the Advanced Tab and then the Reset button under Reset Internet Explorer Settings.

Finally, I would like you to flush your System Restore points. Please follow the instructions in the below:

• Disable and Re-enable System Restore
  
  
• Turn OFF System Restore to flush any bad Restore Points.
  
  
• Then, follow the instructions at the bottom of the linked page to Re-enable the Restore Utility which will create a fresh restore point.

After you complete the above reboot once more and then scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

 

I followed your directions and had the following problems:

1)
Could not find:
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe

2)
My trial run of "Counter spy" was running and using 90% CPU resources. It also tagged several changes during IE reset stage of fix. (see some below) I did not know wether to allow or block so I disabled Counter Spy & update.
Internet Explorer URL Change
• http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkld=54896
• http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkld=69157
• C\WINDOWS|system32\blank.htm
•
IEAboutURLs
• res://ieframe.dll/navcancl.htm
• res://ieframe.dll/repost.htm

3)
on latest reboot, after disabling Counter Spy, Update was using 100% cpu resources so I stopped that application in task manager so I could complete this post.

Thanks for your help!

 

Your log looks good, are you having any further problems?

 

Three more Questions before we close out this thread please.

1) During our clean up you require a normal start mode. Is that just for the purpose of clean up or can that create problems for me? I have now disabled the following on start up:
• AOL Tray Icon
• MSMSGS
• Kodak Share


2) Also, I periodically get a “virtual memory too low” prompt and “windows is expanding your virtual memory”
Is this normal, something that could have been caused by spyware or is there a setting that I should adjust?

3) I have tried to uninstall Nortons Antivirus 2003 many times (Using AVG now) and it still appears on my "add/remove programs". When I try to remove I get an error 1606. "Could not access network location "::\Documents and settings|All users\Desktop" Any suggestions?


It appears that my computer is in good order. I do appreciate your help. Have a great holiday season!

Ragan

 

No it should not cause any problems, removing them from startup should increase startup.

Not really malware related, usually this occurs when multiple instances of programs are running and there isn't enough memory to support them all.

Download and run Rnav.

You should see this article on How to Protect yourself from malware!