computer freezing

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by uzi451, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Hello,

    My problem is this:
    My computer freezes every once in a while (several times a day)
    When freezes nothing works except the mouse and I must reset the computer.
    I have opened the process list at the side of the screen so I can see the process which uses the cpu when the computer freezes and evrey time I see this process - "iexplore.exe" working
    and takes 5% of the cpu at the moment of freeze.
    The funny thing is that IE doesn’t even work at that time.
    When I actually run IE I see 2 process with that name in the process list, which makes me believe the first one is some kind of malware/virus
    when I end the process it disappeares but comes back again after few minutes.
    ESET , adaware and avg didn’t discover anything.

    Can anyone help me with this?

    Many Thanks
     
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide
    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
  3. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    hi again

    did the run & read me and this is what happened:

    everything went fine until i had to start running the cleaning programs

    SAS: intalled fine but after running - immidiate crash of the program
    MBAM: installed only after changing the name but then didn't run at all
    combofix.exe: same as mbam
    mgtools: Here I made a FATAL mistake, and ran it from desktop, when I realized the mistake I stopped the program at the place where it asks the license agreement.
    When doing that the computer freezed and when I tried to restart I got the message:
    "invalid system disk,replace the disk and press any key"

    Now my computer is actually dead (I'm writing from another one)
    When trying to load from CD I get the same message

    HELP !!!:

    :cry
     
  4. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

     

    Attached Files:

  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    The MGtools log does not show any problems. Thus you may need to post in the Software Forum unless you can get us more infor from the other scanners.

    Did you try the fix given in the instructions????


    Did you try running them in safe boot mode.
     
  6. uzi451

    uzi451 Private E-2

    Hi,

    quote: Did you try the fix given in the instructions????

    I tried the fix, it refers only to installation problem.
    Mine installed fine but didn't run.

    BUT !!!

    I did manage to run SAS through "super anti spyware alternate start" in start --> all programs and it did ran from there (unlike from the icon on the desktop)

    and BINGO !
    all the symptoms are gone, "IEXPLORE.exe" process is gone and startup goes quick and good. Most important - there are no freezes at all.

    Many many thanks to you
    May god reward you for the help you give people in this site

    Uzi451

    :celebrate
     
  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes but is also states the below
    Anyway I'm happy to hear you fix your problem.


    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend 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 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.
    5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    6. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    7. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures in step 3 the READ ME for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    8. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     

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