Certain programs won't start, slow performance, strange behavior

A few days ago I installed System Mechanic Professional (listed as ver. 8.5 I believe) on my XP Pro machine (SP3) as an upgrade from System Mechanic 6. I'd read some of the nasty problems people had been getting as a result of using any version after 6, but I decided I'd try it out before judging. After successfully installing it and configuring some of its options, I was prompted (by the program itself) for a free upgrade to 9. I checked to make sure there weren't any extra costs, then decided to go ahead with it. Long story short, after installing that version I started getting some really strange problems.

After rebooting to finish the install, I noticed I couldn't start certain programs, System Mechanic Pro itself among them, but certain components of them would still run in the background. Whenever I try to start up these programs, I get the message

"Windows cannot access thee specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

I can confirm that I am in fact an administrator, and I checked to see if the .exe file association is correct through both the folder options/file types/ setting and through the registry at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command. I downloaded a couple .exe registry fixes, one of which was suggested on this forum, and neither of which as worked as of yet. Additionally, whenever I'm trying to do almost anything involving explorer (opening files, folder, starting programs, etc.) and during start up, almost the whole system begins to slow down to a very, very slow speed. However, most programs that I can start up correctly (Webroot Spysweeper, disk defragmenter, regedit, windows media player, Comodo Antivirus just to name a few) will run at full speed almost all the time.

After running into these problems, I figured it was System Mechanic's fault (considering the awful reviews its getting all over the place, I still think this is the case), so I went ahead and manually uninstalled it from its program files folder and all its registry entries I could find. Unfortunately, none of the problems have gone away. In fact, it looks like it might be getting progressively worse. I attempted to do a system restore, which first gave me the same error as before, so I started it up in safe mode. In safe mode, everything appears to run perfectly fine, as the programs I'm normally locked out of will at least say something like 'needed services not running' or something like that instead of giving me the previous error. I ran the system restore to restore to the day before I installed System Mechanic Pro (Monday I believe), set the system to start normally, and let it run. However, upon starting up normally (i.e. not in safemode) I got the error 'Windows could not etc. etc...' with the system restore .exe listed as its latest victim.

Crap.

So, I tried it again, this time telling it to start up in safe mode, but it gave me a generic error message saying the system could not be restored etc...

Just about a minute ago I found out that for some reason, system restore was turned off... and I certainly did not do that. So, I checked in the system properties window under the System Restore tab... and sure enough, the box is checked off to turn off system restore on all drives.

Now, some of you may be wondering what the heck I've been doing to my machine lately, so I'll go ahead and tell you to the best of my memory.

I'm a PC gamer, one who really likes to play with mods on games like FO3 and Crysis. I also like to be able to protect my computer as well as I can (though that isn't looking that great at the moment), so I use several security programs: Online Armor, Comodo Antivirus, Webroot SpySweeper, System Mechanic (hehe, not anymore!), Spybot Search & Destroy, and a little good 'ol do-it-yourself maintenance. My do-it-yourself maintenance consists of clearing out temporary files/folders, running Microsoft's built in disk check and disk defragmenter, periodically browsing through msconfig and Task Manager's process list for suspicious activity, and generally thinking I'm being safe on the internet (maybe not rolleyes).

Hopefully that's enough information to start. Please let me know if there's some additional information I should be supplying.

 

Thought I'd post something a little more readable...

Problem: Certain programs will not start up, the start-up process after logging in is ludicrously slow, accessing file/folders is incredibly slow, System Restore is no longer working

Leading up to this: I installed System Mechanic 8.5 (upgraded from 6) then downloaded and installed a free upgrade to 9.5. Can't think of anything else that would be causing this

What I've done so far:
-Uninstalled fully (to my knowledge) all System Mechanic software
-restarted numerous times
-checked administrator privileges
-checked the .exe file associations in the folder options and in the registry
-downloaded an ran two registry fixes for the .exe file association
-attempted (and failed) to run a system restore
-disabled several unneeded startup items (games, media programs, etc.)
-searched around the internet for solutions
-some other things I can't remember at the moment



Hopefully that's a little more clear

EDIT: forgot to mention what I'm running this stuff off of.

My machine is currently running Windows XP Professional SP3

 

Hey Simpl1
"Assuming" (and I hate to do that) you ran scans on your pc with the security that you have and again assuming that nothing showed up as you did not mention anything of that nature I would suggest you do the Read & Run Me First Here http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 and post all the logs requested. If something does not run, write down the info to explain later but keep on going. Don't bump as you will go to the back of the line.They go from oldest post first. It may take a few days depending on how busy they(the fighters) are. Please be patient as they have a life outside of here and they are volunteers who do this because they want to help others.
BT

 

Well, it appears that my problem has been fixed... I think.

I thank you for directing me to that page, as I missed it in my rush to find a solution. One of the instructions was to uninstall Online Armor as it would interfere with one of the programs, and after doing that, all the issues have gone away (so far). After checking the OA forums, it looks like the later versions of System Mechanic have some major conflicts with OA.

Anyways, I decide to go ahead with the whole process just to be sure, but I just ran into a bit of a problem. ComboFix will not run after I try to open it from the desktop. When I try to use it, it pops up with a series of "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file..." messages. Beforehand I tried to shut down all of my security programs, but the SpySweeper process will not close down, either by the right-click menu (even though it looks like it is shutting down) or through task manager (it says Access is denied). At the moment that is the only one I cannot shut down, so I think it might be blocking ComboFix. I tried shutting down all its 'Shield' options, but that didn't help either.

I was able to run SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes, here's their logs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 01/22/2010 at 06:14 PM

Application Version : 4.33.1000

Core Rules Database Version : 4446
Trace Rules Database Version: 1978

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 01:39:58

Memory items scanned : 786
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 8405
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 40533
File threats detected : 1

Application.PowerReg Scheduler
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMODO\COMODO INTERNET SECURITY\QUARANTINE\POWERREG SCHEDULER V3.EXE

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3510
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

1/22/2010 6:42:35 PM
mbam-log-2010-01-22 (18-42-35).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 121043
Time elapsed: 13 minute(s), 31 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\scrfile\shell\open\command\(default) (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: (NOTEPAD.EXE %1) Good: ("%1" /S) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoSMHelp (Hijack.Help) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess this issue can be considered solved, but I'm not sure if this is a bad indication or not. Either way, thank you bigtrucks for helping out

 

Actually Simpl1 you need to post logs here http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35 and start a new thread telling what happened with the Combo Fix and anything else that may not have worked while running thru the R&R Me 1rst section. Make sure you post all logs requested in the malware forum(the link I posted) they will get back with you as soon as possible. You may not be clean of ALL issues. Let them clear you and if you still have issues come back here and do a new thread.
BT