Computer slowdown due to "bad" csrss file

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by RushSecond, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. RushSecond

    RushSecond Private E-2

    Lately my computer has been running very slowly. I looked at my processes and saw there were two csrss.exe processes, I looked online to see what that meant and found out that one was a virus that my McAffee wasn't picking up. Turns out there were 3 csrss.exe files, two of which were fake. I manually deleted one but the other one refuses to go, even KillBox couldn't get rid of it.

    Anyway I did the entire malware scan cleanup stuff for Vista, but that file (which I managed to rename to "WTF" out of frustration and move to my C: drive where I can find it easily) is still there, I still have two csrss.exe processes, and my computer still runs slowly. I've attached the required logs here, can someone help me with this?
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 25, 2008
  2. RushSecond

    RushSecond Private E-2

    Here's the last log from ComboFix
     

    Attached Files:

    • log.txt
      File size:
      13.1 KB
      Views:
      3
  3. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    This information is incorrect. For Vista, multiple csrss.exe process will be seen running.

    I'm not sure exactly where you are trying to delete these files from but you need to stop before you make your PC unbootable. The C:\windows\system32\csrss.exe file is valid.

    Yes and this WTF.exe file ( and the other 3 copies you also have in your !Killbox folder) were just the valid Windows csrss.exe file which you should not be touching. You are lucky that the Windows Operating System automatically restores this protected file.

    Your logs are all clean, the only issue I see is a left over service from having Symantec on your PC at one time. The below should remove it.

    Please run the below then reboot. After reboot run it one more time.

    Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT)

    I suggest that you answer the below questions and then I will move this thread to the Software Forum for you since you do not have malware problems.

    Please explain what operations are slow! For example answer the below:
    • Is boot up slow?
    • Is shutdown slow?
    • Is browsing/surfing slow?
    • Is downloading slow?
    • Is running any application?
    • Is it also slow in safe boot mode?
    • Also are any process showing in Task Manager to be using a lot of CPU time?
    • Anything else slow?
     
  4. RushSecond

    RushSecond Private E-2

    Re: Computer slowdown

    OK thanks for clearing that up. I ran the Norton removal tool and I am still getting slowdowns.

    My computer isn't slow booting up or shutting down, the only time this problem is noticable is when I'm running a game or some other program that uses a lot of my processing speed. Half the time it runs perfectly fine, and then over about half a minute it gradually becomes slower and slower until I pretty much can't do anything, and then bam it goes back to normal for about 30 more seconds before slowing down again, it is driving me nuts. I was certain that malware was the problem as I have never heard of any normal computer process that acts like this. And when I look at my processes during the slowdown everything seems perfectly normal, in fact the processes show the exact same memory usage when everything is running as it should vs when everything slows to a crawl 30 seconds later.
     
  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Re: Computer slowdown

    If it only happens while running a game, you need to look into what your game is doing or what other programs you are running are doing at the same time as the game is running. For example, if you shutdown ( actually you may need to uninstall just to test) McAfee, do you still have problems.

    Since you problem is not malware. You should consider posting in the Game Forum or Software Forum.
     

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