Computer's Gradually Getting Sluggish

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by MtnAir, Jan 7, 2008.

  1. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    My system is slowing down when browser window/windows open, and not sure if I'm using too much memory of my or if a Trojan's gotten in. I have Active Virus Shield, Spybot and AVG, so don't think it's a trojan, leaning toward memory problems but need a Geeks Expertise to look at my system. I have a Pentium(R) 4CPU 3.00GHz, 488MB Ram, Windows XP Home SP2.
     
    MtnAir, Jan 7, 2008
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    If you think it is malware caused:

    Please follow the instructions in the below link and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide
     
    TimW, Jan 7, 2008
    #2
  3. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    Followed all cleaning steps. Would you take a look at my Cobo Scan log to determine if anything found, so I know whether to proceed with MGTools, and Toggle System restore. Also, would you tell me which of these programs I don't need to be using: CCleaner, AVG AntiSpyware, Ad-Aware SE Personal, IObit Smart Defrag, Advanced Windows Care and Active Virus Shield-(Free version).
    Thanks for all the help thus far....systems running faster!
     

    Attached Files:

    MtnAir, Jan 7, 2008
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    The ComboFix did find a few items so please continue and attach the MGLogs.zip. :)
     
    TimW, Jan 8, 2008
    #4
  5. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    Here's the MGLog. Thought this may help you. I downloaded a bunch of free games, most from reputable sites, so this may have brought something in. I didn't notice it getting sluggish until a month or so after I downloaded the free games though? Thanks again for "Your Time" you're giving to me in helping solve tis problem. It's so frustrating when it takes 4 times longer to change my website, shop EBay, ETC.
     

    Attached Files:

    MtnAir, Jan 8, 2008
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You have AOL Virus shield ...and you also have traces of Kaspersky in your system.
    Did you uninstall that at some point? Also when did you install the AOL program?
     
    TimW, Jan 9, 2008
    #6
  7. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    I never did install AOL Virus protection? Could it have come hidden in one of the games I downloaded? I do have Active Virus Shield by Kaspersky-(Free Version) as I learned from this forum it was a good free virus protection. Any advice?
     
    MtnAir, Jan 9, 2008
    #7
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Jan 10, 2008
    #8
  9. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    Are you referring to uninstalling the AOL program you said you found? Or the Kapersky Active Virus Shield I'm using for virus protection? I don't want the aol program conflicting with my other, so what do I look for when removing the aol program you said you found? Thanks.
     
    MtnAir, Jan 10, 2008
    #9
  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Uninstall Kasperski ....then (off the internet) see if you are still "sluggish" ...if you aren't...install one of the others I suggested.
     
    TimW, Jan 10, 2008
    #10
  11. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    I uninstalled the Kapersky, and installed the AVG free virus protection, but system is still extremely slow. I'm wondering about two things, there's 16 add-ons in IE, all enabled, and not sure which ones I need and don't. 2nd, when I open the Advanced Windows Care program I use, and do a memory clean to free up memory, my physical memory is less then 60-70 sometimes?

    When the system is slowing down while surfing eaither IE or MSN, I hear the growling sound from the box as if it's working hard searching files, Etc? If any of that helps you Tim but I'm just grasping for ideas at what's causing it. It's very frustrating when I'm working on my WeddingVows.com site as it takes so long, as well as EBaying is hopeless if I want to bid on something.

    If you're sure after the tests run it's not a hidden malware prob, is there another forum I should go to? Thank You Tim, Denny:confused
     
    MtnAir, Jan 12, 2008
    #11
  12. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    I would definitely remove the IE addons ...I would also defrag the drive and what bothers me is your statement that you hear noise from the box which could be the death throes of the hard drive ...in my computer / right click the c drive / properties / tools / error checking and check both boxes ..it will require a restart.
    Tell me if it finds any bad sectors.
     
    TimW, Jan 12, 2008
    #12
  13. MtnAir

    MtnAir Private E-2

    I tried to delete the 16 add-ons in IE, but the delete button option wouldn't darken/activate when I clicked on each add-on, and I don't know where else I can delete them. I've disabled them all, but the google toolbar I'm wondering do I need?

    WOW! I've never done a scandisc from that option, I've always used the free-up disc space in the Performance/Maintenance option in control panel, and I think that was part of my problem. The system running faster since the scandisc, but when I came back the scandisc had finished and there was nothing showing on the desktop so I'm assuming all was OK? Or is there a log I can look at for that scan?

    I think when I get all of the IE add-ons removed, if you think I should delete them instead of just disabling them, things will get even better. I don't know where all of those 16 add-ons came from?

    If the hard-drive's getting bad, I'd be surprised as it's only a 4 years old Gateway. Let me know if there's a log for the scan I can find, and how I can delete the add-ons in IE if you know a way. Thanks again for giving me of "Your Time"! A Grateful GreenHorn Geek?
     
    MtnAir, Jan 12, 2008
    #13
  14. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You can enable the google toolbar ...and the addons can be enabled one at a time if you need them (just make sure they do not cause problems) ...the scandisk (chkdsk) will run and then start the system when done, but unless you watch the actual scan, there is no log.

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

    1. If we used Pocket Killbox during your cleanup, do the below
    * Run Pocket Killbox and select File, Cleanup, Delete All Backups
    2. If we used ComboFix, you can delete the ComboFix.exe file, C:\ComboFix folder, C:\QooBox folder, C:\WINDOWS\nircmd.exe, C:\combofix.txt and C:\ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt logs that was created.
    3. If we user SDFix you can delete all the SDFix related files and folders from your Desktop or whereever you installed it.
    4. If we used SmitFraudFix, you can delete all files and folders related to it now including the c:\rapport.txt log.
    5. If we used VundoFix, you can delete the VundoFix.exe file and the C:\VundoFix Backups folder and C:\vundofix.txt log that was created.
    6. If we had your run FixWareOut, you can delete the Fixwareout.exe file and the C:\fixwareout folder.
    7. If we had you run Avenger, you can delete all files related to Avenger now.
    8. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    9. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    10. If you are running 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.
    11. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
    * How to Protect yourself from malware!
     
    TimW, Jan 13, 2008
    #14

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