I just can't figure this problem out, please help!

NeutralNovice · Nov 18, 2010

Hi all, I am having major trouble with my computer right now.

System Background
Alienware Aurora
Windows 7 - 64 bit
Core i7 920
6GB RAM
HD 5970

For the last several days, while browsing the internet on ANY browser (Firefox, Opera, Explorer, Chrome) the program will intermittently go into a "Not Responding" phase anywhere from 20 seconds to 1+ minutes. These intermittent freezes happen at various intervals but usually ends up around 10-30 minutes between incidents.

I have done everything I could think of: from uninstalling softwares I no longer need, running antivirus, antimalware, etc. programs like AVG, which I then uninstalled and tried Security Essentials, cleaning the system during my runthrough with the malware guide.

When I ran AVG, it came up with nothing. After uninstalling AVG and trying out MS Security Essentials, it found 8 pieces of malware, all of which I subsequently deleted through the program.

Unfortunately, the problem still persists and was wondering if anyone was encountering the same problem that I was?

At this point, my frustration brings me to the point where I am willing to just completely start from scratch and wipe the system clean of everything. If anyone knows a place that gives a tutorial on exactly what I need to do to start completely fresh, I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, this is my first post! Read a several times in the past but never joined until now. My apologies if my descriptions of my incidents are crude; my computer expertise is rather low.

Again, if anyone can help me out, I would GREATLY GREATLY appreciate it.

Kestrel13! · Nov 18, 2010

To rule out malware:

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

**** 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. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

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:

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:

Starting your computer in Safe mode

If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( 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.

If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.

To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!

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.

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I just can't figure this problem out, please help!

NeutralNovice Private E-2

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member