Is acs.exe malware?

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by redbaybound, Feb 9, 2006.

  1. redbaybound

    redbaybound Private E-2

    I recently purchased a Belkin wireless G Desktop Card and installed in my computer. As soon as it was installed the cpu usage shot up to 100% and everything slowed to a crawl. Taskmgr.exe was using most of the CPU(~35%). I ran the "Read Me First Sticky" and came up clean.

    After much trial and error I found that the service acs.exe(Atheros Configuration Service) was creating the problem. Unfortunately my wireless card is not recognized without it.

    I posted in the Networking Forum and it was suggested that I come back here and ask for help in the Malware forum. Please tell me what you need from me to help me resolve this. Thanks in advance.
     
    redbaybound, Feb 9, 2006
    #1
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Well I'm not sure what we can do about a problem with a driver for your wireless card.

    Are you sure it is necessary for normal operation or is it only for using Wi-Fi?

    All we can suggest is checking to see if real malware issues exist. To do that, follow the below instructions. I know you said you ran it but you did not do what it said. That is, step 6 asks for two logs. And step 7 asks for a HijackThis log.

    Please follow our standard cleaning procedures which are necessary for us to provide you support. Also there are steps included for installing, running, and posting HijackThis logs as attachments.

    - Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support

    Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

    - Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.


    After doing ALL of the above you still have a problem make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps in the below link to properly use HijackThis and attach a log:

    Downloading, Installing, and Running HijackThis

    .
     
    chaslang, Feb 9, 2006
    #2
  3. redbaybound

    redbaybound Private E-2

    Here are the logs. I was unable to run the online scans in safe mode. Windows does not recognize the wireless card without the Belkin Utility loaded so I had to run them in Normal Boot mode. The bitdefender scan showed no infection.

    Even after all scans, the computer is still running slowly. All applications take minutes to load. Any help would be appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

    redbaybound, Feb 10, 2006
    #3
  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Your logs show no malware. Note you did not install HJT as requested in the instrucions if step 7 of the READ ME. You ran it directly from the ZIP file which is exactly how we ask that it not be run. But right now it does not really matter. There is nothing that we need to fix
     
    chaslang, Feb 10, 2006
    #4
  5. redbaybound

    redbaybound Private E-2

    I know that this is not a malware problem and went through the motions to satisfy the guys over in the network forum. The computer was recently reformated and windows xp installed. Thanks for your help anyway.
     
    redbaybound, Feb 10, 2006
    #5
  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Which process is showing in Task Manager running at 100%? Or which are using the most CPU time?
     
    chaslang, Feb 10, 2006
    #6
  7. redbaybound

    redbaybound Private E-2

    taskmgr.exe itself is using the most cpu. It ranges anywhere from ~20 to 100% of the cpu at any one time. svhost takes up fair share as well but not regularly. If I uninstall the Belkin Wireless Utility the computer runs fine but when it is installed, the computer bogs down. Windows does not recognize the card without the utility installed. There are no conflicts showing in the device manager.

    I am thinking about replacing the card but I would hate to have the same problem with a new card. (I also don't like not knowing what is causing the problem in the first place)
     
    redbaybound, Feb 10, 2006
    #7
  8. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sounds like you need to talk to Belkin or possibly when the network is active there is something else hiding from plain view that is bogging you down. We could dig deeper for malware issues but I'm not sure we will find anything. It's up to you.
     
    chaslang, Feb 10, 2006
    #8
  9. redbaybound

    redbaybound Private E-2

    Belkin doesn't know what is causing the problem. They suggested I return their card. Unless the malware was packaged in the Belkin Utility I really don't see how I could have gotten any.

    Anyway, I really do appreciate your help. I am going to return the card and try purchasing a wireless card by a different company. If I still have issues I will post here again and maybe look into the malware issue again.

    Cheers!
     
    redbaybound, Feb 10, 2006
    #9
  10. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Okay! Good luck with it.
     
    chaslang, Feb 11, 2006
    #10

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