Malware- Dprhb11- 2018-03-30

The Operating System (XP) did not load during Startup. After taking it to Computer Technician and cleaning the RAM, the system started to function.

However I felt that the Computer was slow.

Thereafter, I ran READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide Procedure, to check whether there were any threats.

There was a lack of Internet connection due to a cable problem when running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and RogueKiller scans and was rectified after running the 2 scans.

AdwCleaner 7.0.7.0 scan could not be run. The message, " AdwCleaner 7.0.7.0.exe is nota valid Win 32 application." appeared.

The logs are attached herewith.

Dr. K.D.J.H. Manilka Jayawardena,
Medical Officer,
National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL/Central Laboratory of NPTCCD),
Chest Hospital Premises,
Welisara.
Proud to be a Sri Lankan

 

Is it possible to increase the available Physical Memory by considering the following?

Since this Computer is used to generate Laboratory Reports only,

• Internet Browsing is done rarely

• USB drives are inserted rarely

 

The scan reported the following: "Crucial currently does not have any compatible upgrades available for your particular system."

Will uninstalling the following improve the situation?

• Avast Antivirus Free Edition
• COMODO Internet Security
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 2.2.1.1043
• SpywareBlaster 5.5
• SUPERAntiSpyware
• IoBit SmartDefrag
• USB Disk Security, and
  
• Autorun Eater

 

Certainly reducing (deleting) the amount of programs that take up unnecessary memory in their execution will help, but you cant beat adding physical RAM all the same.
If your system is only used for generating lab reports with no, or very little, internet browsing as you say, you certainly dont need such a huge bundle of anitvirus and security software that you have.
If the lab reports can be generated offline, all the better to slim down on RAM usage with un-needed bloated softs.

 

Uninstall Avast Antivirus Free Edition. You don't need it as you have COMODO Internet Security.
Running both these programs will slow down any PC - more so a basic PC running WinXP.
Don't install two Antivirus or Internet Security programs.

Uninstall one of these - SpywareBlaster or SUPERAntiSpyware - you don't need both.

Uninstall IoBit SmartDefrag, Autorun Eater & USB Disk Security- you don't need them.

 

AdwCleaner current version no longer supports XP.
Avast and Commodo (CIS) are likely conflicting with each other if running at the same time. Either turn one off or uninstall it. Uninstalling AV apps can be a challenge, since they tend to protect themselves from unwanted attempts to do so. Avast has a tool to do this
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/avast_software_uninstall_utility.html
Read the description there and use it in safe mode.
Commodo also has a product uninstall tool, but it isn't published as supporting XP. You could try it.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/comodo_internet_security_custom_uninstaller.html
If it won't work, then try Revo http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/revo_uninstaller.html
Open up Task Manager. If you see a svchost using about 50% of your cpu, its probably Windows automatic update running, continually looking for a system update, which was ended four years ago.
To stop, turn off windows automatic updates. Open Services and disable automatic updating.
There is no need for SuperAntiSpyware to run realtime either, if it is.

 

The Internet Explorer 8 is unable to connect to the Internet. When "Diagnose Connection Problems" was run, the following message appeared:

"Network Diagnostics for Windows XP

Windows cannot connect to the Internet using HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP. This is probably caused by firewall settings on this computer.

Check the firewall settings for the HTTP port (80), HTTPS port (443) and FTP port (21).

You might need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the manufacturer of your Firewall software."

However, the Opera Browser is functioning.

The Comodo Firewall was uninstalled and Internet Explorer 8 was installed but still the Internet Explorer is unable to connect to the Internet and the above message still appears.

 

Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft and consequently most websites also don't support it.
Use Opera or Mozilla Firefox 52.5.

 

I've uninstalled the following:

• Avast Antivirus Free Edition
• SUPERAntiSpyware
• IoBit SmartDefrag
• USB Disk Security, and
  
• Autorun Eater

The Task Manager indicates 494.420 MB of Available Physical Memory. It seems the computer is running better now and hope it continues that way until end-of-life. Since it is used for printing reports off-line, this seems to be adequate. There are no more RAMs available which are compatible with its motherboard and hence increasing its RAM is not a possibility unless the motherboard is changed. This is hoped to be done when the computer reaches its end.

Since "Opera" is functioning, I will not pursue with the problem of non-functioning of the Internet Explorer 8.

I will turn off Automatic Updates of Windows Update to obtain maximum Available Physical Memory and turn it on when required.

Chaslang suggested another way of uninstalling Commodo (CIS) in a previous thread of mine "Malware- Jpew- 2017-05-10". However uninstalling Commodo (CIS) was not required.

I Thank all of You for your time and effort.

This is yours truly signing off.