Memory or Malware?

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by bockelchunk, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. bockelchunk

    bockelchunk Private E-2

    Hello MG,

    I'm having problems with a PC that is about five years old and has modest capabilities by today's standards: Pentium 4 2.60GHz and 256K RAM.

    I can't tell if the computer's poor performance is due to the small amount of memory or something more malicious. I do have another machine of the same specs and vintage that works quite well still, so I thought I should ask for your opinion/advice before making my next move.

    The symptoms include:

    1. Very slow start up, even after deleting/disabling unnecessary programs.

    2. Often loads programs slowly. Gets "stuck" for long periods before resuming normal activity.

    3. Time-consuming even to switch windows while running multiple programs.

    4. Occasional warning messages that "Virtual Memory is Too Low."

    5. Symantec Endpoint Protection turns off on its own.

    6. (Probably unrelated?) When Word opens, it has one or more auto recovery files, even if everything was saved the before shutting the program down during the previous session.

    7. When trying to update SpyBot, the installer frequently asks me to "retry" the installation of certain files. Sometimes they fail all together. Tonight I had to abandon the update to 1.62 when the installer got stuck on something called "TCPIP Address.dll." (I aborted and tried later -- it worked the second time.)

    I've followed all of the instructions in the Read Me sequence. The first two logs (SAS & Malware bytes) are attached to this post.

    Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I've turned to you guys before and I really can't say where we'd all be without you.

    Thanks again,
    Bockelchunk
     

    Attached Files:

    bockelchunk, Feb 23, 2009
    #1
  2. bockelchunk

    bockelchunk Private E-2

    I'm attaching the second two logs (ComboFix & MG) to this post. Hope I did everything correctly. I appreciate your help.

    Bockelchunk
     

    Attached Files:

    bockelchunk, Feb 23, 2009
    #2
  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Memory:
    Your logs are clean...though I would recommend removing Ad-aware and finding a less resource heavy AV program.

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

    1. We recommed you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no real time protection. They are useful as backup scanners. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.

      • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)

    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    6. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    7. If you are running Vista, 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.

    8. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:

     
    TimW, Feb 23, 2009
    #3
  4. bockelchunk

    bockelchunk Private E-2

    Thanks so much, TimW. Looks like we need to add memory and hope for the best.
     
    bockelchunk, Mar 2, 2009
    #4
  5. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Good luck and safe surfing. :)
     
    TimW, Mar 3, 2009
    #5

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