One last gasp before I reinstall Windows...

A number of different problems have plagued my laptop since some kind of worm/malware/virus/whatever attack last week, and I'm just about ready to reformat the hard drive.

One thing was the Sasser worm, which I (apparently) removed using Symantec's FxSasser tool. Also a bundle of crapware things like Powerscan, Targetsaver and Internet Optimizer which have also all been (apparently) removed. No idea where it all came from except it appears to have been at the same time.

I've followed your "read this before posting" instructions to the letter, the online virus scans and multiple adware scans etc. Trend Micro found nothing, Symantec just found Kazaa's TopSearch, and the adware zappers found some Cydoor and GAIN stuff; all now deleted or quarantined.

But the same problems persist, including:

- Windows Update fails, error number 0x800A01AD
- Sometimes get "Java virtual machine needed" error at web pages, and Sun's java software fails to install
- Numerous video files on my hard drive (though not all) such as .mpg's won't run, especially on Windows Media Player
- Can't download images from digital camera; photo software kicks up "Server Busy" error, "choose 'switch to' to activate the busy program" which does nothing
- Some sluggish performance, eg opening My Computer gets the animated flashlight icon for a good 10 seconds

None of these problems occurred before. I'm now working on an interpretation of a Hijack This log as per your "NO HIJACK THIS LOGS BEFORE..." post but haven't don't anything with it yet.

My machine is a HP Pavilion, 1.8 gB, 320 MB RAM, Windows XP service pack 1

Any help greatly appreciated

 

First thing I would do is disconnect from the net and see what programs are running in the background because it seems to be memory related.
It's probably a bit late in the piece to tell you but as soon as you can download Crapcleaner from this site and use it to sweep out a lot of gunk that has probably accumulated. I am not aware of what your net connection is but it is very important to have a good firewall installed and running when on net.
Additionally when you get the problem unscrambled I would be inclined to download "startup Inspector for Windows" also on this site far as I know.
Others will doubltless give more advice idc
Hope this helps
Robert

 

Reminds me I could add that I have a DSL internet connection, that there are no suspicious processes reported running in Task Manager, and now having perused through a Hijack This log, it also showed nothing suspicious as per the Hijack This instructions post in this forum. (Of course I could post it if someone wants to take a look.)