Slow computer - malware?

Fiftyeight · Apr 2, 2012

Hi. I'm new, and way out of my depth here, but here goes.
My computer has been running slower for a week or two, and I thought it might be malware. Having stumbled tonight onto the MajorGeeks site, I worked through the Read and Run Me First Malware Removal guide, but without complete satisfaction, though I did delete one suspicious item. I didn't really know what I was doing, just followed the instructions. All seemed to be going well, until I got to the RootReplace software, which crashed on my computer running Windows 7. I couldn't open rar, but I again downloaded it in zip and it opened but didn't work. (Hope you get what I'm trying to say.)
I kept going on the advised procedure, and saved some logs, but I think I can't post them here, so I don't know what to do. I've never been on a forum before.
I'm not sure how to best describe my computer, but here's some info.
AMD 64 processor 3000+ 1.81Ghz. 4 Gb Ram. Windows 7.
I'm now stuck with a computer that has AV disabled and is no faster, and I'm not sure if I helped by trying, or made things worse.
Please can someone advise me what to do next?
Please be patient. It's 1.52am her in Australia, and I just have to go to bed, but I'll check tomorrow for any comments. Thanks.
Fiftyeight.

Kestrel13! · Apr 2, 2012

Please attach the requested logs from running the below procedures.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

You also need to take a look at this.

HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post

Fiftyeight · Apr 4, 2012

Thanks for replying, Kestrel13!
Have attached requested log files. Been at work all day so haven't done any more with computer. Have not reactivated AV or any other steps since doing the malware removal guide. Any advice appreciated.
Fiftyeight

Kestrel13! · Apr 4, 2012

Can you please also attach the log from SUPERantispyware, and I need to see the C:\MGlogs.zip too. Thanks.

Fiftyeight · Apr 4, 2012

Morning Kestrel13!
Attaching requested items. Have no idea what they are!
Thanks.
Paul

Kestrel13! · Apr 4, 2012

Good morning to you too!

Now we need to use ComboFix

Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!

If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.

Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.

If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.

Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box. Ensure you scroll down to select ALL the lines:
Code:
KILLALL::

Folder::
C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\CompuClever

Firefox::
FF - ProfilePath - c:\users\Paul\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\b97jp1f6.default\
FF - prefs.js: browser.startup.homepage - hxxp://www.searchqu.com/405
FF - prefs.js: keyword.URL - hxxp://dts.search-results.com/sr?src=ffb&appid=0&systemid=405&sr=0&q=

Registry::
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{9BB47C17-9C68-4BB3-B188-DD9AF0FD2405}]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{9BB47C17-9C68-4BB3-B188-DD9AF0FD2405}]
Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe

At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!

You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.

Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sUBs/CFScriptB-4.gif

Follow the prompts.

When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt

I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

If after running Combofix you discover none of your programs will open up, and you recieve the following error: "Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion". Then the answer is to REBOOT the machine, and all will be corrected.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.

Let us know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

Fiftyeight · Apr 5, 2012

Thanks Kestrel13!

Followed instructions. Attaching logs as requested.

Will tell you soon how computer is now running, but first, can I reactivate my AV Windows defender? I don't like going online without it.
And can you please remind me what else I turned off, or may need to reverse/turn back on, since completing the prevous Malware Removal Guide?

I now have icons & saved files saved all over my desktop from this whole process. When we have finished this computer fix, can you please tell me if I can delete all these desktop items? And can I use by myself any of the MajorGeek tools/programs you have guided me through, 'cause I anticipate I might get into a big mess!

Being new to MajorGeeks, I still have to find out how to "Thank" you in the usual way for these forums. So...Thank You. I really do appreciate this help.
Fiftyeight

Kestrel13! · Apr 5, 2012

Will tell you soon how computer is now running, but first, can I reactivate my AV Windows defender?
Click to expand...

Yes.

And can you please remind me what else I turned off, or may need to reverse/turn back on, since completing the prevous Malware Removal Guide?
Click to expand...

Final steps below will cover that.

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

We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.

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 (If we renamed it please rename it back to Combofix.exe.

"%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /uninstall

Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.

This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.

Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.

Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.

If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.

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.

Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.

Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders
related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.

If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:

Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.

Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

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

How to Protect yourself from malware!

Fiftyeight · Apr 6, 2012

Hi Kestrel13!
Happy Easter. Hope you have some choc.

This afternoon I worked through all the final steps you requested. (Took a while!) But I may have hit a problem at the end of Chaslang's procedure on Disabling Autoruns. There's a note there which says (quote):
'You need to make sure that you receive a success message about adding the above to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work and you will have to inform someone in our forun about your problem.'
I did not get a success message, only a dialogue box asking (something like): 'Are you sure you want to merge this with registry?'
If that is the 'success' message, then hopefully all is well (?).

The computer seems to be running fairly well now, and I am confident you helped kill all malware & spyware. So thank you for that.

But... just a minute or two ago the computer seemd to be quite slow again, took about one full minute to finally open a second tab in Firefox. That's not right.
So I ran the Windows Experience Index, and got practically the same result as before we did all the work. I've attached the result. (MajorGeeks website said a .docx file was 'invalid'. So I resaved it as .doc , and it attached. (?)

Do you ever go nuts dealing with problems all the time?
Fiftyeight.

Kestrel13! · Apr 6, 2012

You can ask about any remaining issues in the software forum.

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Slow computer - malware?

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

ComboFix Log 2-4-12.txt

defogger_disable.log

mbam-log-2012-04-02 (21-59-37).txt

RootRepeal_crash_040312.003407.txt

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

MGlogs.zip

SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log - 04-02-2012 - 21-26-42.log

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

MGlogs.zip

log.txt - Notepad.txt

ComboFix.txt

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

Windows Experience Index 6-4-12.doc

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Slow computer - malware?

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

Fiftyeight Private E-2

Attached Files:

Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

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