Slow start up. Ran the scans, didn't help.

Welcome to Major Geeks!

You just need to download and run MGtools.exe as requested. You can save it to your Desktop if that it easier for you. Thenmake sure your protection software is disabled and then just double click MGtools.exe to run it. When it finishes, it will tell you that the log is C:\MGlogs.zip and that is what you need to attach.


ComboFix deleted the below. Do you know if these are for your games?
c:\documents and settings\Laura\Application Data\TMInc
c:\documents and settings\Laura\Application Data\TMInc\game.cfg
c:\documents and settings\Laura\Application Data\TMInc\user2.sav

I see you also recently downloaded and installed the below. If still installed or on your PC, uninstall and delete it. You don't need this or want this.

Code:

2010-12-18 04:55 . 2010-12-18 04:55 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\Laura\Application Data\Uniblue
2010-12-18 04:55 . 2010-12-18 04:55 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Uniblue

Also uninstall Ask Toolbar

 

Okay then we will restore them with ComboFix. Your logs are basically clean. You just have some left over folders from previously using AVG and ESET to remove. Also I suggest that you uninstall Ask Toolbar and not install it in the future when you install programs like Glary Tools and other things that package junk like this with their software. You need to read the license agreements and popup messages before just clicking OK.

So after uninstalling Ask Toolbar, delete any of the below folders that still remain.

C:\Documents and Settings\Laura\Application Data\AVG10
C:\Documents and Settings\Laura\Local Settings\Application Data\AskToolbar
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVG10
C:\Program Files\Ask.com
C:\Program Files\ESET
C:\AVGTemp

Also delete all the below Tasks that you don't need slowing your PC down:

Code:

C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
apples~1.job  Dec 11 2010         284  "AppleSoftwareUpdate.job"
expres~1.job  Dec 11 2010         298  "expressburnShakeIcon.job"
glaryi~1.job  Dec 20 2010         312  "GlaryInitialize.job"
go5b1f~1.job  Dec 11 2010         886  "GoogleUpdateTaskMachineUA.job"
go7bdb~1.job  Dec 11 2010         996  "GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007UA.job"
go9834~1.job  Dec 11 2010         882  "GoogleUpdateTaskMachineCore.job"
google~1.job  Dec 11 2010         868  "Google Software Updater.job"
google~2.job  Dec 11 2010         944  "GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007Core.job"
google~3.job  Dec 11 2010         926  "GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1006Core.job"
google~4.job  Dec 11 2010         978  "GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1006UA.job"
schedu~1.job  Dec 21 2010         234  "Scheduled Update for Ask Toolbar.job"
switch~1.job  Dec 11 2010         278  "switchShakeIcon.job"

Now we need to use ComboFix to DeQuarantine some files

• 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 has expired or need to be updated to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• 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
• 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.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below log:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

You're welcome.

It does not appear to be due to any remaining malware. Even what has been removed thus far was just an annoying search toolbar. It may just be all the stuff you load at startup which is quite alot. Much of it would not be something I would ever use or would want to load, but I cannot determine what you need. However there is alot being loaded and it all takes time. And all the games being played and the licensing software (like PSIService.exe from Protexis Licensing ) and nProtect GameGuard Service are also contributing to slow startups. And TVersityMediaServer running is also not helping things. If you need to play games on your PC, you will have to live with the effects they have on PC performance.

I will give you a few more tweaks ( non-malware) to do below to remove some other left overs but some permanent damage may have been caused by an infection if you are really sure this only occurred after your infection. Seems more likely to be from startup processes to me but we will do some tweaking and see what happens.

Does not seem to be related to your infection since it was not a password stealer type but if you have been using your PC for online purchases you may want to keep an eye on it an change all passwords ( use another PC to change passwords just to be safe - not a public PC! By public, I mean one in a library, coffee shop....etc ).

Yes you should repeat all scans except RootRepeal after a clean reboot and logging directly into his account and then attach logs. BUT NOT YET! First let's finish with your account and some tweaks. I'm going to also be removing some items from startup that are slowing you down. You don't need them to load when your PC starts. You should run them only when needed.


However I have some questions and a couple comments.

• Do you really need to use this StarDock program and allow it to run at startup???
• What is MediaMall and why does it always need to be running?
• Research and consider whether you really need NVIDIA nTune to always load and be running.
• Comment: You have Roxio software running which has been a known resource hog and impacts startup times. FInd a better CD/DVD recording program like Nero for example.
• Comment: Some user accounts ( your sons and a Temp account ) have been corrupted 4 times since 2008. You can see all the additional user account folder histories from them
  Code:

  "C:\Documents and Settings\"
  NICKY         Mar 21 2008              "Nicky"
  NICKYH~1.000  Nov  4 2009              "Nicky.HOME.000"
  NICKYH~1.001  Nov 12 2009              "Nicky.HOME.001"
  NICKY~1.HOM   Sep 18 2009              "Nicky.HOME"
  TEMP          Sep 17 2009              "TEMP"
  TEMPHO~1.000  Nov 11 2009              "TEMP.HOME.000"
  TEMP~1.HOM    Nov  3 2009              "TEMP.HOME"

Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win 7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zune Launcher] "c:\Program Files\Zune\ZuneLauncher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O16 - DPF: {215B8138-A3CF-44C5-803F-8226143CFC0A} (Trend Micro ActiveX Scan Agent 6.6) - http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/housecall/applet/html/native/x86/win32/activex/hcImpl.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {2D8ED06D-3C30-438B-96AE-4D110FDC1FB8} (ActiveScan 2.0 Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/activescan/cabs/as2stubie.cab
O16 - DPF: {4871A87A-BFDD-4106-8153-FFDE2BAC2967} (DLM Control) - http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanager/versions/activex/dlm-activex-2.2.5.0.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://download.eset.com/special/eos/OnlineScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {BB21F850-63F4-4EC9-BF9D-565BD30C9AE9} (a-squared Scanner) - http://ax.emsisoft.com/asquared.cab
O18 - Protocol: AutorunsDisabled - (no CLSID) - (no file)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: AutorunsDisabled - Invalid registry found

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.


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 has expired or need to be updated to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• 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
• 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.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program does not require an installation. The executable actually runs the program.


NOTE: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF Cleaner will remove all files from the items that are checked so if you have some cookies you'd like to save. Please move them to a different directory first.

• Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
• Under Main choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser

• Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser

• Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main ATF Cleaner menu to close the program.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs:

• C:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

The below services all still show in your last log and the run at start up.

In addition to them, there are a few others as list below. The last one is due to games and the others for your Epson printer. I don't know if they are necessary or not

As shown above, it was still in your logs.

Also remember my comment about Roxio quite often being the cause for slow startups.

It may be needed and it may be for more than one game. I have seen literally at least 20 to 30 thousand logs from PCs and this PC has to be the worst as far as the sheer number of things installed for gaming. All of the below show in your installed program list which is quite a ridulously large number of games as you can see. I'm not saying that these are slowing down your startup. This is just an observation of excessive gaming and also the copy protection and other startups related to gaming typically cause slow downs.

 

After you have read my last very long message, see the below for an additional fix to remove some items showing in your startup list due to your sons account.


Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win 7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Nicky')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Nicky.HOME.001\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c (User 'Nicky')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background (User 'Nicky')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [EPSON WorkForce 600(Network)] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIEKA.EXE /FU "C:\DOCUME~1\NICKYH~1.001\LOCALS~1\Temp\E_S375.tmp" /EF "HKCU" (User 'Nicky')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [Aim] "C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe" /d locale=en-US (User 'Nicky')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007\..\Run: [AlcoholAutomount] "C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\AxAutoMntSrv.exe" -automount (User 'Nicky')
O4 - S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007 Startup: OpenOffice.org 3.2.lnk = C:\Program Files\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart.exe (User 'Nicky')
O4 - S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007 User Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE (User 'Nicky')
O4 - S-1-5-21-2007217650-2966253982-1599952919-1007 User Startup: Stickies.lnk = C:\Program Files\Stickies\stickies.exe (User 'Nicky')

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

Okay then this is not an issue for the malware forum. You may want to see if the below idea about a USB being used during bootup is your problem. I have no idea whether this is really a solution or not.

http://support.bicestercomputers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=699#post699