So slow cannot run anything, and safe mode won't let me! help?

jaydag71 · Apr 8, 2010

As above, I have done plenty of reading on what I am supposed to be doing, but have run into problem where the laptop I am working on is running so slowly in normal mode that it is just impractical to use at all! Can't install or run anything because it literally takes 10-15mins just to boot up even with all start-up apps turned off- everything!. In safe mode it runs alright but I cannot install or run some of the apps recommended to use for diagnosing and repairing problems.

I am trying to run an online virus scanner in safe mode right now,, but am wondering if its a moot point since only limited apps are in service under safe mode, and seemingly there is no performance degradation in safe mode because of this?

I have already run crap cleaner and spybot under safe mode and fixed some issues but nothing to address the slow performance by any means!

What does one do under these circumstances- is it time to try a system restore? Its a laptop with no vista disk,, assuming the OS is stored on hidden partition so maybe time to re-install however that is done...?

Any advice would be great,, I have wasted way too much time on this already and its not even mine! Thanks in advance, I can provide some logs but again they are in safe mode only so not sure if they are useful in this case?

TimW · Apr 9, 2010

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

**** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****

Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!

Helpful Notes:

If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

Starting your computer in Safe mode

If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.

If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this aother user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.

To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!

Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.

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So slow cannot run anything, and safe mode won't let me! help?

jaydag71 Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member