Virus? not Malware

I have a Toshiba Satellite E105 64 bit, an Intel Core@Duo CPU running at 2.26GHz with 4G RAM and I use Windows Vista Home. Computer is running slow, my internet keeps going out although everyone else in the house has it (nothing wrong with service or router since no one else has a problem), and I took it to OfficeMax where they scanned it and told me I had viruses and/or malware.

I first went on the Malware Supprt side, installed and ran all the things they wanted done in the READ & RUN FIRST file, and Tim replied that there was no malware to try the software side. This makes me think that I have a virus for sure. I've been running in safe mode since I posted in Malware because the computer just ran in a clock anytime I clicked on something until I would restart. I'd like to get rid of this myself if possible; I'm up for anything once and know enough to be dangerous!

The computer started running slower around February maybe... I took it into BestBuy, they had me restore the disk and reformat the hard drive. When they got it to service it, they said there was nothing wrong, but here I am with sporadic internet and a slllooooowwww computer. Since running in safe mode, I do notice a difference in speed and my internet card has not gone out once. I wouldn't mind running this way all the time, but I have no access to printing or my card slot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!! Margaret

 

if the Malware Jedis sent you here, I think you can comfortably rule out malware AND viruses.

Did you recently add any new software just before the problem began?
In Normal mode, can you go to the Start Button, and in the RUN box type msconfig? Once there the startup tab will show what is running at startup Give us a list of these items, OK?

 

Hmmm, it could have been the Sure Cuts-a-Lot program I downloaded from Frostwire that had a crack, but Tim said it looked like there wasn't anything attached to it. Not totally sure though... I won't be doing that again!!

I have tried to do *anything* in normal mode and I can't. Anytime I click on anything, I get stuck in a timer thingy and can't get out of it unless I turn off the computer. I don't know how to work around this. Can't even get to task manager.

Here is the list of what's running in safe mode, I hope this can tell you something:

Intel(R) Common User Interface
Intel(R) Common User Interface
Intel(R) Common User Interface
HD Audio Control Panel
Realtek Voice Manager
Toshiba HDD Protection
Toshiba Power Saver
Toshiba Button Support
Toshiba Zooming Utility
Toshiba Flash Cards
Windows Defender
Google Talk
Microsoft Operating System
Google Update
Google Chrome
ConfigFree(TM)
cfFncEnabler
Toshiba Service Station
Chicony Traybar
Yahoo! Mail
HP UT LEDM
Anti-Phishing Domain Advisor
Fingerprint Suite Notifier Application
UsbMonitor
PwdBank
Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0
Microsoft Windows Operating System
Cyberlink Power Cinema
VProtect Application
ROC_roc_ssl_v12
AVG Internet Security
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Evernote

Can I attach any of the files that I posted to the Malware Forum? Tim wanted me to uninstall a few of those programs, but I'm not able to in safe mode.

Thanks for any help you can give me!!

Margaret

 

BTW, the guy who ran a diagnostic on my computer at Office Max said that my Windows Driver Package - Toshiba (FwLnk) System and the Toshiba Face Recognition Programs were very large and he thought that maybe that's where the virus/malware had attached itself. The Face Recognition software is 1.6G and the Driver Pkg is 2.27G. How can I tell if this is too big? I tried to Google info about how big these programs should be, but didn't get anywhere...

 

From Safe Mode, run MSConfig from the RUN box. Make it look like this:

http://i45.tinypic.com/4g2hae.jpg

Reboot to Normal and let's see if that does it. If so, try disabling/uninstalling the items Tim suggested.suggested

 

OK, that worked to get me into normal mode. I don't know if this is right or not, but when the system restarted, everything in startup was disabled from me doing a selective startup with load system services like your pic below shows.

The list is the same as below, but in a different order and everything was disabled.


Toshiba Flash Cards
Google Chrome
Anti-Phishing Domain Advisor
AVG Internet Security
Chicony Traybar
cfFncEnabler
Microsoft Windows Operating System
Microsoft Windows Operating System
Fingerprint Suite Notifier Application
Google Update
Google Talk
Intel(R) Common User Interface
HP UT LEDM
Toshiba Button Support
Intel(R) Common User Interface
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
ConfigFree(TM)
Cyberlink Power Cinema
Intel(R) Common User Interface
PwdBank
ROC_roc_ssl_v12
HD Audio Control Panel
Realtek Voice Manager
Toshiba Zooming Utility
Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0
Toshiba HDD Protection
Toshiba Service Station
Toshiba Power Saver
UsbMonitor
VProtect Application
Windows Defender
Yahoo! Mail
Evernote

I've taken care of everything Tim told me to do. It was just getting rid of some of those malware finding programs (I think). Anyway, with everything disabled, I seem to be running just fine. Does that mean that my problem is with a startup item? Also, where can I find out about the files Office Max told me were too large?

Thanks again, Margaret

 

OK, what I would do would be to enable a few of these items at a time and reboot to normal. If it works, add a few more on another reboot. I suspect that you will get to a point where an additional added item will bring the problem back. No problem, tho, you can re-disable that item and we'll see what a solution is from there...

As an aside, Google Update, Yahoo! Mail, and Google Talk would not be on my list of startups, I don't think you need for these to execute on boot. They should fire up when the app is launched. Consider if you really need/use this fingerprint thing. Uninstall anything you are not really using.

You need to trim this list of startup items down.

OK?

 

Absolutely!! I don't even use the fingerprint thing and whenever the startup is finished, I go into the icon tray and exit out of things that way because I didn't know how to do it the way you just showed me.

Honestly, you tell me what to get rid of for startup and I will. Mostly, some of it I'm afraid to do anything because I pretty much have no clue what it is. Or, if it has Toshiba in the name, I really won't touch it because my laptop is a Toshiba and I think that it will somehow do something to the computer...

Would you be interested in seeing the report that Office Max ran?

Margaret

 

Yes, can you post a screen shot of it?

In the meantime, have you started adding items back?

 

No, I can't do a screen shot because it's longer than the page. I added back in Windows Defender, AVG, and the anti-phishing thing. The computer is slow and I think it was slow before I added those 3 things.

Here's the link to the Office Max report:

file:///C:/Users/puttchen/Documents/ctrlcenter%20PC%20Health%20Check/ctrlcenter%20PC%20Health%20Check%20ScanReport.html

I used the hyper link thing in the toolbar, but it doesn't look right to me. Maybe it's supposed to look that way...

Should I keep adding stuff back in even though the computer is slowing down? It's definitely slower than when I was in safe mode. I go into FB and play Bingo to see exactly how slow my computer is. I'm usually about 3 moves behind due to slowness. In safe mode, I'm right on target.

Margaret

 

I don't think the hyper link works. Here's a copy and paste of the report. I wish it were more specific...


ctrlcenter PC Health Check Report Monday, August 27, 2012 02:21 PM
Your overall PC health status
POOR
2 Critical Problems Unsolved, 4 Suggestions
Please review the results below
Our Recommendation:
Full In-Store Diagnostic and Repair
With this service your ctrlcenter Online Technician will use the latest diagnostic and resolution techniques to troubleshoot your computer problem and recommend appropriate repair.
Call now at
1-888-869-3917
and talk to our experienced Personal Technology Expert
Detailed Report
Performance Status: POOR
Junk Files7.73 GB of junk files found
Removing junk files from your computer enables your PC to run faster and helps you reclaim valuable hard disk space.
Total junk files found : 7.73 GB. (Approximate size)
Firefox cache 1034332.16 KB
Internet Explorer cache 387606.00 KB
Recycle bin 6562281.18 KB
Temporary files 116333.47 KB
Windows Optimization13 problem(s) identified
Optimizes and maintains your PC to run faster by turning off unwanted services and system settings.
Windows Optimization
Recycle bin size configuration Not Optimal
Internet Explorer simultaneous downloads settings Not Optimal
Microsoft DFS Replication service Not Optimal
Microsoft Distributed Link Tracking Service Not Optimal
Microsoft ISCSI Service Not Optimal
Microsoft Problem and Report service Not Optimal
Microsoft SNMP Trap service Not Optimal
Microsoft WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto Discovery Service Not Optimal
CD ROM Autoplay Not Optimal
Microsoft Windows Mail Splash Screen Not Optimal
Firefox cache size Configuration Not Optimal
Windows Vista critical services Not Optimal
Network Settings Not Optimal
Disk SpaceOptimal
Security Status: POOR
Malware SymptomsFound
Your system may be infected with malware. Verify your Antivirus is up-to-date and rescan your computer. If problem persists contact our ctrlcenter Personal Technology Experts or visit your closest Office Max store.
Quick Malware ScanOptimal
AntivirusDisabled
Ensures your PC is protected from attack of malicious programs. Keep your Anti-virus upto date to ensure total protection.
Antivirus Version Status Definition Status
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012.0.2197 Disabled Unknown
Your Antivirus is turned OFF. Turn ON your Antivirus software.
AntispywareDisabled
Ensures your PC is protected from attack of adware and spyware. Keep your Anti-spyware upto date to ensure total protection.
Antispyware Version Status Definition Status
Windows Defender Vista 1.1.1600.0 Disabled 1.0.0.0
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012.0.2197 Disabled Unknown
Your Antispyware is turned OFF. Turn ON your Antispyware software.
FirewallOptimal
Windows UpdateOptimal
Data Status: GOOD
Data Backup SoftwareNot found
It is important to take regular data backups in order to avoid data loss resulting from any system failure or accident.
Ctrlcenter recommends online data backup to protect your important files in the event of computer loss. Please contact our ctrlcenter Personal Technology Experts or visit your closest Office Max store to discuss options for secure, on-line data backup.
System Restore CheckOptimal
System Status: GOOD
Service PackOptimal
ProcessorOptimal
Physical MemoryOptimal
Video Graphics CardOptimal

I used CCleaner and probably solved part of what is above here. I didn't do the internet cache though. Mostly because I don't know how to, but do you think that's causing a slow computer? Anti-virus type of stuff was turned off during this scan because it wouldn't let them do the diagnostic.

Margaret

 

That's a link to a file on your computer, no way for me to see that. But let's forget that for now.

disable these things in startup:
Chicony Traybar
Google Update
Google Talk
Cyberlink Power Cinema
ConfigFree(TM)
PwdBank
ROC_roc_ssl_v12
HP UT LEDM
Realtek Voice Manager
Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0
Yahoo! Mail
Evernote
Google Update
Google Talk
Toshiba Flash Cards
UsbMonitor

Boot to normal mode download http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5318 and run this defrag program.

Also, double click the My Computer icon on your desktop, right click the C: drive, go to Properties and let me know how free space and used space you have.

 

I'm going to have to pick up with this another day... I got all the way down to 5 things left to turn on and froze in a timer thing. I had to start all over. Nothing is enabled or whatever right now and it's slow as all. We have company coming in for the weekend so I will have to try out turning them on little by little. I'll keep you posted. I'm just not understanding why the computer is so slow with nothing on. It only runs good in safe mode, but then I have no access to printing or the card reader.

Where can I find info on the file size of the face recognition software and the Windows driver pkg?

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Margaret