BleepingComputer.com: laggy internet, occasional popups, google links not loading properly

I'm not sure if this is due to a virus or a laggy ISP, but I have been receiving lag every once in a while on my reformatted hardrive. There are popups every now and then when I click a link, even from trusted websites. Links from google show up blank, and I have to re-enter the URL for it to load (not sure if this is related). I use Firefox with Windows 7 and below is a HijackThis log:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 7:47:38 PM, on 8/15/2011
Platform: Windows 7 (WinNT 6.00.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Gateway MyBackup\BackupManagerTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway Photo Frame\ButtonMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://homepage.gateway.com/rdr.aspx?b=ACGW&l=0409&m=sx2802&r=173608117807p0338v115k48n1r280
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://homepage.gateway.com/rdr.aspx?b=ACGW&l=0409&m=sx2802&r=173608117807p0338v115k48n1r280
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Partner BHO Class - {83FF80F4-8C74-4b80-B5BA-C8DDD434E5C4} - C:\ProgramData\Partner\Partner.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: uTorrentBar - {bf7380fa-e3b4-4db2-af3e-9d8783a45bfc} - C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrentBar\prxtbuTor.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: uTorrentBar Toolbar - {bf7380fa-e3b4-4db2-af3e-9d8783a45bfc} - C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrentBar\prxtbuTor.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BackupManagerTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Gateway MyBackup\BackupManagerTray.exe" -h -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NortonOnlineBackupReminder] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\Activation\NobuActivation.exe" UNATTENDED
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Gateway Photo Frame] C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway Photo Frame\ButtonMonitor.exe -A
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -silent
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: GameConsoleService - WildTangent, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway Games\Gateway Game Console\GameConsoleService.exe
O23 - Service: GRegService (Greg_Service) - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway\Registration\GregHSRW.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAANTMon.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NTI IScheduleSvc - NewTech Infosystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Gateway MyBackup\IScheduleSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Partner Service - Google Inc. - C:\ProgramData\Partner\Partner.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Updater Service - Acer - C:\Program Files\Gateway\Gateway Updater\UpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 9368 bytes


Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer!

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• If you have not done so already, include a clear description of the problems you're having, along with any steps you may have performed so far.
  
• A new DDS and GMER log. For your convenience, you will find the instructions for generating these logs repeated at the bottom of this post.
  
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We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan again:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links if you no longer have it available. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
    
  • DDS.pif
  
  
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
  
• A small box will open, with an explanation about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
  
• Notepad will open with the results.
  
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results.
  
• Close the program window, and delete the program from your desktop.

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet.

Information on A/V control HERE


We also need a new log from the GMER anti-rootkit Scanner.

Please note that if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows you will not be able to run GMER and you may skip this step.

Please first disable any CD emulation programs using the steps found in this topic:


Then create another GMER log and post it as an attachment to the reply where you post your new DDS log. Instructions on how to properly create a GMER log can be found here:



As I am just a silly little program running on the BleepingComputer.com servers, please do not send me private messages as I do not know how to read and reply to them! Thanks!

still having the same problems that are listed in the first post. attached are the dds logs that you requested, hope to hear back soon.

Hi,

Welcome to Bleeping Computer. My name is m0le and I will be helping you with your log.

You have not attached the DDS or Gmer logs in your last post. Please do so and we can get started.

whoops!
 ddsattachment1.txt (8.74K)
Number of downloads: 2
 ddsattachment2.txt (21.66K)
Number of downloads: 2

hope that works

That worked fine

The DDS shows quite a lot of messiness but no visible malware.

Please first run aswMBR which can pick up any rootkit activity

Please download aswMBR ( 511KB ) to your desktop.

• Double click the aswMBR.exe icon to run it
  
• Click the Scan button to start the scan
  
• On completion of the scan, click the save log button, save it to your desktop and post it in your next reply.

Next please use OTL to provide me with a more detailed scan

• Download OTL to your desktop.
  
• Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
  
• When the window appears, underneath Output at the top change it to Minimal Output.
  
• Under the Standard Registry box change it to All.
  
• Check the boxes beside LOP Check and Purity Check.
  
• Click the Run Scan button. Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long.
  
  • When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt. These are saved in the same location as OTL.
    
  • Please copy (Edit->Select All, Edit->Copy) the contents of these files, one at a time, and post it with your next reply.

 aswMBR.txt (1.79K)
Number of downloads: 4
 OTL.Txt (121.23K)
Number of downloads: 0
 Extras.Txt (35.67K)
Number of downloads: 0

thanks for your help!

Re-Run aswMBR

• Click Scan
  
• On completion of the scan, click the FIX button,
  
• There is a slight pause after clicking the 'Fix' button.
  
• Wait for the tool to report 'Infection fixed successfully', now reboot the machine.
  
• Rebooting the machine prematurely, before seeing this line will result in an incomplete fix.
  
  Note:After the 'Infection fixed successfully' message appears, the machine may became unresponsive. You may have to do a hard boot of your machine. That may be a side effect from the fix. All will be well after the reboot.
  
  
• Save the log as before and post in your next reply.

hi, this is the second time I have tried using the 'fix' button, but it all ends up with me having to do a reinstall (not a full reinstall, but one with a backup)! after the soft reboot prompted by the program, my system goes right into Startup Repair, in which it diagnoses the problem as 'not being able to find the OS loader' (error code = 0x490). This prompts the computer into restarting multiple times after it Startup Repair says that it has 'fixed' the problem with the repair action: System Restore (error code = 0x0). This leads into a loop in which I end up continally on the Startup Repair screen. If possible, I would want to avoid wiping my whole hard drive because of valuable information. Also, I do not have the Windows 7 CD, so what should be my next action?

We need to fix this a different way.

• Download NTBR_CD by noahdfear to the desktop.
  
• Click on the NTBR_CD.exe to extract its contents to the desktop.
  
• Once extracted, open the NTBR_CD folder and click on the BurnItCD application.
  
• Insert a blank CD when prompted. The .iso image will be burned to the CD.
  
• Boot the computer with the CD you just burned and follow the prompts.
  
• Press Enter for English.
  
• At the menu type 1 to select MBRWORK then hit Enter
  
  This screen will show the hard drive configuration.
  
  
  
• Type 5 to Install standard MBR code then hit Enter
  
• Type 1 to select Standard then hit Enter
  
• Type Y then hit Enter to confirm
  
• Type E then hit Enter to exit
  
• Back at the menu, type 6 to Quit.
  
• Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart the machine.
  
• Eject the CD upon restart and boot normally.

If that has worked then please run aswMBR again and post the log.

how large should the CD be?

edit: nevermind, since 4 gigs seemed to be enough.

This post has been edited by supac: 24 August 2011 - 07:17 PM

Yes, these tools are very small programs.

seems fixed so far, but here is a log just in case:
 aswMBR.txt (4.04K)
Number of downloads: 1

thanks again!

That looks good. Just checking, are you saying that the symptoms have all gone now?

There are still things to be done so please respond.