BleepingComputer.com: Computer extremely slow after windows xp update

A windows xp automatic update installed automatically a couple of days ago. After the automatic restart I had some problems.
It starts fine, no apparent problems. But when I try to open something, it takes forever.
Almost five minutes for the start menu To open! I can't even open most applications.
I restarted in safe mode (even safe mode is rather slow, but not a bad) then ran avg overnight. In the morning it was finished but automatically closed so I'm not sure if it found anything. I then ran ccleaner and cleaned the registry. Still very slow. In normal mode I ran rkill and it killed five files in the avg folder.
Avgtray.exe
Avgfws.exe
Avgwdsvc.exe
Avgidsagent.exe
Avgam.exe
And of course r kill

Still very slow after killing all these.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

This post has been edited by Orange Blossom: 13 October 2011 - 02:15 PM
Reason for edit: Moved to AII for initial assistance. ~ OB

Hello, reg cleaners can also cause more trouble.
Well if you reboot the machine the files RKill stoped will go back as it does not remove anything.

Please download MiniToolBox, save it to your desktop and run it.

Checkmark the following checkboxes:

• Flush DNS
  
• Report IE Proxy Settings
  
• Reset IE Proxy Settings
  
• Report FF Proxy Settings
  
• Reset FF Proxy Settings
  
• List content of Hosts
  
• List IP configuration
  
• List Winsock Entries
  
• List last 10 Event Viewer log
  
• List Installed Programs
  
• List Users, Partitions and Memory size.
  
• List Minidump Files

Click Go and post the result (Result.txt). A copy of Result.txt will be saved in the same directory the tool is run.

Note: When using "Reset FF Proxy Settings" option Firefox should be closed.



Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

Download Link 1
Download Link 2

MBAM may "make changes to your registry" as part of its disinfection routine. If using other security programs that detect registry changes (ie Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere or alert you. Temporarily disable such programs or permit them to allow the changes.

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
  
• Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
  For instructions with screenshots, please refer to the How to use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Guide.
  
• When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
  
• When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  
  
• Then click Finish.

MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan.

• If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
  
• If you encounter any problems while downloading the definition updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

On the Scanner tab:

• Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
  
• Then click on the Scan button.
  
• If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
  
• The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
  
• When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
  
• Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.

Back at the main Scanner screen:

• Click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
  
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad.
  
• The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply. Be sure to post the complete log to include the top portion which shows MBAM's database version and your operating system.
  
• Exit MBAM when done.

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be asked to reboot your computer so MBAM can proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

Troubleshoot Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware