slow and noisy computer. more advice needed.

recently my computer has become quite slow and has become unusually noisy (stop-start creeking sound).

i've tried antivirus scanning, clean up and other ways that i found useful on this site but to no avail.

can anyone help me please. Thanks in advance.

If your computer/browser seems to be slow, please refer to Slow Computer/Browser? Check here first; it may not be malware. There are reasons for slowness besides malware - i.e. disk fragmentation, disk errors, corrupt system files, too many startup programs, unnecessary services running, not enough RAM, dirty hardware components, etc. As your system gets older it becomes filled with more files/programs and has a natural tendency to slow down so cleaning and regular maintenance is essential.

Hi..i've tried everything that you have suggested but nothing has changed. I'm starting to think its a virus that my antivirus can't pick up.

any suggestions? Thanks again for your help

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (v1.37) and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate 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.
• 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.

Here is the log from MBAM.


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.37
Database version: 2191
Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1

29/05/2009 11:20:41
mbam-log-2009-05-29 (11-20-41).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 67032
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 3 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 9
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\nowstarter.nowstarterctrl.1 (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6f553c18-15e6-4e5e-8f44-add50de754ed} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{0409743c-e5e3-4bdd-9ec7-eff622530282} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{40722371-e24c-4b36-8e76-010bb6c7185b} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{825c19d3-35ce-428f-876b-88e080466689} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ModuleUsage\c:/windows/downloaded program files/nowstarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs\C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\NowStarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\NowStarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Now rescan again with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware but this time perform a Full Scan in normal mode and check all items found for removal. Don't forgot to check for database definition updates through the program's interface (preferable method) before scanning and to reboot afterwards. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware. When done, click the Logs tab and copy/paste the contents of the new report in your next reply.

Lets do another anti-malware scan to see if we find anything else that MBAM may have missed.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune & save it to your desktop. DO NOT use yet.
alternate download link

Then download and install SUPERAntiSpyware Free

• Double-click SUPERAntiSypware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
• An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
• If it will not start, go to Start > All Prgrams > SUPERAntiSpyware and click on Alternate Start.
• If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here. Double-click on the hyperlink for Download Installer and save SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to your desktop. Then double-click on SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to install the definitions.)
• In the Main Menu, click the Preferences... button.
• Click the "General and Startup" tab, and under Start-up Options, make sure "Start SUPERAntiSpyware when Windows starts" box is unchecked.
• Click the "Scanning Control" tab, and under Scanner Options, make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
  • Close browsers before scanning.
  • Scan for tracking cookies.
  • Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
• Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen and exit the program.
• Do not run a scan just yet.

Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode" using the F8 method. To do this, restart your computer and after hearing your computer beep once during startup (but before the Windows icon appears) press the F8 key repeatedly. A menu will appear with several options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and select the option to run Windows in "Safe Mode".

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.

• Under Main "Select Files to Delete" 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.
  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.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
• Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

Note: On Vista, "Windows Temp" is disabled. To empty "Windows Temp" ATF-Cleaner must be "Run as an Administrator".

Scan with SUPERAntiSpyware as follows:

• Launch the program and back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
• On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
• On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan and click "Next".
• After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
• Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
• A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
• If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes" and reboot normally.
• To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
  • Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
  • Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
  • If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log. A text file will open in your default text editor.
  • Please copy and paste the Scan Log results in your next reply.
• Click Close to exit the program.

If you cannot boot into safe mode, then perform your scans in normal mode.

Just finished with the full scan with MBAM. As far as i can see its the same infections found from quick scan. Also, when i reboot afterwards, just before the computer starts over again i get a pop up from spyware doctor that theres a 'medium threat trojan virus' found..unfortunately i cannot see it in detail as the pc reboots seconds later. This has happened everytime i rebooted after scanning from MBAM.



Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.37
Database version: 2191
Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1

29/05/2009 16:11:59
mbam-log-2009-05-29 (16-11-59).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|E:\|F:\|G:\|H:\|I:\|)
Objects scanned: 155066
Time elapsed: 56 minute(s), 36 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 9
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\nowstarter.nowstarterctrl.1 (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\{072039ab-2117-4ed5-a85f-9b9eb903e021} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6f553c18-15e6-4e5e-8f44-add50de754ed} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{0409743c-e5e3-4bdd-9ec7-eff622530282} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{40722371-e24c-4b36-8e76-010bb6c7185b} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{825c19d3-35ce-428f-876b-88e080466689} (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ModuleUsage\c:/windows/downloaded program files/nowstarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs\C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\NowStarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\NowStarter.ocx (Adware.CWS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.


i'll now scan with other programmes u have suggested. Thanks again i really do appreciate your help.

I think the superanti spyware caught the trojan virus. BUt still cant tell if the pc is running normally..heres the log for it anyway.

SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 05/29/2009 at 07:01 PM

Application Version : 4.26.1004

Core Rules Database Version : 3915
Trace Rules Database Version: 1859

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 02:17:06

Memory items scanned : 557
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 6328
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 408653
File threats detected : 25

Adware.Tracking Cookie
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean An\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Cookies\Low\sean_an@ade.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Cookies\Low\sean_an@adv.realclick.co[1].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Cookies\sean_an@mylook5.dmcmedia.co[2].txt
C:\Users\Sean An\Cookies\sean_an@richmedia.yahoo[1].txt

Trojan.Downloader-GRDMgr
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\GRDMGR.EXE

Some infections are difficult to remove completely because of their morphing characteristics which allows the malware to regenerate itself. Sometimes there is hidden piece of malware (i.e. rootkit) which has not been detected by your security tools that protects malicious files and registry keys so they cannot be permanently deleted. Disinfection will probably require the use of more powerful tools than we recommend in this forum. Before that can be done you will need you to create and post a DDS/HijackThis log for further investigation.

Please read the pinned topic titled "Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log". If you cannot complete a step, then skip it and continue with the next. In Step 6 there are instructions for downloading and running DDS which will create a Pseudo HJT Report as part of its log.

When you have done that, post your log in the HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal forum, NOT here, for assistance by the HJT Team Experts. A member of the Team will walk you through, step by step, on how to clean your computer. If you post your log back in this thread, the response from the HJT Team will be delayed because your post will have to be moved. This means it will fall in line behind any others posted that same day.

Start a new topic, give it a relevant title and post your log along with a brief description of your problem, a summary of any anti-malware tools you have used and a summary of any steps that you have performed on your own. An expert will analyze your log and reply with instructions advising you what to fix. After doing this, we would appreciate if you post a link to your log back here so we know that your getting help from the HJT Team.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are very busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT "bump" your post or make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

ok thanks..will try that out later.

again. thanks for your very useful help

Hello,

Now that you have posted a log here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/230651/infected-by-some-sort-of-trojan/ you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a HJT Team member, nor should you continue to ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show in the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.

From this point on the HJT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are EXTREMELY busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond. Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response but your log will be reviewed and answered as soon as possible

To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic. Good luck with your log.

Orange Blossom