Help! Something's In There.....

My computer seems to have slowed down starting a few years ago. I don't know if it's just anger that has built up, but I'm at a breaking point.

Some examples:
59 seconds to load Firefox
32 seconds for "All Programs" to show off of the start menu
When clicking an icon on the desktop , the highlighted/shaded version of the icon slowly loads from top to bottom

I had a virus about 6 months ago and (from what I see) it is gone.

My PC is about 5 years old. I realize I can't expect some ridiculous response rate, but Windows 95, 33.6 modem, this is not.

There's gotta be something wrong that I can fix. I'm almost at the point of desperation where I call those infomercial numbers for like "PC Speed Pro" or some garbage like that.

Some random specs:
Dell Dimension 2400
Pentium 4 2.8GHz
256 MB RAM
Windows XP Pro
75 GB HD (46.5 GB free space)


I just cleaned out the inside of the computer (good idea, it was full of dust), ran AVG, MalwareBytes, SUPERAntiSpyware, and tried to run the CPU temp programs, but it said my Intel wasn't compatible. I think the cleaning helped a bit, but I think that's more me hoping it helped than it actually helping.



Please help!

One other point. When I had the virus, google links were re-directing. I fixed that through HiJack this and some antivirus software. Not sure if I still have some remnants from that, too.


===========

Hello

While we understand your frustration at having to wait, please note that Bleeping Computer deals with several hundred requests for assistance such as yours on a daily basis. As a result, our backlog is quite large as are other comparable sites that help others with malware issues. Although our HJT Team members work on hundreds of requests each day, they are all volunteers who work logs when they can and are able to do so. No one is paid by Bleeping Computer for their assistance to our members.

Further, our malware removal staff is comprised of team members with various levels of skill and expertise to deal with thousands of malware variants, some more complex than others. Although we try to take DDS/HJT logs in order (starting with the oldest), it is often the skill level of the particular helper and sometimes the operating system that dictates which logs get selected first. Some infections are more complicated than others and require a higher skill level to remove. Without that skill level attempted removal could result in disastrous results. In other instances, the helper may not be familiar with the operating system that you are using, since they use another. In either case, neither of us want someone to assist you who is not familiar with your issue and attempt to fix it.

We ask that once you have posted your log and are waiting, please DO NOT "bump" your thread or make further replies until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. The reason we ask this or do not respond to your requests is because that would remove you from the active queue that Techs and Staff have access to. The malware 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.

That is why I have made an edit to your last post, instead of a reply. Please do not multiple post here, as that only pushes you further down the queue and causes confusion to the staff.

Please be patient. It may take several days, up to two weeks perhaps less, to get a response but your log will be reviewed and answered as soon as possible. I advise checking your topic once a day for responses as the e-mail notification system is unreliable.

Thank you for understanding.

Elise - forum moderator

Edited by elise025, 16 January 2010 - 02:00 PM.

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer

We apologize for the delay in responding to your request for help. Here at Bleeping Computer we get overwhelmed at times, and we are trying our best to keep up. Please note that your topic was not intentionally overlooked. Our mission is to help everyone in need, but sometimes it takes just a little longer to get to every request for help. No one is ignored here.

If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know. If not please perform the following steps below so we can have a look at the current condition of your machine.

If you have not done so, include a clear description of the problems you're having, along with any steps you may have performed so far.

Upon completing the steps below I will review and take the steps necessary with you to get your machine back in working order clean and free of malware.

If you have already posted a DDS log, please do so again, as your situation may have changed.
Use the 'Add Reply' and add the new log to this thread.


Thanks and again sorry for the delay.

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links. 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 explaination 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


And

We Need to check for Rootkits with RootRepeal

• Download RootRepeal from the following location and save it to your desktop.
  
  First Location
  Second Location
  Third Location
  
  
• Open on your desktop.
• Click the tab.
• Click the button.
• Check all seven boxes:
• Push Ok
• Check the box for your main system drive (Usually C:), and press Ok.
• Allow RootRepeal to run a scan of your system. This may take some time.
• Once the scan completes, push the button. Save the log to your desktop, using a distinctive name, such as RootRepeal.txt. Include this report in your next reply, please.

Thank you very much for the response.

Here are the logs that came from those programs.

I feel like it's getting even slower. Help!

A few remnants and the first one could be causing the problems.

Backup Your Registry with ERUNT

• Please use the following link and scroll down to ERUNT and download it.
  http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php
• For version with the Installer:
  Use the setup program to install ERUNT on your computer
• For the zipped version:
  Unzip all the files into a folder of your choice.

Click Erunt.exe to backup your registry to the folder of your choice.

Note: to restore your registry, go to the folder and start ERDNT.exe


We need to execute an OTM script

1. Please download OTM by OldTimer and save it to your desktop.
2. Double click the icon on your desktop.
3. Paste the following code under the area. Do not include the word "Code".
   
   CODE
   :reg
   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\control\lsa]
   "Notification Packages"=hex(7):73,63,65,63,6c,69,00,00
   :files
   c:\program files\common files\qihavewy.bat
4. Push the large button.
5. OTM may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.
6. Copy/Paste the contents under the line here in your next reply.
7. If you are unable to copy/paste from this window (as will be the case if the machine was rebooted), open Notepad (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Notepad), click File->Open, in the File Name box enter *.log and press the Enter key, navigate to the C:\_OTM\MovedFiles folder, and open the newest .log file present, and copy/paste the contents of that document back here in your next post.

Then please run ESET

I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

1. Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
   ESET OnlineScan
2. Click the button.
3. For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
   1. Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
   2. Double click on the icon on your desktop.
4. Check
5. Click the button.
6. Accept any security warnings from your browser.
7. Check
8. Push the Start button.
9. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
10. When the scan completes, push
11. Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
12. Push the button.
13. Push

Finally post a new DDS log.

Thanks

Edited by m0le, 19 January 2010 - 08:22 AM.

OK, here are my results. Thanks again for helping me out!



========== REGISTRY ==========
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\control\lsa\\"Notification Packages"|hex(7):73,63,65,63,6c,69,00,00 /E : value set successfully!
========== FILES ==========
c:\program files\common files\qihavewy.bat moved successfully.

OTM by OldTimer - Version 3.1.6.0 log created on 01222010_223606

That's cleared that out then.

Please run JavaRa to update Java and remove previous versions.

Old versions of Java are big doors to malware. JavaRa removes them and updates your version to the most current.

Please download JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it to its own folder

• Run JavaRa.exe, pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
• Accept any prompts.
• Open JavaRa.exe again and select Search For Updates.
• Select Update Using Sun Java's Website then click Search and click on the Open Webpage button. Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version for your computer.
  
  Please make sure you turn on the Java Automatic Update Feature
  
  Then you will not have to remember to update it when Java introduces a new version.
  Java is updated very frequently, and the old versions are malware magnets.
  
  Note: This feature is available only on Windows XP, 2003, 2000 (SP2 or higher) and set by default for these operating systems.

How is the PC now?

Hi,

I have not had a reply from you for 3 days. Can you please tell me if you still need help with your computer as I am unable to help other members with their problems while I have your topic still open. The time taken between posts can also change the situation with your PC making it more difficult to help you.

If you like you can PM me.

Thanks,

m0le

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact me via pm with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.