Virus Infection? Can't Tell...

Below is a message I posted recently to CNET, from where someone recommended I download and run HiJack This and post the log to here. This is the best description I can give of this problem, and I'd really like to knock it out ASAP. Can anyone help? Log file attached.

Hello,

I'm running a Windows XP Professional OS (has SP3) on a computer I had built a little over a year ago. It has worked fine, until recently.

Something has happened to my computer over the last weekend, and I can't seem to figure out what. Here's what's happening:

*Boot up and shut down times have increased to a ridiculous level.
*After loading more or less normally, after a few minutes, XP window themes and colors go to a grey appearance you normally get while running things in Safe Mode.
*Around this time, I usually get an error message that reads... "Generic Host Process for Win32 has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
*My Avast! anti-virus starts telling me in rapid succession that it's blocking malicious viruses, URLs, trojans, and so on.
*Sound eventually disappears on most videos and Flash programs, even though some system sounds will register. Checking the volume in the task tray reveals that speakers are not being detected and recognized by Windows.
*Browser searches and links are occasionally hijacked to Tazinga.

I or others have tried the following:
*Updating virus definitions on Avast and running several different scans. A few things found and deleted, but no real effect.
*Installing Malwarebytes and doing several scans with it. Again, one or two things found and deleted, but no real effect.
*Updating Flash drivers (maybe it was a factor in the error messages? I dunno). No real effect.
*Starting XP in Safe Mode, and eventually attempting a System Restore. The few times I've been able to access this command (and they're in the minority of attempts), my computer's restarted, slowly but more or less normally, with a message that System Restore did not restore back to the point I specified, and that no change has been made to my settings.

At this point, I'm feeling pretty tapped out. Can anyone shed any light, make any suggestions, to help me thwart this thing? I'd really appreciate any help!

Best,
Tony

************ADDENDUM************
Err, okay another complication... I can't attach the log file, nor can I paste it to this post. Whenever I try to attach it, I get an error message claiming this website isn't available. The same message comes up whenever I try to append it by pasting. Thoughts?

Edited by tonywgoodwyn, 20 November 2010 - 02:34 AM.

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 another staff member will review your topic an do their best to resolve your issues.

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

We also need a new log from the GMER anti-rootkit scanner. Please first disable any CD emulation programs using the steps found in this topic:

Why we request you disable CD Emulation when receiving Malware Removal Advice

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:

How to create a GMER log

Elle

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is now closed.In the event you still have problems, please send me or any Moderator a Private Message and ask them to reopen this topic within the next 5 days. Please include a link to your topic in the Private Message. Thank you.