Computer running slower than molasses in January!

In the past week, my computer is running slower and slower. The arrow blinks in and out, and everything lags. I can't identify any program I've loaded in that time to cause it. I've run CCCleaner like I always do, and run HijackThis (log below) and I've attached the DDS and ATTACH files I ran.
I also did all the steps in the sticky post, but no dice.

Please help!!!
Thanks!



Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:11:48 AM, on 1/28/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\MyPrinter\BJMyPrt.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Risco ReaderKEY2 Client\rk2client.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\MicroStar\WLANUtility\WlanUtility.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\MicroStar\WLANUtility\WLAN_Service.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgpc01.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Canon Easy-WebPrint EX BHO - {3785D0AD-BFFF-47F6-BF5B-A587C162FED9} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint EX\ewpexbho.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CanonMyPrinter] C:\Program Files\Canon\MyPrinter\BJMyPrt.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CanonSolutionMenu] C:\Program Files\Canon\SolutionMenu\CNSLMAIN.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [googletalk] C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe /autostart
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Risco ReaderKEY2 Client.lnk = C:\Program Files\Risco ReaderKEY2 Client\rk2client.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WlanUtility.lnk = C:\Program Files\MicroStar\WLANUtility\WlanUtility.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbars\Restrictions present
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: HP Smart Select - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O13 - DefaultPrefix:
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.bing.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.doccentral.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.fnismls.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.rdesk.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.rexplorer.net
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.safemls.net
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.showingtime.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sitexdata.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.spellchecker.net
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.transactionpoint.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.trpoint.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.xmlsweb.com
O15 - Trusted IP range: http://192.168.1.1
O15 - ESC Trusted IP range: http://192.168.1.1
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - Smart Link - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe

--
End of file - 6948 bytes

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.

Please take note:

• If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know.
• If you are unable to create a log because your computer cannot start up successfully please provide detailed information about your installed Windows Operating System including the Version, Edition and if it is a 32bit or a 64bit system.
  
  • If you are unsure about any of these characteristics just post what you can and we will guide you.
• Please tell us if you have your original Windows CD/DVD available.
• If you are unable to perform the steps we have recommended please try one more time and if unsuccessful alert us of such and we will design an alternate means of obtaining the necessary information.
• 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.

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:

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

Thanks and again sorry for the delay.

Casey

Attached please find the files you've requested. There are no improvements since I posted this a week ago.

Hoping you can help, as I'm getting desperate at this point!

Thanks!

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer.

*Please enable topic reply notification, follow step # 4 -> Here.

*It is important not to make any further changes or run any other tools/updates unless instructed to. This may hinder the cleaning process of your machine.

*Please do not attach logs unless instructed.

*You must reply within 5 days otherwise this topic will be closed.


====================================


1. Download Security Check by screen317 from here or here.

• Save it to your Desktop.
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.

2. Please run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Go to update tab and download all updates and then perform a full scan.

• The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts, click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.

As requested, here are the logs. Please note that I'd run both HiJackThis as well as the Malwared program already with no signs of infections.

Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.8
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Out of date service pack!!
Internet Explorer 8
``````````````````````````````
Antivirus/Firewall Check:
Windows Firewall Enabled!
```````````````````````````````
Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
HijackThis 2.0.2
CCleaner
Java™ 6 Update 20
Out of date Java installed!
Adobe Flash Player 10.1.102.64
Adobe Reader 9.3.4
Out of date Adobe Reader installed!
Mozilla Firefox (3.6.13)
````````````````````````````````
Process Check:
objlist.exe by Laurent
``````````End of Log````````````

____________________________________________________________________________________________-

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 5681

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

2/4/2011 9:15:38 PM
mbam-log-2011-02-04 (21-15-38).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 183252
Time elapsed: 23 minute(s), 19 second(s)

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

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Hi,

Do you recognize the following websites and put them on trusted zone:

Trusted Zone: bing.com
Trusted Zone: doccentral.com
Trusted Zone: fnismls.com
Trusted Zone: rdesk.com
Trusted Zone: rexplorer.net
Trusted Zone: safemls.net
Trusted Zone: showingtime.com
Trusted Zone: sitexdata.com
Trusted Zone: spellchecker.net
Trusted Zone: transactionpoint.com
Trusted Zone: trpoint.com
Trusted Zone: xmlsweb.com


==============================================


Please use Internet Explorer to perform a BitDefender Online Virus and Malware Scan

• Click on I Agree.
• If an Active X warning box will appear Click on Install.
  Note: If you got the message:"Could not load the Online Scanner! Click here for other possible fixes", it means Internet Explorer has blocked the Active X being installed. Just above the page under the Internet Explorer toolbar you see this message:
  "This website wants to install the following add-on: "Bitdefender OnlineScanner v8' from 'BITDEFENDER LLC'. If you trust the website and the add-on and want to install it, click here..."
  Click on that and select: Install Active x.
• Now Click On Start Scan. Please wait as it might take some time.
• If it found anything when it finished click Click here to export the scan report
• Give the report a name and save it. The file will be a .HTML file.
• Please attach the file to your reply.
• To attach the file press ADDREPLY, under the reply window press Browse... show the path to the file on your computer.
• Highlight the file and click Open then press the green UPLOAD button.

These programs are all work-related. Except Bing, but I've not heard that search program causes a computer to lag. I know nothing about spellchecker.net and don't remember adding it as a safe zone into the safe zone.

Attached is the BidDefender report. Holy crap, did it find some stuff! And one it couldn't fix.

Ok, almost all these "infections" were emails in outlook (which is no longer my email program, as I use Google Apps now) and were messages I never opened anyway. I don't see any that are active and resident on my computer.

The computer is lagging even when trying to play a DVD I rented out of a RedBox.

Really need to get this computer working.

Thanks!
Aaron

Hi,

Most of the infections are located on your Outlook so I recommend that you delete all the outlook messages with attachment unless you're 100% sure that it's clean.

Please open Internet Explorer > Click on Tools > Internet Options > Click on Security Tab > choose Trusted Sites > click the Sites tab and from there remove all sites that you don't recognize.


=====================================


P2P Warning:

Your log(s) show that you are using so called peer-to-peer or file-sharing programmes (in your case BitTorrent).

These programmes allow to share files between users as the name(s) suggest. In today's world the cyber crime has come to an enormous dimension and any means is used to infect personal computers to make use of their stored data or machine power for further propagation of the malware files. A popular means is the use of file-sharing tools as a tremendous amount of prospective victims can be reached through it.

It is therefore possible to be infected by downloading manipulated files via peer-to-peer tools and thus suggested to be used with intense care. Some further readings on this subject, along the included links, are as follows: "File-Sharing, otherwise known as Peer To Peer" and "Risks of File-Sharing Technology."

It is also important to note that sharing entertainment files and proprietary software infringes the copyright laws in many countries over the world and you are putting yourself at risk of being indicted through organisations watching over the rights of the authors of such files (i.e. the RIAA for music files, or the MPAA for movie files in the USA) or the authors of the files themselves.

Naturally there are also legal ways to use these services, such as downloading Linux distributions or office suites such as "Open Office."

=====================================


1. Download Combofix (by Subs) from any of the links below, make sure that you save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2

• It's important to temporary disable your anti-virus and anti-malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. See HERE

• Close any open windows, including this one.

• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.

• ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed.

*It's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal.
*The Windows Recovery Console will allow you to boot up into a special recovery (repair) mode.
*This allows us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.

• If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures. If you did not have it installed, you will see the prompt below. Choose YES.

• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

• When prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

• Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

• Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

• When finished, it will produce a report for you. Please post the contents of the log (C:\ComboFix.txt).

Important notes:

• Leave your computer alone while ComboFix is running.
• ComboFix will restart your computer if malware is found; allow it to do so.
• ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.
• Please do not mouseclick combofix's window while its running because it may call it to stall.
• ComboFix SHOULD NOT be used unless requested by a forum helper. See HERE.

2. I don't see an Anti Virus Program running on your machine

• Download and install an antivirus program, and make sure that you keep it updated
  New viruses come out every minute, so it is essential that you have the latest signatures for your antivirus program to provide you with the best possible protection from malicious software.
  Two good antivirus programs free for non-commercial home use are Avast! and Antivir
  
  Note: You should only have one antivirus installed at a time. Having more than one antivirus program installed at once is likely to cause conflicts and may well decrease your overall protection as well as impairing the performance of your PC.

Next step done. ComboFix log attached.

Aaron

Hi,

Looking good, next steps will take time to complete so please be patient.


1. Please go to this link -> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/the-importance-of-disk-defragmentation/ and follow the steps to perform a Disk Defragmentation.


2. Please check volume for errors.

• To check the volume for errors:
• Click start and then My Computer.
• Right click the drive C and select Properties.
• Under Tools tab press Check Now...
• Put a check mark in both items and press start.
• If you get a message click Yes to schedule the disk check and click OK and then restart your computer to start the disk check. Please be patient and let the system run. In some cases it might take a couple of hours and you don't have to sit there the whole time.

In the beginning post I told you all the things I've done already. I do a disk defrag daily. Along with cache sweep, etc. Trust me when I say the easy stuff's been done. What's wrong with this computer is not the easy steps a first-time computer user doesn't know how to do. All the stuff that is recommended on the stickies on this website to help has been tried.

Disk defrag done.
Registry clean done.

What's next, please?
Thanks!

Hi,

Did you check the volume for errors (CheckDisk)?

We do not recommend the usage of registry cleaners / tools due to the following facts:

*Registry tools can cause irreparable damage to your Operating System
*Registry tools can, as a result of the above, render your pc to be inoperable.

This is done, assuming that the major audience here at this board might be inexperienced users and thus a suggested safeguard from our side.

Cleaning the registry won't really improve system performance, even though there a lot of orphaned keys.
IMHO, if registry cleaning was required, then Microsoft would have added this option. So you use registry at you own risk. After all, a corrupted registry is a corrupted Windows.

Registry Cleaners and System Tweaking Tools


==================================================


1. Download TDSSKiller.zip from Kaspersky and save it to your Desktop.

• Extract the zip file to its own folder.
• Double click TDSSKiller.exe to run the program (Run as Administrator for Vista/Windows 7).
• Click Start scan to start scanning.
• If infection is detected, the default setting for "action" is Cure (Please click on it and change it to skip).
• Click on Report to generate a log.
• Please post that log when you reply.

2. We need to create an OTL Report

• Please download OTL from one of the following mirrors:
  • This is THE Mirror
• Save it to your desktop.
• Double click on the icon on your desktop.
• Click the "Scan All Users" checkbox.
• Push the button.
• Two reports will open, copy and paste them in a reply here:
  • OTListIt.txt <-- Will be opened
  • Extra.txt <-- Will be minimized

Edited by sempai, 07 February 2011 - 05:07 AM.

Attached are the files from the above steps.

What's next?

Thanks!
Aaron

Hi,

Please go to Windows Update using Internet Explorer and install all High priority update including SP3. Also please consider adding more RAM.