microsoft security essentials slows XP?

hello,

i recently was infected with some type of virus which spontaneously opened a new web page while surfing which was usually some type of financial ad. the pc also froze pretty often. the security on the system was Norton provided by the isp comcast. countless scans with Norton and other common free av programs (avast, avg, avira, malware bytes, etc.) did not solve the problem. i chanced upon a link to Combo Fix and tried it before finding this site which says not to use it w/o being instructed to. it said it cleaned a "rootkit" and the above problems have not recurred. so now i have the free avast version as my av as it was the last that i tried before using Combo Fix. i also have included windows firewall as my firewall. someone suggested to me that i use microsoft security essentials instead of avast as it is less draining on my system. but i have read that while microsoft security essentials works well with windows 7 and vista, it can cause xp to slow and freeze. i was wondering if you agreed with this. well really i was wondering what would be good free av and firewall for my situation. i dont really know what info regarding my system to provide to help you better answer that. here is what system properties says:

Microsoft Windows XP, home edition, version 2002, service pack 3 (i think ive seen that it is 32 bit, not sure)
Intel Pentium 4 2.80 ghz 2.79 ghz, 512 mb of ram

oh, and i was trying to determine how much Avast was draining system but really didnt know how. in processes on the task manager there were 2 with Avast in the name and they used between about 3,500 to 10,000 k. is that a lot and is that not really all that it is using? the program itself is over 100mb.


thank you and please excues my lack of pith, noah

Since you have ran Combofix, please follow the instructions in ==>This Guide<==.

Once the proper logs are created, then make a NEW TOPIC and post it ==>HERE<== Please include the link to this topic in your new topic and a description of your computer issues and what you have done to resolve them.

If you can produce at least some of the logs, then please create the new topic and explain what happens when you try to create the log(s) that you couldn't get. If you cannot produce any of the logs, then still post the topic and explain that you followed the Prep. Guide, were unable to create the logs, and describe what happens when you try to create the logs.

Once you have created the new topic, please reply back here with a link to the new topic.

thanks Dan,

i will attempt to do as you instructed and am not sure how to add links and files. i think i got lucky with Combo Fix as it did create a log and nothing disastrous happened.In fact the problems i was having are no longer occuring. in case i am not able to attach the log it says that it it found and disenfected bootkit TDL4. the reason i chose this forum to post in and not the one specifically dealing with malware removal and combo fix is that i read that i was considering usin microsoft security essentials as my real time av protection as someone told me it is less draining then the free avast i am currnetly using but i also read that while it works well for windows 7 and vista it may cause problems for XP. i guess i really dont have a question now as i think i can just give it a go. ive learned how to get rid of av programs where as before i just use control program add/remove program. but i will try and post that log where you specified as long as i took the risk of running Combo Fix.

thanks for your help and patience, noah

sorry Dan. you wanted me to post link to new topic as well. here goes.My link

thanks again, noah

Now that your log is properly posted, 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 Malware Removal Team member, nor should you continue to ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show it the logs 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 Malware Removal 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 Malware Removal 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 make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the Malware Removal 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 Malware Removal Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic.