Don't know why my new computer is so SLOW!

Hi.

OK and thanks for the update, not a problem re the online scan. We will merely try another.

ESET Online Scanner:

Note: You can use either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox for this scan. You will however need to disable your current installed Anti-Virus, how to do so can be read here.

• Please go here then click on:
  

  Note: If using Mozilla Firefox you will need to download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe when prompted then double click on it to install.
  All of the below instructions are compatible with either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox.

• Select the option YES, I accept the Terms of Use then click on:
• When prompted allow the Add-On/Active X to install.
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is NOT checked, and the option Scan archives is checked.
• Now click on Advanced Settings and select the following:

• Scan for potentially unwanted applications
  
• Scan for potentially unsafe applications
• Enable Anti-Stealth Technology


• Now click on:
• The virus signature database... will begin to download. Be patient this make take some time depending on the speed of your Internet Connection.
• When completed the Online Scan will begin automatically.
• Do not touch either the Mouse or keyboard during the scan otherwise it may stall.
• When completed select Uninstall application on close if you so wish, make sure you copy the logfile first!
• Now click on:
• Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt.
• Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

Note: Do not forget to re-enable your Anti-Virus application after running the above scan!

When completed the above, please post back the following:

• How is you computer performing now? Any problems encountered and or any further symptoms?
• ESET Log.
• A new HijackThis Log.

Hi there! ESET did not find anything so it did not create a log file. Here is the latest hyjackthis log. Thanks again for all your effort and time. I really appreciate it!

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:01:26 PM, on 11/24/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client\vpnagent.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Linksys Updater\bin\LinksysUpdater.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\java.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmsrvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) 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
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nmctxth] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe -expressboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
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
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.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: Linksys Updater (LinksysUpdater) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Linksys\Linksys Updater\bin\LinksysUpdater.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: Pure Networks Platform Service (nmservice) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmsrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Cisco AnyConnect VPN Agent (vpnagent) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client\vpnagent.exe

--
End of file - 6199 bytes

Hi.

Hi there! ESET did not find anything so it did not create a log file. Here is the latest hyjackthis log. Thanks again for all your effort and time. I really appreciate it!

OK and you're welcome!

I would prefer to be able to view the log file if possible. Please check as follows, thank you:-

Click on My Computer >> Local Disk C:\ >> Program Files >> ESET >> EsetOnlineScanner >> log.txt. <-- This is the log(if present).

I couldn't find the log file (I guess because I uninstalled the program) so I repeated the on-line scan again. Here is the log file from that scan:

ESETSmartInstaller@High as downloader log:
all ok
# version=7
# OnlineScannerApp.exe=1.0.0.1
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6211
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=c3a7713c05ac0d4c87dfbc3386319877
# end=finished
# remove_checked=false
# archives_checked=true
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=true
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2009-11-25 04:03:02
# local_time=2009-11-25 08:03:02 (-0800, Pacific Standard Time)
# country="United States"
# lang=1033
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# compatibility_mode=512 16777215 100 0 0 0 0 0
# compatibility_mode=1024 16777191 100 0 234134 234134 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=42540
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=1012

Hi.

I couldn't find the log file (I guess because I uninstalled the program) so I repeated the on-line scan again.

OK that is fine.

Next:

Temporarily disable WinPatrol(so it will not hinder the HJT removals below, it will automatically start after the system reboot):-

• Right click on the WinPatrol system tray icon.
• Select Exit Program.

Next:

Please re-open HiJackThis and select Do a system scan only. Check the boxes next to all the entries listed below (if present):

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =

Now click on Fix Checked. Close HiJackThis.

Then click Start >> Run and type cleanmgr in the box and press OK.

• Ensure the boxes for Temporary Files, Temporary Internet Files and Recycle Bin are checked.
• You can choose to check other boxes if you wish but they are not required.
• Click on OK then Yes.
• Now Reboot(restart) your computer.

Note: If after the Reboot Winpatrol reports that a change has been detected to your Internet Explorer settings etc, select Yes to confirm this change etc.

Let myself know when completed the above and if any further issues, thank you.

Hi there. I've completed the most recent list of things you asked me to do. My computer is no longer timing out when I go to various websites, such as yahoo.com, google.com, this site, etc. so it is definitely running faster. I will monitor its behavior for a few days and will let you know how things are going. Thanks again for all your help. I really appreciate it! (I hope its not too cold up there in the "Tundra!") Susan

Hi.

Good to know and thanks for the update and you are very welcome!

Aye the Tundra can be somewhat chilly this time of year.

Next:

Congratulations your computer now appears to be both malware free and more stable!

Now I have some tasks for your good self to carry out as part of a clean up process and some advice about online safety.

Importance of Regular System Maintenance:

I advice you read both of the below listed topics as this will go a long way to keeping your Computer performing well.

Help! My computer is slow!

Also so is this:

What to do if your Computer is running slowly

OTC:

Please download OTC and save it to desktop. This tool will remove all the tools(and logs created) we used to clean your pc.

• Double-click OTC.exe.
• Click the CleanUp! button.
• Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
• If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTC attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.

Reset the System Restore points:

• Create a new, clean System Restore point which you can use in case of future system problems:
• Press Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >>System Tools >> System Restore
• Select Create a restore point, then Next, type a name like All Clean then press the Create button and once it's done press Close
• Now remove old, infected System Restore points:
• Next click Start >> Run and type cleanmgr in the box and press OK
• Ensure the boxes for Recycle Bin, Temporary Files and Temporary Internet Files are checked, you can choose to check other boxes if you wish but they are not required.
• Select the More Options tab, under System Restore press Clean up... and say Yes to the prompt
• Press OK and Yes to confirm

Now some advice for on-line safety:

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware:

This is a excellent application and I advise you keep this installed. Check for updates and run a scan once a week.

Other installed security software:

Your presently installed security application, AVG Anti-Virus Free automatically checks for updates and downloads/installs them with every system reboot and or periodically if the machine is left running providing a internet connection is active.

I advise you also run a complete scan with this also once per week.

Erunt:

Emergency Recovery Utility NT, I advice you keep this installed as a means to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.

Myself I would actually create a new back up once per week as this along with System Restore may prove to be invaluable if something unforeseen occurs!

Keep your system updated:

Microsoft releases patches for Windows and other products regularly:

• I advise you visit: http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
• Install the Active X
• Once installed it will advise set Auto-Updates if not set and you then you will be able to manually check for updates also via:
• Start >> All Programs >> Microsoft Updates

Be careful when opening attachments and downloading files:

• Never open email attachments, not even if they are from someone you know. If you need to open them, scan them with your antivirus program before opening.
• Never open emails from unknown senders.
• Beware of emails that warn about viruses that are spreading, especially those from antivirus vendors. These email addresses can be easily spoofed. Check the antivirus vendor websites to be sure.
• Be careful of what you download. Only download files from known sources. Also, avoid cracked programs. If you need a particular program that costs too much for you, try finding free alternatives on Sourceforge or Pricelessware.

Stop malicious scripts:

Windows by default allow scripts (which is VBScript and JavaScript) to run and some of these scripts are malicious. Use Noscript by Symantec or Script Defender by AnalogX to handle these scripts.

Avoid Peer to Peer software:

P2P may be a great way to get lots of seemingly freeware, but it is a great way to get infected as well. There's no way to tell if the file being shared is infected. Worse still, some worms spread via P2P networks, infecting you as well. My advice avoid these types of software applications.

Hosts File:

A Hosts file is like a phone book. You look up someone's name in the phone book before calling him/her. Similarly, your computer will look up the website's IP address before you can view the website.

Hosts file will replace your current Hosts file with another one containing well-known advertisement sites, spyware sites and other bad sites. This new Hosts file will protect you by re-directing these bad sites to 127.0.0.1.

Here are some Hosts files:

• MVPS Hosts File
• Bluetack's Hosts File
• Bluetack's Host Manager
• hpHosts.

Only use one of the above!

Advised Optional Installation:

There is no sign of a software firewall installed on your system. Regardless if using a hardware type and or using the inbuilt Windows Service Pack 3 firewall this is a necessary application as it will also provide outbound protection where as the aforementioned do not.

I highly advise you download ONE of the following firewalls and install it. Restart the computer for changes to take effect.

• Jetico Personal Firewall
• Online Armour
• Sunbelt Kerio

This article is a excellent resource regarding the aforementioned firewalls: Understanding and Using Firewalls

Finally a educational source:

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this article by Tony Klein:

So how did I get infected in the first place?

Some consider this article outdated, personally I still think it bares relevance and the author is well respected in the Anti-Malware community and by myself also!

Any questions,feel free to ask? If not stay safe!

As this issue appears to be resolved,