Solved Internet Explorer keeps running on its own..

[Broni]

Yes, you can cancel Eset. It's not important now.

Back up your data!

Yes, you can run diagnostic. Download version, which will run from within Windows.

 

[jbmorgan]

How do I know who made the hard drive? I don't know who makes them for eee PCs and I don't have the tools to open up the back.

 

[jbmorgan]

Dear Broni,

I'm fairly certain that my hard drive is a Seagate, and that seems confirmed by some information I found online. I downloaded SeaTools for Windows. I just ran a SMART test - not even sure what that means - and afterwards it said "SMART - Pass." What does that tell me? And what other tests should I run?

 

[jbmorgan]

All the other tests I've run so far have also come up "PASS." I'm currently running the Long Generic test, which seems to take a while.

 

[Broni]

Let me know...

 

[jbmorgan]

Do you feel comfortable speculating, assuming all the tests come back OK, what else might be causing the problem? This netbook is 2.5 years old now, and has seen a lot of use, so it wouldn't be too amazing if the hard drive is breaking down, but from what I've seen on-line there are other possible causes.

 

[Broni]

I'm not speculating.
All I know, you can't be running your computer with a hard drive being in PIO mode.
I'm still waiting for your final results but eventually you'll have to continue in some other forum, as this is not malware issue anymore.
I'm not a hardware person.

P. S. Few years ago I bought brand new desktop and a hard drive went dead after 6 weeks of use. Anything is possible.

 

[jbmorgan]

Broni, I think I've fixed the problem. I found the solution online. I tried uninstalling both of the drivers for both the Primary and Secondary IDE channels, and then restarted my machine. Sure enough, it reinstalled the drivers, and reset them to DMA mode. Now my computer seems to be running at normal speed and I've tried watching a couple of videos, and there are no skips or drags. It's only been a few minutes but so far so good.

 

[Broni]

Wonderful!

Update Adobe Reader

You can download it from https://www.techspot.com/downloads/2083-adobe-reader-dc.html
After installing the latest Adobe Reader, uninstall all previous versions.
Note. If you already have Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition installed or do not wish to have it installed UNcheck the box which says Also Download Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition.

Alternatively, you can uninstall Adobe Reader (33.5 MB), download and install Foxit PDF Reader(3.5MB) from HERE.
It's a much smaller file to download and uses a lot less resources than Adobe Reader.
Note: When installing FoxitReader, make sure to UN-check any pre-checked toolbar, or any other garbage.

You still owe me Eset scan....

 

[jbmorgan]

I reinstalled Adobe Reader and removed the old version a couple of hours ago. I need to work on a couple of things first, but as soon as I can I'll run the Eset scan and post the results here.

 

[jbmorgan]

Hi Broni, my Eset search just finished (it took over four hours). It didn't locate threats. Last night when I was running it, it did find one before I stopped the search, and removed it.

 

[Broni]

Your computer is clean

1. We need to reset system restore to prevent your computer from being accidentally reinfected by using some old restore point(s). We'll create fresh, clean restore point, using following OTL script:

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following:

:OTL
:Commands
[purity]
[emptytemp]
[EMPTYFLASH]
[CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
[Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
• Post resulting log.

2. Now, we'll remove all tools, we used during our cleaning process

Clean up with OTL:

• Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
• Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
• On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
• Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.

3. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

4. If any Trojan was listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately!

5. Download, and install WOT (Web OF Trust): http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

6. Run Malwarebytes "Quick scan" once in a while to assure safety of your computer.

7. Run Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) weekly.

8. Download and install Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI): https://www.techspot.com/downloads/4898-secunia-personal-software-inspector-psi.html. The Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Run it weekly.

9. (optional) If you want to keep all your programs up to date, download and install FileHippo Update Checker.
The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases.

10. (Windows XP only) Run defrag at your convenience.

11. When installing\updating ANY program, make sure you always select "Custom " installation, so you can UN-check any possible "drive-by-install" (foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click "Next" button without looking at any given page.

12. Read How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

13. Please, let me know, how your computer is doing.

 

[Broni]

The issue seems to be resolved.

 

[jbmorgan]

Hi Broni, I've been travelling for most of the past week and thus haven't had the time to run the new scans you requested. I'll do them ASAP and get back to you. It is true, however, that I haven't been experiencing any notable problems.

--John

 

[Broni]

Good news