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Laptop slow, full of trojans

Discussion in 'Virus and Malware Removal' started by fuzmnky, Oct 12, 2008.

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  1. momok Newcomer, in training

    Wow.. 4 AV + 2 firewalls.. that's a first. I wonder how you got infected in the first place.
    On a side note, your logs are looking clean, so let us know if you face any symptoms after you are done with the 'defence maintenance' on your system.
    momok, Oct 17, 2008
    #21

  2. Bobbye Helper on the Fringe

    Probably because all the security programs were creating conflicts which, instead of leaving the system with 'more' protection, left it with none! Ya think?
    Bobbye, Oct 17, 2008
    #22

  3. fuzmnky Newcomer, in training

    Alright so I decided to stick with McAfee since it was my friends program to begin with. (Though obviously didn't help him keep the trojans off!)

    I uninstalled Avira, Panda, TrendMicro, and Comodo with ccleaner. I checked the HJT afterwards and I think ccleaner took care of all those files, though I might have missed one.

    Pretty much all the Vaio services are not on the startup anymore (supposedly).

    And I fixed the cookie setting.

    For clarification, he only had McAfee installed on here when he asked for my help. I installed comodo, avira, etc. off of the 8-step. I knew he had McAfee but since it was already infected, I didn't think that it was worth beans at the moment so I went with Avira and Comodo since I've been using both personally. I had disabled both McAfee's Virus Detection and Firewall even though they remained installed on the machine.

    Ram is better, maybe even back to normal (which is hard to say since I don't know what normal is on this laptop). Currently the ram usage is sitting at 650mb with one ie window open, HJT and the task manager. I think I'm going to knock down the Vista visuals to basic and install Firefox as well.

    So is it done? My ram issue ended up being all these programs I installed to clean it up? Because that would be an easier fix then I had anticipated!

    I'll upload the latest HJT log.

    Let me know, and again, thanks for all the help!
    fuzmnky, Oct 18, 2008
    #23

  4. momok Newcomer, in training

    They appear to still be there. I'm not sure if you want to actually remove them though.
    I noticed that you run on only 1GB RAM for Vista. Wouldnt definitely recommend you get at least 1GB more.
    momok, Oct 18, 2008
    #24

  5. Bobbye Helper on the Fringe

    Well that sure looks better! I have three suggestions:
    1. There are a lot of Adobe processes loading at startup. Why> If a PDF document is clicked on, it will automatically open in Adobe. If you need to use other functions of the program, just open it- don't use time, space and speed carrying all those processes around. I'm not going to 'itemize' then for you- they are easily noted in the sever 08 entries.

    2. The Windows Welcome Center: You might want to remove this. It automatically loads at startup and from what I'm reading, serves no particular purpose, but uses resources:
    You'll find two methods here:
    http://www.techmixer.com/disable-windows-vista-welcome-center-when-startup/

    3. As for the Sony/Vaio processes/Services, they are still automatically loading. All the 023 Services should be reset to Manual Startup type for any Services that are not immediately needed. Caution: best to do this in Safe Mode, after you have HijackThis remove the processes and always check the Dependencies tab:
    Start> Run>. services.msc.

    We can proceed with removing the cleanup tools and old restore points:
    * Download OTCleanIt (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/oldtimer/OTCleanIt.exe)
    * Click the CleanUp! button.
    * It will go thorough the list and remove all of the tools it finds and then delete itself (requiring a reboot).

    Clear your existing System Restore points and establish a new clean restore point:
    Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore> Select Create a restore point> OK.
    Next, go to Start > Run and type in cleanmgr> Select the More options tab> Choose the option to clean up System Restore and OK it.
    This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.

    I've had a few people tell me that the 'clean System Restore' option hasn't come up this way. IF it does not, use the Control Panel> System> System Restore tab to CHECK 'turn off System Restore'> Apply> OK> Reboot. Then go back in and UNCHECK 'turn off System Restore'> Apply> OK.

    Since the laptop is still running high on using resources, I advise you to seriously consider both Disabling and reset to Manual the extraordinary number of Vaio Services.
    Bobbye, Oct 18, 2008
    #25

  6. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter

    Your posts are just really good. So I don't feel fantastic trying to correct you :(
    But you missed one option in that Clean System Restore (I'll post below)
    Please use quote on my post, then copy all the lines between -------- and then save this to a Notepad file. So as being able to use this again :)

    Oh and then just close the reply quote post

    ------------------

    Clear system restore points

    • Clear your existing system restore points and establish a new clean restore point:
      • Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
      • Select Create a restore point, and Ok it.
      • Next, go to Start > Run and type in cleanmgr
      • Select the More options tab
      • Choose the option to clean up system restore and OK it.
      This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.

    ------------------
    kimsland, Oct 18, 2008
    #26

  7. Bobbye Helper on the Fringe

    kimsland, as you know, I'm using this feature with your help. I copied the original and I can't find anything in what I left that is not in your post above:

    Create the new System Restore point.- I have this.
    Start> Run type in cleanmgr- I have this.
    Select More Options. I have this
    Choose the option to clean up restore points. I have this
    OK it. I have this.

    Maybe I need another cup of coffee, but I am missing seeing what's missing.- it could be right in front of my face!
    As always, thanks for your help and patience.
    Bobbye, Oct 18, 2008
    #27

  8. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter

    You're right

    I was the one who didn't read it properly :eek:
    I'll blame it on your formatting :rolleyes: , but in reality it was just me :suspiciou

    Apologies
    kimsland, Oct 18, 2008
    #28

  9. Bobbye Helper on the Fringe

    No apology needed, kimsland. You have been a great help to me and I use much of what you have been kind enough to share. If you ever think I misquote or omit, please tell me. Although I try to do my best, I suffer from the "I'm human" thing and mistakes do happen.
    Bobbye, Oct 18, 2008
    #29

  10. fuzmnky Newcomer, in training

    Sorry guys, busy weekend!

    I told my friend that 1gb of ram was minimum and that he should look into getting another. I'm going to send him a link to newegg.

    weird. thought I disabled all adobe startups...

    I'll give all your suggestions the run through today and post later tonight.

    Again, thanks for all the help! It is running a little better already but with such limited ram, still a little slugglish especially after running a few programs.

    Question: I changed the desktop visual back to windows classic but didn't notice that much freed up resources, should I have?
    fuzmnky, Oct 20, 2008
    #30

  11. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter

    kimsland, Oct 20, 2008
    #31

  12. Bobbye Helper on the Fringe

    Thanks for the edit kimsland. Some day I'm going to find an online editor to go with a spell checker!
    Bobbye, Oct 20, 2008
    #32
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