Solved Slow laptop! -- 8 steps done

[Zalemam]

Hey again, Im back but this time its my mothers laptop thats running extremely slow!
especially on start up, the welcome screen is on for about 5 mins straight then it needs like another 5-10 mins before I can open any program or browsers, the cpu usage performance rating thing is in the 90-100% only during start up, Im also having a problem where windows can never find updates, according to my moms laptop the last time she updated anything was in june of 2009!!

PC specs: intel pentium dual cpu T3200 2.00 ghz 2.00 ghz , 2GB ram , 32 bit vista sp1, 2 hard drive totaling in about 140 GB

All 8 steps were done accordingly!

work your magic guys

Thank you.

 

[Broni]

Please download ComboFix from Here or Here to your Desktop.

**Note: In the event you already have Combofix, this is a new version that I need you to download. It is important that it is saved directly to your desktop**

1. Please, never rename Combofix unless instructed.
2. Close any open browsers.
3. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.
   • Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".
   • Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.
   NOTE1. If Combofix asks you to install Recovery Console, please allow it.
   NOTE 2. If Combofix asks you to update the program, always do so.
   • Close any open browsers.
   • WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts
   • Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
   • If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.
4. Double click on combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
5. When finished, it will produce a report for you.
6. Please post the "C:\ComboFix.txt" along with a new HijackThis log for further review.

**Note: Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall**

Make sure, you re-enable your security programs, when you're done with Combofix.

DO NOT make any other changes to your computer (like installing programs, using other cleaning tools, etc.), until it's officially declared clean!!!

 

[Zalemam]

Ran Combo fix, and fresh HiJack log attached

 

[Broni]

Combofix log looks good

I suggest you uninstall Norton Security Scan (standalone) as it may interfere with your Eset AV.

Uninstall Combofix:
Go Start > Run [Vista users, go Start>"Start search"]
Type in:
Combofix /Uninstall
Note the space between the "Combofix" and the "/Uninstall"
Click OK (Vista users - press Enter).
Restart computer.

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

1. Download Temp File Cleaner (TFC)
Double click on TFC.exe to run the program.
Click on Start button to begin cleaning process.
TFC will close all running programs, and it may ask you to restart computer.


2. Go to Kaspersky website and perform an online antivirus scan.

1. Disable your active antivirus program.
2. Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
3. It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
4. When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
5. Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button:

• Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
  [*] Archives
  [*] Mail databases

6. Click on My Computer under Scan.
7. Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
8. You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As....
9. Save this report to a convenient place. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button. Then post it here.

Post fresh HijackThis log as well.

 

[Zalemam]

Hey, Im having to reply from my PC (which is clean, thanks to you guys)

Eset Nod wouldn't start on the laptop and I got a Kernel error popup of some sort, So i decided to reboot the PC and I got a BSOD with the message Kernel Data inpage error, So now I cannot access my laptop.

 

[Broni]

Please, post full error message.
Did you try to start in Safe Mode?

 

[Zalemam]

Error:
BUG CHECK STRING: KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
BUG CHECK CODE: 0x0000007a
PARAMETER 1: 0xa6e2b2ac
PARAMETER 2: 0xc0000185
PARAMETER 3: 0x4e9218c4
PARAMETER 4: 0x814a9a30
CAUSED BY DRIVER: ntoskrnl.exe
CAUSED BY ADDRESS: ntoskrnl.exe+99f21
FILE DESCRIPTION: NT Kernel & System

The laptop boots in safe mode with no problem.

 

[Broni]

Go Start>Run (Start Search in Vista), type in:
msconfig
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).

Click on Startup tab.
Click Disable all
IMPORTANT! In case of laptop, make sure, you do NOT disable any keyboard, or touchpad entries.

Click Services tab.
Put checkmark in Hide all Microsoft services
Click Disable all.

Click OK.
Restart computer in Normal Mode.

NOTE. If you use different firewall, than Windows firewall, turn Windows firewall on, just for this test, since your regular firewall won't be running.
If you use Windows firewall, you're fine.

Same problem?

 

[Zalemam]

The Computer booted up with no BSOD but after the welcome screen Its baisicly a black screen with a cursor for 5 minutes then everything else works fine.

 

[Broni]

Did you have a chance to complete any steps from my reply #4?

 

[Zalemam]

Finished Temp Cleaning and Uninsatalled Combo fix, scan froze at 58%

 

[Broni]

Please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner

• Disable your antivirus program
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use
• Click Start
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
• Check Scan archives
• Click Start
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
• When the scan completes, push List of found threats
• Push Export to text file , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.

 

[Zalemam]

Hey,

Got the same BSOD halfway thru scan.

 

[Broni]

Did you uninstall Norton Security Scan?
Did you disabled Eset while running Kaspersky?

Next shot....

Please run a BitDefender Online Scan

• Disable your antivirus program.
• Click Start Scanner button.
• Click Start scan button
• Allow browser plug-in to be installed when prompted.
• Click I Agree to agree to the EULA.
• Please refrain from using the computer until the scan is finished.
• When the scan is finished, click on View log.
• Notepad will open with scan results.
• Save the report to your desktop and post its content in your next reply.

 

[Zalemam]

Yes I uninstalled norton and eset was disabled.

Lets hope bitdefender does it.

 

[Zalemam]

Okay this scan finished without a BSOD
I also ran HiJackthis

both logs attached

 

[Broni]

Good

Now, you have to go back to "msconfig" and re-enable all startups and services, you disabled couple of steps ago.
See, if the computer will boot OK.

 

[Zalemam]

(im typing from my PC)
Okay it boots up with no BSOD, but the screen is blank with a white cursor for like 5-10 mins, thats the only problem im having with the laptop, Im guessing this isnt the correct place to discus this. Should I check out the BSOD part of the forums?

 

[Broni]

Can you give me fresh HJT log after you re-enabled all those entries?
I assume, you're having very same issue, no matter, if those entries are disabled, or enabled?

 

[Zalemam]

Heres the HiJack log, and yeah baisicaly same situation with the processes disabled or enabled

 

[Broni]

At this point, your computer is malware free, so let's run final steps.
When done, I'll ask you to create new topic at Windows forum about your current issue.


Your computer is clean

1. Turn off System Restore:

- Windows XP:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore".
5. Click Apply.
6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
- Windows Vista:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click on System Protection under the Tasks column on the left side
4. Click on Continue on the "User Account Control" window that pops up
5. Under the System Protection tab, find Available Disks
6. Uncheck the box for any drive you wish to disable system restore on (in most cases, drive "C:")
7. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click "Turn System Restore Off" on the popup window to do this.
8. Click OK

2. Restart computer.

3. Turn System Restore on.

4. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

5. 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!

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

7. Run defrag at your convenience.

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

 

[Zalemam]

4. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

Last update was in June 2009, The computer keeps getting an error saying it cant check for updates.

Error Code : 80072EFD

 

[Broni]

Try here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 and see what happens.

 

[Zalemam]

It failed

I got this message:

The windows installer service could not be accessed. This can occur if the windows installer is not correctly installed.

 

[Broni]

OK. Your computer is malware free, so I have to send you to Windows forum to solve your current problems.
Good luck