My machine frequentlty goes off to "La-la land" for an undetermined period

[jim.mar]

I was recently able to get rid of a thing called "Tuvaro" through the help of SuperDave.  I am very thankful to him for that.  However a bug or something was left behind that wasn't too much of a pain at first but is getting impossible to work around.    Very frequently when I am on the internet, or using "Office" features or just "Logging off" the machine goes into a mode where it just runs indefinitely and I am unable to control it or do anything except Power off.    I doesn't  happen if I am playing a game or on "Skype"  just when I am using Word or Excel or Internet Explorer.     Thanks for reading.  Appreciate any help that I can get.  JIM

[jim.mar]

GEEK: Thanks for your reply.     Yes I am pretty well backed up.  I recently had to reformat my entire OS and I thought that I had everything backed up but later found that I had lost most of my pictures [ouch].  I will check out the Seagate tools.  I am hoping that I will not  have to reformat again.  It was shortly after I reformatted the last time that I picked up the "TUVARO" thing, what ever it was, it was causing me a lot of grief.

[Allan]

I removed Geek's post. This is the malware forum and nobody should be responding other than CH staff.

[SuperDave]

Ok, Jim. Let's run the usual scans and we'll see what turns up.

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.

Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.

[/URL]

If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.

[/URL]

AdwCleaner will now start to search for malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
To remove the files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.

[/URL]

AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button. AdwCleaner will now delete all detected adware from your computer. When it is done it will display an alert that explains what PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Adware are. Please read through this information and then press the OK button. You will now be presented with an alert that states AdwCleaner needs to reboot your computer.
Please click on the OK button to allow AdwCleaner reboot your computer.A log will be produced. Please copy and paste this log in your next reply.
*********************************************
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
  
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Full Scan", then click Scan.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
• Please save the log to a location you will remember.
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
*************************************************
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

•Warning! Once the scan is complete JRT will shut down your browser with NO warning.

•Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.

•Temporarily disable your Antivirus and any Antispyware real time protection before performing a scan. Click this link to see a list of security programs that should be disabled and how to disable them.

•Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click JRT and select Run as Administrator

•The tool will open and start scanning your system.

•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.

•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.

•Copy and Paste the JRT.txt log into your next message.

[jim.mar]

SUPER DAVE:  Okay, I ran Adware and MBAM.   MBAM took 2 1/2 hours to run and found no items.  Logs follow.   Will do  JRT tomorrow.

# AdwCleaner v3.022 - Report created 28/03/2014 at 12:53:13
# Updated 13/03/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 (64 bits)
# Username : Jim - JIM-PC
# Running from : C:\Users\Jim\Downloads\adwcleaner.exe
# Option : Clean

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files (x86)\HiDefMedia
Folder Deleted : C:\Windows\Installer\{6DDE8071-E4BA-461B-8A96-990DFAA0EBD1}
Folder Deleted : C:\Windows\Installer\{813BA625-B0FA-48D8-9B75-59759C88C219}
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Jim\AppData\Roaming\Systweak
File Deleted : C:\Windows\System32\roboot64.exe

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\NCTAudioCDGrabber2.DLL
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\nctaudiocdwriter2.audiocdwriter2
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\nctaudiocdwriter2.audiocdwriter2.1
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{35B8892D-C3FB-4D88-990D-31DB2EBD72BD}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{0BBF19A5-BE50-4E06-A340-6777A505E490}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{2BEF239C-752E-4001-8048-F256E0D8CD93}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3F607E46-0D3C-4442-B1DE-DE7FA4768F5C}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{49C00A51-6E59-41FE-B3FA-2D2157FAD67B}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{6DFF5DBA-AE3A-46DB-B301-ECFFC6DB2982}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{869E753F-BD0D-4832-8131-94FEEE058AE3}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DE34CD67-F1C8-4001-9A23-B8A68F63F377}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{FE0273D1-99DF-4AC0-87D5-1371C6271785}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2D77AC8A-0A4C-40D0-9557-51907A575E45}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{93E3D79C-0786-48FF-9329-93BC9F6DC2B3}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{7F4EFF06-7032-458E-AE16-1C1D8255C28A}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{A5A51D2A-505A-4D84-AFC6-E0FA87E47B8C}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{0BBF19A5-BE50-4E06-A340-6777A505E490}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{2BEF239C-752E-4001-8048-F256E0D8CD93}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3408AC0D-510E-4808-8F7B-6B70B1F88534}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{3F607E46-0D3C-4442-B1DE-DE7FA4768F5C}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{49C00A51-6E59-41FE-B3FA-2D2157FAD67B}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{6DFF5DBA-AE3A-46DB-B301-ECFFC6DB2982}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{869E753F-BD0D-4832-8131-94FEEE058AE3}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{DE34CD67-F1C8-4001-9A23-B8A68F63F377}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{FE0273D1-99DF-4AC0-87D5-1371C6271785}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{A5A51D2A-505A-4D84-AFC6-E0FA87E47B8C}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{7F4EFF06-7032-458E-AE16-1C1D8255C28A}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\systweak
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\systweak
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{6DDE8071-E4BA-461B-8A96-990DFAA0EBD1}
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Savings Bull
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\SavingsBull Filter
Key Deleted : [x64] HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{813BA625-B0FA-48D8-9B75-59759C88C219}
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Features\1708EDD6AB4EB164A86999D0AF0ABE1D
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Features\526AB318AF0B8D84B9579557C9882C91
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\1708EDD6AB4EB164A86999D0AF0ABE1D
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\526AB318AF0B8D84B9579557C9882C91

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.16521


*************************

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [7307 octets] - [08/02/2014 13:10:56]
AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [1939 octets] - [11/02/2014 15:20:39]
AdwCleaner[R2].txt - [1505 octets] - [12/02/2014 10:55:40]
AdwCleaner[R3].txt - [2258 octets] - [13/02/2014 10:43:25]
AdwCleaner[R4].txt - [1402 octets] - [14/02/2014 14:54:08]
AdwCleaner[R5].txt - [2798 octets] - [28/02/2014 09:38:45]
AdwCleaner[R6].txt - [1648 octets] - [28/02/2014 09:47:03]
AdwCleaner[R7].txt - [5652 octets] - [28/03/2014 12:52:39]
AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [7093 octets] - [08/02/2014 13:11:40]
AdwCleaner[S1].txt - [1759 octets] - [11/02/2014 17:40:56]
AdwCleaner[S2].txt - [3927 octets] - [11/02/2014 17:44:05]
AdwCleaner[S3].txt - [1354 octets] - [14/02/2014 14:54:37]
AdwCleaner[S4].txt - [2683 octets] - [28/02/2014 09:42:14]
AdwCleaner[S5].txt - [5456 octets] - [28/03/2014 12:53:13]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S5].txt - [5516 octets] ##########

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (PRO) 1.75.0.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2014.03.28.07

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.16521
Jim :: JIM-PC [administrator]

Protection: Enabled

3/28/2014 12:59:30 PM
mbam-log-2014-03-28 (12-59-30).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|E:\|F:\|)
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 760618
Time elapsed: 3 hour(s), 7 minute(s), 42 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

[jim.mar]

SUPERDAVE:  The  JRT log:

JRT log 3/29/2014

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) by Thisisu
Version: 6.1.3 (03.23.2014:1)
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium x64
Ran by Jim on Sat 03/29/2014 at  9:51:58.75
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~ Services



~~~ Registry Values


~~~ Registry Keys

Successfully deleted: [Registry Key] HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\smallfrogs studio


~~~ Files


~~~ Folders


~~~ Event Viewer Logs were cleared


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scan was completed on Sat 03/29/2014 at  9:57:01.95
End of JRT log
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[SuperDave]

Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit and save it to your desktop.

• Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided on that same page for performing a scan.
• Caution: This is a beta version so also read the disclaimer and back up all your data before using.
  
• When the scan completes, click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats found and reboot the computer if prompted to do so.
  
• Perform another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to verify that no threats remain. If they do, then click Cleanup once more and repeat the process.
  
• If there are problems with Internet access, Windows Update, Windows Firewall or other system issues, run the fixdamage tool located in the folder Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit was run from and reboot your computer.
  
• Two files (mbar-log-YYYY-MM-DD, system-log.txt) will be created and saved within that same folder.
• Copy and paste the contents of these two log files in your next reply.

[jim.mar]

SUPERDAVE; OKAY, I ran the Malwarebytes ANTI-ROOTKIT and "No malware found"  and "No clean up required" resulted.

Then I got e-mail from malwarebytes advising me to upgrade my Pro Malwarebytes vs 1.75 to vs. 2.0 {no cost} which I did and I ran a quick scan and found two more PUPs which were quarantined.

NOTE: The suspect malfunction has not reoccurred since JRT deleted that one registry key.   Could that have been the problem?

[SuperDave]

Yes, that may have been the problem. Give it a few days to see how it runs and then get back to me.

[jim.mar]

SUPERDAVE: Okay,  will do.   Thank you very very much.   

[jim.mar]

SUPERDAVE:  OK, it has been one month since the last posting and I thought that I would give you an update.   Occasionally the machine will still  "LOOP" off while running Internet Explorer or Shop 2000.  Since I added Shop 2000 to the startup menu it (shop 2000) has been all right however it still does it once in a while on Internet Explorer.  The only way I can get it to stop  is to RESTART the machine.  I can live with that.  If you have any further ideas I would appreciate hearing about them,  Otherwise I guess the post should be closed.  Thanks again for all of your help.   Have a great day,  JIM

[SuperDave]

Could you please explain "loop off"?

[SuperDave]

Could you please explain "Loop off"?

[jim.mar]

SUPERDAVE:    "loop off"    Sorry!  that is an expression that I haven't used for many many years.   It applied to old transistor/diode logic circuits that would get hung up in a "race" condition, due to slow solid state switching devices, and just keep recycling in that state indefinitely.     We called it looping.  The only way to stop it was to power down or physically introduce a "glitch".   Then the guilty component had to be located and replaced.    Anyway, it is those times in that past that I remember when my computer starts doing that.  I don't think that modern circuits can do that  but maybe, with a little adjusting, software can do that.  I remember that, using machine language, I could make some of the old Solid State computers chase themselves.  I dunno  I'm too old to try to learn new technology.        Thanks for the memory.....JIM

P.S. I hope that I haven't said anything that was in-appropriate here.    If so, it was not intended.

[SuperDave]

Ok. So the wheels were just spinning. Please try this: Open Taskmanager and keep it open. When it starts to loop try to determine how much memory is being used and which process is using it.