Computer is slow...

[mthomas6377]

I went through all the steps and have created the necessary logs.  My computer problems are that it is very hesitant and when it does this it really slows down.  When I play onine games or watch video or listen to music it always is slow and then freezes and I usually have to restart to get it functioning again.  My computer is somewhat old I bought it in 2002 but I would like to see if I can get it somewhat funtional without having to take a sledgehammer to it. 

Thank you

[attachment deleted by admin]

[soybean]

Well, best skip the sledgehammer.  

I went through all the steps and have created the necessary logs.

What logs?  You really haven't told us much about your system.  OS? Hardware specs?  Has it been getting gradually slower or is this a sudden problem?

[mthomas6377]

Sorry about neglecting to give you more information. 

Compaq Presario 5320
Pentium 4
512 MB SyncDRAM
40GB Hard Drive 
Windows XP

My C drive has 33.3GB Capacity and Free space of 15.7GB

The computer has gradually gotten slow.  I had received some help with it back in July 2008 and it was working pretty good after that a little improvement.  I have kept up with updates and run scans frequently but it is getting bad again.  I attached 3 logs to my original post as per the instructions in "Read This before requesting malware removal help" but please let me know if you need me to attach them again. 

[soybean]

Oh, sorry, I was not logged on to the forum when I first read your post; the logs are not visible unless logged on.

I'll leave this up to the guys that usually reply to posts in this section of the forum.  Besides, I'll be away from my computer a good while later today.

[evilfantasy]

Download ComboFix© by sUBs from one of the below links. Be sure top save it to the Desktop.

Link #1
Link #2

**Note:  It is important that it is saved directly to your Desktop

Close any open Web browsers. (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc) before starting ComboFix.

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.
 
Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
When finished ComboFix will produce a log for you.
Post the ComboFix log in your next reply.

Important: Do not mouseclick ComboFix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

Remember to re-enable your antivirus and antispyware protection when ComboFix is complete.

If you have problems with ComboFix usage, see How to use ComboFix

[mthomas6377]

Good Afternoon,

Attached is the requested log from ComboFix.

Thank You.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[evilfantasy]

Download the OTMoveIt3 by OldTimer

Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on OTMoveIt3.exe and choose Run As Administrator.

* Save it to your Desktop.
* Double-click OTMoveIt3.exe to run it.
* Copy the lines in the codebox below to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose Copy)

Code: [Select]

:Processes
explorer.exe

:services

:reg
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\mountpoints2\{060a871c-db70-11dd-88f1-0002a5e4d168}]

:files

:Commands
[purity]
[emptytemp]
[start explorer]

* Return to OTMoveIt3, right click in the "Paste Instructions for Items to be Moved" window (under the yellow bar) and choose Paste.
* Click the red Moveit! button.
* Copy everything in the Results window (under the green bar) to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose copy), and paste it in your next reply.
Close OTMoveIt3

Note: If a file or folder cannot be moved immediately you may be asked to reboot your computer in order to finish the move process. If asked to reboot, choose Yes.

-----

How is the computer running now?

[mthomas6377]

Here is the OTmoveIT log as you requested.  The computer is a little improved but still hesitates intermittently.  I tried making figure 8's with the mouse and it did hesitate a lot less as quick motions with the mouse usually made it hesitate in the past. 



[attachment deleted by admin]

[evilfantasy]

Let's clean up a little and then run a full virus scan to make sure we didn't miss anything.


• Click START then RUN
  
• Now type Combofix /u in the runbox
  
• Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /u
• Then hit Enter.
.

• The above procedure will:
• Delete the following:
• ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
• Reset the clock settings.
• Hide file extensions, if required.
• Hide System/Hidden files, if required.
• Set a new, clean Restore Point.
.
----------

Download

ATF Cleaner by Atribune to your Desktop.

Alternate download link

Note: Vista users must use Run As Administrator

• Under Main: Select Files to Delete choose: Select All.
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  
• If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords click No at the prompt.
  
• If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords click No at the prompt.
  
• Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

.
Note that your system will run slower for a reboot or two after having used this tool so don't panic.

----------

Download OTCleanIt.exe and save it to your Desktop.

• Double-click OTCleanIt.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 yourself.

.
Important: Restart the computer before continuing.

----------

Use the ESET Online Antivirus Scanner

This scanner requires Internet Explorer

1. Check the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
2. Click Start
3. When asked, allow the activex control to install
4. Click Start
5. Make sure that the option Remove found threats and the option Scan unwanted applications is check marked.
6. Click Scan
7. Wait for the scan to finish
8. Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
9. Add the C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt log into your next reply.

[mthomas6377]

Good Morning,

The log file from ESET Scan is below as requested.  Thank You

# version=4
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.635
# OnlineScannerDLLA.dll=1, 0, 0, 79
# OnlineScannerDLLW.dll=1, 0, 0, 78
# OnlineScannerUninstaller.exe=1, 0, 0, 49
# vers_standard_module=3956 (20090323)
# vers_arch_module=1.064 (20080214)
# vers_adv_heur_module=1.066 (20070917)
# EOSSerial=9bb8e5b8ba794d4eb243d05c15c39aa8
# end=finished
# remove_checked=true
# unwanted_checked=true
# utc_time=2009-03-24 08:39:17
# local_time=2009-03-24 04:39:17 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)
# country="United States"
# osver=5.1.2600 NT Service Pack 3
# scanned=444255
# found=4
# scan_time=31225
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mtmc.exe   Win32/Lowzones.NAX trojan (unable to clean - deleted)   00000000000000000000000000000000
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ncase.dll   a variant of Win32/Adware.180Solutions application (unable to clean - deleted)   00000000000000000000000000000000
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ncase2.dll   a variant of Win32/Adware.180Solutions application (unable to clean - deleted)   00000000000000000000000000000000
C:\WINDOWS\system32\newnet.dll   a variant of Win32/Adware.NdotNet application (unable to clean - deleted)   00000000000000000000000000000000

[evilfantasy]

OK how is it running now?

Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out of date software.

• Click Start Now
  
• Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.
  
• Click Start
  
• Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
• Update anything listed.

.
----------

Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

----------

I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

SpywareBlaster - Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Check out Keeping Yourself Safe On The Web for tips and free tools to help keep you safe in the future.

Also see Slow Computer? It May Not Be Malware for free cleaning/maintenance tools to help keep your computer running smooth.

[mthomas6377]

It has improved. 

Thank You very much. 

[mthomas6377]

Due to the age of the computer 2002....should I still expect some hesitation when navigating on my computer?

Thank YOu

[evilfantasy]

Hardware will usually last a very long time when taken care of but yes with age things will slow down a little. You might consider upgrading RAM if you need to. The more you install, add ons and such will impact performance slightly.