Toshiba Laptop Super slow and non responsive, was directed to post in the malwar

[Irven]

I followed the instructions in the guide and I finally got Avast antivirus installed on the laptop but was not able to update it as the system would not let it connect to the web site, I ran a boot scan and it did not find anything, then I was able to update the virus scanner and ran a scan and it found 5 or 6 infections which I placed in the chest, then I installed the cc cleaner and ran it and then I could not connect to have it analyzed so the log is gone, now the computer is so slow that it takes about 20 minutes to get to my desktop, and the control panel will not open, when I click on control panel I get a silhouette of the window and the rest is invisible then it closes on its own, also it keeps closing and locking the user after less than 60 seconds, I am so frustrated and confused I don't know what to do now, Please help!! Irven 

[Karnac]

You have to produce some logs....try running them in safe mode and/or when you save the programs rename them , For example...test.exe or sniper.exe...this will allow the programs to fool the virus.......this may enable you to run them and produce logs for analysis...........You may even have to download the programs to a USB drive and transfer them to the infected pc......Calm down, relax, and someone will get you up and running,,,,

[Irven]

Thank you Karnac for your post, I am sorry I did not see it until now as when I posted in this section I neglected to click on notify of posts, But I did make some headway as I was finally able to open the control panel by going through the windows explorer and was able to delete some of the malware using the rogue tool list, As far as starting in safe mode I cannot get past the loading of the files as it sets there for hours and I have to shut it down. I ran the virus scan again and it did not find anything so I tried to back up all of the files that I need to save to my external hard drive but after about 2 hours it failed and the window said that it could not find file 0x80070002, I have no idea what it is, I tried backing up just one file to see if maybe the missing file was in one of the other files but now matter what file I try to back up I get the same error list the same missing file, Also I did get it so that it no longer shuts down every 60 seconds, so that help a lot, It is still very slow booting,(takes about 20  to 30 minutes to reach the desktop).

[CBMatt]

Problems this serious are often hard to fix.  In some cases, it can't be fixed at all without someone actually physically accessing your computer.  Even then, there's no guarantee.  I'm just giving you this warning so you are prepared.

I know you are having many issues with your computer, but is there any chance you can get a HijackThis log posted on here?  It could really help give us an idea of what's lurking around on your computer.  Additional tools will be needed later, but let's just focus on this for now, as it's one of the simpler steps.

[Irven]

As of today the computer will not boot, I get the error  windows\system32\winload.exe cannot load, the selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt, I tried the Toshiba's recovery disc and get a error 10-FC12-045D I do not know what that means but I cannot get it to boot, I am almost ready to give up 

[CBMatt]

I can't be entirely certain, but you may actually have a faulty hard drive.  It could be a physical problem or could be a matter of boot files missing.  I would strongly urge you to run a drive diagnostic utility, but if you're having that much trouble booting, it may not work even if run from a boot disk.  If you'd like to try, someone here can surely give you easy steps to follow.  I personally don't have enough experience with this to feel comfortable with guiding you through it.


If you want to reformat, you can try DBAN: http://www.dban.org/about

Just keep in mind that all files on your computer will be gone.  However, it's hard to say if they are even still there as we speak.  I would suggest trying out the diagnostic utility before deciding to reformat.  You can make a new post in the Software or Windows section and let them know that I suggested checking for drive errors.  Somebody should be able to help set you up.

[Irven]

CBmat, I have downloaded the boot disc from the link you provided but I dont know if I will be able to reinstall windows Vista as I only have the recovery disc,  Please advise if this will work.

[CBMatt]

Have you tried my first suggestion of getting appropriate steps for the diagnostic utility?  I would try that first, just to see if it finds anything.

Unfortunately, I can't really answer your question 100% because every manufacturer is different.  Recovery discs will usually reinstall Windows for you.  However, there are some that only repair system files.  Yours should install Windows for you, but you may want to call Toshiba and ask them first, as I don't know what their standard practice is.

Also, keep in mind that there's a chance this won't help anyway.  Your hard drive could be failing physically, which would mean that it is basically dying.  That's why I think running a diagnostic first would be a good idea.

[Irven]

I want to thank all who tried to help me with this problem,  I got a copy of Windows vista installation disc and installed a second copy of Vista on my laptop then deleted the default copy and now all is great, everything is working fine   

[CBMatt]

Great, I'm glad to hear that everything is working fine.  I was concerned that it may have been a physical problem, but it sounds like you probably just had a corrupt boot sector.  In any case, I'm happy that you are up and running again.  And now, make sure you get a good anti-virus and firewall installed immediately!  Avast and AVG are both good free anti-virus, and Comodo and ZoneAlarm are good free firewalls.

[Irven]

Thank you,  I have installed Avast so I think I will be fine now 

[CBMatt]

Good to hear.  I would still suggest getting a firewall, however.  Vista is a bit more protected than XP, but I don't trust the Vista Firewall.  Heh.  But it's ultimately up to you, I suppose.

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet, read this article by Tony Klein: So how did I get infected in the first place?

[Irven]

Thank you for the link, it has a lot of helpful information that I would have had trouble finding, I have installed the super anti spyware for protection, I am still trying to decide what firewall to use. Again thanks for all of your time and effort, it sure helped

[CBMatt]

You're very welcome.  Let's not see you back in here anytime soon!