plugplay svchost.exe constant 50-90% CPU usage

[comp-illiterate]

OS: Vista Home Premium 64 bit
Storage: 586 total
              230 used
              355 free
RAM: 4 GB DDR2
Processor: ADM Phenom X4 9100e Quad-Core

I've had this computer for about 6 months. About a week ago, it started to slow to a crawl. Particularly Windows Explorer, the control panel, etc. would take forever to load. I've noticed that Firefox alone seems to be unaffected by this. When I bring up Task Manager I see that the process responsible is svchost.exe (service Dcom Launch). I can't end process or stop the service, but I know this is definitely not normal. When I did end the process, my computer behaves like it once did, for a few seconds before it automatically logs me off. When I end process, it also mutes my computer before logging off. I've tried searching for solutions online already and each case of this seems to have it's own cause and solution. I have the HiJackThis log if that would help.

Please help me, I can't stand having to wait 20 minutes for something that should be instantaneous. The way my computer is behaving is unacceptable. Thank you for your help.

Here's the log.
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:22:03 AM, on 11/28/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6002.18005)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\MHotKey.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\avp.exe
C:\Windows\ChiFuncExt.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.richarddawkins.net/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://homepage.gateway.com/rdr.aspx?b=ACGW&l=0409&s=1&o=vp64&d=0209&m=dx4200-09
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - MRI_DISABLED - (no file)
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IEVkbdBHO - {59273AB4-E7D3-40F9-A1A8-6FA9CCA1862C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\ievkbd.dll
O2 - BHO: NCO 2.0 IE BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: link filter bho - {E33CF602-D945-461A-83F0-819F76A199F8} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\klwtbbho.dll
O2 - BHO: SingleInstance Class - {FDAD4DA1-61A2-4FD8-9C17-86F7AC245081} - C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\YTSingleInstance.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avp] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\avp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1913751395-3458063204-3268103612-1000\..\Run: [Aim6]  (User 'Owner')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files (x86)\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files (x86)\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: OneNote Table Of Contents.onetoc2
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: &Virtual keyboard - {4248FE82-7FCB-46AC-B270-339F08212110} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\klwtbbho.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: URLs c&heck - {CCF151D8-D089-449F-A5A4-D9909053F20F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\klwtbbho.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~2\KASPER~1\KASPER~2\mzvkbd3.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Kaspersky Anti-Virus (AVP) - Kaspersky Lab - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010\avp.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: StarWind AE Service (StarWindServiceAE) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Program Files (x86)\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindServiceAE.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Marvell Yukon Service (yksvc) - Unknown owner - RUNDLL32.EXE (file missing)

--
End of file - 8144 bytes

[harry 48]

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

please go to above and complete and post the other 2 logs an expert will see them

[comp-illiterate]

Okay here's the Malwarebytes one. SUPERAntispywear couldn't install, I got "error 1500 - Another installation is in progress" even though there was nothing else installing.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3251
Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2

11/28/2009 1:55:08 PM
mbam-log-2009-11-28 (13-54-59).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 101374
Time elapsed: 10 minute(s), 30 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 4
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Shell\Secure Delete (Rogue.SecurePCCleaner) -> No action taken.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\kt_bho.KettleBho (Trojan.BHO) -> No action taken.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{86676e13-d6d8-4652-9fcf-f2047f1fb000} (Trojan.BHO) -> No action taken.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{83ff80f4-8c74-4b80-b5ba-c8ddd434e5c4} (Trojan.BHO) -> No action taken.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoActiveDesktopChanges (Hijack.DisplayProperties) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> No action taken.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowSearch (Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (0) Good: (1) -> No action taken.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.dll (Trojan.BHO) -> No action taken.

[harry 48]

please re-run mbam and delete anything that comes up you did not on the last scan


(Edited)

[harry 48]

It wasnt meant to be just stating a fact
i put my logs up and 2 days later no replys ,perhaps comp-illiterate would be better going elseware unless hes lucky
get my drift

everyone who helps on here , weather its a little or a lot are volenteers and have lives , families , etc outside CH with other things to do

if your not happy with CH and the fact you had to wait a whole two days , you will find lots of forums were you MIGHT get help

[comp-illiterate]

Okay, I did that. Now what?

Here is the log it gave me after it finished quarantining:

11/28/2009 2:14:48 PM
mbam-log-2009-11-28 (14-14-48).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 101346
Time elapsed: 4 minute(s), 54 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 4
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\Shell\Secure Delete (Rogue.SecurePCCleaner) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\kt_bho.KettleBho (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{86676e13-d6d8-4652-9fcf-f2047f1fb000} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{83ff80f4-8c74-4b80-b5ba-c8ddd434e5c4} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoActiveDesktopChanges (Hijack.DisplayProperties) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowSearch (Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (0) Good: (1) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.dll (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

[comp-illiterate]

My computer's still going very slow and svchost.exe is still taking 50-90% CPU. What is my next course of action?

[comp-illiterate]

Okay, I've downloaded Process Explorer and it's definitely DcomLaunch and PlugPlay.

Here are the particular threads causing the problem:

TID: 3904  RPCRT4.dll!RpcBindingUnbind+0x500
TID: 3600  RPCRT4.dll!RpcBindingUnbind+0x500
TID: 4732  RPCRT4.dll!RpcBindingUnbind+0x500
TID: 4060  RPCRT4.dll!RpcBindingUnbind+0x500
TID: 5092  RPCRT4.dll!RpcBindingUnbind+0x500
TID: 3036  ntdll.dll!RtlRealSuccessor+0x1a0


What do I do now that I've found what's causing it?

[comp-illiterate]

Does anyone know what I should do now? Please help. I've been tearing my hair out for a week trying to fix this and get my computer back to normal. I'm on my knees begging for help. This isn't a problem someone without special knowledge (like me) can fix.

[evilfantasy]

Sorry for the delay. We can't get to everyone as soon as we would like to.

Try not to restart the computer until one of the tools we use does it for you or tells you to.

Please download and run the below tool named Rkill (courtesy of BleepingComputer.com) which may help allow other programs to run.
 
There are 4 different versions. If one of them won't run then download and try to run the next one.
 
Vista and Windows 7 users need to right click Rkill and choose Run as Administrator

You only need to get one of these to run, not all of them. You may get warnings from your antivirus about this tool, ignore them or shutdown your antivirus.

* Rkill.com
* Rkill.scr
* Rkill.pif
* Rkill.exe

* Double-click on the Rkill desktop icon to run the tool.
* If using Vista or Windows 7 right-click on it and choose Run As Administrator.
* A black DOS box will briefly flash and then disappear. This is normal and indicates the tool ran successfully.
* If not, delete the file, then download and use the one provided in Link 2.
* If it does not work, repeat the process and attempt to use one of the remaining links until the tool runs.
* Do not reboot until instructed.
* If the tool does not run from any of the links provided, please let me know.

Once you've gotten one of them to run then try to immediately run the following.

 
Download and run exeHelper

* Please download exeHelper from Raktor to your desktop.
* Double-click on exeHelper.com to run the fix.
* A black window should pop up, press any key to close once the fix is completed.
* A log file named log.txt will be created in the directory where you ran exeHelper.com
* Attach the log.txt file to your next message.

Note: If the window shows a message that says "Error deleting file", please re-run the program before posting a log - and post the two logs together (they will both be in the one file).

----------

If you already have ComboFix be sure to delete it and download a new copy.

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.
Vista users Right-Click on ComboFix.exe and select Run as administrator (you will receive a UAC prompt, please allow it)
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

[comp-illiterate]

Okay, I've been reading around and one site suggested that I uninstall all audio devices and drivers by going to device manager (none of them legacy or codec). After I deleted two ATI HDMI audio and one Realtek and uninstalled Realtek using add/remove programs then restarted and the problem went away.

However I also have no sound. I downloaded the drivers for the audio card that came with (and is still in) my computer from the computer manufacturer site (Gateway). When I tried to re-install, I got an error message:
Error 0x000005b4

[evilfantasy]

Your computer is infected. If you don't post the logs I can't be of much assistance.

[comp-illiterate]

Your computer is infected. If you don't post the logs I can't be of much assistance.

I'm sorry but I completely overlooked this post. My apologies, I will now do as requested. Thank you for your help.

[comp-illiterate]

Here's one.

exeHelper by Raktor
Build 20091122
Run at 11:18:50 on 12/01/09
Now searching...
Checking for numerical processes...
Checking for sysguard processes...
Checking for bad processes...
Checking for bad files...
Checking for bad registry entries...
Resetting filetype association for .exe
Resetting filetype association for .com
Resetting userinit and shell values...
Resetting policies...
--Finished--
 
I'm not getting any logs with any of the Rkill applications, and Combofix says it's incompatible with Vista. Would running them in safe mode be better?

[evilfantasy]

ESET Online Scan

Scan your computer with the ESET FREE Online Virus Scan

* Click the ESET Online Scanner button.

* For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
* Click on the esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop
* Double click on the esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe icon on your desktop.
* Place a check mark next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.

* Click the Start button.
* Accept any security warnings from your browser.
* Leave the check mark next to Remove found threats and place a check next to Scan archives.
* Click the Start button.
* ESET will then download updates, install, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
* When the scan completes, click List of found threats.
* Next click Export to text file and save the file to your desktop using a name such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
* Click the <<Back button then click Finish.

In your next reply please include the ESET Online Scan Log