PC running slow after virus removal

[Michael]

A few days ago my computer at work was infected by a virus. So I installed AVG 8.0 and removed the virus and all infected files.
Ever since the removal, the computer has been running slow - slow response and freezes.

During startup, when the computer seems to be ready to use, if I click on My Computer or Start or any other program, it will take a few minutes to response.

After an application is running, e.g. Explorer, IE, MS Words, Photoshop, etc., the applications will run as smooth as usual, until you do something like open a file from the file menu, save, or try to start another application. In those cases, the computer will freeze and take a few minutes to response.

FYI, the other 3 computers on the network which was also infected by the same virus 
and cured by AVG as well,  do not have the same freezing or slow issue. It is only my computer which I first installed AVG and removed the virus.

All computers are running Win XP Professional SP2. I've rescan all the computers with AVG and no further threats are found.

What could be the reason that only my computer has the issue?

Thanks.

[brett74]

hi welcome to computer hope please read this link and a malware specialist will be with you shortly


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

[Zylstra]

I would recommend trying the following until you recieve further assistance after uploading your HiJackThis log and other things in the extremely handy guide that Brett74 has just linked to

Clicking Start> Run
Typing CMD and pressing ENTER
Then type (in the black command prompt window):

sfc /scannow

Have your Windows XP CD Ready

This may repair any files that a virus may have modified (for the worse) or damaged (for the worst...)

[Broni]

Follow both advice, then couple of questions...
1. What are computer specs: processor speed, amount of RAM, hard drive size/free space?
2. Do other computers have similar specs?

[Michael]

Thanks for the responses.

While I will not be in the office until tomorrow, I decided to check my own computer at home with the given instructions.

First I did what Zylstra suggested. Then I go to evilfantasy's guide.

Step A: Antivirus I have Avast 4.8 home edition & AVG 7.5 on my PC. When I download the latest AVG 8.0 and try to install/upgrade, I got the error message that I have an unsupported windows version. I'm running Win XP SP2, so I'm wondering.

Step 1: Add/Remove Program No suspicious program/malware.

Step 2: House Cleaning Cleared all those temporary files and cache.

Step 3: SUPERAntiSpyware Here is another problem. During the installation process, Spybot S&D will detect a registry change and prompts me whether to allow or deny it. But before I can even move my mouse, the computer crashes and restarts.

So what do I do now?

Thanks and sorry for jumping to my own computer's issue rather than my original problem with computer at work.

[evilfantasy]

Step A: Antivirus I have Avast 4.8 home edition & AVG 7.5 on my PC. When I download the latest AVG 8.0 and try to install/upgrade, I got the error message that I have an unsupported windows version. I'm running Win XP SP2, so I'm wondering.

You should never run two antivirus at the same time. It will do nothing but cause problems. Pick one and uninstall the other.

----------

Shut down Tea Timer during the removal process.

Disable Spybot's TeaTimer

While TeaTimer is an excellent tool for the prevention of spyware, it can sometimes prevent our tools from fixing certain things.
Please disable TeaTimer for now until you are clean. TeaTimer can be re-activated once your logs are clean.

First:

• Right click Spybot in the System Tray (looks like a calendar with a padlock symbol)
• Choose Exit Spybot S&D Resident

Second:

• Open Spybot S&D
• Click Mode, check Advanced Mode
  
• Go To Left Panel, Click Tools, then also in left panel, click Resident
  
• If your firewall raises a question, say OK
  
• Uncheck the box labeled Resident Tea-Timer and OK any prompts.
  
• Use File, Exit to terminate Spybot
  
• Reboot your machine for the changes to take effect.

[Michael]

I uninstalled Avast but AVG 8.0 still wouldn't allow me to install due to the same unsupported windows reason.

I disabled (unchecked) TeaTimer in SpyBot S&D, but the installation of SUPERAntiSpyware still crashes as it finish.

Also, after I unchecked the TeaTimer checkbox, exit and restart, if I go to the page again, the checkbox is still remain checked. 

[evilfantasy]

I don't know if AVG is refusing to install because you aren't running SP3, but that is the only thing I can think of. You may need to reinstall Avast so you do have an antivirus running until it gets sorted out.

Turn off Tea Timer again but this time do step 3 as well. If needed skip Superantispyware and go on to Malwarebytes.

----------

Disable Spybot's TeaTimer

While TeaTimer is an excellent tool for the prevention of spyware, it can sometimes prevent our tools from fixing certain things.
Please disable TeaTimer for now until you are clean. TeaTimer can be re-activated once your logs are clean.

First:

• Right click Spybot in the System Tray (looks like a calendar with a padlock symbol)
• Choose Exit Spybot S&D Resident

Second:

• Open Spybot S&D
• Click Mode, check Advanced Mode
  
• Go To Left Panel, Click Tools, then also in left panel, click Resident
  
• If your firewall raises a question, say OK
  
• Uncheck the box labeled Resident Tea-Timer and OK any prompts.
  
• Use File, Exit to terminate Spybot
  
• Reboot your machine for the changes to take effect.

Third:

With both Tea timer and SpyBot closed download ResetTeaTimer.zip

• Unzip the file. 
• Double click ResetTeaTimer.bat to remove all entries set by SpyBot's TeaTimer.
  
• Once it's ran, you can delete it. It will not be needed again.

Note: If TeaTimer gives you a warning afterwards that some changes were made, allow this instead of blocking it.

[Michael]

According to AVG's recource http://www.grisoft.com/ww.special-old-os-app SP2 is suppose to be alright.
Anyway, I've just tried to install AVG 8.0 again, with the old AVG 7.5 uninstalled.
Still same.

I turn off TeaTimer and reset it with the bat file.
Try to install SUPERAntiSpyware again, crash and restart again.

I run the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and the log is attached.
 
Updated my java to Java 6 Update 6.

Run hijackthis and the log is attached.



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[Broni]

First of all, I'd stay away from AVG .0, at least for now.
All kind of problems have been reported all over the net. I experienced them myself. Either go back to ver. 7.5, or go for Avast. Then try Superantispyware again.
Your logs are clean. You ran outdated HJT version, but in XP case, it shouldn't matter.

[Michael]

I didn't keep the installation file for AVG 7.5, so I re-install Avast instead.
I still couldn't install SUPERAntiSpyware. It still crashes and restarts.
Wonder what is wrong.
Thanks.

[Broni]

Can you post fresh HJT log? I'd like to check for AVG 8.0 leftovers.

[Michael]

I've got the AVG 7.5 from filehippo. So I dropped Avast (never like it anyway).

Attached is the HJT log.

Thanks.

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[Broni]

Unfortunately, you installed AVG Antispyware, not antivirus

[Michael]

I just realized the log was before I installed AVG 7.5.

So this is the correct one (5 minutes ago).

Sorry :-P

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