Painfully Slow Computer

Fezzik_2

My Dads PC is running very slowly. I've done all the things I can think of (defrag, removing the rubbish on there, that sort of thing). This makes it run quicker for a short period of time but it then gets really slow again. The computer is only used for basic word processing, internet and email use.

The deatails on the computer are:
Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

AMD Sempron (tm) 2400+
1.68 GHz, 192 MB of RAM

I have looked back on past threads and this is what others were told to do:

Crucial Memory Check:
Maximum Memory Capacity: 2048MB
Currently Installed Memory: 256MB
Available Memory Slots: 1
<LI class=" sfhover">Total Memory Slots: 2Dual Channel Support: No
CPU Manufacturer: AuthenticAMD
CPU Family: AMD Sempron(tm) 2400+ Model 8, Stepping 1
CPU Speed: 1679 MHz

Malware Bytes Log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.42
Database version: 3396
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11
20/12/2009 14:41:42
mbam-log-2009-12-20 (14-41-42).txt
Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 199006
Time elapsed: 3 hour(s), 8 minute(s), 15 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 6
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 2
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{2e9937fc-cf2f-4f56-af54-5a6a3dd375cc} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{741de825-a6f0-4497-9aa6-8023cf9b0fff} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{147a976f-eee1-4377-8ea7-4716e4cdd239} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{56256a51-b582-467e-b8d4-7786eda79ae0} (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{56256a51-b582-467e-b8d4-7786eda79ae0} (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Multimedia\WMPlayer\Schemes\f3pss (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\FirewallDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\RXToolBar (Adware.RXToolbar) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
C:\Endowment 2nd comlaint_letter.rtf (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Endow_letter Brad &Bing.rtf (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

All items found were deleted and the computer re-booted.

Hi-Jack this log:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.3 (BETA)
Scan saved at 12:09:30, on 29/12/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Shrink Pic\shrink_pic.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jucheck.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\TrendMicro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = ntlworld.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.4.4525.1752\swg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe" -scheduler
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmartDefrag] "C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSSE] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LDM] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BackWeb-8876480.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: Shrink Pic.lnk = C:\Program Files\Shrink Pic\shrink_pic.exe
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &eBay Search - res://C:\Program Files\eBay\eBay Toolbar2\eBayTb.dll/RCSearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_60D6097707281E79.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {05D44720-58E3-49E6-BDF6-D00330E511D3} (StagingUI Object) - zone.msn.com/binFrameWork/v10/StagingUI.cab55579.cab
O16 - DPF: {0CCA191D-13A6-4E29-B746-314DEE697D83} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - upload.facebook.com/controls/2008.10.10_v5.5.8/FacebookPhotoUploader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {1239CC52-59EF-4DFA-8C61-90FFA846DF7E} (Musicnotes Viewer) - .musicnotes.com/download/mnviewer.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {3BB54395-5982-4788-8AF4-B5388FFDD0D8} (MSN Games – Buddy Invite) - zone.msn.com/BinFrameWork/v10/ZBuddy.cab55579.cab
O16 - DPF: {4E62C4DE-627D-4604-B157-4B7D6B09F02E} (AccountTracking Profile Manager Class) - moneymanager.egg.com/Pinsafe/accounttracking.cab
O16 - DPF: {5736C456-EA94-4AAC-BB08-917ABDD035B3} (ZonePAChat Object) - zone.msn.com/binframework/v10/ZPAChat.cab55579.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {9BDF4724-10AA-43D5-BD15-AEA0D2287303} (MSN Games – Texas Holdem Poker) - zone.msn.com/bingame/zpagames/zpa_txhe.cab60231.cab
O16 - DPF: {A8F2B9BD-A6A0-486A-9744-18920D898429} (ScorchPlugin Class) - .sibelius.com/download/software/win/ActiveXPlugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (MSN Games - Installer) - cdn2.zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab56649.cab
O16 - DPF: {DA2AA6CF-5C7A-4B71-BC3B-C771BB369937} (MSN Games – Game Communicator) -zone.msn.com/binframework/v10/StProxy.cab55579.cab
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PsExec (PSEXESVC) - Sysinternals - C:\WINDOWS\PSEXESVC.EXE
--
End of file - 7603 bytes

I know this has been a long post to get through but I would appreaciate any help offered.

Donnie

More RAM!!

scottishblondie

Generally my next approach (other than harware upgrades) would be a clean installation of Windows. This will, however, involve deleting all the data on the computer so if you go down this route then make sure you have adequate backups of all your Dad's stuff.

Donnie

Get rid of the TOOLBARS. Try another Internet Browser, such as Opera.

That way you won't have to deal with the silly toolbars installed all over IE. Then you won't need the Google ToolBar Notifier

More RAM!

stuartk

Hi There

You DON'T have to reinstall Windows.

As your MBAM log shows various malware including My Websearch / Trojan Vundo etc I would let MBAM remove these and reboot and rescan.

Then repost the MBAM log

Regards

benrashton

You need to buy more RAM. You should look to install the maximum ram (2GB in your case) your motherboard can take.

RAM's used to hold all the programs you're using in memory, the more you have the more you can do. These days the programs are big and if you don't have much RAM they will run slow even if you only have one program open.

That is the only sure fire way of speeding it up. Reinstalling windows and using Spyware removal software will have little effect and within a week your computer will be clunky again.

Either take it to a local computer shop or buy the RAM online and upgrade it yourself (much cheaper). It's a reasonably simple job and plenty of online tutorials on utube.

BillScarab

Fix the errors reported by Malwarebytes if you haven't already.

Throw away the 256Mb of memopry and replace it with 2 1Gb sticks.

stuartk

Hi Guys

I think the OP should deal with the present malware first BEFORE attempting any hardware upgrades.

Regards

Donnie

I neither of you have read the OP's post completely.

All items found were deleted and the computer re-booted.

.

But I agree with the re-scan. Though generally I recommend the Quick Scan and re-boot and then the Full Scan.

I wouldn't recommend buying 2GB of RAM for that machine. 1GB will do. This is a moneysaving website....

1.25GB is quite sufficient for a Sempron running XP.

I'm guessing it needs DDR 3200, but you should check using CPU-Z.

stuartk

Hi There

OK I would also question this entry:

C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe

See here: http://www.systemlookup.com/search.php?type=filename&client=malwaresearch-ff&search=IObit%20SmartDefrag.exe

Regards

aliEnRIK

1 gig of RAM will give a HUGH increase in speed. You definitely need more RAM regardless of any other problems

As you have VUNDO trojan ~
Please run COMBOFIX

Shut down your anti virus
Follow the simple instructions it gives
Post the COMPLETE log it creates here (Split into sections if need be)

If it comes up with a RENAMING error then RIGHT click the exe file and RENAME and call it QWERTY (Making the complete file name 'QWERTY.exe') Or SAVE as 'QWERTY' on download