what is svchost,exe

cozza

i just done a scan on mt lap top and it come up with svchost,exe
it turnes out there is 9 c:\ windows\system32\schost,exe running what are they for and do i need all them ?:(

closed

You need some of them, but if a scanner found a rogue one or one with a different spelling, you should let it deal with it. Post a hijackthis log, and scan and fix with malwarebytes if you haven't already.

You can find which services are running under the host process by running process explorer, and clicking on the svchost entries, then services.

http://live.sysinternals.com/procexp.exe

cozza

ok just doing hijack scan from maleware il post soon as done ty

cozza

here is the maleware scan
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 6318
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
09/04/2011 13:59:39
mbam-log-2011-04-09 (13-59-38).txt
Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 173763
Time elapsed: 22 minute(s), 55 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

cozza

here is the highjack this
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 14:01:34, on 09/04/2011
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\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Application Updater\ApplicationUpdater.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft LifeCam\MSCamS32.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\SeaPort\SeaPort.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\VTTimer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\VTtrayp.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Philips\SPC230NC\Monitor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\vVX1000.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Spigot\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Kontiki\khost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\is360.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360tray.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltuser.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\cozza\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\PJKSX3F3\HijackThis[1].exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://uk.msn.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://uk.msn.com/
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://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R3 - URLSearchHook: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SearchHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.6.6209.1142\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {1E61ED7C-7CB8-49d6-B9E9-AB4C880C8414} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O3 - Toolbar: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTrayp] VTtrayp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SPC_Monitor] C:\WINDOWS\Philips\SPC230NC\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SPC230NC_Monitor] C:\WINDOWS\Philips\SPC230NC\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VX1000] C:\WINDOWS\vVX1000.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SearchSettings] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Spigot\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [kdx] C:\Program Files\Kontiki\khost.exe -all
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')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_D183CA64F05FDD98.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.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: {0920DBB1-D098-4ACE-9DDD-7A6F18A9ED66} (HomeVendGasCard Class) - https://britishgastopup.paypoint.com/HomeVend.cab
O16 - DPF: {283B7DE7-A1ED-4D27-AA59-C6E7427544D2} (KeyBox Class) - https://bg.itronenergypoint.net/IHVConnect/KeyBoxControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety Center Base Module) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/resource/download/scanner/wlscbase6770.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1279885337718
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
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: Application Updater - Spigot, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Application Updater\ApplicationUpdater.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: IS360service - IObit - C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: KService - Kontiki Inc. - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
O23 - Service: Fujitsu Diagnostic Testhandler (TestHandler) - Fujitsu Technology Solutions - C:\Program Files\Fujitsu\SystemDiagnostics\OnlineDiagnostic\TestManager\HaDTMan.exe
O23 - Service: Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
--
End of file - 9779 bytes

giraffe69

This site http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/what-is-svchostexe-and-why-is-it-running/ gives a good description of svchost.exe and why you might have more than one running legitimately (although it can be related to a virus)

cozza

does the hijack look ok as i can see i dont think i got any think bad on there but i dont know much lol

cozza

ty closed and giraffe 60 then 2 sites you recomended are very usefull

closed

Making any changes to a PC setup always comes with a slight risk of something going wrong, the worse case scenario is an unbootable PC - ideally you should have got a backup of important data on dvd or external disk, and a disk image backup (http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp) or windows disc/factory restore partition available before you start. In the unlikely event that anything does go wrong, post on another pc for advice.

Install and run ccleaner (untick the google toolbar during the install). Untick the "windows log files" box, under the system heading before cleaning. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/slim

If you suspect an infection, here are some other virus scanners to try, let them fix anything found

http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro
http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe

If you are getting your web browsing redirected, and are working on a home machine (not work), delete (or rename to anything) your hosts file c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts or replace it with this http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm which helps to block against malware and adverts

Scanning with all the scanners above along with your resident scanner should remove most or all infections if there are any present on your machine, below is some specific (optional) advice based on your log which may help to improve speed and tidy things up.

This is a general guide on cleaning up infections and speeding up pc's https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849 .


Using Hijackthis, tick and fix all the lines beginnning with O16

O16 - DPF: {0920DBB1-D098-4ACE-9DDD-7A6F18A9ED66} (HomeVendGasCard Class) - https://britishgastopup.paypoint.com/HomeVend.cab
O16 - DPF: {283B7DE7-A1ED-4D27-AA59-C6E7427544D2} (KeyBox Class) - https://bg.itronenergypoint.net/IHVC...BoxControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety Center Base Module) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/res...scbase6770.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1279885337718
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab

Using Hijackthis, tick and fix all the (no file)'s

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)


Click the java icon in control panel, advanced, misc - untick java quick starter, and untick place icon in task bar

Disable ctfmon - control panel, regional and language options,languages, details, advanced, tick the Turn off advanced text services, ok

Uninstall any IE toolbars (browser helper objects or BHO's) or Firefox plugins that you don't need, this is a list of the IE BHO's evident in the log

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SearchHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.6.6209.1142\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Toolbar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - C:\Program Files\MSN\Toolbar\3.0.1203.0\msneshellx.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll

Disable (vista/W7) or uninstall (XP) Windows Defender

If you want a speedy machine, Use windows firewall and replace your antivirus and security software with avast 6 free - (a fast and lightweight virus scanner with good detection rates) http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download :


Install and run startuplite, accept suggested changes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/StartUpLite.exe

Uninstall IObit in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features)

C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\is360.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360tray.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe
R3 - URLSearchHook: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O2 - BHO: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: IObit Toolbar - {0BDA0769-FD72-49F4-9266-E1FB004F4D8F} - C:\Program Files\IObit Toolbar\IE\4.3\iobitToolbarIE.dll
O23 - Service: IS360service - IObit - C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe


Uninstall googletoolbar in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features)

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\5.6.6209.1142\s wg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe"
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_D183 CA64F05FDD98.dll/cmsidewiki.html


Uninstall superantispyware in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features)

O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL


Uninstall ApplicationUpdater in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features)

C:\Program Files\Application Updater\ApplicationUpdater.exe
O23 - Service: Application Updater - Spigot, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Application Updater\ApplicationUpdater.exe


Uninstall SearchSettings in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features)

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Spigot\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SearchSettings] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Spigot\Search Settings\SearchSettings.exe"




Download and install cleanmem http://www.pcwintech.com/cleanmem (download direct download). In windows explorer, go to c:\windows\tasks, click on the clean system memory task, schedule, advanced, and change it from every 30 minutes to every 5 minutes, then ok, ok. Find c:\program files\cleanmem\mini_monitor, run it and right click the icon (near the clock) to set it to automatically run at startup, show percentage to keep an eye on your ram use.

In internet explorer, click on tools, internet options, advanced, disable script debugging

start, run, services.msc, disable these services unless you use them. (make a note of any services you disable,if you have any problems related to these services subsequently, simply re-enable them)

SSDP Discovery Service
Remote Registry
WebClient
Distributed Link Tracking Client


Disable this service GoogleUpdate by running services.msc

O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe


Disable this service JavaQuickStarterService by running services.msc

O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe


Unless you use it, use msconfig to disable MsnMsgr.Exe from running at startup

C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background


When you've done all that, post a fresh hijackthis log and any logs of infections found