Desktop computer compromised, running slow, not updating. Please can you help?

redmandarin

Hi folks,

I'm on Sky broadband/wifi and moved house recently. When I re-connected my dell pc it is very slow. When I click on anything it takes several minutes to open and sometimes nothing happens at all. I tried google which loaded eventually, but stated "This connection is untrusted" so I pressed the "Get me out of here" button.

Taking internet advice (using my old iPad) I told Firefox (my default browser) to not use proxy servers, which I was informed would help. The icons at bottom of screen state Windows security and Avast need updating. They loaded eventually, but the Avast screen went off. Microsoft says my firewall is on but my antivirus needs updating! Microsoft won't update - either nothing happens or it says server not responding.

I have Malwarebytes & Super anti-spy already downloaded. Malwarebytes wouldn't run, so I did a quick scan in safe mode and nothing came up. I then tried a full scan on normal mode and it found "PUP open candy" which I removed, but it hasn't made any difference. Super-antispy won't update.

A software health "Critical" warning box from Avast just appeared and started a check. Firefox and Quick Time are ok, but Explorer says "update now". ITunes and Flash player have been on "preparing" mode for 15 minutes. It looks like it won't get any further. I clicked on "update Explorer" and it didn't.

The only other device I have (apart from iPhone) is an old ipad and I have no pen-drive or cd's. The machine is still connected to the Internet which obviously is a concern without adequate protection, please can you help?

Many thanks
red

closed

is the time and date correct

try wired instead of wireless, check connection speed on router.

post a hijackthis log

remove all proxy settings in all browsers.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

tanto

hi boot your computer into safe mode and then you should then be able to run malwarebytes


it is usually a virus or Trojan that will try to disable malwarebytes so you cannot scan for the problem


to get into safe mode it is usually f8 key you press when first splash screen shows during bootup once in safe mode


malwarebytes should run as the problem file will not usually be loaded in safe mode

rmg1

Try running Malwarebytes in Chameleon mode (just in case something on the PC is stopping it running).

redmandarin

Thanks a lot for your replies.

My pc was running ok before I moved house, but when I set it up in the new location it suddenly ran very slowly indeed. So I'm concerned that something nasty is on it. Everything is taking so long or not happening at all.

Malwarebytes: It wouldn't run in normal mode, then I got it to run a quick scan in safe mode, but it only scanned a small fraction of the pc and found nothing. Eventually, I got it to run a full scan in normal mode and it found "PUP Open Candy" which it says has been removed. But this has not helped. Sorry I don't know what Malwarebytes Chameleon mode is.

As mentioned earlier regarding the Avast dialogue box "Critical" notice, I clicked on "update explorer" but it won't update. I connected to Microsoft, but Explorer still won't update and the dialogue box will not close.

Sorry I meant to say that after the move when I first switched on the machine it had the wrong time and it had changed to Jan 2004 (when it was born)? So I fixed it.

I followed "closed's" kind advice (but this reply has disappeared) to report Task Manager Performance. Here are the results:

Commit charge total 632792
Commit charge peak 651496
Physical memory 522224

Hijack this log to follow, as soon as I can get it posted.

Thanks, red

waddler_8

tanto wrote: »

hi boot your computer into safe mode and then you should then be able to run malwarebytes

it is usually a virus or Trojan that will try to disable malwarebytes so you cannot scan for the problem...

...malwarebytes should run as the problem file will not usually be loaded in safe mode

FYI
https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/entries/21892442-Should-I-scan-with-Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware-in-Safe-Mode-

Unless otherwise directed always run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in normal mode. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not designed to find all infections when in safe mode. Safe mode will not always load all infection components.

redmandarin

Thanks waddler_8.
I'm currently trying to get Malwarebytes to load on my pc, so I can run Chameleon. I assume (hope) it will be available there without an extra download, as that would prove difficult.

As is usually the case now, when I try to open anything nothing happens, or a small egg timer comes on and then goes off and nothing happens. Sometimes, eventually, after persistent tries/reboots, I get a result! Still waiting...

I managed to do and save a "Hijack this" log, but I can't post it because of the above, and because MSE won't load either.

I'm making these posts with my iPad at the moment (an old 1st generation, but is working fine)! But I need to connect to iTunes, which is on my desktop.

Cheers, red

waddler_8

See if you can use safe mode with networking and get me a DDS log - should take 2-3 minutes - If successful, let me know and I'll PM you my email address to send the logs.

Download DDS from the link below and save it to your desktop:

Link

After you've downloaded it and saved it to your desktop:

• Double click DDS to run it.
• Click Start
• When it's finished, DDS will open two logs:

1. DDS.txt
   
2. Attach.txt

Save both reports to your desktop.

redmandarin

Thanks waddler_8.

I loaded safe mode with networking onto the desktop - by the way I was offered a system restore option - I haven't tried this as I assume it might make matters worse?

Anyway, then on iPad I clicked on your link and it says "Safari can't download this file". This is the third day I've spent trying to fix this problem and I'm fed up! My other half has suggested I take the pc into a shop, but I don't want to, or alternatively that I should scrap it! But no mention of buying me a replacement has been made, lol!

And anyway it's my desktop - and I want to fix it!

waddler_8

Can you use the desktop to download it in safe mode with networking?

redmandarin

I've got Malwarebytes loaded in safe with networking. I found Chameleon but the font is so big that it is off screen and I can't click on the link.

I brought up Firefox, but it won't let me write in the google box. The number lock is on and won't switch off.