16 replies to this topic

[az0028]

Hello there... I was wondering if there's anyway I could clear out the junk from my laptop without deleting the vital informations. I've been using my laptop for 2 years now, the reason why I can't just format my computer is because my Windows is operating in Japanese. The keyboard typeface is very different from any other computers, the letters are aligned differently and there are specific buttons that helps when typing Japanese... I really want to switch to the English one, but I'm afraid the keyboard won't work the same. My computer have been acting up for months now, everyone I know has been telling me that the only solution is to format my computer... I'm just hoping that there would be another way... Do you think it would be possible if I could keep all the functions on my keyboard and use an English Windows?? Or just keep using my Japanese one, but make it faster?? Thank you

[paws]

Hi,
This is a tough one to answer.....
Let me start with some general comments first.
1 If this is the machine that was recently heavily infected, and was cleaned by you under direction of LDTate on Feb 3rd this year then it's possible that it has become reinfected.
I noticed in the logs under this thread:
http://forums.whatth...ing_t87922.html
that you had installed at some time a Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing application, called UTorrent.......the files that are often shared via this media can often be infected,... If you still have it installed then a good recommendation is for you to uninstall it now and run your up to date anti virus application together with at least one reputable on line scanner Trend, Panda etc

2 Can you expand please on

My computer have been acting up for months now

if you could describe how the machine is acting and the problems you are experiencing it would help.

3 Formatting and reinstalling your operating system, with all its drivers and all your applications, applying all the updates and settings, and then putting in (from your backup/archive/copy held on separate media) your data, emails, documents, spreadsheets, music, videos, work, photos etc is generally only to be considered, once you have tried a more conservative approach. Only when you have exhausted all other options should this step be considered.

4 Most laptops come with a Recovery partition (often on the D drive) that if activated will bring your machine back to its "Factory" condition I.E. the same state as it was in when it left the factory, the advantage of this is that it will generally include the drivers for your computer, (but not necessarily up to date ones,) and preinstalled applications. It is also a relatively quick and simple process, but you will still need to install all your extra applications, all your updates and data, work docs etc. from your back up/archive/copy. You will need your installation discs and product licence keys, so it might be a good insurance to start putting these in a safe place now....should you decide to use them in the future.

5 It might be worthwhile before you proceed further, to obtain a price from a local competent computer technician, to carry out this or other remedial work for you, At least then you will have the facts on which you can base your next decisions.

6 It would be wise for you to check now that your back up/archive/copy of all the important things on your computer is 100% accurate up to date and reproducible...even if it is only a day or two out of date then its best to remedy this now.

7 Many folks take a "disc image" of their hard drive, or at least their boot partition, (using software such as Ghost, Acronis. Paragon, Drive Image or similar) at a time when their machine is running fast and sweet, and free from any undesirable elements. In the event of serious trouble that does not respond in a timely way to the usual steps, then this can get your machine up and running again in the time it takes to walk the dog. If you have made a disc image then maybe now it's time to consider using it.

Regards
paws

[az0028]

Wow.. Thank you the fast reply Let me explain how my computer's acting up.. A while after cleaning out the infection,the thing that has always been nagging me is that when my computer is starting up instead of having the Windows XP icon thing showed up... my screen would be blank and it would take me a while longer to start up (compared to my friends' laptops and even the school computer which is only Pentium 4 ) I thought it might something, but not serious. Until my computer is getting slower by the day and it seems to be getting worse... I tried not using a lot of things a the same time, cleaning out all the junks as often as I can by using ATF-Cleaner and deleting unnecessary programs. And just now while I was reading your reply, my computer screen turned completely purple (for the first time ever!) These are the obvious symptoms that I've noticed, there could be more but my computer skill is way below average to notice anything less obvious. Do you think it could possibly be another infection?? Is there anything I could do? I really appreciate your help...

Edited by az0028, 01 May 2008 - 09:25 AM.

[paws]

OK, Thanks for the information.
1 For a general review on steps to take with a slow machine have a look here:
http://users.telenet...owcomputer.html
follow the directions and see if you can make an improvement

2 If you have been using file sharing (Via UTorrent or similar P2P applications) since your infection was cleaned up, then there is a good possibility you have become reinfected.

3, Please advise how much RAM you have installed in your machine ( Right click My Computer, click on Properties and advise the CPU and speed and RAM.....its all under "Computer") if you have an inadequate amount of RAM this can make your machine very slow.

4 A purple screen is not normally something specifically associated with malware, but is often seen as a result of a hardware problem, with either the connection cable from motherboard to VDU/Inverter/Backlight. It is recommended that you do NOT attempt to disassemble the VDU and or its surround or connections unless you are experienced in these areas. A better way to check is to close down your computer in the usual way and then connect an external VDU (from a desktop computer) to the VGA connector on your laptop Also please make sure that the external VDU is switched OFF before connecting.

5 When the connections are complete then power on first your external VDU screen and wait 2 minutes before powering up your laptop. If all goes well you will see your desktop/Windows on the External VDU......... if the purple tint has gone then the laptop's VDU, connectors, Inverter/Backlight needs looking at, NOTE you may need to press a key combination like Fn+F5 or F6 to activate the external monitor, you may need to do this 2 or 3 times (see your Owners Manual for precise details)

6 If these simple checks do not help then you are looking at possible malware and will need to post an up to date HJT log in the Malware removal forum, however it may still be wise to get a price from your local competent computer technician to examine your machine, carry out a diagnostic, and fix, before you go too far........

7 I recommend the following priorities for your consideration

A, Check Back up/Archive/Copy of everything important to you, is 100% up to date accurate and reproducible, and kept safe on removable media, locate all installation discs and Product Keys

B Follow the link in 1 above

C Follow recommendations in 4 and 5 above

D Uninstall all Peer to Peer file sharing applications (please uninstall do not delete applications as this is likely to create problems ( Use Control Panel >Add and Remove Programs)

E Get a Price for a competent computer technician to examine, diagnose and fix.

F Run your updated anti malware scans +online scans as advised in my previous post

G Consider posting an up to date HJT log in the malware removal forum (not here please)
Good luck and Regards
paws

Edited by paws, 01 May 2008 - 11:45 AM.

[az0028]

Hi Paws 1) Link #1 appear to be not working, are there any alternatives that I can go to?? 2) My computer : Pentium® M processor 1.73GHz, 504 MB RAM. How does my computer range? Should it be this slow? 3) I've uninstalled the peer-to-peer program 4) I'm running HJT now and will post the log to the malware forum asap thank you again!!!!!

[paws]

Hi, Ok,
Revised link here(for information only)
http://forums.whatth...low_t74560.html
As you have posted an HJT lg please take no further action on this thread until your log has been analysed and declared clear.
Once your machine has been declared clear please post back here and we will make some recomendations about increasing your RAM (which is quite low )
Regards
paws

[az0028]

Hi Paws

I forgot to mention that with reinstalling like you did your Operating System may not be fully patched with all the latest windows updates and also you may no longer have an Anti Virus program installed.

Lets do this, run this free test over at PCPitstop,, it will check the health of your hard drive amongst other things, it will give a report, post the report back in the forum that you started with Paws.

http://forums.whatth...top_t91393.html <--Post it here

So here is my TechExpress Link
http://www.pcpitstop...3A3TWQYSUGSJEX9

Glad to see you here again!
- Erina

PS. I noticed that some of the entries in the hardware and software list are in Japanese. It might not be important, but if you need to know which one in particular, please tell me.

Edited by az0028, 12 May 2008 - 06:27 AM.

[Doug]

Hi Erina,

I'm glad to see you up and running again.
There are several things that you can do to optimize the performance of this machine.

***However, the most important, is to get some AntiVirus and AntiSpyware installed, per Ken's recommendations.

• Next would be to complete the MS Updates.
• Then update your JAVA Runtime Environment (Uninstall version 5 before installing the version 6.5)
• Then reduce space reserved for System Restore.
• Then Defrag that Hard Drive (especially C:\)
• Your D:\ drive may not let you defrag, since you only have 4% free space.
• You would do well to get an USB External Hard Drive to save as much of your Data, files, documents, media and such onto the External HD and free up space on D:\ Then Defrag D:\

There are a few other minor items to improve your performance, including

• turn off some of the unnecessary StartUp applications and processes
• set display for best performance
• set power options according to your use

You can take these steps one at a time without rushing....
.... Except you should "rush" to get Antivirus/AntiSpyware protection.

We'll follow along as you progress.

Best Regards

[Doug]

Once you have AntiVirus and AntiSpyware installed and have completed the first four numbered steps, please run a fresh PCPitstop Full Test and post the new TechExpress link.

We'll have a look at the results and be better able to recommend next steps.

Best Regards

[az0028]

Hey there,

Here's my TechExpress link ↓↓
http://www.pcpitstop...4R3TWQYSUGSSC39

A couple of quick questions:
1)How important is a firewall? Do I REALLY REALLY need it?
2)Last time, I had a few problems with the unused registry keys, hence the Uniblue Registry Booster2 program. So, I just wanted to know in advance how to clean up old unused registry keys.


Erina

Edited by az0028, 13 May 2008 - 02:51 AM.

[az0028]

Hi.

Sorry to bother you again, but I keep getting NSIS Error messages.
Didn't want to bother again, so I did some searching ⇒Here
Tried #1-6 from 'How to fix the problem' but did not work.
Not sure how to do #7 & 10.

ANOTHER problem (oh god) is this ↓↓

not sure at all what's happening... why all the question marks?

Please advise.
-Erina

Edited by az0028, 13 May 2008 - 11:06 AM.

[Doug]

Hi Erina,

I've been writing some recommendations for you to follow that could further improve your machine function, based on your results from the most recent Pit Tests.

Unfortunately, I've been extremely busy with some local matters and haven't posted.
But I will.

As to your persistent NSIS Error messages I'll look into it right now briefly, but may need to defer until this evening to post any more comprehensive recommendation.

Keep the faith. You're doing just great.
WTT Forums will be around to assist as necessary.

Best Regards

[Doug]

I'm not able to assist with non-English information and instructions. The ???? ???? often are used when there is no familiar translation of the information or the item is not recognized in the data base of whatever process is currently active. Bottom Line: I just don't know. Is it an item of concern? Yes. We need to determine what is being referred to. Is it necessarily bad? No. It might be just an error of Windows in recognizing or translating. What should we do? Please provide whatever translation information you can by typing the rough equivalent of the message you are receiving. Please be detailed and if a specific error message or code reference is in place, please provide the English translation exactly as possible.

[Doug]

Groove Folder Synchroniztion - is a popular process for some users, but not entirely "essential" for your machine to perform well. I'll read up on it again. It's been a while since I looked into this particular feature.

[Doug]

What is the software/application that you are trying to download/install when you receive the NSIS Error message?