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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Computer running slow/other issues

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Post #1
I'm running Windows Vista. My laptop is a few years old so it was already slow but the past week it's been significantly worse. There are a few issues that I keep running into:

1) Explorer fails to respond quite often. A surefire way to induce this is for me to right-click the recycle bin. If the menu ever comes up, it takes about 10 minutes or so.
2) Windows Installer responds very slowly. It will sit there seemingly doing nothing, also for about 10 minutes or so, before progressing as normal.
3) Not sure if it's related at all, but iTunes also "freezes" regularly. It continues to run when minimized (it minimizes to the taskbar) but can't be restored without restarting the program.
4) I'm sure this is unrelated because it's been happening for a while now but in case registry problems are the cause for all of these issues (I say that as if I know what a registry is), I've been unable to update/uninstall Adobe Reader for quite some time now (much longer than I've had these other issues). I receive the following error: Error 1402: Could not open key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\OptionalComponentsMSFS
5) I received a blue screen a couple days ago (after issues 1 through 3 surfaced)

I've run HijackThis as administrator and received the following logfile:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 7:38:50 PM, on 1/19/2012
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8112.16421)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Windows\System32\WLTRAY.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\hpwuschd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\EZBackitup\EZBkuptray.exe
C:\Program Files\TRENDnet\USB Server Control Center\MFP Server Control Center.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgpc01.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Java\jre6\bin\jp2launcher.exe
c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\java.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\My Shared Folder\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.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 =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer provided by Dell
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: vshare.tv Bar Toolbar - {7aeb3efd-e564-43f1-b658-5058a7c5743b} - C:\Program Files\vshare.tv_Bar\prxtbvsha.dll
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
O2 - BHO: vShare Plugin - {043C5167-00BB-4324-AF7E-62013FAEDACF} - C:\Program Files\vShare\vshare_toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Conduit Engine - {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D} - C:\Program Files\ConduitEngine\prxConduitEngine.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: vshare.tv Bar - {7aeb3efd-e564-43f1-b658-5058a7c5743b} - C:\Program Files\vshare.tv_Bar\prxtbvsha.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - C:\Program Files\BAE\BAE.dll
O2 - BHO: Bing Bar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: vShare Plugin - {043C5167-00BB-4324-AF7E-62013FAEDACF} - C:\Program Files\vShare\vshare_toolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: vshare.tv Bar Toolbar - {7aeb3efd-e564-43f1-b658-5058a7c5743b} - C:\Program Files\vshare.tv_Bar\prxtbvsha.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Conduit Engine - {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D} - C:\Program Files\ConduitEngine\prxConduitEngine.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Bing Bar - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Broadcom Wireless Manager UI] C:\Windows\system32\WLTRAY.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ECenter] c:\dell\E-Center\EULALauncher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\Windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgtray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupport] "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [bootstartx.exe] C:\bootstartx.exe\bootstartx.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EZBack-it-up Tray Scheduler] C:\Program Files\EZBackitup\EZBkuptray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MFP Server Control Center] C:\Program Files\TRENDnet\USB Server Control Center\MFP Server Control Center
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: QuickSet.lnk = ?
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Show or hide HP Smart Web Printing - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O16 - DPF: {3860DD98-0549-4D50-AA72-5D17D200EE10} (Windows Live OneCare safety scanner control) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/resource/…s/wlscctrl2.cab
O16 - DPF: {49312E18-AA92-4CC2-BB97-55DEA7BCADD6} (WMI Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysProExe.CAB
O16 - DPF: {F27237D7-93C8-44C2-AC6E-D6057B9A918F} (JuniperSetupClientControl Class) - https://juniper.net/dana-cached/sc/JuniperSetupClient.cab
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: vsharechrome - {3F3A4B8A-86FC-43A4-BB00-6D7EBE9D4484} - C:\Program Files\vShare\vshare_toolbar.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: SAS Core Service (!SASCORE) - SUPERAntiSpyware.com - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASCORE.EXE
O23 - Service: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Juniper Network Connect Service (dsNcService) - Juniper Networks - C:\Program Files\Juniper Networks\Common Files\dsNcService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXlm server for PTC - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\flexnet\i486_nt\obj\lmgrd.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: FsUsbExService - Teruten - C:\Windows\system32\FsUsbExService.Exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies - C:\Program Files\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: SolidWorks Licensing Service - SolidWorks - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Shared\Service\SolidWorksLicensing.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (dellsupportcenter) (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

–
End of file - 11014 bytes


Hopefully someone can come up with something. Thanks in advance.
Post #2
Hello and welcome to What the Tech.

My name is Michael and I will be helping you with your computer problems.

Be aware that I am currently in training, which means that my replies must first be approved by one of my teachers. This may cause a slight delay in my responses, but keep in mind that this process is only to ensure you are receiving advice of the utmost accuracy.

Please keep the following points in mind:
  • Malware research is often a time consuming process and sometimes multiple tools/methods will have to be employed before an infection is completely dealt with. Please be patient during the process of removal.
  • Read my instructions carefully before carrying them out. Also, consider printing out any instructions in case you lose your Internet connection.
  • If you have any questions, please ask before carrying out a fix. Clearing up any confusion beforehand will save time in the long run. That said, I will try to post instructions as clearly and concisely as possible.
  • Please reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic, and do not request help on other forums during the course of the cleaning process.
  • If you do not reply after three (3) days, your thread will be closed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not delete anything unless instructed to.
DO NOT use any TOOLS such as Combofix or HijackThis fixes without supervision. Doing so could make your system inoperable and could require a full reinstall of your Operating System and losing all your programs and data.

I will be back as soon as possible with a response.
Post #3
Vista and Windows 7 users:

These tools MUST be run from the executable. (.exe) every time you run them
with Admin Rights (Right click, choose "Run as Administrator")

IMPORTANT - Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. If you have difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, refer to this link here.

Please ensure that word wrap is disabled in notepad before posting any logs (Format -> Uncheck Word Wrap).

  • DDS

    Please download DDS and save it to your desktop.

    • Disable any script blocking protection.
    • Double click dds.scr to run the tool.
    • When done, DDS.txt will open.
    • Save both reports to your desktop.
    —————————————————

    Please copy / paste the scan results of DDS.txt

    Please attach the second file; Attach.txt. To attach a file, do the following:
    • Under the reply panel is the Attachments Panel
    • Browse for the attachment file you want to upload, then click the green Upload button
    • Once it has uploaded, click the Manage Current Attachments drop down box
    • Click on [external image: Posted Image] to insert the attachment into your post
  • aswMBR

    • Please download aswMBR.exe and save it to your desktop.
    • Double click aswMBR.exe to start the tool. (Vista/Windows 7 users - right click to run as administrator)
    • When prompted to download virus definitions, please do so.
    • Click Scan. Note: Do NOT attempt any Fix yet.
    • When the scan completes, click Save log, save it to your desktop and post it in your next reply.
    • There should also be another file that is created on your desktop named MBR.dat. Please right-click that file and select Send To>Compressed (zipped) folder. Attach that zipped file in your next reply as well.
  • GMER

    [external image: Posted Image]
    Download GMER Rootkit Scanner from here or here.
    • Extract the contents of the zipped file to desktop.
    • Launch GMER.exe. If asked to allow gmer.sys driver to load, please consent.
    • If it gives you a warning about rootkit activity and asks if you want to run scan…click on NO.

      [external image: Posted Image]
      Click the image to enlarge it
    • In the right panel, you will see several boxes that have been checked. Uncheck the following …
    • IAT/EAT
    • All drives/partitions except C:\)
    • Show All (don't miss this one)
  • Then click the Scan button & wait for it to finish.
  • Once done click on the [Save..] button, and in the File name area, type in "Gmer.txt" or it will save as a .log file which cannot be uploaded to your post.
  • Save it where you can easily find it, such as your desktop, and attach it in your reply.
**Caution**
Rootkit scans often produce false positives. Do NOT take any action on any "<— ROOKIT" entries
—-

In your next reply, please include the logs for

  • DDS (DDS.txt, Attach.txt)
  • aswMBR (including MBR.dat)
  • GMER
Post #5
I do still need help but I can't get aswMBR to run completely. I've turned off my virus and spyware protection but three times I've received an error at some point during the scan that forces the program to close. Do you know what could be going wrong?

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