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Older laptop running very slow [Solved]

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Post #16
Satchfan, My family is still in town until Saturday! I've downloaded mbam twice now, but when I run it I only get the dos prompt box that opens up for maybe 2 seconds than closes again and nothing happens. Do you know what I can do? Thanks.
Post #17
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: v2013.08.07.05 Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702 Administrator :: GOETZ-LAPTOP [administrator] 8/7/2013 8:08:21 AM mbam-log-2013-08-07 (08-08-21).txt Scan type: Quick scan Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM Scan options disabled: P2P Objects scanned: 211272 Time elapsed: 18 minute(s), 24 second(s) Memory Processes Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Memory Modules Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Values Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data Items Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Files Detected: 1 C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\Setup(1).exe (PUP.Optional.IBryte.A) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. (end)
Post #18

My family is still in town until Saturday!

Family comes first so reply when you can!

That log looks good.

A final scan and if that's clear we can tidy up the tools you've used.

Run ESET Online Scan

IMPORTANT Please make sure you uncheck the box next to Remove found threats. Eset will detect anything that looks even slightly suspicious, which could include legitimate program files. If you do not uncheck the box, Eset will automatically remove all suspicious files which could leave some of your software inoperable.

Note: You can use either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox for this scan. You will however need to disable your current installed Anti-Virus, how to do so can be read here.

Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.

ESET OnlineScan
  • click the Eset online Scanner button.
  • for alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)


    o click on esetinstaller.exe to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
    o double click on the Eset installer icon on your desktop.

  • check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
  • click the Start button.
  • accept any security warnings from your browser.
  • check Scan archives and Remove found threats.
  • click Advanced settings and select the following:


    o Scan potentially unwanted applications
    o Scan for potentially unsafe applications
    o Enable Anti-Stealth technology

  • ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
  • when the scan completes, push List of found threats
  • push Export to Text file and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.

    Note - if ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.
  • push the back button.
  • push Finish
If a log has been produced post it in your next reply.

Is your computer any faster now?

Thanks

Satchfan
Post #19
This is all there is on the aswmbr file: aswMBR version 0.9.9.1771 Copyright© 2011 AVAST Software Run date: 2013-08-07 08:38:01 —————————– 08:38:01.109 OS Version: Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 08:38:01.109 Number of processors: 1 586 0xD08 08:38:01.109 ComputerName: GOETZ-LAPTOP UserName: 08:38:16.859 Initialize success 22:42:10.937 The log file has been saved successfully to "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\aswMBR.txt"
Post #21
ESET didn't find anything. CPU does run better on start up and programs load a little faster. I'm hoping upping the ram to 2G will help a little more! Anything left to do? Thanks!
Post #22
Forgot to ask, what free antivirus software would you recommend? We have AVG now, but I think I'd like to switch. Or should I update, I think our AVG is old.
Post #23 last edited
Hi Adreyta

Your computer appears to be clean.

Now that you’re free from malware, as long as your computer seems to be running well, please follow these simple steps to tidy up you computer and decrease the likelihood of getting infected again:

Uninstall OTL
  • double-click OTL.exe
  • click the CleanUp! button.
  • select Yes when the Begin cleanup Process? prompt appears.
  • if you are prompted to reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
  • the tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.
NOTE: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTL attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.

===================================================

Uninstall AdwCleaner
  • double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool
  • click on Uninstall
  • confirm with Yes.
You can delete all other logs and programs we’ve used that are on your desktop. Just click on them and press Delete.

===================================================

Create a Restore Point
  • click Start, Run
  • copy and paste the following:

    %SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe

  • press OK
  • choose Create a Restore Point then click Next. Name it (something you'll remember) and click Create
  • when the confirmation screen shows that the restore point has been created, click Close.
Remove old restore points
  • go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System tools, Disk Cleanup
  • when the Disc Cleanup dialog box appears, click OK
  • when it finishes running, a box with tabs will appear, select the ”More options” tab
  • on this tab you will find a section for System Restore
  • if you press the Clean Up button for that section, Windows will delete all restore points except for the most recent one.
===================================================

Firewall

You're using the Windows Firewall which is not adequate protection. The main reason you should use a third-party firewall over the Windows XP Firewall is because Windows Firewall only stops incoming signals from accessing your computer. However, it will not stop Outgoing signals (possibly ones that could intrude your privacy) from sending information to the Internet or to other networks. That means if malware happens to compromise your PC again, it will be able to SEND OUT out your credit card data and any other personal information.

I suggest you install a more robust third party firewall that filters both incoming and outgoing traffic.

Download and install one of the following freeware firewalls from below:

Sygate Personal Firewall Free Edition:
Comodo Personal Firewall:

NOTE only install one firewall. Having more than one could cause many programs to stop working altogether. Also, the firewalls may get in each others' way and cause some security holes that would not be there with just one firewall.

When you have done that:

Disable Windows firewall:
  • Click on Start, Settings and then Control Panel
  • click on the Security Center icon.
  • click on the Windows Firewall icon
  • click Off (not recommended) and then click OK.
You should take the time to read Understanding and Using Firewalls

===================================================

Antivirus

With regard to your antivirus question: AVG has always been very reliable but is now also becoming a bit “bulky” and also slowing systems down. I also dislike any program that can potentially change your settings and install toolbars without you noticing, (unless you choose a “Custom Install”, AVG installs a toolbar and making browser changes during its installation and these don’t always get removed during uninstallation).

I use Microsoft Security Essentials but Avast is also very good and one that I would recommend: they are also all free.

Here are links to both:

Free Avast Home Edition
Microsoft Security Essentials

NOTE: When you have download either of these, uninstall AVG before installing a different one and do NOT install more than one or they will fight against each other and render each ineffective.

Uninstall AVG 2011
  • click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add or remove programs
  • click on AVG 2011 and then Uninstall.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Run AVG removal tool

There will still be some remnants of AVG on your computer even after the uninstall so please download and run AVG Removal Tool from here.

Now install the free antivirus that you downloaded.

===================================================

Windows updates

I notice that Windows updates are waiting to be installed. Click here for information on how to get the latest Windows updates:

===================================================

Update installed programs

Your version of Java is out-of-date and need to be removed and updated.

To remove it:
  • click on Start, Settings, Control Panel
  • double-click Add or Remove Programs - (it may take time for the list to appear, so be patient)
  • scroll down the list and look for any Java entry
  • if they are present, click on each and then on Remove.
Install the latest version of Java:

Java

NOTE – when you install Java, before clicking on Install, be sure to Uncheck “Install the Ask Toolbar and make Ask my default search provider”

🖼Click to load external image (Posted Image)

Even though I just had you get the latest version of Java, there is a vulnerability with regards to Java and web browsers. Therefore, we recommend to disable java in web browsers.

More information can be found here.

===================================================

Defragment your Hard Drive

Defragmenting your hard drive can also speed things up a little.
  • please copy and paste the following text in the Code box exactly as written into Notepad (not Wordpad or any other text editor):

    defrag "%systemdrive%"
    del /f /q %0

  • once you've done that click on File and select Save As…
  • in the “Save” dialogue box click on the drop down menu next to Save as type and select All Files
  • name the file defrag.bat (the .bat extension is very important)
  • save the file to your desktop and double click it to run it.
===================================================

Recommended programs

SpywareBlaster. SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX, it immunizes your PC against them. It blocks over 11,000 bad sites and uses no resources of your computer.

===================================================

Install Spybot - Search and Destroy which provides real time spyware and hijacker protection.

You can download and install Spybot Search and Destroy here

You should scan your computer with the program on a regular basis as you would with your anti-virus software.

===================================================

Update and run Malwarebytes. This really is an excellent program that you should also update and run on a regular basis, probably weekly.

===================================================

It’s important to keep programs up to date so that malware doesn't exploit any old security flaws.

FileHippo Update Checker is an extremely helpful program that will tell you which of your programs need to be updated.

===================================================

MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.

A couple of links with information here and here which can answer any questions you might have about installing/using it.

===================================================

I also recommend that you read the following:

How to prevent malware by miekiemoes

Help! My computer is slow! by miekiemoes

Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet by Lawrence Abrams

I will keep this open for 24 hours in case you have any problems, after which I’ll close the topic.

Safe computing

Satchfan

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