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very high hardware interrupts and dpc calls

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Post #1
Hi. Was pointed to use this forum from saf networking. My laptop really started to slow down. Had some malware and virus present. Cleaned them off but still running like a dog. Used process monitor to investigate what was running. Everytime a process kicks in the Hardware interrups run very high. 40 to 50% cpu. Any ideas, suggestions appreciated. Regards. Sean
Post #2

Hi cobolguy and welcome to the WTT forums

 

1 please supply the link to your topic at Safer networking,

2  make and model number of your computer

3  the edition of Windows XP you are running

4 the level of service pack currently installed

5 tell us if all important critical updates have been installedplease.

6 What browser and version are you using?

7 please list all the security products you have installed

8 do "the slows" only happen when browsing?

9 Have you any P2P file sharing applications installed (Bit torrent or the like?)

 

post back with the details, also of your modem and router (make and model numbers) and we will do our best to help

Regards

paws

Post #5

Hi Sean,
I took a quick look at your logs over at Safer Networking and recoiled in horror..  :(
 
Despite the terrific work done by Ken and the time you have personally invested, I'm afraid I have very bad news for you… :(
 
If this was a machine that came into my workshop for repair then I would have to explain to the customer, the following:  

1 The machine's operating system and software is badly corrupted, with missing files, incorrect Registry settings, and processes.
 
2 P2P file sharing has been installed (and used)  torrents etc. This is one of the quickest and most "reliable" methods of infecting a machine and generally messing it up that is available today. For P2P to work effectively it needs access through your protections,(by passing your firewall etc.) into your computer, so any other P2P file sharer can access your  files… this should be set up so that access is carefully controlled to specific
areas of your computer…but often isn't… :(:( it is not sufficient to "not use it"…. for safety….. it should be fully uninstalled, all files of less than 100% provenance deleted  Recycle Bin emptied) and System Restore Points purged.
 
3 The computer had been operating in the past without an anti virus. anti spyware protection being enabled… it may have been present but wasn't actually working!

4 The most effective method of repair for this computer and the most economical in terms of time/expense would be to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows and all your applications and copy across from your back ups any important data files where you know their provenance is 100% and where you are sure that no malicious code exists.
 
5 Unfortunately the Windows XP operating system is nearing the end of its life in that support from Microsoft for critical/important updates (patches for security vulnerabilities etc.) will not be available from 8th April 2014 and therefore will not be safe to use on the Internet without taking extra ordinary precautions.
 
6 If you have a good disc image made when your machine was running fast and sweet with no undesirable code installed, then this would be a possible way forward for the short term…. However be aware that your Java has been out of date for some time, and has serious vulnerabilities, so immediately after re-imaging it would be wise to update everything Windows itself, Applications, Anti virus firewall etc., and remove Java completely and flush your Java cache.
 
7 Your logs indicate that this computer may have been used in the past for Internet Banking… and unfortunately the P2P file sharing, malicious code evident, security vulnerabilities and the state of the computer's systems are incompatible with safe use of Internet Banking….. this also supports the recommendation for a full format and reinstall o fWindows (or any other operating system you may choose to install.)
 
8 It would be wise to immediately change any passwords or log in credentials that have ever been used on this computer (from a known clean uninfected computer)
 
Having explained all that to my customer I would then add that as always it was a personal decision as to the best way forward, that we would make recommendations but in the final analysis it was his/her call as to how they wanted to proceed.
 
Any thing (operating system or software) is capable of repair…….. :D…….. providing that one has sufficient resources in terms of money, time and enthusiasm to complete all the work required….. :(…. here again, it's a question of economics and personal feelings.
 
If you wanted to continue with repair attempts despite the thoughts above then here is some useful information on how you might proceed.

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/140263-how-to-get-the-cause-of-high-cpu-usage-by-dpc-interrupt/
 

but be warned it would be the start of a long hard road ,and very time consuming, but would probably prove an excellent learning opportunity, and in the end, quite a satisfying outcome.

 

Sorry I cannot suggest any "quick fixes" although after following the link above, there are some other system repair tools we can recommend.

Regards

paws  
 

Post #6

Hi Paws.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Disk removed from unit and will be flattened. New O/S installed on another disk and unit back working.

 

All other points noted. Anti virus, Avira, will be installed on the new build along with zonealarm.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Regards

 

Sean

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