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[Resolved] Malware (url.adtrgt) issue / HJT log included

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This thread's last reply is from . Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

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Post #16

Is Symantec the superior AV, thus worth the price?

If you were looking to buy an AV, i'd go for NOD32 as I think it's the best on the market - this is a personal opinion though. If you are a careful surfer and avoid the "dark side" of porn and file sharing, then i'd go with a free one as it's free.
While you can never consider your PC safe from malware, unless you bury it in the garden, a free AV "should" be capable of keeping you safe if you don't expose your PC to nasty sites and nasty files.
I use NOD32 on my desktop PC because I take it places that malware lurks as part of this job but my laptops don't go anywhere near slime and have been kept clean by free software for years.
Obviously you can never say never, so don't think that you get a guarantee that you'll be safe with free, but at the same time you cannot guarantee to be safe with paid-for either - you just get to winge more if you've bought the anti-virus and get infected.
Post #17 last edited
Thank you for the advice regarding AVs on the market. I installed AntiVir and followed your instructions. This is my new HJT log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:31:24 PM, on 1/12/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WUSB54Gv42.exe
C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
D:\spyware\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition\PSFree.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
D:\spyware\HijackThis.exe

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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,AutoConfigURL = http://register.resnet.stonybrook.edu/wpad.dat
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\2.0.301.7164\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmaTel StacMon] C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperFreeEdition] "D:\spyware\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition\PSFree.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: aaphyy.dll bssuqa.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - D:\spyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: WUSB54Gv42SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

–
End of file - 6048 bytes





My laptop is still running a lot slower than it was last week, but it seems to be a little bit quicker than it was earlier in the day. Like I mentioned earlier, I ran Spybot and it found MediaPlex and Smitfraud-C malware and I deleted those entries. The AntiVir scan found 5 items and they were all trojans.
Post #18
Right, we'll take a look into the malware issue first - speed issues can come later.

Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here and save it to your Desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • Ensure a checkmark is placed next to both Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version - you'll need to clear it with your firewall.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan and then Scan.
  • When the scan has finished, click OK and then Show Results to view the results - no surprise there!
  • If MBAM finds anything, check the box(es) and click Remove Selected.
  • When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Please save it to a convenient location. The log can also be opened by going to Start > All Programs > Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware > Logs > log-date.txt
Let me have the MBAM log, a fresh HJT log (run in Normal Mode) AND a description of how your PC is behaving.
Post #19
Okay, I followed your instructions and here are the logs:

MBAM log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.32
Database version: 1648
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

1/13/2009 4:37:11 PM
mbam-log-2009-01-13 (16-37-11).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 86004
Time elapsed: 49 minute(s), 37 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)


HJT log:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:40:40 PM, on 1/13/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WUSB54Gv42.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
D:\spyware\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition\PSFree.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
D:\spyware\HijackThis.exe

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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,AutoConfigURL = http://register.resnet.stonybrook.edu/wpad.dat
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\2.0.301.7164\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmaTel StacMon] C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] D:\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperFreeEdition] "D:\spyware\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition\PSFree.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - D:\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll (file missing)
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: aaphyy.dll bssuqa.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - D:\spyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: WUSB54Gv42SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

–
End of file - 6204 bytes



My laptop is running quicker than it was last Thursday (post-url.adtrgt issue), but it still is running slower than it was 2 weeks ago prior to all this. I haven't done a disk cleanup or defrag because I wanted to take care of these malware/speed issues first. I do appreciate your help so far.
Post #20
Things look better. An entry in your HJT log refers to a couple of files that I would like to have checked: aaphyy.dll and bssuqa.dll

You will need to run a search to see if these files are still present on your PC:
  • Click on Start.
  • Click on Search.
  • Click on 'All files and folders'
  • In the 'All or part of the file name:' textbox, enter one of the above file names and click on Search
If the file is present, go to Jotti's and click on the Browse… button at the top and navigate to the file and then click on Submit.

When all the scans have been completed, please copy and paste the results into your next reply. Repeat for the other file, if present.

If this site is busy, try VirusTotal: Click the Browse … button, navigate to the file and double click it and then click the Send button.

You may need to set Windows to show All Hidden Files and Folders - Instructions can be found here.
* These files are hidden to stop you accidentally removing something important.
It is advisable to hide them again after you have done. *
Post #21 last edited
That's good news that things are looking better. I followed your instructions and the files did not show up. I've used this search method before and it usually takes some time for the search to fully complete. When searching for the 2 files you specified, the search for each took about 10 seconds each, which I thought was extremely fast. There were a few things I noticed yesterday with my computer. I ran SAS and the scan came up with nothing, AntiVir also came up with nothing, as did Malwarebytes, but Spybot found 6 entries for CasaleMedia (Browser) and 1 entry for MediaPlex. Also, I have it set so that Windows updates can be installed when I shut down, and when I went to shut down last night, there were 73 updates. Usually, there's one or two, but 73 is definitely out of the norm.
Post #22
Just on the off chance that something is wrong with the Search function:

Download FindFile by Atribune from here and save it to your Desktop. Once done, you will need to unzip it.

To do this: Right click on the zipped folder and from the menu that appears, click on Extract All…
In the 'Extraction Wizard' window that opens, click on Next> and in the next window that appears, click on Next> again.
In the final window, click on Finish

Double click FileFind.exe to run it.
In the Directory: box ensure that your hard drive's letter is showing - it should be C:.
In the File: box enter the first filename.
Click Search to begin.
Once it has completed it's search, FileFind should display it's results in the List of Files: box.
If it shows any, click Export and a Notepad window should open with the information in.
Run the same thing for the second file and let me know if anything shows up.

Castlemedia and Mediaplex are probably just tracking cookies, which get a zero on the one to ten scale of worrying files. A cookie is a way of identifying a PC when it returns to a site, rather like a badge. A lot of cookies are specific to the site that put them there, but some site share these cookies which enables them to build up a picture of your internet usage - they enable your surfing to be "tracked", hence the term "tracking cookie".
The reason you keep getting these detected is you keep going to sites that put them there - that's the price of surfing.
A little linky.
Post #23
Thanks for the clarification on the tracking cookies that appeared; I appreciate it. I ran the searches for both files and still nothing came up. The search was very quick though, so hopefully that's not a sign that something is wrong.
Post #24
I doubt that there's an issue but i'm intrigued. Run a Windows search for sillyfile.exe and see if the search takes longer or not. I'm not sure exactly how the search function works, so it's possible that it is quicker with different file extensions, although I don't know why it would be.
If you find a file with that name, i'm a poor guesser of silly filenames, but I never rule that out!
Post #25
Okay, I ran the search and nothing came up (not so surprising?), but the search did take a good minute. So this search took a lot longer than the ones for the 2 previous files.
Post #28
I'll assume that the file extension affects the speed of the scan then. Perhaps Windows is able to just check against files of a particular extension when searching.
The final check, if you fancy it, is to search for aaphyy. With no file extension you should see a longer search as it would have to check all files - this is however optional because I figure all is well.

OK, we'll deal with the speed issues now. The following steps will serve as a spring clean for your PC. Not all of them will be of benefit to your PC as this is a general post, but the overall effect should be positive.

1) Go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and remove any programs that you no longer use and then reboot your PC.

2) Download ATF Cleaner by Atribune from here and save it to your Desktop.
Double click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Check the boxes to the left of:
Windows Temp
Current User Temp
All Users Temp
Temporary Internet Files
Java Cache
The rest are optional - if you want to remove the lot, check "Select All".
Finally click Empty Selected. When you get the "Done Cleaning" message, click OK.

If you use the Firefox or Opera browsers, you can use this program as a quick way to tidy those up as well.

When you have finished, click on the Exit button in the Main menu.

For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.

Please Note: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only.

3) Double click My Computer.
Right click the disc drive you wish to check.
Click Properties.
In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools Tab.
Under Error-checking, click the Check Now button.
In the "Check Disc Local Disk (C:)" dialog box, check both Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors, and then click Start.

This will look for and attempt to repair any errors that your hard drive has.

4) Defragment your hard drive. A tutorial for disc defragmentation is available here.

5) Download and run StartUp Inspector.
This program will help you to decide exactly what programs you disable from running at startup.
The Readme.txt file included has instructions on how to use it.

Let me know how you get on.
Post #30
Personally i'd keep HJT as it could come in handy in the future, but you can decide for yourself whether you want it or not. The rest can go.

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