Slow computer

[old tymer]

Well this could get messy, please be gentle with me i am almost computer illiterate. about 4 weeks ago i was trying to watch live football on my p.c.(compaq). Tried several sites and downloads, eventually gave up.

 

After this i kept getting app spooler pop up and my Norton security from BT would not work.

Eventually after some tail chasing with free scans and installing avg free the Norton seemed to clear itself?

 

I now have a slow running pc and keep getting additional ad pages when surfing.

 

In the last 24hrs i have purchased Regcure and stopzilla. These detected and repaired 904 and 77 faults.

 

But the pc is running slow as ever and i still have the unwanted ads!!!!

 

I also get an adobe box on the opening screen?

 

Please help before the pc goes thru the window!

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Your computer appears to be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

 

 

It is in your best interest to note the following:

1. Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
   
2. Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
   
3. If unsure, please stop and voice your doubts.
   
4. You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended to print off the instructions below for ease of reference.
   

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

 

 

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

STEP 1

1. Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
   
4. On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
   
5. Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
6. Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
7. Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
   
8. Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
   

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

STEP 2

1. Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
   1. 
      
   2. Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      
   3. Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      

[*]Click Finish.

[*]The program will download and update itself if it finds the necessity to do so. Please allow this.

[*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

 

Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

[*]When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results to view the results.

[*]Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

[*]Restart your computer.

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

STEP 3

1. Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
   
5. Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
   
6. Click the Scanning Control tab.
   
7. Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:

   [*]Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

   [*]On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

   [*]On the left, make sure you check mark All the Fixed Drives.

   [*]On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

   [*]Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

   [*]After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

   [*]Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

   [*]A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

   [*]Restart your computer.

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

   STEP 4
   1. Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer to initiate the scan.
       
      Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
      
   2. Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
      
   3. Click the Start button.
      
   4. Click the Install button on the following screen.
      
   5. Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
      
   6. Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
      
   7. Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
      
   8. Restart your computer.
      

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

   STEP 5
   1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
      
   2. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
      
   3. Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
      
   4. Click on the More Options tab.
      
   5. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
      

   This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only foolproof way to ensure the deletion of those files.

    

   Note: Do not clear restore points on a regular basis as doing so will clear all previous restore points even those that you may need. System Restore is a useful tool to revert your computer back to a working condition if something goes wrong.

    

   Re-enable all your security applications and please return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

Close browsers before scanning
Scan for tracking cookies
Terminate memory threats before quarantining

[old tymer]

Wow!! seems like could be a long job.

Will try to give it a go this evening.

Thanks for your speedy response.

[Match]

Hi old tymer

 

It's not as bad as it looks, I do totally agree with Maynard (In fact as yet I haven't had cause to disagree with any of his advice) that your problem is Spyware and Malware related.

 

although the procedure may look long and complicated, its Basically, Download,Install,Set up and scan.

 

the scan bit taking the longest, and not requiring your full attention, Hey chance to nip down the pub or watch TV, ;)

 

and on Step 4 with the Eset scan, I like to do that over night so I can do step five in the morning ;)

 

but by tomorrow morning or tonight if you start now you should be back upto speed :)

 

personally I would forget about AVG 8 Free addition, and If you could find out or tell us if your Norton licence/Registration has expired or not? we can advise you on what software you are best to use prevent this problem again

 

p.s. Regcure and Stopzilla I wouldn't have wasted my money, but that's why I do this for free, as I don't agree with companys charging people for what they could quite simply do at home with some simple instructions.

[old tymer]

Hi guys, seem to be having trouble with the eset downlod. have tried several times but the bar only goes 3/4 the way then stops? Have left it for 20-25mins.

Any ideas please?

[old tymer]

Tried restarting pc so i could have another go at the eset.The comp made 7 updates. upon restart i cannot get on the internet? the connection seems to be there but there is no icon at the bottom right of screen. (Norton has come back on and i cant fig how to disable it)

I am now reduced to using my very very slow notebook.

Off to work now, hopefully you guys can come up with a solution for me to try this eve. Cheers.

[maynardvdm]

To get the icon in the bottom right.

• Go to Control Panel and select Network Connections
  
• Right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties
  
• Put a check mark by Show icon in notification area when connected
  

 

Have SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes found any threats?

[old tymer]

Checked the box in network connections still no icon( green box with balack bars showing signal strength). When i open the N.C. box i get 2 headings. Connection manager shows MSN unavailable device missing.

LAN or High speed internet showing Local area connection network cable unplugged and 1394 connection connected.

 

The Malware and superspyware did find trojans viruses cookies e.t.c. and dealt with them accordingly.

[old tymer]

Checked the box in network connections still no icon( green box with balack bars showing signal strength). When i open the N.C. box i get 2 headings. Connection manager shows MSN unavailable device missing.

LAN or High speed internet showing Local area connection network cable unplugged and 1394 connection connected.

 

The Malware and superspyware did find trojans viruses cookies e.t.c. and dealt with them accordingly.

 

Hello o o o o o o o o o . Is there anybody there?

[Tootech]

Just reading the post - do you normally connect using a cable or using a wireless connection?

[old tymer]

Hi, i usually connect with wireless, i have no connection probs with laptop.

[Tootech]

Go back to the Control Panel and then to Network Connections, have a look at the wireless connection - make sure it is not disabled.

 

Right click over the wireless connection and select Repair.

 

If that does not work click Start, then Run and then type in the following

 

cmd /c ipconfig /all >Desktop\Ipconfig.txt

 

Press Enter and a file called Ipconfig.txt should appear on your Desktop.

 

Open the file and post the contents here.

[old tymer]

O.k. tried typing in the above. a box comes up as follows c:\windows\system 32\cmd.exe

black screen with c documents compaq owner.

If i did manage to get results, how would i post from pc that i cannot get connection?

Cheers.

[Tootech]

Sorry old tymer, had a bit of a blond moment.

 

The info needed is the IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS.

 

You could copy the file onto your laptop using a USB flash disk, and upload to us from there, or just pick up the info and type it in.

 

I've made a quick video showing you how to get at the info the 'black box' makes. Link is here:

 

4shared.com - file sharing - download movie file Ipconfig.avi

 

I guess the Repair option didn't work ?

[old tymer]

Sorry Tootec video not downloading. Just getting a film of a disc.

When i click repair on net adapter it says TCP/IP is notenabled for this connection?

[Tootech]

No worries - I've just checked it and all is well, so I don't know.

 

Lets deal with this:

TCP/IP is notenabled for this connection?

Go to your Control Panel, then over to Network Connections.

 

Right click over your Wireless connection and select Properties.

 

You should get a box like this

[ATTACH]228.vB5-legacyid=476[/ATTACH]

Make sure the TCP/IP box is checked as shown.

 

Then click on the TCP/IP box once to highlight it, and look down a little and to the right to the Properties - click that.

 

You should have the two boxes ticked as shown - change them as needed.

[ATTACH]229.vB5-legacyid=477[/ATTACH]

Did you have to change any of those?

 

Once that is all done, click Apply and Close to all of the boxes, close down and restart.

 

How are things looking now?

[old tymer]

Managed to get that screen eventually and they were already checked. So unfortunately no change.

[Tootech]

We need to make sure the wireless networking service is switched on. I can't see any reason why it would have been disabled, but let's do it to make sure.

 

Click Start, then Run.

 

In the box type services.msc, and press Enter

 

A box will come up with a long list of gobbledegook - like the one below.

 

Look to the bottom, to Wireless Zero Configuration.

 

It should have a status of Started, and Startup Type ofAutomatic, as in the picture.

 

Is that how it looks?

 

[ATTACH]230.vB5-legacyid=479[/ATTACH]

[old tymer]

Checked this and it was set at manual. I clicked on properties and changed to automatic restarted- still no icon.

Have managed to get back online using ethernet.

[old tymer]

Forgot to mention, had a quick word with BT they say my adapter is working ok just not being recognised. Suggested i contact their IT dept.

[Tootech]

Thanks for the info.

 

Is your wireless adapter one supplied by BT, and a USB device?

 

Also, do you use all of the BT software, that comes on CD, and use a BT Hub(if so, a blue one or white one)?

[old tymer]

Yes it is a bt usb device . all was installed by bt engineer and the hub is white.

[Tootech]

Last thing to look at and check is the USB adapter.

 

Click Start, then Run and type in devmgmt.msc and then press Enter.

 

Device Manager will appear.

 

Look down the list to Network Adapters.

 

You should see your BT USB wireless adapter listed there. Does it have a yellow exclamation mark or question mark next to it?

 

Here is an example.

 

[ATTACH]231.vB5-legacyid=480[/ATTACH]

 

If it is OK it will look something like the Intel Pro Wireless adapter listed.

 

If there is a fault, it will look like the Foxconn Bluetooth device.

[old tymer]

Looks like your example but there are only two entries. "1394" & "ethernet"

[maynardvdm]

It seems then the driver for the wireless is not installed.

 

Have you installed the drivers from the CD supplied by BT?