[RaySpyProb]

Hi guys, new to this forum, just signed up as I’m at a complete loss with this problem and looking for some help if possible.

I’m not sure if I’m infected or whether it is another issue, but my cpu has very erratic usage at the moment and is causing my PC to be painfully slow. Start up is very slow, but once it all settles down the cpu is at a constant usage of between 5-10 with nothing running except task manager, every couple of minutes the cpu will spike to around 50 or 60 percent usage. When running any program, it goes to anywhere between 60-100 percent usage and freezes every so often, with 2 or more programs running its at a constant 100 percent and basically unusable. Shut down is also very slow.

My system specs, 3.2Ghz Pentium 4, 1GB Ram, windows XP pro service pack 2 (Can’t install service pack 3 at the moment, I think due to my problem?), Security set up for the past year has been zonelabs security suite and spybot all fully up to date, with no problems up until now.

So it all started about maybe a week ago, I noticed the PC was becoming very slow, I haven’t cleaned it up in a while so thought that was issue. I performed a disk clean up, defrag, reg clean / defrag, cleared temp files, have cleared prefetch folder all the usual stuff, and I have cleared my HDD of all unwanted programs and junk, down to about a quarter full.

This did not help so I started to think it must be a virus / malware, so I tried to run my anti virus, and it just seemed to keep hanging up mid scan, also sometimes causing BSODs (bad_pool_header, bad_pool_caller and irq_not_less_or_equal), so I have had to try three different virus scanners. Zone alarm, then kapersky and now I’m on NOD32, which has stopped the BSOD and is able to compete the scan. But…

NOD32 returned no infections (ran in both safe mode and normal), and spybot also returned no infection (now uninstalled, had to remove). I have read the advice topic before posting and from there I downloaded and ran malwarebytes, which again found no infection.

So I’m at a complete loss with this one now and beginning to think it may be a hardware issue instead of software, but I thought I’d make a post here and see if you guys can come up with anything before I try a format / reinstall. The PC runs great in safe mode btw.

In task manager there is 38 process running as I type this, 6 svchost.exe though?

Thanks very much for any help, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Ray.

Highjackthis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:14:49, on 21/09/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16674)
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:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\dcfssvc.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\ekrn.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaantmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaanotif.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\DMXLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\DVDAudio\CTDVDDET.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\egui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALLTOT~1\ALLTOT~1.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Raymie\My Documents\Downloads\Flashget\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell.co.uk/myway
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.live.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O1 - Hosts: 85.17.40.71 oink.me.uk
O1 - Hosts: 85.17.40.69 tracker.oink.me.uk
O1 - Hosts: 85.17.40.70 irc.oink.me.uk
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: CCHelper - {0CF0B8EE-6596-11D5-A98E-0003470BB48E} - C:\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper\CCHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: IeCatch2 Class - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\jccatch.dll
O3 - Toolbar: FlashGet Bar - {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\fgiebar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Pa&nicware Pop-Up Stopper - {7E82235C-F31E-46CB-AF9F-1ADD94C585FF} - C:\Program Files\Panicware\Pop-Up Stopper\pstopper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaanotif.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDLauncher] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DMXLauncher] C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\DMXLauncher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDET] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\DVDAudio\CTDVDDET.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCSuiteTrayApplication] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperProfessional] C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\SURECL~1\PopUpStopperProfessional.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AllToTray] C:\PROGRA~1\ALLTOT~1\ALLTOT~1.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NBJ] "C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero BackItUp\NBJ.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Nokia.PCSync] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe /NoDialog (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: &ieSpell Options - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLOPTION.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Check &Spelling - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLCHECK.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open Selected URL - C:\Program Files\RightClickGoogleSearchOpenSelectedURL\openselectedurl.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Search &Google - C:\Program Files\RightClickGoogleSearchOpenSelectedURL\google.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell Options - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.pro-css.com
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcaf...01/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.syma...n/bin/cabsa.cab
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: Dcfssvc - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\dcfssvc.exe
O23 - Service: Eset HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Eset Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: IAA Event Monitor (IAANTMon) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: StarWind iSCSI Service (StarWindService) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 1: (no name) - http://www.fivea.co.uk/forums

--
End of file - 8914 bytes

[Advertisements]

Hi there nothing jumps out and bites me, so I would like a deeper look

Download OTViewIt to your desktop.

• Close all windows and double click OTViewIt
• Place a tick in the Scan all Users box
• Click Run Scan and let the program run uninterrupted
• On completion it will produce two logs on the Desktop, post the OTViewIt.txt and Extras.txt logs in your next post.

[Essexboy]

Hi there nothing jumps out and bites me, so I would like a deeper look

Download OTViewIt to your desktop.

• Close all windows and double click OTViewIt
• Place a tick in the Scan all Users box
• Click Run Scan and let the program run uninterrupted
• On completion it will produce two logs on the Desktop, post the OTViewIt.txt and Extras.txt logs in your next post.

[RaySpyProb]

Hi Essexboy, thanks for your help, the logs are posted below.


<logs removed>

Edited by RaySpyProb, 28 September 2008 - 12:34 PM.

[Essexboy]

OK well that looks clean. When you get the BSOD does it reference a driver as that is normally the cause of these errors

Whilst I wait for the answer to that lets secure your system

Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malicious sites can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 7 and save it to your desktop.
• Scroll down to where it says "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 7...allows end-users to run Java applications".
• Click the "Download" button to the right.
• Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement". The page will refresh.
• Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation and save the file to your desktop.
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
• Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
• Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u7-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.

[RaySpyProb]

When you get the BSOD does it reference a driver as that is normally the cause of these errors

It has only referenced a certain driver a couple of times, the first time it was a driver for zonealarm, hence I removed that and tried kaspersky.

After reading from you that I was clean, I decided to backup my data and try a repair install, during the repair install it was BSOD'ing for a driver related to starforce (sfsync03.sys). So I have completely removed starforce and completed the repair install.

Still the same situation with the erratic CPU usage, although it does seem to have calmed down a bit.

I'm thinking after doing some research that I have some sort of driver problem or maybe bad RAM?

Might try a full format and reinstall (unless you have any ideas how to fix it?), now you have given me the reassurance i'm not infected at least I can backup my files without worry.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers.

EDIT: Just to add, it now seems to be explorer.exe that is taking up all the processing power when the computer is restarted.

Edited by RaySpyProb, 28 September 2008 - 01:25 PM.

[Essexboy]

I remember reading somewhere that internet explorer can cause this if the index.dat is corrupted. However, I have lost the link so I am re-searching for it now

[Essexboy]

While I am searching I will tidy my tools away

Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean

A good workman always cleans up after himself so...Download and run this small programme and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself. MBAM can be uninstalled via control panel add/remove along with ERUNT. But they may be useful tools to keep

We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View Tab.
• Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

XP
Now to get you off to a good start we will clean your restore points so that all the bad stuff is gone for good. Then if you need to restore at some stage you will be clean. There are several ways to reset your restore points, but this is my method:

• Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > System Restore.
• On the dialogue box that appears select Create a Restore Point
• Click NEXT
• Enter a name e.g. Clean
• Click CREATE

You now have a clean restore point, to get rid of the bad ones:

• Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > Disk Cleanup.
• In the Drop down box that appears select your main drive e.g. C
• Click OK
• The System will do some calculation and the display a dialogue box with TABS
• Select the More Options Tab.
• At the bottom will be a system restore box with a CLEANUP button click this
• Accept the Warning and select OK again, the program will close and you are done

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

• SpywareBlaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
• SuperAntispyware Run weekly to keep your system clean

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.

To keep your operating system up to date visit

• Secunia Software inspector To check your programme update status
• Microsoft Windows Update

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?
Keep safe

[Essexboy]

And I think I have found the solution here read the whole page. But the programme you are after is index.dat analyzer. Let me know if that helps and I will continue my search

[RaySpyProb]

Yea, its not that, I actually have that program on my PC and regularly clean out my index.dat, tried it again, but no change.

Really stumped now, can't even give you any more information, I haven't installed any software or hardware recently, the PC has been running great for months now and then all of a sudden this started happening. I leave the PC on pretty much 24/7 and woke up one morning to a BSOD. Has a hardware component maybe burned out or something? bad RAM, dodgy fan? or maybe even CPU?

Only thing I can think of software wise now is SP3, it downloaded through the automatic updates, but it didn't install, I have removed any recent windows updates now though, so I dunno. If you sit and leave it for a minute or two it'll calm down to around 5% but as soon as you do anything it'll shoot right back up.

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it, if anything, like I said before, at least I can backup and save my data.

Cheers,
Ray.

Edited by RaySpyProb, 29 September 2008 - 12:41 PM.

[Essexboy]

I think you may be on the right track with ram/hardware. Well at least I can say this

Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean

A good workman always cleans up after himself so...Download and run this small programme and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself. MBAM can be uninstalled via control panel add/remove along with ERUNT. But they may be useful tools to keep

We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View Tab.
• Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

XP
Now to get you off to a good start we will clean your restore points so that all the bad stuff is gone for good. Then if you need to restore at some stage you will be clean. There are several ways to reset your restore points, but this is my method:

• Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > System Restore.
• On the dialogue box that appears select Create a Restore Point
• Click NEXT
• Enter a name e.g. Clean
• Click CREATE

You now have a clean restore point, to get rid of the bad ones:

• Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > Disk Cleanup.
• In the Drop down box that appears select your main drive e.g. C
• Click OK
• The System will do some calculation and the display a dialogue box with TABS
• Select the More Options Tab.
• At the bottom will be a system restore box with a CLEANUP button click this
• Accept the Warning and select OK again, the program will close and you are done

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

• SpywareBlaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
• SuperAntispyware Run weekly to keep your system clean

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.

To keep your operating system up to date visit

• Secunia Software inspector To check your programme update status
• Microsoft Windows Update

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?
Keep safe

[Essexboy]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.