[CompCav]

At this number of errors you can stop it and shutdown to remove the memory so you can test one stick of memory at a time.

Just to let you know even one error at this point would be bad so to have as many as you do it is definitely a memory issue and we want to know how each individual stick of memory will do.

Regards,

CompCav

[Advertisements]

Thanks for the reply. Since I intended to replace the memory anyway, should I just go ahead and install the two new sticks of memory I recently purchased from crucial.com and get rid of the two existing sticks?

[Bob_C]

Thanks for the reply. Since I intended to replace the memory anyway, should I just go ahead and install the two new sticks of memory I recently purchased from crucial.com and get rid of the two existing sticks?

[CompCav]

Did crucial verify that they were the correct memory for your computer?

[Bob_C]

I did Crucial's online scan. I then purchased what they recommended based on the scan. The scan did recognize my system pretty accurately. So if their method is trustworthy, then I would say that they verified the correct amount of memory. I'm happy to go get this installed. I know I should do it myself but I feel more confident if I have a techie over at the local store do it for me. What do you think? If you recommend that I put the new memory in, then I would like to report back and see where we're at. I wouldn't hold you responsible in case the new memory screws everything up! Honest :>) I'll wait for your reply. Thanks.

[CompCav]

What do you think?

What size are the new memory sticks?

[Bob_C]

I'll copy what it says on the packing list:
Upgrade for a HP Compaq Pavilion a1100y series system
1 GB 240-PIN DIMM 128Mx64 DDR2 PC2-5300 UNBUFF
Quantity: 2
So 1 GB each it appears.
I'll wait for your reply again. Thank you again!

[CompCav]

Those two alone are enough for XP 32-bit so yes you could just change them out. As to doing it yourself or having someone do it that is your call

[Bob_C]

Great. Thanks. I'll go get this done ASAP and report back if that's okay. I'll sure be glad to stop using my telephone as my main computer some day!

[CompCav]

I await your report

[Bob_C]

Well, the RAM is installed. The nice fellow did it for free. Now I've seen how that's done and realize why people said to do it myself. Anyway, it's installed. So far, and I'm afraid to say this, there have been no error messages, crashes or blue screens. All I've done since booting up, though, is visit this site (which uses a bit of memory for the ads it seems), and at the same time opened a 2nd window and went to a newspaper site I use (which also boasts quite a few ads). So far so good. Knock on silica or wood or something.
So let's pretend, or assume, that I'm in good working order.
Any scans to run? Or advice on cleanup? Also, the tech guy suggested Microsoft's free anti-virus instead of Avast. Please comment on that if you have an opinion.
So
1) RAM installed with no incident so far
2) Do we still scan or analyze?
3) Clean up?
4) Anti-virus choice.
5) I'm getting optimistic :>)
6) THANK YOU

[CompCav]

Still scan for issues:



Step 1.

Run MalwareBytes'

• Check for updates. If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts, click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.


Step 2.

Run ESET Online Scan

Note: You can use either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox for this scan.

Vista / 7 users: You will need to to right-click on the either the IE or FF icon in the Start Menu or Quick Launch Bar on the Taskbar and select Run as Administrator from the context menu.

Please go here then click on:

If using Mozilla Firefox you will need to download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe when prompted then double click on it to install.
All of the following instructions work with either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox.

• Select the option YES, I accept the Terms of Use then click on:
• When prompted allow Add-On/Active X to install.
• Make sure that the option Scan archives is checked.
• Now click on Advanced Settings and select the following:
  
  • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
  • Enable Anti-Stealth Technology
• Now click on:
• The virus signature database will begin to download. Be patient this make take some time depending on the speed of your Internet Connection.
• When completed the Online Scan will begin automatically. The scan may take several hours.
• Do not touch either the Mouse or keyboard during the scan otherwise it may stall.
• When completed select Uninstall application on close, make sure you copy the logfile first!
• Now click on:
• Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt.
• Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

Step 3.

Security Check
Download Security Check by screen317 from here or here.

Save it to your Desktop.
Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.


Step 4.

Please post:


mbam log
eset log
security check log

Please give me an update on how your computer is doing!

[Bob_C]

Ran all three. eset found no troubles and didn't have any log or any option to get a log. I can post both mbam log and sec check log.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.61.0.1400
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.05.28.04

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
Bob :: BOB-3CDE5CE5327 [administrator]

5/28/2012 6:05:44 PM
mbam-log-2012-05-28 (18-05-44).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: 184038
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 12 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: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.40
Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86
Internet Explorer 8
``````````````Antivirus/Firewall Check:``````````````
Windows Firewall Enabled!
avast! Free Antivirus
AVG 2012
ESET Online Scanner v3
`````````Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:`````````
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 1.61.0.1400
CCleaner
Java™ 7 Update 2
Java version out of date!
Adobe Flash Player 10 Flash Player out of date!
Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.235
Adobe Reader X (10.1.1)
Mozilla Firefox (12.0)
Mozilla Thunderbird (12.0.1)
````````Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent````````
AVAST Software Avast AvastSvc.exe
AVAST Software Avast avastUI.exe
`````````````````System Health check`````````````````
Total Fragmentation on Drive C:: 3%
````````````````````End of Log``````````````````````

[CompCav]

Step 1.

Update adobe flash player

We need to uninstall the existing flash player(s). Please go here
Follow steps 1. to 4.
Once flash player is uninstalled go on to the next paragraph.

You will need to download and install both the IE and non-IE versions of Adobe Flashplayer. (If you do not have installed a non IE browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Opera then you do not need the non-IE version) Make sure to uncheck the install of the McAfee tool before downloading. You will need to select your operating system (Windows XP 32-bit) and then each version to download and install separately.



Step 2.

Update Java

Please download JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it to its own folder

Run JavaRa.exe, pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
Accept any prompts.
Open JavaRa.exe again and select Search For Updates.
Select Update Using Sun Java's Website then click Search and click on the Open Webpage button. Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version for your computer.


Step 3.

How is everything running now after these updates?

[Bob_C]

Couple of difference in practice than in your note, so I hope I did it right. I'll list those difference. So far, everything is stable and seems to run a bit quicker than even before all of the problems arose.
Differences:
1) When installing adobe/other versions there was no opportunity for me to un-check McAfee. No reference to McAfee at all in fact...so I don't think it installed anywhere.I don't see it in the tray or start menu.
2) When I went to install Java, it was tricky to decide which download to select. There were two that seemed to apply. I'll list both that were available. I hope I chose the correct one. Regardless, some kind of Java installation did occur and was deemed "successful".
The two choices were:
windows x86 Online (32 bit) 0.8 MB jre-7u4-windows-i586-iftw.exe
and
windows x86 Offline (32 bit) 20.08 MB jre-7u4-windows-i586-.exe

I chose the first one, the Online one. I was concerned that their sizes were so vastly different, so I'm unsure if I did it right. Here's the address of the page I was downloading from.
http://www.oracle.co...ad-1591157.html

But things are still stable so far :>)

[CompCav]

You did fine

But things are still stable so far :>)

Good news!

Subject to no further problems

I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but, I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems

Your logs now appears clean

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
  

  :Commands
  [resethosts]
  [emptytemp]
  [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
  [Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done

Remove ComboFix

• Hold down the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This will display the Run dialogue box
• In the Run box, type in ComboFix /Uninstall
  (Notice the space between the "x" and "/")
  then click OK
  
  
  
• Follow the prompts on the screen
• A message should appear confirming that ComboFix was uninstalled

Run OTL and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programs we have used plus itself.


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

Malwarebytes.

Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Download and install FileHippo update checker and run it monthly it will show you which programs on your system need updating and give a download link

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

• 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