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Lenovo Laptop extremely slow. Malware and/or software issues suspected


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#46
Jamazz

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Yes I meant .DAT

 

Looking into next steps.


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#47
Jamazz

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I'm in UEFI BIOS, and I'm pretty sure it's not the right one. Secure Boot is enabled, and I believe, because of that, I cannot get into BIOS from POST. I had to get into BIOS from WIN10 advanced restart. In this boot version, I do not see Speedstep as a configurable option.


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#48
Jamazz

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Also, I updated the, Audio, WLAN, and Bluetooth drivers, as well as, removed AVG. I did see a noticeable difference in performance. Wait times to use it, after booting, feel lower more so now.


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#49
Jamazz

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Actually, I see that I can change UEFI boot to legacy Boot. Is that something I should do to get to legacy BIOS?


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#50
RKinner

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NO.  I don't think it would boot if you did that.  Don't worry about Speedstep.  Just go on and run Latency Monitor.

 

I'm going to be away from my desk until late tonight starting at about 4PM EDT.  Probably back about 10.  Going to Orlando to see my daughter.


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#51
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I'll get back with you later this evening, or tomorrow. LatencyMon is still noting issues with handling real-time audio. It actually worked better when I ran it again, after opening up Edge, but eventually complained about the audio component again.

 

I actually think we may have hit IT bedrock with this device. Further poking may net us diminishing returns. I think the owner may be happy with everything we've done, so far.


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#52
Jamazz

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I havent spoke with you, or the owner of the laptop, in a few days.

 

I'm thinking we've beat this one to death, and I believe it may be working to the point they had it at before the issues really started.

 

The laptop boots up and performs well enough to allow them to keep using it within an acceptable level, in my opinion.

 

Was there anything you'd like to discuss before I call him to give it back and give him a pass-down on what was done?


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#53
RKinner

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OK.  Sounds like it's good enough for you.

 

 
Time to clean up:
If we used FRST to clean your PC:
 
Right click on FRST.exe or FRST64.exe (whichever you used) and rename it to uninstall.exe.  Then right click on uninstall.exe and Run as Admin.
 
If we installed Speccy it needs to be uninstalled.  Same for Latency Monitor.  Process Explorer, VEW, AdwCleaner, JRT  and their logs and Speccy's log can just be deleted.
 
Also make sure you have the latest versions of any adobe.com products you use like Shockwave, Flash or Acrobat.  Flash is now the most malware targeted program so it must be kept up to date.  Flash is now officially obsolete and should be removed from all PCs.  Be careful with Adobe.  They are fond of offering optional downloads like yahoo or Ask toolbars or that worthless McAfee Security Scan (now renamed to Intel Security Scan).  Go slow and uncheck the optional stuff before downloading.
 
Whether you use adobe reader, acrobat or fox-it to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program.  There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC.  For Adobe Reader:  Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript.  OK Close program.  It's the same for Foxit reader except you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions.
 
 
If you use Chrome/Firefox/Edge then get the Ublock Origin extension.  For IE (which you should no longer be using since it is no longer supported by Microsoft) go to adblockplus.org  and get the program.
If Chrome/Firefox is slow loading make sure it only has the current Java add-on.  Then download and run Speedy Fox.
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox. Close Chrome/Firefox/Skpe. Hit Optimize.   You can run it any time that Chrome/Firefox seems slow starting..
(If it complains about Chrome still running you can stop it with Task Manager or go into Chrome then go to:
 
chrome://settings/
 
Hit Advanced at the bottom of the page then scroll down to near the bottom where it says System.
 
Change
Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed
to Off (slide the blue thing to the left and it turns brown)
Close Chrome.
 
 
If the browser is still slow then go in and disable all of your extensions, close the browser and Optimize with SpeedyFox then restart the browser.  If that helps then one or more of your extensions is at fault.  Go back in and turn them on one at a time and see if you can figure out which ones slow things down the most.
 
If you are a Facebook user get the FB Purity extension for your browser:
This will stop all of the suggested pages and ads so that Facebook loads much quicker.
 
 
Be warned:  If you use Limewire, utorrent or any of the other P2P programs you will probably be coming back to the Malware Removal forum.  If you must use P2P then submit any files you get to http://virustotal.combefore you open them or at least make sure your anti-virus scans them.
 
Due to a recent rise in the number of Cryptolocker infections I am now recommending you install:
 
It's currently a free version (and included in MBAM).
 
If you have a router, log on to it today and change the default password!  If using a Wireless router you really should be using encryption on the link.  Use the strongest (newest) encryption method that your router and PC wireless adapter support especially if you own a business.
 If you don't know how, visit the router maker's website.  They all have detailed step by step instructions or a wizard you can download.
 
Special note on Java.  Old Java versions should be removed after first clearing the Java Cache by following the instructions in:
Then remove the old versions by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features and Uninstall all Java programs which are not the latest.  If in doubt uninstall all.  These may call themselves: Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, J2RE, J2SE.  Get the latest version from Java.com.  They will usually attempt to foist some garbage like the Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar or McAfee Security Scan on you as part of the download.  Just uncheck the garbage before the download (or install) starts.  If you use a 64-bit browser and want the 64-bit version of Java you need to use it to visit java.com.
Due to multiple security problems with Java we are now recommending that Java not be installed unless you absolutely know you need it.  IF that is the case then go to Control Panel, Java, Security and slide it up to the highest level.  OK.
 
If you are running Win 10 you probably want OpenShell:
 
 
  This program will make Win 10 act like Win 7 with the same controls you are used to.
Download Link:
 
Recommended free software: (I'm not saying you should download these just that if you have a need for a new program these are safe and work)  
Compression:  7-zip.  Avoid WinRar and WinZip as the free versions have adware.
Video Player:  VLC  Unlike Windows Media Player it never seems to need extra files to work.
Office like free program:  Open Office: https://www.openoffice.org/download/
or
Free Anti-Virus:  Avast
Free Malware prevention:  MBAM: Free version at https://www.malwareb...m/mwb-download/
Can run with your anti-virus.
Paid Anti-Virus:  Kaspersky or BitDefender
Utilities:
Root Kit Detector:  MBAR: https://www.malwareb...om/antirootkit/
Process Explorer:  Show you what is running on the PC.  Like Task manager but better:  http://live.sysinter...com/procexp.exe
WhoCrashed: Why did your system crash?
Then click on Download free home edition
where it says:
WhoCrashed 5.51
Comprehensible crash dump analysis tool
for Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2012/2008/2003 (x86 and x64)
System Health:
Speccy:  
http://www.filehippo...download_speccy(Look in the upper right for the Download
Latest Version button  - Do NOT press the large Start Download button on the upper left!)  Decline CCleaner if offered.  Pay attention to SMART info on your hard drives and to temps.  If in doubt about temps try:
SpeedFan:  Try speedfan
Download, save and Install it (Win 7 or Vista right click and Run As Admin.) then run it.
Download YouTube Videos:  4K Video Downloader (Separate Program) https://www.4kdownlo...videodownloader
You have to copy the URL then hit the + button on the program.  Then select quality. There is a license activate window but you just close it.
With Win 10 only there is a new Game recorder program.  It's supposed to only work for games but it works nicely to record any video you watch.  Hit the Win key + Alt + r to start the recorder.  The first time it asks you if it is looking at a game.  Just tell it yes.  After that it starts recording whenever you bring it up.  Videos are saved to the Captures folder under Videos.  You can only record what you watch so limited to only one video at a time.  Best to go to full screen before starting the recorder.
 
Avoid:  
Advanced System Care
SuperAntiSpyware
HitmanPro
Spybot S&D
Any P2P software especially if it comes from Conduit.
Registry Cleaners
Driver updating software.
PC fixing or Speed up software.
Running more than one anti-virus.

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#54
Jamazz

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I dropped off the laptop to the owner and he was happy with its performance.

 

Can't thank you enough for your help. I really appreciate it!


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#55
RKinner

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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.


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