Cobalt Blue Asks for Help removing Virtumonde and Smitfraud - C, Please

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What about that Gtxxgoak ??
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Boot into Safe Mode and delete it there:
http://spyware-free.us/tutorials/safemode/

If that does not work, let me know. Let's hope the PCPitStop diagnostic report will show us something.

If I have not done so, I suggest you try updating to IE7 for the additional security and stability.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx

http://ask-leo.com/how_much_memory_do_i_really_need_for_windows_xp.html
http://www.crucial.com/support/howmuch.aspx
My WindowsXP machine has 1.25 GB

Post #14 deleted nothing that should have effected your performance.
Thanks again, I'm trying to figure out how to get the analysis tool loaded on my second system (running XP) so I can USB it over to my other system not able to run Explorer.
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That is not going to work, I am sure it has to be run on the system it is diagnosing.

Thanks
 
Hi Pskelley.

Thanks for your last reply. I've tried to get the pcpitstop tools to run with no success. They asked me to load firefox to see if I could gain internet access, and I am using that now on the 'personal' system that I'm trying to fix. Great to have access again.

However, pcpitstop will not run. It also crashes after a second. They have not responded with any additional suggestions yet, still waiting. They put me in their virus forum as they think they might have more experience with this type of problem.

I do understand that nothing we deleted would cause the computer to run slow, just reporting a symptom that I can't explain at the moment.

I did try the Windows repair you supplied information on (thank you!) - no success. The repair diagnostic does not recognize the disk as having a successful install and wants to delete the partition and start over with a new install - NOT YET, thank you mam!!! :alien:

I will try to delete Gtxxgoak as you suggest later tonight.

Thanks a Ton! for all your help, be back later. ...Cobalt Blue out
 
Some closing information for you in case it helps:

Some good information for you:
http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/slowcomputer.html

Here is some great information from experts in this field that will help you stay clean and safe online.
http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/prevention.html
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279
http://russelltexas.com/malware/allclear.htm
http://forum.malwareremoval.com/viewtopic.php?t=14
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict2520.html
http://cybercoyote.org/security/not-admin.shtml

Thanks...pskelley
Safer Networking Forums
http://www.spybot.info/en/donate/index.html
If you are reading this information...thank a teacher,
If you are reading it in English...thank a soldier.
 
Dear Pskelley,

Cobalt Blue is back and doing much better thanks to you.!! :bigthumb:

The other website you referred me to did not answer my request for help. I was able to delete something that was causing problems by using the start:programs:then individual uninstall commands for a few programs. Not sure what was causing the problems as I deleted several of the tasks like my UPS watchdog and some things I did not need. Then my IE started working again (version 6 as V7 needs higher than the W2000 I'm running) as did my control panel function.

I also defragged my drive that was in really bad shape. I also loaded all the windows updates for my system and will keep it updated from now on.

Your last post had recommendations on staying clean that I will now investigate for how to stay clean and safe online.

Now for my last question. You said you recommended 3 things to protect a system (virus scanner, firewall, etc). I don't believe I installed a firewall (or did I)? Would you please give me a list of your current recommendations of all 3 things? I'll go get one of each category on my system. (a.k.a. Kaspersky has expired, etc.)

Many thanks for all your help!!! :beerbeerb: I will make a "donation" for all the great help and support you and your team have given me. You saved my system from the scrap heap! It's not much be it's all I have...

Thanks a TON!! and BR, ...Cobalt Blue :cleaning:
 
Thanks for the feedback, and I apologize for not noting you were running Win2000. I don't see that Operating System much.

If you need a free firewall, here are some to choose from, and I believe they all work on your system:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

since the computer is running better, give that diagnostic at PCPitStop another try. I scan my Windows98SE computer on it, so I know it will work with your system.

Thanks...Phil
 
Thanks, Pskelley,

I was able to run the PC PitStop tools. That is where I knew the disk was badly fragmented, etc. I fixed everything I could from the reports including the security issues from IE. I just ran it again and the results were the same asking for an upgraded disk and the rest of the results were average or better. I'll try to attach that report here for you to review. Not sure how to make a full text report so you can see expanded results of all the individual tests.

Thanks again, ...Cobalt Blue

Note! You have run this test anonymously. It will only be visible for the duration of your current browser session. To create an account so you can return to this report, click here.
Test Results Summary
Computer Name: DENNYTOWER
Date Tested: Wed Dec 26 15:19:06 CST 2007

This system performs well on our benchmarks, and should have plenty of power for most applications. You may be able to add a few system upgrades or tweak some Windows settings to improve performance. Regular system maintenance is also important to keep your system running in top condition.

This is your customized advice based on PC Pitstop's tests. Click on an item at left to find out what it means and what to do. Customized Tune-up Tips
• Clean up disk space (Drive C)
• Upgrade disk space (Drive C)
• Sub Optimal Internet Performance
• Defragment files (Drive C)
• Install more memory
• Adjust IE browser cache size
• Auto-filling Forms with IE May Present a Security Risk
• Saving Web Page Passwords with Firefox May Present a Security Risk
• Auto-filling Forms with Firefox May Present a Security Risk
• Setup a Free User Account
• Install Backup Software

Configuration Summary: Our analysis was based on the data collected from this computer. A summary of the data collected is shown below. Click on any of the subsystem names or flags in the table below to see more information, or use the test details to see all the data on one page. For a list of programs running on your computer, including spyware, see the Windows details page. The test history page has a summary of previous tests for this configuration. See how your system compares to others we've tested.

Subsystem Status Description
System AMD Sempron 2500+, 1733 MHz
Memory 384MB RAM
Disk Drives C, D, E
Video NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Internet MSIE 6.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322
Windows Windows 2000 Pro SP4
Security
Compare

Serious
Problem Minor
Problem A Winner! • Suggestion Your Score?
Click Here


Attention: You are running as Administrator.
Thank you for testing at PC Pitstop. Important: Before leaving the PC Pitstop site, please shut down this instance of Internet Explorer that is running as Administrator.
Attention: You are running unprotected.
Thank you for testing at PC Pitstop. Important: Before leaving the PC Pitstop site, please shut down this instance of Internet Explorer that is running with Protected Mode disabled.


View/change PC use and connection info
 
There is too much information in the diagnostic report to copy/paste it all here, you can read the information and benefit from it. I will not be able to see it unless you register "free" so you can post a link to the "Test Results". Please do not copy/paste any infomation here except the link I requested. Every line in the report is a link to more information.

This is NOT your information, just an example like so you can see what I need.
http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/Summary.asp?TechExpress=VJRBSWRV9LVSKBRV

Thanks
 
Hi Pskelley,

Hope you had a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday (which ever applies)!!

Thanks again. My first scan using PC Pitstop was done earlier than the 12/23. My second scan was on the 23rd and I registered to save results from that point forward.

Here is the link to my results:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=ASQ3SW7XZ9VS3Z7G

I also used the browser tuner exam. My new FireFox crashes late in test 2 with a script error (array test I think but it only blinks up for an instant), my new IE passes through the full suite of tests.

Thanks again! ...Cobalt Blue
 
I will comment briefly of the results, I am sure you have looked and are well aware there are major issues, especially with your Hard Disk.

Drive C has 2012MB of junk files, which is 3 percent of all the space available on the drive

Drive C:\ has only 5 percent of its space available.

About Fragmentation: You can improve your disk drive performance by defragmenting it on a regular basis.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848

Install more memory >>> http://www.crucial.com/support/howmuch.aspx

Click all those links and learn from the information, the folks will answer questions here:
http://pcpitstop.invisionzone.com/index.php?showforum=6

I can tell you this, you have a major problem with Disk space that will unlikely be resolved by anything less than a bigger hard drive. You can try to remove some stuff, but it is unlikely you will be able to remove enough to make a difference and you must have space to download critical stuff from Windows.

You also have a maintenance problems only you can solve.

I have 1.25 GB's of memory and consider that enough, you have the absolute minimum for basic computing. Don't even think about being able to run intense games, etc. It is not going to happen.

My suggestion would be to think about a new computer, with a hugh hard drive and a load of RAM.

Good luck with your decisions.

Thanks...Phil
 
Phil, Thanks again for your time and expertise.

I hear you loud and clear on the disk issues. That is what I'm working on now. I am puzzled by the report of "junk" files from PC Pitstop. I already deleted all my recycle bin and IE and Firefox cache files. I also had these cache sizes pretty large initially and early on made them much smaller, toward the minimum recommended limit.

I do think that previous installs did not clean up after themselves and I need a heavy duty cleaner to figure that out. The cleaning utility they sell on the site will not run on my system as the OS needs to be NT 5.1 or higher. Any suggestions on getting rid of these files?

I have a second physical disk (D & E) that is partitioned for my backups. I need a better strategy to do it. Would appreciate any suggestions of what SW to use and things to read.

My system is only used for business and not for gaming so I have CPU and graphics power to spare for my use.

Thanks again for your help. ...Cobalt Blue...
 
I would not buy anything, here is a good free cleaner, but if you use it download the basic clean only, not all of the junk and eye candy.
http://www.ccleaner.com/
I would wait on it though until you are sure you have room for it. I would use ATF-Cleaner making sure you clean everything it will clean and CleanManager which should be part of Windows2000:
http://spyware-free.us/tutorials/cleanmgr/

You can run the diagnostic as often as you with to see if you are making progress. As far as partitioning, that is not my forte, I can only suggest you google for the information you need.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+to+partition&btnG=Search

Hope that helps
 
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Dear Phil,

Thanks for everything!!! CCleaner worked great. I also loaded their beta defrag program and it worked great as well. I now have over 10% free drive space and things look fine.

I also bought a NAS device to use (e-Bay for ~$40) to off load a bunch of music, video, and pictures so that should help a lot as well. Should get to 30% free or more. :2thumb:

I also decided to get Kaspersky's full suite which was on sale at a terrific price at a retailer over Christmas.

Thanks again for everything!!! I could not have done it without you!!!

Sincerely, ...Denny
 
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